10-Inch Car Subwoofers Compared: JL Audio, Kicker, Alpine and Focal

A 10 fits smaller boxes than a 12. For a first sub on a modest amp, look at the Alpine W10S4, Kicker 50CWCD104 or 52CVR104, or JL Audio 10W0v3 and 10W1v3. For a truck cab or under a seat, pick a shallow 10: the JL Audio 10TW3-D4 and Alpine RS-W10D4 mount 3.25 inches deep, and the Kicker 48CWRT104 and 46L7T104 need 3-7/16 and 3-3/4 inches. For more output, step up to the Kicker 50CVX104 or 44L7S104, the Alpine S2-W10D4 or R2-W10D4, or the JL Audio 10W3v3 and 10W6v3. At the top are the JL Audio 10W7AE, the Alpine HDZ-W10 and the Kicker L7X.

Car audio · · DJ Custom Audio, South Gate

What to compare

A component sub is the driver alone, so it needs a box and a mono amp. Match the sub's RMS power to the amp, wire the voice coils to a load the amp handles, and use the box size the maker recommends. For a ready-made box, see our loaded subwoofer enclosure comparison, and for a bigger driver, our 12-inch subwoofer comparison.

Every sub here is on our listings. We are an authorized JL Audio, Kicker, Alpine and Focal dealer, and Tony installs subs in our own bay at 8696 Atlantic Ave in South Gate.

Side by side

This table is built only from our own product listings. Where a listing does not state a spec, the cell says so instead of guessing.

Power is RMS as each maker rates or recommends it. Sensitivity is as the listing gives it, and a higher number plays a little louder on the same power.

10-inch component car subwoofers compared, from our product listings. "Not in our listing" means our product page does not state that spec, so ask us before you count on it.

ModelVoice coilsPower (RMS)SensitivityMounting depthBox per the listing
Alpine W10S4Single 4 ohm250 WNot in our listingNot in our listing0.83 cu ft sealed or 1.51 cu ft ported
Kicker 50CWCD104Dual 4 ohm125-250 W recommended85.2 dB5-3/16 in1-2.4 cu ft sealed or 1.25-1.75 cu ft vented
Kicker 52CVR104Dual 4 ohm180-375 W recommended83.6 dB5-1/2 in0.8-3 cu ft sealed or 1.25-1.75 cu ft vented
JL Audio 10W0v3-4Single 4 ohm300 W84.07 dB4.90 in0.65 cu ft sealed or 1.125 cu ft ported
JL Audio 10W1v3-4Single 4 ohm300 W84.2 dB4.6 in0.55 cu ft sealed
Alpine SWT-10S4Single 4 ohm350 WNot in our listing4-3/16 inVery small sealed
JL Audio 10TW1-4Single 4 ohm300 W82.2 dB4.36 in0.35 cu ft sealed
JL Audio 10TW3-D4Dual 4 ohm400 W82.10 dB3.25 inNot in our listing
Alpine RS-W10D4Dual 4 ohm600 WNot in our listing3.25 inNot in our listing
Kicker 48CWRT104Dual 4 ohm400 W84.8 dB3-7/16 in0.4-1.25 cu ft sealed or 1.25-1.75 cu ft vented
Kicker 46L7T104Dual 4 ohm500 W86.0 dB3-3/4 in0.4-1.0 cu ft sealed or 1.25-1.75 cu ft vented
Kicker 52CVT104Single 4 ohm180-375 W recommended87.2 dB4-1/4 in0.8-3 cu ft sealed or 1.25-1.75 cu ft vented
Focal SUB 10 WMDual 4 ohm400 W87.5 dBAbout 4.25 inSmallest sealed 0.35 cu ft
Kicker 48CWR104Dual 4 ohm400 W84.6 dB5-1/4 in0.8-1.25 cu ft sealed or 1.25-1.75 cu ft vented
JL Audio 10W3v3-4Single 4 ohm500 W84.9 dB5.93 inAbout 0.625 cu ft sealed or 1.125 cu ft ported
Kicker 45L7R104Dual 4 ohm500 W85.9 dB6-1/8 in0.66-1 cu ft sealed or 1.25-2.25 cu ft vented
Kicker 51CWQ104Dual 4 ohm400-800 W recommended84.5 dB6-3/8 inSmallest sealed 0.66 cu ft
Alpine S2-W10D4Dual 4 ohm600 W84.9 dBNot in our listingSealed or ported
Kicker 50CVX104Dual 4 ohm600 W85.7 dB5-15/16 in0.8-3.0 cu ft sealed or 1.25-1.75 cu ft vented
Kicker 44L7S104Dual 4 ohm600 W86.8 dB6-1/4 in1.0-1.25 cu ft sealed or 1.25-2.25 cu ft vented
JL Audio 10W6v3Not in our listing600 W82.7 dB6.89 inAbout 0.55 cu ft sealed or 0.75 cu ft ported
Alpine R2-W10D4Dual 4 ohm750 W82.4 dB6 inNot in our listing
JL Audio 10W7AE-3Single 3 ohm750 W84.3 dB8.0 inSealed or ported
Alpine HDZ-W10Not in our listing800 WNot in our listing7-7/16 inNot in our listing
Kicker 49L7X102Dual 2 ohm1,000-2,000 W recommendedNot in our listing9-7/16 in2 cu ft vented, tuned to 31 Hz

Budget 10s for a first sub

The Alpine W10S4 handles 250 W RMS on a single 4-ohm coil in a 0.83 cu ft sealed or 1.51 cu ft ported box. Kicker recommends 125 to 250 W RMS for the CompC 50CWCD104 and 180 to 375 W RMS for the CompVR 52CVR104. The JL Audio 10W0v3 and 10W1v3 handle 300 W RMS, and JL's sealed box plan for the 10W1v3 is just 0.55 cu ft.

Shallow 10s for trucks and tight spaces

The JL Audio 10TW3-D4 and Alpine RS-W10D4 mount only 3.25 inches deep, at 400 W and 600 W RMS. The Kicker 48CWRT104 needs 3-7/16 inches and the 46L7T104 square sub 3-3/4 inches. The Alpine SWT-10S4 needs 4-3/16 inches and is built for very small boxes, and the JL Audio 10TW1-4 needs 4.36 inches in a 0.35 cu ft sealed box.

The Focal SUB 10 WM from the Utopia M line needs about 4.25 inches and a sealed box as small as 0.35 cu ft, with 87.5 dB sensitivity, the highest in our table. Measure the space, then text us a photo so Tony can confirm the box will fit.

Mid-power and high-power 10s

The Kicker 48CWR104 handles 400 W RMS, and the JL Audio 10W3v3-4 and Kicker 45L7R104 square sub handle 500 W RMS. The Kicker 50CVX104 and 44L7S104, the Alpine S2-W10D4 and the JL Audio 10W6v3 handle 600 W RMS, and the Kicker 51CWQ104 takes 400 to 800 W RMS.

At the top, the Alpine R2-W10D4 and JL Audio 10W7AE-3 handle 750 W RMS, the Alpine HDZ-W10 800 W RMS, and the Kicker L7X 49L7X102 calls for 1,000 to 2,000 W RMS in a 2 cu ft vented box tuned to 31 Hz. Pair any of these with a mono amp from our mono subwoofer amplifier comparison.

How to choose, and how to get one

Start with the space and the amp: pick a shallow 10 if depth is tight, then match RMS power and impedance to the mono amp. Text (213) 674-9042 with your year, make and model and a photo of the trunk or cab, and Tony will tell you what fits.

Everything is bought and installed or picked up at the shop at 8696 Atlantic Ave in South Gate, and you can ask about our Payment Plan. Stock moves, so call (323) 944-7844 to confirm the sub is on the floor before you drive over.

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12-Inch Car Subwoofers Compared: JL Audio, Kicker, Alpine and Focal

For a first sub on a modest amp, look at the Alpine W12S4, Kicker 50CWCD124 or JL Audio 12W0v3. For a truck cab or a box behind the seat, pick a shallow sub like the JL Audio 12TW1 or 12TW3, the Alpine RS-W12D4 (3.25 inches deep) or the Kicker 46L7T124 or 52CVT124. For more output in a trunk, step up to the Kicker 48CWR122, JL Audio 12W3v3 or Alpine S2-W12D4. At the top are the JL Audio 12W6v3 and 12W7AE, the Alpine HDZ-W12, the Focal SUB 30 KXE and the Kicker L7X and L7XS, which need a big mono amp.

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8-Inch Car Subwoofers Compared: JL Audio, Kicker and Alpine

An 8 fits where a 10 or 12 will not. For a modest amp, look at the Kicker CompC 50CWCS84 or 50CWCD84 (100 to 200 W RMS) or the JL Audio 8W1v3 (150 W RMS) and 8W3v3 (250 W RMS, in a 0.3 cu ft sealed box). For the thinnest installs, the Kicker 48CWRT8 mounts 2-11/16 inches deep and the 46L7T8 square sub 2-3/4 inches. For more output, step up to the Alpine R2-W8, the Kicker 44L7S8 square sub (450 W RMS) or the JL Audio 8W7AE-3 (500 W RMS).

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Questions on 10-Inch Car Subwoofers Compared: JL Audio, Kicker, Alpine and Focal

10-inch or 12-inch sub?

A 10 works in a smaller box. JL's sealed plan for the 10W1v3 is 0.55 cu ft, and the 12W1v3 is optimized for 1.10 cu ft, per our listings. See our 12-inch subwoofer comparison for the bigger drivers.

What is a good first 10-inch sub?

The Alpine W10S4, Kicker 50CWCD104 and 52CVR104 and JL Audio 10W0v3 and 10W1v3 are rated 125 to 375 W RMS, so they run on a modest mono amp.

Which 10-inch sub is the shallowest?

In our table, the JL Audio 10TW3-D4 and Alpine RS-W10D4 mount 3.25 inches deep, followed by the Kicker 48CWRT104 at 3-7/16 inches.

Do I need a box?

Yes. A component sub needs a box, and each listing gives the size it recommends. For a ready-made box with the sub installed, see our loaded subwoofer enclosure comparison.

Can you install it?

Yes. Tony installs subs, boxes and amps in our bay at 8696 Atlantic Ave in South Gate. Call or text first to set up a time.

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