Loaded Subwoofer Enclosures Compared: Single, Dual and Truck Boxes from Kicker, JL Audio and Alpine

Why a loaded enclosure

A loaded enclosure is a sub box with the subwoofer already installed and wired to a terminal, built by the maker for that sub. There is no box building and no guessing at the volume or port tuning.

Every box here is on our listings. We are an authorized Kicker, JL Audio and Alpine dealer, and Tony installs subs in our own bay at 8696 Atlantic Ave. For the basics of sealed vs ported, see our sealed vs ported vs loaded enclosure guide.

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. Impedance tells you what your mono amp sees, so match it to the amp's power at that load.

Loaded subwoofer enclosures 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.

Keep the cargo space: shallow, down-firing and truck boxes

The JL Audio CS112LG-TW3 is a sealed 12 only 5.06 inches deep, and the CS112TG-TW3 is a truck-style wedge 4.5 inches deep at the top. The Alpine RS-SB12 and SS-SB12 are 5.25 inches tall, sized for under seats and cargo floors, and the JL Audio PES112-TW1 is a sealed StowAway box.

The Kicker 49L7TDF122 and 48TRTP122 fire into the floor so you can stack cargo on top. The Alpine R2-DB8V-TRK holds two 8-inch subs in a ported box whose width adjusts from 40 to 51 inches, at 8-3/4 inches tall to fit under the rear seat in most full-size crew cab trucks, per its listing.

Single 12-inch boxes

Sealed boxes like the Alpine S2-SB12 and JL Audio CLS112RG-W7AE give tight, accurate bass; the S2-SB12 adds RGBW lighting with an IR remote, and the CLS112RG-W7AE handles 1,000 W RMS. Ported boxes play louder in the low notes: the Kicker 50VCWC122 is tuned to 30 Hz, the 52VCVR122 to 38 Hz, and the Alpine S2-SB12V and R2-SB12V handle 600 and 750 W RMS.

For more output from one sub, the Kicker 45VL7R122 and 44VL7S122 use L7 square subs at 600 and 750 W RMS, and the JL Audio HO112-W6v3 is a chamber-coupled, slot-ported rear-firing box rated for 600 W RMS.

Dual and quad 12-inch boxes

The Kicker 50DCWC122 pairs two CompC subs at 600 W RMS with 99.9 dB sensitivity, per its listing, and the Alpine W-DB12V and JL Audio CP212-W0v3 are dual 12 wedges. The Kicker 48DCVR122 and 48DCWR122 step up to CompVR and CompR subs, and the 45DL7R122 and 44DL7S122 to L7 square subs at 1,200 and 1,500 W RMS.

The Kicker 47QL7R122 QUAD holds four 12-inch L7R subs at 2,400 W RMS in a birch-veneer plywood box with a flared port. A box like that needs a big mono amp; see our mono subwoofer amplifier comparison.

How to choose, and how to get one

Measure the space first, then pick sealed for tight bass or ported for more output, and match the box's power and impedance to your 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. Gear bought here and installed here carries Stock moves, so call (323) 944-7844 to confirm the box is on the floor before you drive over.