Description
10th Anniversary Edition - W7 13.5-inch Subwoofer
Introducing the 13W7AW-D1.5 13" Subwoofer from JL Audio
In the world of subwoofers, brands often toss around terms like extreme, reference, and ultimate, but only a handful of products deliver on those bold promises! The JL Audio 13W7AE-D1.5 is one of those rare exceptions.
This subwoofer takes the already impressive W7 design formula to a whole new level. With a linear excursion envelope exceeding 1.25 inches one-way and a suspension capable of over 4 inches of peak-to-peak excursion, the 13W7AE is a powerhouse. Its piston diameter is 28% larger than its predecessor, the 12W7AE, making it a high-performance driver perfect for even the most demanding applications. With a 13W7AE, you can shatter limits and achieve incredible sub-bass at every level!
This subwoofer shines when you power it with an amplifier in the 500W - 1500W range, and it performs best in a 1.875 cu. ft. sealed enclosure or a 2.375 cu. ft. ported enclosure! For detailed enclosure recommendations, check out the Specifications tab.
The W7AE (Anniversary Edition) Subwoofers mark the 10th Anniversary of the W7 subwoofers. While they function like the original W7s, they stand out with their satin-black powder-coated baskets, bright anodized surround clamp ring, Anniversary Edition cone badge, and terminal label.
Get ready to experience sub-bass like never before with the JL Audio 13W7AE - it's a game-changer!
Dynamic Motor Analysis - DMA Optimized Motor
Summary:
JL Audio's Dynamic Motor Analysis system, developed in 1997, uses FEA-based modelling to address speaker motor linearity. This leads to vastly reduced distortion and faithfully reproduced transients... or, put simply, tight, clean, articulate bass.
Detailed Information:
Since 1997, JL Audio has led Finite Element Analysis for loudspeaker modelling. Their "Loudspeaker Genome" research studies loudspeaker performance using Dynamic Motor Analysis (DMA). Since the late 1990s, DMA has been vital in designing all JL Audio woofers, starting with the 15W3 and W7 subwoofers.
DMA is a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) - based system that analyzes complex problems by breaking them into smaller elements and assembling the data for an accurate overall solution. Its innovation lies in considering power effects through the coil and coil/cone position within a time-domain framework. This results in a precise model of a speaker's behaviour under real power. Unlike traditional Thiele-Small models, DMA accommodates shifts in circuit elements and requires hours of computation for a complete speaker analysis.
The payoff is reduced distortion, improved transient performance and stellar sound quality.
DMA can analyze the effects of fluctuating power and excursion upon the motor's magnetic circuit, specifically the dynamic variations of the "fixed" magnetic field. Compared to traditional modelling, this delivers intensely valuable information, which assumes that the "fixed" field produced in the air gap by the magnet and the motor plates is unchanging. DMA shows that this "fixed" field changes in reaction to the magnetic field created by the current flowing through the voice coil. It also helps our engineers arrive at motor solutions that minimize this instability. Analyzing this behaviour is critical to understanding the distortion mechanisms of a speaker motor and sheds light on the aspects of motor design that determine truly linear behaviour:
- Linear motor force over the speaker's operational excursion range
- A consistent motor force with both positive and negative current through the coil
- Consistent motor force at varying applied power levels
JL Audio's analysis of motor behaviour helps their engineers adjust designs, resulting in stable and linear loudspeaker motor systems.
Elevated Frame Cooling
Summary:
JL Audio's Elevated Frame Cooling design delivers cool air through slots directly above the top plate to the speaker's voice coil. This not only enhances power handling but also sound quality by minimizing dynamic parameter shifts and power compression.
Detailed Information:
Many speakers employ venting techniques to enhance voice coil cooling. This is typically accomplished by having big holes in the sides of the frame just below the spider attachment shelf. While it provides a modest cooling benefit, this low-velocity air-flow does not blow directly or strongly on the voice coil.
Our design improves upon this cooling technique in several ways. By elevating the frame above the top-plate of the motor (via stand-offs integrated into the bottom of the frame) a narrow, high-velocity air-path is created between the bottom surface of the frame and the top surface of the top-plate. This air path leads directly to the voice coil and then turns upward into the spider air cavity. By utilizing the pumping action of the spider through this focused air path, a large volume of cool air hits the coil windings directly.
Another important benefit is that the upper surface of the top plate (one of the speaker's hottest parts) is directly exposed to cooling air flow, whereas in a conventional design, it is isolated from the airflow by the lower flange of the frame. The elevated frame technology greatly increases thermal power handling, reduces compression effects, and does so without any additional parts.
Floating Cone Attach Method - FCAM™
Summary:
This assembly technique, conceived by JL Audio, ensures proper surround geometry in the assembled speaker for better excursion control and dynamic voice coil alignment.
Detailed Information:
JL Audio's patented FCAM™ technology is an innovative method of bonding the surround/cone assembly to the voice coil former/spider assembly. This feature helps ensure concentricity of the surround, spider and voice coil without torquing the suspension to achieve it. This allows for the inevitable, slight variations in production part dimensions without having them negatively impact the integrity of the suspension and coil-centring at high excursions.
OverRoll™ Surround
Summary:
This groundbreaking innovation controls the W7's massive excursion without sacrificing precious cone area by utilizing space wasted in conventional speakers.
Detailed Information:
The W7 speaker design features a hidden mounting flange beneath the surround, which can be detached for mounting. This design enhances the Effective Piston Area ("Sd"), comparable to an engine's "cylinder bore." Measuring the diaphragm's diameter and surround roll width determines its displacement capability; a larger area allows for more air displacement and louder output.
To improve excursion capability, a robust motor design and surround are necessary. If the surround's roll width is inadequate, it may lead to non-linear behaviour and potential failure. Larger surrounds can reduce effective piston area; for instance, a fat-surround 12-inch woofer offers 15.2% less area than one with a medium-sized roll, necessitating greater excursion and power.
OverRoll™ technology addresses this issue by positioning the surround further outward, allowing for a large roll without sacrificing cone area. Consequently, the W7 offers more piston area and maximizes output for a given excursion, enhancing overall performance.
The technology also provides a geometry advantage on the outside edge of the surround roll, allowing for more linear operation. The surround inherently seals the mounting holes, resulting in an improved box seal.
Radially Cross-Drilled Pole-Piece
Summary:
This innovative venting system greatly enhances thermal dissipation and power handling by directing air flow onto the voice coil former. It works in conjunction with the Elevated Frame cooling technology to effectively remove heat from the voice coil. This improves power handling and reduces power compression effects, leading to more linear performance.
Detailed Information:
This technology improves airflow by capping the top of the pole piece and directing air through machined holes in its outer wall to the area behind the voice coil. The smaller diameter at the top creates a high-volume, high-velocity airflow path, effectively removing superheated air trapped between the coil former and pole piece. This design dramatically enhances cooling efficiency, particularly at high excursions.
Engineered Lead-Wire System (U.S. Patent #7,356,157)
Summary:
Carefully engineered lead-wire design and attachments ensure controlled, quiet lead-wire behaviour under the most extreme excursion demands.
Detailed Information:
Managing the lead wires on a long-excursion woofer is one of the trickier aspects of its mechanical design. Many long-excursion woofers now weave lead wires into the driver's spider for a simple solution.
The biggest problem with this approach is that spider limiting behavior plays a hugely important role a woofer's performance. Lead wires woven into the spider material can change how the spider stretches! The tinsel wire is less flexible than the spider's fabric, causing uneven behaviour and stress distribution around the spider. The wire attachment points can also cause localized pulling and tearing forces at the spider's excursion limits. As such, longevity becomes a major concern and makes the woven-in design less than ideal for very long-excursion designs.
A traditional 'flying lead' design maintains spider linearity and radial stability but poses challenges for long-excursion woofers. One challenge is managing the wire's 'whipping' behaviour and making sure it does not contact the cone or spider. Another is ensuring that the leads do not short one another or the woofer's frame.
JL Audio has created flying lead wires that integrate with specially designed terminal and voice coil collar supports to address these challenges. Some models even boast jacketed lead wires, which further minimize the risk of shorting and fatigue. This innovative design offers exceptional high-excursion lead wire performance, ensuring reliability without the drawbacks of traditional systems! Manufacturing woofers this way demands significantly more labour and a complex variety of components compared to the simpler woven-in method. However, the benefits shine through with reduced distortion, minimized mechanical noise, and enhanced reliability!
Built-in U.S.A. with Global Components
Summary:
JL Audio's Miramar, Florida, loudspeaker production facility is one of the most advanced in the world. While most companies produce their audio products overseas, JL Audio proudly strengthens its commitment to manufacturing loudspeakers in-house! JL Audio built a new loudspeaker facility and partnered with global suppliers to improve quality in a competitive market. This approach and advanced assembly technology enable their skilled workforce to produce high-quality products efficiently in the U.S.A.
Born in the USA
JL Audio's premium loudspeakers use patented technologies that require specific assembly, so designers need close access to manufacturing. JL Audio proudly manufactures select products in the vibrant Miramar, Florida facility, using globally sourced components!
- Subwoofers: W7, W6v3, TW5v2, TW3, TW1, W3v3
- Enclosed Car Subwoofers: Stealthbox®, PowerWedge™, ProWedge™, H.O. Wedge™ & MicroSub™ Enclosed Subwoofers
- Marine Loudspeakers, Marine Subwoofers and Marine Enclosed Loudspeakers
- Home Subwoofers: Dominion™, E-Sub, Fathom® and Gotham®
More JL Audio Products here!
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