Without investing in an understanding of the technologies that improve speaker performance by reducing distortion, choosing one driver over another based on features and specifications alone can be challenging. The 12-inch Rockford Fosgate T1D212 and T1D412 are good examples of premium subwoofers laden with modern tech that outshine competing products. Let’s take a deep dive into the 12-inch T1 Power Series subwoofers from Rockford Fosgate.

Rockford Fosgate T1D212 and T1D412 Features and Specifications

The T1D212 and T1D412 are identical subwoofers, aside from their voice coil impedance and some minor variances because of differences in moving mass. The T1D212 has a pair of 2-ohm voice coils, while the T1D412 has dual 4-ohm coil windings. Both drivers are rated to handle 800 watts continuously, with peak power ratings of 1,600 watts.

Rockford Fosgate built both solutions around unique die-cast aluminum baskets featuring Flex-Fit. The Flex-Fit feature means the mounting locations for the hold-down screws are slotted to allow the driver to be aligned perfectly with the rest of the installation. Each driver includes an aluminum trim ring with a mesh grille to conceal the mounting hardware for a clean and classy appearance.

The cast aluminum basket incorporates cooling vents under the spider mounting lip. These vents help hot air escape from the top of the motor. They also prevent pressure build-up under the cone and spider at higher excursion levels to improve linearity. The T-yoke includes a vent to improve power handling and release pressure under the dust cap.

These T1-Series subwoofers feature Rockford Fosgate’s Inductive Damping Heat Sink. While this feature looks at first glance like a way to help improve motor cooling, it has a second equally important benefit. When current from the amplifier passes through the voice coil winding, it produces a magnetic field. This field interacts with the stationary magnets in the speaker to push the cone outward or pull it rearward. However, as the voice coil moves through the magnetic gap, that motion creates a secondary magnetic field in the voice coil that can oppose the field created by the amplifier. The result is reduced efficiency and some midbass output attenuation. The IDHS system helps to short out this unwanted current flow. As a result, subwoofers with this technology play louder with the same power as drivers without it. Including IDHS also improves midbass performance, making subwoofers like the T1D212 and T1D412 seem to “hit harder” than those without it. Win, win and win.

These Power Series subwoofers feature 3-inch diameter anodized aluminum voice coil formers wound with copper-clad aluminum wire. While using CCAW seems counterintuitive based on everything we know about connecting amplifiers to batteries, it reduces the weight of the moving assembly in these subwoofers while providing a specific impedance. As such, this conductor choice allows the design engineers to specify a specific impedance and moving mass. The latter improves midbass performance. Good midbass is crucial to getting the subwoofers’ output to blend seamlessly with the midbass drivers in the front of the vehicle.

A Kevlar fiber-reinforced paper cone is bonded to the voice coil assembly. Reinforced paper is ideal for woofer cones as it offers an excellent stiffness-to-mass ratio. A tall rubber surround that uses Rockford Fosgate’s Vertical Attach Surround Technique geometry provides the upper compliance. The VAST design allows for increased cone surface area by moving the outer attachment point closer to the perimeter of the basket. The 12-inch T1 subwoofers have an effective piston area (Sd) specification of 548 square centimeters. Popular comparable subwoofers from other brands have 486 to 510 square centimeter piston area specifications. With VAST, you get a lot more subwoofer for your money.

Each subwoofer uses a pair of progressive-roll poly cotton spiders. A spun-laced, Nomex-reinforced collar strengthens the connection between the spiders, the voice coil and the cone. The tinsel leads from the voice coils are sewn to the spiders to ensure silent operation at extreme power levels. Rockford Fosgate provides spring-loaded push terminals capable of accepting 8 AWG wiring for speaker wire connections. A jumper block integrated into the speaker connection block simplifies selecting between voice coil series and parallel wiring. Rockford Fosgate calls this their SWIFT terminal design.

T1-Level Power Series Subwoofer Applications

Using the Box Advisor on the Rockford Fosgate website, we see a recommended sealed enclosure volume of 1.25 cubic feet for the T1D212 and the T1D412. This enclosure results in an F3 frequency of 43.03 hertz and a Qtc of .745 for the T2D212. The slightly lower moving mass (Mms) and higher resonant frequency (Fs) of the T2D412 results in a Qtc of 0.862 and an F3 of 40.43 hertz. Both would sound magnificent.

The Box Advisor suggests 1.75 cubic feet tuned to 40 hertz with a 4-inch diameter round vent for vented enclosures. This design produces a nice bump at 53 hertz, adding more than 6 dB of efficiency over the sealed enclosures. The F3 frequency for these designs is right around 32.5 hertz. Based on the excursion graphs, an infrasonic filter set to 25 hertz would keep cone excursion under control in the bottom octave. If you want to trade that bump for increased low-frequency output, lowering the enclosure tuning to 33 Hz is an option. However, the difference isn’t significant, and the infrasonic filter remains required either way.

Premium Power Series Subwoofers from Rockford Fosgate

In the land of “bigger is better,” Rockford Fosgate’s T1 subwoofers include features you won’t find on most products with similar ratings. No, these aren’t inexpensive options, but the added features outlined above more than justify their price by measurably improving performance. If you’re serious about bass that sounds great, hits hard and performs reliably, drop by a local authorized retailer and ask about the Rockford Fosgate T1D212 and T1D412 Power Series subwoofers. You can find a Rockford Fosgate dealer near you using the locator on their website. Follow Rockford Fosgate on Facebook and Instagram, and check out the fantastic videos on their YouTube channel.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

When it comes to the most stereotypical car audio upgrades, most enthusiasts think of subwoofer systems. Whether you have a small sub in the trunk or a wall of woofers in the back seat, hearing and feeling the beat in your music is a game-changer. Depending on your mood or the music you’re enjoying, having the ability to fine-tune your subs lets you switch from tight and tweaky to ground-pounding and violent in less than a second. If you want the ultimate control over the bass in your vehicle, the Rockford Fosgate RFPEQU universal parametric equalizer and line driver is a great choice. Let’s check it out!

What Is the Rockford Fosgate RFPEQU Line Driver Feature?

The Rockford Fosgate RFPEQU is a stand-alone signal processor designed for installation between the radio and your car audio system’s amplifiers. The processor will accept stereo inputs up to 10 volts RMS and can provide up to 10 volts RMS to maximize the performance of any amplifier brand. The integrated level control allows your installer to configure the RFPEQU to act as a line driver by boosting the incoming audio signal to ensure that you can keep the gains on the amps all the way down.

The RFPEQU can also work as an integration processor. Your installer can connect the balanced differential inputs to the speaker outputs of a factory-installed or aftermarket radio. Not only will the processor provide a clean signal, but it can also generate a remote turn-on output to activate any brand of amplifier. The auto turn-on feature is enabled automatically when using the high-level input. The RCA harness uses a Molex-style connector with white, white/black, gray and gray/black wires with RCA ends. If your installer is wiring the RFPEQU to a radio with RCA preamp outputs, they can use the RCA jacks. If your system only has speaker outputs, they can cut off the RCA ends, leaving left and right positive and negative wires to connect. It is a very intelligent design.

Rockford Fosgate Punch EQ

The Punch Equalization curve, also called Punch EQ, has been around for more than 50 years. It was first invented to compensate for acoustical deficiencies of the automotive environment, but now is an excellent solution for bringing the factory speakers in your car or truck to life or adding some boom from a subwoofer system. Designed with the Equal-Loudness Contour (formerly the Fletcher-Munson curves) in mind, Punch EQ allows you to dial in up to 18 dB of boost at 45 hertz and 12 dB of boost at 12.5 kHz. The equalization gives you the kick you want without risking massive damage to subwoofers, typical of level control adjustments. You can think of Punch EQ as having a built-in infrasonic filter.

The high-frequency boost works like the loudness control on a factory stereo. When the volume is low, it’s hard to hear bass and treble frequencies. You can dial in more EQ boost, and the system will spring to life.

Modular Remote Level Control

The Punch EQ level is adjustable using the included remote control. The remote has a single knob mounted in a compact plastic housing. Utilizing the provided metal bracket, your installer can mount it under your dash or in a storage compartment in the center console. If you want something more customized, your installer can disassemble the remote and surface-mount the front face for a more integrated look. Rockford Fosgate includes a silver label plate and mounting nut. Finally, Rockford Fosgate provides a short extension cable to relocate the LED off the circuit board. If your installer wants to put the knob in the side of the steering column and the LED on the top, it’s not a problem. Those Rockford Fosgate engineers are smart!

The Ultimate Car Audio Integration Solution

If you want to improve the sound of your car stereo system, the Rockford Fosgate RFPEQU and its remote Punch EQ feature is perfect. If you need a line driver, it’s got you covered. Want a remote bass boost control? Yeah, taken care of. Need a factory radio integration solution? Bingo, it nails that one, too! As mentioned, it works with any amplifier brand, so it’s a Swiss Army Knife for car audio upgrades.

Visit a local authorized retailer today and ask about the Rockford Fosgate RFPEQU. It’s an excellent solution for so many car audio upgrade needs. You can find a retailer near you using the Dealer Locator tool on their website. Oh, and be sure to follow Rockford Fosgate on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to learn more about their amazing products and the events they attend.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

When most people think of Rockford Fosgate, they remember that this brand has been delivering car audio products that enthusiasts have craved for over 50 years. Rockford Fosgate’s experience has made them a leader in the development of high-performance amplifiers, speakers and, of course, car audio subwoofers. Rockford has a truly incomparable solution for those who are truly fanatical about their bass. We’re talking about their flagship 19-inch Power Series T3S1-19 and T3S2-19 drivers. Let’s check them out.

Rockford Fosgate T3S1-19 and T3S2-19 Superwoofers

There are three series of subwoofers in the flagship Power Series. The T1 drivers are available in 10-, 12-, and 15-inch sizes. The T2 drivers start getting crazier with 13- and 16-inch diameters. At the top, we have the T3 19-inch drivers. To put that size into perspective, a typical 18-inch high-power subwoofer has an effective cone area of about 1,140 square centimeters. The T3 19-inch subwoofers have cones with a massive 1,472 square centimeter area. That’s an increase of 29%, which translates directly into an increase in efficiency and output.

The T3 19-inch superwoofers are available in two models. The T3S1-19 has a single 1-ohm voice coil, while the T3S2-19 has a single 2-ohm coil. Speaking of voice coils, the aluminum voice coil former on these drivers has a diameter of 5 inches and includes a single edge-wound layer. Winding a flat wire around a cylinder on its edge isn’t easy to manufacture, but the single layer means no insulated air pockets of heat, as found on multi-layered coils. This means more thermal capacity, translating into more power handling and less thermal compression for improved overall efficiency.

The voice coil former is vented between the upper spider and the cone to release air pressure and heat at high excursion levels. Power ratings for the T3 19-inch drivers are 3,000 watts continuous with 6,000 watts as the peak. For daily duties, a single T2500-1bdCP is a great choice. Two T2500-1bdCP in PowerSync (strapped) mode will give you more than enough jam if you want to see who has the loudest system.

Keeping the massive 19-inch woofer cone under control is no easy feat, especially with linear excursion capabilities in the 2.7-inch range. As such, the chassis of the T3 woofers is very tall. The mounting depth is 15.62 inches. The chassis is a two-piece die-cast aluminum design with heat sink fins and extensive venting. The motor structure uses a dual-gap, multipole neodymium push/pull design with the voice coil having a dual winding design. A large neodymium magnet slug sits inside the voice coil and provides the electromotive force needed to move the cone. This geometry reduces inductance to numbers well below what some 10-inch woofers with 2-inch voice coils have. As such, the 19-inch woofers produce reasonable midbass – something many woofers today can’t claim at these power levels. As has been proven repeatedly, Rockford Fosgate doesn’t just do things big; it designs for sound quality and includes technologies that most other companies overlook to improve performance. Think of it like a Top Fuel Dragster combined with a Formula 1 car.

T3 Superwoofer Cone Assembly

The cones of the T3 superwoofers feature top and bottom layers of glass fiber that are laminated over a low-mass, high-strength aramid honeycomb core. This is the same construction used in aerospace applications. An aluminum dust cap ensures stability at high excursion levels.

The surround is made from injection-molded foam and uses Rockford Fosgate’s Vertical Attach Surround Technique (VAST) geometry to maximize the driver’s surface area. An aluminum clamping ring keeps the outer edge of the surround affixed to the chassis.

The Power Series T3 subwoofers use a pair of progressive Nomex spiders that are spaced several inches apart. This geometry is crucial to maintaining linear excursion at high power levels. Any rocking and the voice coil could make contact with the top plate. The tinsel leads from the voice coil are sewn to the upper spider to prevent noise and damage. Electrical connections to your amplifier(s) are made via a pair of massive spring-loaded terminals that can accept 4 AWG wiring. Just for some math fun, 6,000 watts into a 1-ohm load requires 77.4 amps of current continuously with peaks of over 92 amps. Yep, 4 AWG sounds about right.

Subwoofer Enclosure Simulations

By now, you should know that the Box Advisor tool on the Rockford Fosgate website is a valuable resource. We looked up the suggested enclosure for a T3S1-19 and were presented with a vented design with an internal volume of 8.0 cubic feet and a 69-square-inch vent that tunes the system to a ground-shaking 24 hertz. This would make a stunning subwoofer solution for a large home theater. In a van or SUV, it would be capable of scaring most audio enthusiasts. If you want maximum output for competitions, 6 cubic feet tuned to around 40 hertz will produce a nice peak where most vehicles are efficient. Based on the simulations, neither design has any power handling issues that are affected by excursion limitations above 20 Hz.

Rockford Fosgate doesn’t recommend a sealed enclosure for the T3S1-19 or T3S2-19, but it will work if you have 3.5 cubic feet of airspace. You’re probably better off with a 13-inch T2 in a vented enclosure. Unless, well, shock factor!

Amazing Bass from the Rockford Fosgate T3S1-19 Superwoofers

If you have to have the biggest, baddest subwoofer on the streets, drop by a local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer and ask about the mighty T3S1-19 and T3S2-19 superwoofers. You’ll need a well-constructed enclosure and lots of power to get the most out of one of these beasts, but the performance will be well worth the investment. For more information on the Power T3 superwoofers or any of the amazing car audio products from Rockford Fosgate, visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

I can’t think of many name-brand car audio manufacturers offering more subwoofers than Rockford Fosgate. They have everything from affordable entry-level drivers with the Prime R2 series to competition-ready monsters in the Power series T3 Superwoofer. Near the middle of the pack are the impressive Punch P3 drivers that serve as the flagship of that series. Let’s take a close look at the P3D2-10 and P3D4-10 10-inch subwoofers.

Rockford Fosgate P3D2-10 and P3D4-10 Subwoofers

The P3-level 10-inch subwoofers in the Punch line are available in two voice coil configurations. The P3D2-10 has dual 2-ohm voice coils, which your installer can wire to be a 1- or 4-ohm load. The P3D4-10 has dual 4-ohm voice coils to be a 2- or 8-ohm driver. Many will wonder which is better. There is no better. The options exist to allow your installer to pick the right combination of voice coil impedance and driver quantity to optimize the power production capabilities of whatever amp you choose. Other than some minor variances because of the different mass of the voice coils, the two driver options are otherwise identical.

Punch P3 Subwoofer Moving Parts

Let’s start by looking at the moving parts in the Rockford Fosgate P3D2-10 and P3D4-10 subwoofers. The drivers feature an anodized aluminum cone and dust cap. The cones are low in mass and rigid, and the aluminum helps extract heat from the voice coils wrapped around the anodized 2.5-inch aluminum voice coil former. A spun-laced Nomex reinforcement collar supports the joint between the former and the cone. Many overheated woofers fail at this joint, so this is a worthwhile upgrade in terms of longevity.

The tinsel leads from the voice coils are sewn to the oversized spider to ensure silent operation. At the top of the cone is a custom-tooled Santoprene rubber surround. The surround is bonded to the cone and then attached to the basket using Rockford Fosgate’s Vertical Attach Surround Technique, which optimizes the cone surface area. As a result, the P3 10-inch subwoofers have an effective radiating area (SD) of 360 square centimeters. Drivers rated similarly from competing brands are down at 345 or 327 square centimeters. When efficiency matters, so does cone area.

Basket and Magnet Assembly

The Punch P3 woofers have a unique deep-draw StampCast basket design. This basket design is stamped but looks like a cast basket, with to its geometry and crinkle-paint finish. The deep recesses on the sides of the four spokes add significant strength and rigidity to the design. Venting under the spider mounting plateau has also been included in the basket to improve power handling and make the driver more linear at high excursion levels.

The top edge of the basket features the FlexFit mounting slot design that allows for perfect alignment of the pad-printed artwork on the cone. The upper surface of the mounting lip is rubberized for a tidy appearance. A foam gasket is installed on the mounting surface to ensure an airtight seal to the enclosure. Finally, a machined aluminum trim ring gives the driver a tidy appearance and serves as the mount for the optional P2P3G-10 stamped mesh grille.

At the base of the basket is a massive magnet protected by a custom-tooled rubber boot. The pole piece includes a sizeable radiused vent in the center to relieve pressure under the dust cap and allow the inside of the voice coil to cool. Eight holes are drilled into the bottom plate to provide additional cooling under the voice coil.

Electrical connections are made by heavy-duty binding posts mounted at right angles to the basket. The wires enter the terminals from the bottom, keeping them out of the way when your installer is trying to load the driver into its enclosure.

Rockford Fosgate Punch P3D2-10 and P3D4-10 Specifications and Applications

In terms of specifications, Rockford Fosgate rates the P3 10-inch subwoofers as being capable of handling 500 watts continuously with peaks of 1,000 watts.

The drivers have a low-Q design, with the Qts being at 0.49 for the dual-two driver and 0.56 for the dual 4-ohm. The resonant frequency (Fs) is also low at 26.6 and 28 hertz, respectively. Finally, the equivalent compliance is relatively soft at 27 liters for either model. The Xmax specification is 15.2 millimeters for the D2 and 15.9 for the D4.

The Box Advisor tool on the Rockford Fosgate website suggests an acoustic suspension (sealed) enclosure volume of 0.59 cubic feet (net). This application results in a Qtc of 0.815 for the P3D2-10 driver with an F3 frequency that’s nice and low at 39.13 hertz. The suggested bass reflex (ported) enclosure has a net volume of 1.4 cubic feet with a vent tuned to 40 hertz. This enclosure, shown in red below, has an F3 frequency of 30 hertz and a nice bump centered around 45 Hz to give you a serious kick in the back. If you prefer a little rumble instead of boom, have your installer tune the enclosure to 32 hertz, and you’ll pick up about 6 dB of output at 25 hertz. None of the above enclosures have any power handling issues through the mid-band, though the vented enclosures would appreciate an infrasonic filter, as usual.

Upgrade Your Car Stereo with Rockford Fosgate Punch Subwoofers

As two reviews on the Rockford Fosgate website note, these drivers are indeed little monsters. They have an impressive feature set that ensures reliability and linear performance. The electro-mechanical characteristics are optimized for impressive output, even from a small sealed enclosure. Finally, your installer can recommend any combination of Rockford Fosgate P3D2-10 or P3D4-10 subwoofers to optimize the output capabilities of almost any amplifier on the market.

If it’s time to add high-quality bass to your vehicle, drop by a local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer and ask about the Punch P3 subwoofers. You can find a retailer using the locator tool on their website. Be sure to follow Rockford Fosgate on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to learn about their new products and the amazing events they attend each year.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.