1. Introduction
The Alpine X-W12D4 X-Series 12-inch subwoofer is engineered to deliver powerful, precise bass as part of the Alpine ID (Image Defined) sound culture. This manual provides essential information for the proper installation, operation, and maintenance of your subwoofer, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
The X-W12D4 features dual 4-ohm voice coils, a 24mm linear Xmax, and robust construction designed to move significant amounts of air with accuracy and control. It is an ideal match for high-power amplifiers, such as the Alpine X-A90M 900W mono amplifier.
2. Safety Information
Please read all safety instructions carefully before installing and operating the subwoofer. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in injury or damage to the product or vehicle.
- Professional Installation Recommended: Due to the complexity of car audio systems and high power requirements, professional installation is highly recommended.
- Power Handling: Ensure your amplifier's power output matches the subwoofer's RMS power handling (900W RMS). Overpowering or underpowering can lead to damage.
- Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation around the subwoofer and amplifier to prevent overheating.
- Wiring: Use appropriate gauge wiring for power, ground, and speaker connections. Incorrect wiring can cause electrical shorts or fire hazards.
- Secure Mounting: Always mount the subwoofer securely within its enclosure and the enclosure securely within the vehicle to prevent movement during driving.
- Proposition 65 Warning: This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
3. Package Contents
Verify that all items are present in the package:
- Alpine X-W12D4 12-inch Subwoofer
- Twist-lock Trim Ring
- Full Mesh Grill
4. Setup and Installation
Proper setup is crucial for optimal performance and longevity of your subwoofer.
4.1. Enclosure Selection
The X-W12D4 is designed to perform well in various enclosures. For best results, consider a custom-built sealed or ported enclosure tuned to the subwoofer's specifications. A common recommendation for a sealed enclosure is approximately 0.75 cubic feet.
4.2. Mounting
The subwoofer requires a mounting depth of 7-1/4 inches. Ensure sufficient clearance behind the subwoofer for proper air circulation and to prevent contact with any obstructions.
Image: Front and side view of the Alpine X-W12D4 subwoofer, showcasing the cone and surround, along with the robust basket design.
4.3. Wiring Dual Voice Coils
The X-W12D4 features dual 4-ohm voice coils, offering flexibility in wiring configurations to match your amplifier's impedance requirements. Common configurations include:
- Series Wiring (8 ohms): Connect the positive terminal of VC1 to the negative terminal of VC2. The amplifier connects to the negative terminal of VC1 and the positive terminal of VC2. This results in a total impedance of 8 ohms.
- Parallel Wiring (2 ohms): Connect the positive terminals of VC1 and VC2 together. Connect the negative terminals of VC1 and VC2 together. The amplifier connects to the combined positive and negative terminals. This results in a total impedance of 2 ohms.
Always ensure your amplifier is stable at the chosen impedance. Refer to your amplifier's manual for compatible load impedances.
Image: Rear view of the Alpine X-W12D4 subwoofer, highlighting the dual voice coil terminals and wiring options for series or parallel configurations.
4.4. Trim Ring and Grill Installation
Once the subwoofer is mounted, attach the twist-lock trim ring and full mesh grill. Align the trim ring with the mounting holes and twist to secure. The mesh grill provides protection for the cone.
Image: Top-down view of the Alpine X-W12D4 subwoofer with the protective mesh grill installed, showcasing its sleek design.
5. Operating the Subwoofer
The Alpine X-W12D4 is designed for high-performance bass reproduction. To achieve the best sound quality and prevent damage, consider the following:
- Amplifier Matching: Use an amplifier capable of delivering 900W RMS at the chosen impedance. An underpowered amplifier can lead to clipping and damage, while an overpowered amplifier can cause mechanical failure.
- Gain Setting: Properly set the amplifier's gain to match the output voltage of your head unit. Do not use the gain control as a volume knob; it should be set to prevent distortion at maximum head unit volume.
- Crossover Settings: Utilize your amplifier's or head unit's low-pass filter (LPF) to send only low frequencies to the subwoofer. A typical LPF setting for this subwoofer is between 60Hz and 80Hz.
- Subsonic Filter: If your amplifier has a subsonic filter, enable it to protect the subwoofer from playing frequencies below its resonant frequency, which can cause excessive excursion and damage.
- Break-in Period: Allow a break-in period of approximately 20-30 hours of moderate listening before pushing the subwoofer to its limits. This allows the suspension components to loosen up and perform optimally.
6. Maintenance
The Alpine X-W12D4 subwoofer requires minimal maintenance to ensure long-term performance.
- Cleaning: Periodically wipe down the subwoofer and grill with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and debris. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners.
- Inspection: Regularly inspect the speaker cone, surround, and spider for any signs of damage, tears, or fatigue. Check all wiring connections for tightness and corrosion.
- Environmental Conditions: Avoid exposing the subwoofer to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight for prolonged periods, or excessive moisture.
7. Troubleshooting
If you experience issues with your Alpine X-W12D4 subwoofer, refer to the following common problems and solutions:
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No sound from subwoofer | No power to amplifier; loose wiring; amplifier in protect mode; incorrect gain setting; head unit not sending signal. | Check amplifier power and ground connections. Verify remote turn-on wire. Inspect all speaker wires. Reset amplifier. Adjust gain. Ensure head unit is on and sending audio. |
| Distorted or unclear bass | Amplifier gain set too high (clipping); incorrect crossover settings; damaged voice coil; poor enclosure. | Reduce amplifier gain. Adjust LPF and subsonic filter settings. Inspect subwoofer cone and surround for damage. Ensure enclosure is sealed and properly sized. |
| Subwoofer smells burnt | Overpowering; prolonged clipping; voice coil overheating. | Immediately reduce volume. Check amplifier gain and ensure it's not clipping. Verify amplifier power matches subwoofer RMS. Allow subwoofer to cool. If smell persists or performance degrades, the voice coil may be damaged and require replacement. Note: A slight smell during initial break-in is normal, but strong, persistent burning indicates an issue. |
| Weak or muddy bass | Incorrect wiring (e.g., out of phase); insufficient power; improper enclosure tuning. | Verify correct wiring polarity. Ensure amplifier is providing sufficient power. Consult with an audio professional for enclosure optimization. |
If troubleshooting steps do not resolve the issue, contact Alpine customer support or a qualified car audio technician.
8. Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model Number | X-W12D4 |
| Speaker Size | 12 inches |
| Voice Coils | Dual 4-ohm |
| RMS Power Handling | 900 Watts |
| Peak Power Handling | 1800 Watts |
| Linear Xmax (1 way) | 24mm |
| Peak-to-Peak Excursion | 48mm |
| Frequency Response | 22Hz - 200Hz |
| Mounting Depth | 7-1/4 inches |
| Product Dimensions | 13 x 17 x 17 inches |
| Item Weight | 33 Pounds |
| Connectivity Technology | Wired |
| Audio Output Mode | Surround |
9. Warranty and Support
Alpine products are designed and manufactured to the highest quality standards. For information regarding warranty coverage, please refer to the warranty card included with your product or visit the official Alpine website.
For technical support, product registration, or to find authorized service centers, please visit the Alpine Store on Amazon or the main Alpine website.
10. Official Product Videos
No official product videos from the seller are available for this product at this time.
