The world of automotive audio systems wouldn’t be the same without Rockford Fosgate.
To some that might sound like an overstatement, but when you consider just how many great products this brand has contributed to the market, it’s hard not to think that way.
Talking about great products , the Rockford Fosgate P3 Punch is one of their best subwoofer for car that delivers great performance at a very reasonable price compared to other offerings.
It brings a perfect balance of performance, size, and most importantly, price. There is a reason why many consider this very subwoofer to be the cornerstone of automotive bass performance.
Today we are going to take a closer look at it and try to figure out what exactly makes it so attractive. If you were on the fence about picking one of these up, stick with us because you might just find your answers.
- Has a continuous RMS Power of 1200 watts
- Available in 2 ohm and 4 ohm models
- Produces clear , crisp sound
- Strong and proven to last for years
- Sound may sometimes be too loud
Rockford Fosgate P3 Review
Features
For a sub that is so praised, you would think that Rockford Fosgate produced something super special that was like nothing that was available before its release, right?
No, the whole point about this awesome subwoofer is that you get the most average (read most practical) design that was simply built well. It’s a 12-inch standard round sub that packs a heavy punch on a budget.
The power rating for this model is 600 Watts RMS with peak power set at nearly 1200 Watts. It’s a dual voice coil design that operates at 4 Ohms, which makes it compatible with just about any monoblock car amplifier out there. Now that we got some raw specs out of the way let’s address the overall build quality of Rockford P3. Starting from the cone, we see a solid anodized aluminum piece that is light but and pretty agile.
The dust cap is also made of the same material. One of the more unique features is the vertically mounted surround, which in theory increases the efficiency of the cone by some 25%.
The Basket features what Rockford Fosgate calls a ‘FlexFit’ design. In simple words, this translates to having slots instead of simple holes for mounting the sub. The benefit of this system is that you can adjust the angle of the sub once you mount it. However, seeing how this design introduces a lateral axis, there might be some issues with the screws coming loose and the whole speaker moving a bit.
The Tinsel leads are pretty standard in shape, but they are stitched. Rockford Fosgate decided to hand-stitch the lead wires at certain places along their length, thus achieving a decent combination of flexibility, reliability, and weight.
Regarding heat dissipation, the basket takes care of most of the needs due to its semi-vented design which allows the spider to breathe and release heat away from the magnets.
Aside from these features that we have mentioned above, you can also count on seeing some cosmetic details such as the PVC magnet cover and a diamond cut, cast aluminum trim ring.
With all that said, the speaker not only feels solid, it also looks pretty attractive. You generally don’t expect the get much eye candy in this price range, but Rockford Fosgate made sure that P3 at least looks decent enough for styling oriented builds.
Performance
Once you wire everything up, it’s time to start this bad boy up. The first thing that becomes clear as soon as you start pushing some low frequencies through the amp is that Rockford Fosgate P3 punch brings serious volume to the table.
Even though most of your average users will be more than happy with 600 Watts RMS, there are some who simply need more. This is the type of medium powered sub that will easily appease 3 out of 4 of those demanding users, easily.
P3 meets CEA 2031 standards, so you know it will deliver consistent performance without any issues. With nickel-plated push terminals, there should be no interference from the connectors, thus giving you a pretty bright sound across the range.
Conclusion
It’s easy to figure out what made the Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 Punch P3 so popular. It is a subwoofer that is capable of moving serious amounts of air, with reliability you rarely find these days, all within a price range that fits the most of the entry level to mid-level users.
If you are planning on doing your first build and you are looking for a good affordable sub, Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 Punch P3 should be at the top of your list of potential choices. It’s just that good!
Before you go , do have a look at our buyer’s guide to choosing the best flip out head unit , best 6×9 speakers , best 6×8 speakers , best 6.5 car speakers , best shallow mount subwoofers and best car speakers.
- Has a continuous RMS Power of 1200 watts
- Available in 2 ohm and 4 ohm models
- Produces clear , crisp sound
- Strong and proven to last for years
- Sound may sometimes be too loud
Looking for work? If you are an Automobile Technician, there are currently great openings you can review.
very good performance. I use 2 wired to 1 ohm and use the pioneer GMD9601 amp to push them. It a great combnation if your on a budget. With a custom box you will not be disapointed with your sound system.
I have the same pioneer amp as u pushing it at 2ohms what freq should I set it at it says response from 27.5 but down a say till what ?
If the only CON is they may be too loud then YOU’RE TOO FREAKIN OLD!!!!!!!! Up The Irons, Iron Maiden!
im running the exact same setup lol its ridiculous lol
1- P3 2 ohms. JL Audio HD900
Chest Pain oh yeah
2 12” P3s in vented box. With a Skar 2000w amp. These subs are definitely hard hitting. I’ve been told I sound like an earthquake. That brightened up my day.
Haha, I love it, James. This makes me happy … nothing better than rollin’ & hittin’ hard. Just make sure you do it responsibly, Mr. Quake 😉