The role of a subwoofer in a home theater cannot be overestimated. It is its contribution, along with the surrounding sound, that allows you to fully immerse yourself in what is happening on the screen. It is also used when listening to music, although it is much more difficult to correctly integrate the bass module into the system in this case. The American company JL Audio succeeds in both. And this success is due to specific reasons. The idea of ​​​​isolating the low-frequency link of the acoustic system in a separate case appeared in the middle of the last century. Such a solution allows you to overcome the compromises that have to be made when designing classic speakers, minimizing the mutual influence of the drivers – both mechanical and electrical.

It is the experience gained in the design of car subwoofers that allows the American company JL Audio to create completely extraordinary products in the field of home acoustics. The company began its activity back in 1977 with the release of acoustic systems for home use. But by the early 90s, JL Audio had become one of the leading manufacturers of high-end car audio equipment. The company has managed to maintain this honorable title to this day. Over time, specialized models for use on yachts and marine vessels were added to car audio, and in 2005, the company returned to the field of home audio, concentrating on the development and production of high-end active subwoofers for equipping top-level AV systems.

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The company managed to maintain the entire production cycle from research and development of equipment models to the final assembly of products in the USA, which is becoming increasingly rare in the era of globalization. All necessary components (low-frequency drivers, amplifiers, control electronics, enclosures) are manufactured at its factory in Miramar, Florida, and the final assembly of subwoofers is carried out. Nowadays, such an organization of development and production is a kind of quality mark, indicating the class of the product – after all, in the case of mass budget equipment, the transfer of production to the countries of Southeast Asia has long been a necessary condition for survival in the face of fierce competition. In the major league, there is still a chance to preserve traditions concerning not only research and design but also the actual production of products.

Subwoofers have become an integral part of car audio systems, which is due to strict limitations on the dimensions and placement of speakers in the car, where it is difficult to use multi-liter cases and large drivers in the design of the main acoustics, capable of providing high-quality bass. It is the experience gained in the design of car subwoofers that allows the American company JL Audio to create completely extraordinary products in the field of home acoustics.

It is with the most affordable models that we will begin our acquaintance with the products of the legendary JL Audio. In addition to a smaller emitter size, the younger model is more compact and equipped with a less powerful amplifier (500 watts at peak instead of 750 in the d110 model). Accordingly, under the same conditions, it has a higher cutoff frequency (at the -3 dB level from 29 Hz, and not from 25, like the d110 model). Otherwise, including the company’s know-how, switching arsenal, and functional equipment, these models are identical. Therefore, if your cinema is not very spacious, you can save money – the little JL Audio Dominion d108 is also capable of turning up the heat! Another interesting option is to use a pair of d108 in the cinema instead of one d110. Of course, the cost of such a solution will be higher, but you will also get a more uniform and expressive bass.

Another possible way to save a little will be to refuse the luxurious piano lacquer finish – both models of the Dominion series are offered either in piano lacquer (Black Gloss) or in a matte wood film (Black Ash). We will take a closer look at the senior model of the series in an expensive finish.

The choice of a closed acoustic design in subwoofers of this class seems quite logical. At the same time, you expect from an ideal subwoofer a combination of the breadth of the operating range (bass depth), demonstrated by devices with a phase inverter, and the rate of fire and concentration of the bass, characteristic of models in a closed acoustic design. In order not to compromise in this part of the sound spectrum, it is necessary to increase the size of the driver and, as a result, use more powerful amplifiers and voluminous cases. The JL Audio company decided to try to refute such an “extensive” approach and prove that thanks to original technologies in the production of drivers, it is possible to get the right bass in a relatively compact case. And in the Dominion series models, it has succeeded. 

The switching panel takes up almost the entire back wall of the subwoofer housing. The central place here is given to the cast radiator for cooling the amplifier output stages. Even though the JL Audio Dominion d110 uses an amplifier operating in class D and characterized by high energy efficiency, the high output power, reaching 750 watts at peak, forces us to take measures for reliable cooling. Above the radiator is a panel with various controls. In addition to the usual gain control and crossover frequency adjustment knobs, there is a smooth signal phase adjustment and a switch that locks the crossover. The switching itself is concentrated in the lower part of the panel.

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The low-level input is implemented on RCA connectors and is used both for connecting to a stereo preamplifier and to an AV receiver or processor (in the second case, the subwoofer crossover should be disabled). A non-standard comb connector is used for switching high-level signals. The corresponding mating part is included in the kit. The only concern is the success of connecting thick speaker cables to such a plug – perhaps it would be more appropriate to include a ready-made interconnect in the kit.

FAQs for JLAudio Dominion D110 Subwoofer

Q1: What type of audio system is the JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer designed for?

• A: The JL Audio Dominion D110 is designed for high-performance audio systems, making it ideal for home theater setups and music listening.

Q2: What is the power output of the JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer?

• A: The subwoofer delivers 300 watts RMS of power, providing robust and dynamic bass performance.

Q3: What size is the driver in the Dominion D110?

• A: The JL Audio Dominion D110 features a 10-inch (254 mm) subwoofer driver, optimized for deep bass reproduction.

Q4: What is the frequency response range of the Dominion D110?

• A: The frequency response range of the JL Audio Dominion D110 is 23 Hz to 200 Hz, allowing it to reproduce low-frequency sounds effectively.

Q5: Does the D110 have adjustable settings for optimal performance?

• A: Yes, the Dominion D110 includes adjustable settings such as a variable low-pass filter and phase control, allowing users to fine-tune the subwoofer’s performance based on their room acoustics.

Q6: How is the JL Audio Dominion D110 connected to an audio system?

• A: The subwoofer features multiple input options, including RCA inputs for easy connectivity with various audio systems.

Q7: Is the JL Audio Dominion D110 easy to install?

• A: Yes, the D110 is designed for straightforward installation, with user-friendly setup instructions and flexible connectivity options.

Q8: What type of enclosure does the Dominion D110 use?

• A: The JL Audio Dominion D110 utilizes a sealed enclosure design, which enhances the accuracy of bass response and minimizes distortion.

Q9: Can the Dominion D110 be used with other brands?

• A: Yes, the JL Audio Dominion D110 can be integrated into systems from various brands, thanks to its standard RCA inputs.

Q10: What finishes are available for the JL Audio Dominion D110?

A: The subwoofer is available in various finishes, including sleek black and stylish wood veneer, allowing it to complement any home decor.

Specification

• Type: Active Subwoofer
• Driver Size: 10 inches (254 mm)
• Amplifier Type: Class D
• Power Output:
  • 300 watts RMS
  • 600 watts peak power
• Frequency Response: 23 Hz to 200 Hz
• Enclosure Type: Sealed design
• Low Pass Filter: Variable, 30 Hz to 200 Hz
• Phase Control: 0° to 180° adjustment
• Input Connectors:
  • RCA line-level inputs (LFE and stereo)
  • Balanced XLR inputs
• Output Connectors: RCA line-level outputs for daisy chaining
• Dimensions:
  • Height: 15.5 inches (393 mm)
  • Width: 14.0 inches (356 mm)
  • Depth: 14.0 inches (356 mm)
• Weight: Approximately 35 lbs (15.9 kg)
• Finish Options: Available in various finishes, including black and wood veneer.

Features:

• Built-in Room Correction: Some models may include features for room equalization to optimize performance based on room acoustics.
• User-Friendly Controls: Easy access to controls for adjusting crossover frequency and phase.
• Robust Construction: Designed with high-quality materials for durability and performance.