The 7 inch round headlight is one of the most iconic shapes in the automotive world. Replacing an old sealed beam with a modern LED is one of the easiest upgrades you can make. We have tested many 7 inch round lights over the years, and the JW Speaker 8700 LED headlight consistently ranks near the top of our list. In this review, we will break down the redesigned 8700 Evolution, cover the beam pattern, DOT markings, and anti flicker harness. We will also explain how it solves common CAN bus issues and cover every spec you need to know before buying.
What Makes the Redesigned 8700 Different
These 8700s are actually a redesigned model of the original 8700. The new version is much slimmer, mainly so it fits Harley Davidson headlight buckets without modification. It also fits Jeep Wrangler headlight buckets without modification. The styling has been updated from the original 8700, but the light output remains nearly identical. You get a refreshed look, improved fitment, and the same proven performance.
Like any 7 inch round product, this fits any vehicle that came with 7 inch round sealed beam headlights. That covers a wide range of older trucks, Jeeps, and motorcycles. If you want to see how JW Speaker stacks up against everything else on the market, take a look at our JK 7-inch round headlight comparison where we put several options head to head. You can also browse JW Speaker’s full lineup of headlights to see the rest of the family.
Why LED Headlights Flicker (and How to Fix It)
Here is something we want to put to rest once and for all. Many modern vehicles have a 7 inch round headlight that is a composite housing (the bulb comes out of the housing, it is not a sealed beam), and on some vehicles, specifically the Jeep Wrangler JK or the Land Rover, you are going to have issues with the headlights flickering. This is not an issue with the headlights. It is an issue with your vehicle. So many vehicles today use a CAN bus system to control the headlights and monitor different functions. Jeep Wranglers, for example, use pulse width modulation to send voltage to the headlights, and because LEDs are so sensitive to voltage fluctuations, they will flicker.
To fix that problem, JW Speaker offers really great waterproof anti flicker harnesses. They are specifically designed for the JK Jeep Wrangler and JW Speaker 8700 LED headlights. However, many customers use them with other white LED headlights and vehicles. They work extremely well across different applications. Everything is fully encased and waterproof, with high quality connectors. Simply plug your factory H13 connector into one side and the LED headlight H4 connector into the other.
If you are running a JK and want to sort out lighting the right way, our Jeep Wrangler JK lighting category has the harness along with the rest of the parts you may need for a clean install.
Reading the Lens: DOT and SAE Markings
One of the things that separates these headlights from a lot of the cheaper stuff online is what is printed on the lens. At the top you will find the JW Speaker logo. On the bottom of the lens it says DOT, VOR, LED, SAE HL 12. DOT means they are DOT compliant. VOR means they can be visually adjusted (visually aimed). LED means the light output source is from an LED. SAE HL 12 confirms they meet SAE requirements, which is a manufacturing specification. These are real markings on a real DOT compliant light, not a random sticker slapped on a housing.
Behind the lens the design is straightforward. There is one D shaped projector on the left and one D shaped projector on the right, and behind each of those is an LED that creates the left to right beam pattern. There is a large projector on the bottom and a small projector on the top, and those produce the high and low beam differences in the beam pattern.
Made in the USA With a Lifetime Warranty
Another reason we love these lights, aside from the excellent light output and the good looks, is that they are actually made in the USA, Germantown, Wisconsin to be exact, where JW Speaker headquarters is located. As of 2013, they also carry a lifetime warranty, so there is no need to worry about these headlights during the lifetime that you own them.
Flip the light over and on one of the metal fins you will see a small see-through sticker. On our test unit it read January 3rd 2013, which is the manufacturing label telling you exactly when the headlight came off the production line in Wisconsin. Right above it, the large white sticker reads 8700, 12/24 volt, LED, HL, DOT. That confirms the model number, the accepted input voltage, the LED light source, and DOT approval.
On the sides of the flange there are four yellow dots, two on the top and two on the bottom. These are moisture vents that allow any trapped moisture out, so you will never have condensation buildup behind the lens. On the front, there is an H4 connector with about two and a half inches of exposed wire. The connection from the headlight is fully sealed, preventing any moisture intrusion. JW Speaker chose an H4 connector because many vehicles using this headlight already have one. For older vehicles with sealed beam headlights, installation is completely plug and play.
Low Beam Pattern
Here is why we like to call this one of the best 7 inch LED headlights available. The low beam pattern is wide, full, and clean. There are no hot spots, there are no funny shadows, and the light is positioned exactly where it was meant to be. There is nothing low-quality about this beam pattern, and it is incredibly wide from the far left side to the far right side. Some people have told us that going down a split four-lane highway, the beam pattern from a pair of these lights goes all the way across all four lanes of traffic. That is impressive.
High Beam Pattern
The high beam is a little bit different. The left to right beam pattern will not change much, but that little tweak at the very top that shoots off to the right changes into a very strong rectangular shaped light output. Not only does the intensity right in the middle get brighter, but the immediate left to right light output from the high beam grows too. A lot changes at the upper portion of the light. On film it might not look like much, but on the open road when you are shining down several hundred meters, the high beam is really quite impressive.
Notice too that the beam has an upward slope to the right so as not to blind oncoming drivers, which is exactly what you want from a DOT approved light.
Real World Outdoor Testing
On our outdoor testing range we set up signs to show 100 yards, with a stop sign at the end of the road at 200 yards from the light. This test used a single 7 inch round 8700, and it had no problem lighting up the entire road all by itself. Just imagine what it would be like with two of these on a Jeep or another vehicle. This test also gave us a good look at the color. There is a slight yellow band near the bottom, and in the middle it is a perfect white color right where you need it, which makes it great for driving in all kinds of situations. The beam is so wide our camera could barely catch the full left to right output.
When we switched to high beam, the light really came alive. In a real world application, you can clearly see the high beam shine higher and farther down the road. The stop sign at the end of the road is 200 yards away. The trees beyond it are another 40 feet or so, and the 8700 reaches them with a single light. If you want to compare it against other top options, Morimoto’s Sealed7 2.0 Bi LED housing and Vision X’s 7 inch round LED option at TRS are worth considering.
Full Specifications
Here are the specifications for the JW Speaker model 8700:
- Low beam: 1350 lumens
- High beam: 1770 lumens
- DOT compliant
- UV resistant polycarbonate lens
- Die cast aluminum housing
- Rugged solid state LEDs that withstand shock and vibration
- 12 to 24 volt DC input
- 2.5 amp current draw
- H4 connector
- IP67 waterproof rating
Part of the JW Speaker Family
The 7 inch round 8700 LED headlight fits well within the JW Speaker family of LED products. Set it next to the 5×7 version and you will spot big similarities, including the round projectors that handle high and low beam and the D shaped projectors on either side for the left to right beam pattern. The shape of everything behind the lens is very similar too. Look over at the 4.5 inch round JW Speaker fog light and those two match very well, with the same D shaped projectors and a bezel surface finish that matches perfectly.
These are very common to use together. The 4.5 inch round light fits a Jeep Wrangler fog light location or a Harley Davidson driving light location, and both of those vehicles would also use the 7 inch round headlights, so it is very common to find these products paired on the same build. If you want the more traditional look, take a look at the JW Speaker 8700 Evo2 Classic as well.
Our Verdict
The JW Speaker 8700 LED headlight earns its reputation. The slimmer redesign means it drops into Jeep Wrangler JK and Harley Davidson buckets without modification, the beam pattern is wide and clean with no hot spots or shadowing, and the DOT and SAE markings on the lens back up the compliance claims. Add in the made in the USA build, the lifetime warranty, and the waterproof anti flicker harness for CAN bus vehicles, and you have a complete package that we are comfortable recommending to just about anyone with a 7 inch round application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicles fit the JW Speaker 8700 headlight?
Any vehicle with a 7 inch round sealed beam headlight can use it, and the redesigned slim housing fits Jeep Wrangler JK and Harley Davidson buckets without modification.
Why do LED headlights flicker on some vehicles?
Vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler JK and Land Rover use CAN bus and pulse width modulation to control headlights, and the voltage fluctuations can cause LED flicker. JW Speaker sells a waterproof anti flicker harness to solve this.
What are the light output specs for the 8700?
The low beam produces 1350 lumens and the high beam produces 1770 lumens, with a wide, even beam pattern and no hot spots or shadowing.
Is the JW Speaker 8700 DOT compliant?
Yes, the lens is marked DOT, VOR, LED, and SAE HL 12, confirming it meets DOT compliance and SAE manufacturing specifications and can be visually aimed.
Where is the JW Speaker 8700 manufactured and what is the warranty?
It is made in Germantown, Wisconsin, USA, and as of 2013 JW Speaker backs the 8700 with a lifetime warranty.
Meet the Experts Behind Headlight Revolution
Chris Nelson – Founder
Before founding Headlight Revolution in 2011, Chris worked as an automotive install technician specializing in lighting, sound systems, and engine performance parts. He has personally tested thousands of lighting products and works directly with lighting engineers to evaluate the technical performance behind every recommendation.
Josh Beberg – Content Production Manager
Josh leads hands-on testing and content production at Headlight Revolution. From beam pattern comparisons to real-world installations, he works directly with lighting engineers to ensure every review is grounded in measured results, not marketing specs.
