Hey guys

I'm lookin to get a JL w3v2 12". What kind of box are u guys using. Sealed or ported. I want a good quality sound with out goin deaf, but still want some good bump. Any help would be great.

 

Since you said you wanted good sound quality, I would definately go with Sealed. Ported is louder but at a certain frequency, depending on what you tuned the box and port for. Also any reason for going with JL subs?

 

Well, just want a quality sub. I've heard a couple of W3v2 12"s, they sound so good. I was just wondering if only one would give decent bump. Dont want to spend the $$ on two and carry a ton of weight in the trunk.

 

They are good subs, do you mind if I ask how much you are paying? Also I have no idea what you consider "decent bump" I always liked (2) 12"s rather than one, but that my personal taste. Also what kind of amp are you planning on running?

 

"Decent bump" is relative to the individual. Ported can be twice as loud or more. In other words one 12 inch sub ported has the ability to play louder than two sealed. Of course it depends on the actual box. Box also has a large impact on sealed volume, sound quality and power handling.

 

Well, I guess "decent bump" is pretty ambiguous. Sorry! IMO 2 of the subs I described would be too loud for me. I'm not trying to shake off my rear view mirror, get tickets or wake up the nieghbors. But definately want it to hit a lil hard at times.

As far as an amp, not sure but planning on giving her about 300 true watts. Price, im sure I can get one new in box for less than $200. Retail is like $220. Does a bigger sealed box = a louder sub. Sorry for the dumb questions. Any set-up recommdations would be helpful.Thx.

 

i would recomend you to get jl subs in a sealed jl made box. those boxes are desighned to sound the best with jl subs.

 

What about the positioning of the sub etc? WOuld you guys have it facing in cabin, or backwards? Would the port be backwards or forwards?

 

Bigger is more efficient for sub boxes. But power handling goes down. Basically there is pressure in the box. As the box gets bigger the pressure goes down and the sub can play the lower frequencies easier. But the sub is still limited by the same linear excursion. So balance the power with the enclosure. If you want to use the JL subs go to thier website and read all the info on the sub. Read the enclosure recommendations twice and the tutorials on how to build the enclosures at least three times. But save the last read for the day you start cutting the wood. It's easy to build a good enclosure. But it's a lot easier to build a bad enclosure.

 

Sorry, put the ports exit on the baffle with the subs. And for the most bump the easiest way face the subs to the rear of the car.

 

Okay thanks Guys. I ask as I previously owned a VS Series II Commodore, and it had an LPGas tank in the boot. My box was sitting with maybe 2 fists room between the sub and the boot lid.

Now my maxima doesnt have a gas tank and I have all this boot space!
One last annoying question, does it matter where the box sits??? ie. Would it be better if it sat closer to the rear seats or closer to the rear bumper end??

Thanks heaps in advance.

 

The best place depends on the bass notes you are reproducing. Put it in a spot and listen to music for a day. Then try another spot and listen for another day. Or you can just pick a location and go with it for the duration. I wouldn't be too concerned if you aren't looking to break a world record.

 

Bit OT, but what is a VS Series II Commodore? Did it run off Natural Gas or something?

 

You sound like me. I just wanted bass, like realistic bass. Not shake-your-car-apart bass like most people want, but just something to fill in those lower frequencies that the 6" woofers struggle to create. I went with a JL 12W3v2 (dual 4 ohm) as well, in a sealed box. I have it running 300 rms off an Alpine MRD-M300. You have lots of amp choices (brand choice is all preference), but shoot for 250 to 300 rms. Once you have it hooked up, play with the direction and positioning of the box to see what sounds best to you, but most likely you will put it against the back seat facing out.

In constrast, when my buddy wanted to put a sub to his factory WRX system, I hooked him up with a 12" RF HE in a ported box with a RF amp pushing 300 rms. It thumps pretty loud (remember, it's on his factory stereo) and it's sloppy and not very tight. He loves it. But I knew that would be what he wanted; esp. since he was on a budget - Amp: $100, Sub and box: $80 used from another friend. Before that he had a $30 bazooka tube, lol. He is not a car audio enthusiast

 

Yeah I had a close look at the boot last night, and think I might even stick with the same box, however a friend suggested that I go with a slot port.
Here's what I have:
Pioneer DEH - P8450 MP (3 rca outs and does mp3 wma)
Those Pioneer titanium splits (60w RMS) (also going in the front)
6 1/2" 3 ways (60w RMS) (going in the rear)
4 x 75w rms Sony explode amp for internals (4ch)
1 x 12" Sony explode Titanium sub with the heat sink on the front (400w rms) (ported box custom made and tuned)
1 x 380w rms to power sub. (2 ch bridged).

Back to the boot, Im thinking right hand side facing rear so that way I get the feel. Otherwise, I might have to make a new box that fills up the whole back part behind the rear seats, and then figure out spots to mount the amps.