Hey I was looking to put a 10, 12, or 15 in my 5th gen max. I was looking at Kicker L5s and L7s. I want to save space but also want output. I dont want it to sound like a basslink. I was something bumping. any suggestions? I was also looking at the Eclipse Aluminum 88 series 12 or 15. Whats your guys opinions.
-Jared

 

if you are getting an l7 get it ported, but it will take up more space than a sealed l7

 

What kind of sound are you looking for? Are you looking for SPL or SQ? What kind of amp? Ported boxes are the most efficient of the box designs. While sealed boxes offer a fluid response, ported boxes have higher slopes and offer better cooling. If running an spl setup, port at the resonant frequency of the vehicle (5th gen is around 61-65hz). If you want "better" sounding bass, port at half of the res freq. Make sure your port is unobstructed. Ports should not be placed on the back, sides or bottom of the enclosure. If you have any questions, email me at hrygeek1469@cs.com. Hope this helps.

 

Anybody know the resonant freqency of the 4th Gen Max??

 

Easiest way to figure out was the res freq is: Take a 10" sub in a 1^3ft box and place it on the front seat. Take an spl meter and place on the dash. Play test tones from 45hz to 70hz (about 1/2 volume). When the readings peak, watch for them to go back down. When this happens, go back to a previous tone and that is your res freq.

 

What kind of amp?
I will be running a Kicker DX700. For either of the subs i chose. How big will a ported box run for a 10 or 12 kicker tuned to 32-33hz. Thanks
-Jared

 

Single 12". Fb 3.0^ft internal (doesn't include volume of port or speaker). 4" Port 7.5" Long. Because qts is so high, I used kickers recommended enclosure size. If you go with a 3.25^ft box port will be 6.5" long.

 

Hrygeek, what you are saying does make sense, however most people do not have an SPL meter, or an extra 10" sub with a 1^ft3 box.

Jared, to answer your original question ported will give you a 2-4db gain over a sealed and it will be efficient and better SPL

Sealed will be able to repreduce the bass more realistic as well as hit the nice low notes, in turn better SQ. The box is also smaller for sealed.

CONS:
Ported - Larger box, somewhat difficult to dimension the tuning port, easier to blow the sub.

Sealed - Takes more power than a ported.

 

There are many advantages and disadvantages of both box types. For someone inexperienced with box building, tuning, etc sealed is the recommendation. Properly built ported can have equal or better sound quality and higher power handling down to just below the tuning frequency. But ported built wrong may sound a lot worse and blow a lot more subs than a sealed box built wrong.

 

Im kind of curious as to why subs would blow more frequently in a ported box vs the rest. Ported boxes offer the most efficient bass while also offering the highest power handling. Sealed boxes offer a flatter response with not such a sharp dropoff. Bandpass offers a quick peak and it also acts as a filter for higher frequencies but has the worst power handling. So what part of a ported box would suggest that there is more of an opportunity to blow the subs than the other types? Someone care to explain that one to me?

 

At less than the tuning frequency the sub unloads and plays as if it were in free air. Thus the need for a subsonic filter.