Hey everyone, I have another question. I am planning on putting a JL 12W6v2 subwoofer in the back of my '94 camaro powered by a JL 500/1 amp. I am going to use the whole T-top area for a custom box. At my local audio store, the salesman recommended a ported box. I want the best sound quality possible so I want to know if I should use a ported or sealed box. What do you think?

 

If you're going for all out SQ, then I'd say stick with a sealed box. It will sound better than a ported box even though it won't be as loud. Also, for that sub, JL recommends slot porting with very long ports. Aprroximately 20", depending on the tuning frequency. That will be tricky and probably cost more when it comes to building the box. I've done it before. Takes more time and materials. JMO. FYI I have a single 12 version available.

 

Well............... the best possible??............... sealed

 

Ditto

 

I'm gettin the picture that there's going to be a substantial drop off in SPL if I go with the sealed box. So here's my question... if there is going to be a big drop in SPL and only a minor gain in sound quality with the sealed box, I would rather go with the ported. But if I will only lose a only a little bit of SPL with the sealed box and gain a noticable amount of SQ I would rather go with the sealed.

What's your opinion?

 

See the above.

 

If properly designed ported boxes can sound great, and as far as SPL is concerned sealed just can't compete. If you like i can design a box for you so your local shop will get it right. Size is critical to get a decent group delay and as far as slot porting... it is all in the interest of getting more port area, and has nothing to do with a specific sub "needing" a slot port. Basicly people use slot ports instead of going with multiple smaller ports to achieve a nice low mach number there really is no benefit for either one other than mounting area... for example two 4 inch round ports have approximatly 24 inches of combined port area, where a single 4x6" rectangular port will have the same area. the advantage goes to the slot port because of the smaller mounting width.

 

If you would like me to build your box i could do that too, to keep business off the board email me
rthompsonsboxes@yahoo.com

 

sound quality is alot better with sealed.
ported is louder

by the way it isnt minor sound difference
its alot better!

 

I have to disagree, you can make a ported box sound as good as sealed if the sub was designed to do both. I am not familiar with the 12w6v2 in particular, but the w6v1 can sound as good ported as it does sealed.

Other subs like the Adire Brahma sound just as good sealed as they are ported, and some subs like the DD 9500 series and the Oz Power Matrix were designed solely for ported use and sound terrible sealed, so Shawnberry i hope you are right about this particular sub, because it is not true if you meant that as a generalization.