I just picked up a JL 12W0. I know they are JL's lowest class of subs, but I got it for a great price and I don't need a lot of bump, just stronger bass than my 6.5's can put out. I just want a system that sounds clean and doesn't require a ton of wattage. I am trying to figure out which box I need to get. JL has suggestions on their website as to which type of box and which size(cubic ft.) They say to use a 1.5 cubic ft sealed, and a 2.5 cubic ft ported. How will these sound different from each other? Could I use a 1.5 cubic ft. ported box, and if I did, how would it affect the subs performance? Thanx in advance for any help!

 

you should always go by the specs. 1.5 sealed is kinda big, thats probably max in the range they gave you.

 

I think ported will give you slightly lower, harder-hitting bass response, while sealed boxes typically offer a tighter, cleaner bass response from subs. I agree with Will...that seems just a bit big fora sealed enclosure...I'd try to find/build a box that would fit the lower range of sizes they say for the box.

 

So like a 1.5 cubic ft ported, or like a 1 cubic ft sealed would be ideal? I'd rather have a sealed box because I know they are tighter, even though not as loud with the same wattage, but i've heard that ported can sound tight too.

 

Listen to what JL says...typically manufacturers advertise the smallest possible box size. If you go smaller, you will get a peaky box that will sacrifice low end extension, and that's bad.

The smallest I would go is 1.25.

One of the tradeoffs of choosing their entrylevel sub is that you give up power handling and you need a bigger box.

Don't worry though, the sub sounds nice (not like many entry level subs), my friend has one and his is in 1.5.

 

agreed
with my jl w3's i went a little bigger for the box and went 1.75. the lower frequencies were louder than my friend's w3's in a 1.5

 

Would a ported 1.5 - 1.75 be too small?

 

i wouldnt go under 1.75 for a ported enclosure, as recommended by JL's specs.

 

Actaully itll give you louder but not nessessarily lower. In a ported box the responce falls off much quicker. Sealed will give you a lower responce but not as loud so the ported may sound lower but it's actually not. You could put some poly fill in there and cut down the size. May also want to look on the internet for programs that take the specs of you speakers then tell you the size for how you want it to sound.

 

What kinda power are you giving it? I typically give the 12W0 1.25 cu ft at the most. I think 1 cu ft is ideal for SQ purposes with this sub.