just picked up a jl 12 w6v2. it is in a huge 2 1/2 feet long box with a long port on the bottom of the box under the sub. i am going to get a new one cause this thing is just too huge. takes up half the trunk. should i get it ported or unported? what are the postives and neg?

 

I prefer sealed boxes personally. Here is a brief description of each from Crutchfield.



Sealed boxes: For deep, precise bass
A sealed box is an airtight enclosure housing your subwoofer. A sealed box is best for any music that demands tight, accurate bass. Expect flat response (not excessively boomy), deep bass extension, and excellent power handling. Since a sealed enclosure tends to require more power than a ported box, use an amplifier with ample wattage for optimum performance.

Ported boxes: For forceful bass
Ported boxes use a vent (called a port) to reinforce low bass response. You get more output than you would from a sealed box at any given amplifier wattage. Some people prefer the sound of ported boxes for rock, heavy metal, or any hard-driving music. Ported boxes can deliver deeper bass than sealed boxes, though they need to be much larger than sealed enclosures to accomplish that.

Bandpass boxes: Maximum slam!
Bandpass boxes are a special type of ported box designed for maximum slam. The woofer is mounted inside a dual-chambered box (one chamber sealed, the other ported), with the sound waves emerging from the ported side. The sound that comes out of the port is extra loud within a narrow frequency range.

 

i like sealed the best

i'd use a ported box for spl competiton only (tuned, of course)

thats just me tho

 

if built by a respectable shop, a ported box with that JL sub that u have can almost give u the best of both. You might have to spend a little more money, but if done right u can have a nice flat response down to almost 33 HZ with that sub, which is low enough for the ported effeciency, and tight enough at the upper bass ranges to give u that tight impact and not have to deal with the peaks that most ported boxes have, usually called "one hit wonders" meaning they play a certain frequency response very well and thats it....Just my .02

 

Some of the finest hi-fi systems in the world use ported boxes. But if you don't have a VERY experienced pro making one, or are prepared for some trial-and-error project box-building, I recommend small sealed with today's woofers.

 

When testing a box that you made yourself, is there anything to look for or hear? Do you just listen to your favorite CD and see if you like the sound or not, or is there some test CD or something you have to buy?

 

They have a CD available to check... My friend uses one on all his stereo equipment. It's like the thx sound thingy in the movie theatres.

 

I love my ported box. IF done right they sound very accurate and LOUD.

Sealed gets you (Usually) more accurate sound, however when done right the ported are just as good and get you a louder system with the same wattage.

YES THey are MUCH bigger and take up MUCH more space. Mine (I have a 3rd gen TL) still allows me access to the spare tire.

Ryan

 

That's a sine wave disc checkihng for the tuning resonant freq.

That makes sure what note you tuned it to... it still might not sound good.

 

Sealed box gives off very accurate base notes. Has good tight base but cannot go as low as ported. Depends what you like to listen to. If you are a base head and love low base then ported is the way to go. But you need to build a perfect ported box built for your subs. Otherwise it will sound like crap. Ported can go much louder than sealed!!!