sealed or ported

[wh1teboy]

Alright, after looking at all the different sub boxes to throw in my 1999 extended cab, i have decided to create my own. I have noticed that a lot of custom boxes are sealed, but at the same time i see everyone with ported. And because of that i am not sure if i should do sealed or ported. Sealed seam easier to do and especially because its my first one that i will do. As soon as i figure out what i am going to do, then i will figure out what i am going to put in it.

Please help!... and to let you know im not the best with all of this yet.. but i am very eager to learn.

[sdime98]

first time doing this, i'd go sealed, and then later on, if you get more confident, you can take a stab at a ported box...i built a good 4 or 5 sealed boxes before i tried a ported one.

[paint toad]

depends on the sub if ported is even an option

[wh1teboy]

well the ones i was looking at said you could do either.

http://www.6ave.com/Shop/product.aspx?sku=KIC06S10L54

or the 12"

http://www.6ave.com/Shop/product.aspx?sku=KIC06S12L54

[David12460]

Usually you decide on a subwoofer and design the enclosure around it's specs. Not every sub can perform well in a sealed enclosure or a ported enclosure.

[MCarmer]

Quote: Originally Posted by paint toad

depends on the sub if ported is even an option

x2, id say FIRST look at what kind of sub you will be using this box for. Then look at the manufacturers specs on the sub and see if it says recommended sealed box sizes and ported boxrecommended sizes. Then use the sealed box sizes as a guideline for the box your going to make.

Most manufacturers have sealed box plans and stuff already out there online for you to download and use as a blueprint to make the box to specs for best sound.

[MCarmer]

I dislike kickers ESPECIALLY the square subs, but ive heard some of their round ones and they were ehhh ok at best. My advice for you is to go to audio shops or friends vehicles and listen to what they have for yourself, youd be surprised whats out there that you could get cheaper than those Kickers and sound way better. IMO.

Quote: Originally Posted by wh1teboy

well the ones i was looking at said you could do either.

http://www.6ave.com/Shop/product.aspx?sku=KIC06S10L54

or the 12"

http://www.6ave.com/Shop/product.aspx?sku=KIC06S12L54

[paint toad]

kicker.............i'm done here

[David12460]

Lol

[wh1teboy]

well i was trying to find out what would sound better.. my brother has the round 2 round kickers in a ported box but it wasn't custom. i like them but i dont want two. only one... but im open for many ideas bout subs... and i only chose kickers because my brother recommended them to me.. so i started there.

[David12460]

whats your budget look like for a subwoofer? Do you have a amp already? If not whats your budget for that also?

[old_skool_noma]

scrap the kicker idea, i can find you something that you will be way happier with for about the same or less money.

with this being your first box, i would go sealed, and as far as building to specs, build it to maximum size or maybe even slightly larger (it will decrease your power handling slightly, but it will be just as loud if not louder and have a flatter frequency response) maker sure all your edges are straight and the box seals up well with some liquid nails or somthing of that sort.

another thing i would get is a jasper jig for and a router for cutting your hole(s)

If you plan to cover it, i suggest the black felt from walmart, its about 3.50 a yard. Get your box put together with out the ends, and go completely around it starting at an inconspicuous edge and adhere it with some scotch spray adhesive, then cover your ends and attach them.

once parts express is back online i will link you to some good subs to think about for this project

[wh1teboy]

well my budget is kinda on the low... i was thinking 300 for the sub and amp together.

And tools im not worried about because my dads a contractor and has a lot of tools.. Also i haven't really looked into how im covering it yet but it was most likely a felt of some sort..

thanks for the tips too and any specific brands that would be best but cheap cause i am drawing up an idea in my eng. drawing class but need to know how many cubic feet it has to be.. but like you said it can be bigger

[Speedy2222]

Quote: Originally Posted by wh1teboy

well i was trying to find out what would sound better..

lol and you're looking at KICKER

[jacob86]

Look at onlinecarstereo.com

I saw a 12in Alpine type R for about $130, much better then that L5
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=14955

[sLonoma22]

Alpine Type R would be a good choice for you, I have a 12" in my garage not being used, as you can see above, new they go for $130 or so. I'll sell mine for $85 shipped. Its dual-4 ohm, so you'll want to look for an amp that puts out about 500w @ 2 ohms.

You can go with a 2-channel and bridge it, or get a monoblock amp.

[sykominitrkr]

I know everyone is "hating" on Kicker in this thread, but back in the day, I was runnin' just ONE of these 12's(in a band-pass), with a RF Punch 360 Amp, and LOVED IT!.......

[wh1teboy]

after looking at the specs for the type R, i do consider it

sLonoma33; do you know what number they are... ? dont know how to explain it but there are SWR 1222d or 1242d and all of the other ones.? also is it used or new?

[sLonoma22]

Quote: Originally Posted by wh1teboy

after looking at the specs for the type R, i do consider it

sLonoma33; do you know what number they are... ? dont know how to explain it but there are SWR 1222d or 1242d and all of the other ones.? also is it used or new?

its used, but still works perfect. its the SWR 1242d. looks like this:

[paint toad]

1222d is dual 2 ohm coils...1242d is dual 4 ohm coils....but people should know better than to sell in the open forum....oh well

[MCarmer]

Quote: Originally Posted by paint toad

1222d is dual 2 ohm coils...1242d is dual 4 ohm coils....but people should know better than to sell in the open forum....oh well

Some people know better, keep that shit in pm's since the classifieds are down for maintenance.

[wh1teboy]

alright just making sure so i get the right specs on it..

but my brother has an amp just laying around.. its a old alpine 3542 .. will this work with that sub?

this is all i found on it
SPECS: Output Power at 14.4V:
2 x 60W @ 4 ohms (0.08% THD)
2 x 80W @ 2 ohms (0.3% THD)
1 x 160W @ 4 ohms bridged (0.3% THD)
S/N Ratio: 105dB
Freq. Response: 10Hz ~ 50kHz
Fuse: 30A
Dimensions: 8.6" x 7.1" x 2" (21.9cm x 18.1cm x 5.1cm)

[paint toad]

Quote: Originally Posted by MCarmer

Some people know better, keep that shit in pm's since the classifieds are down for maintenance.

you'd think that someone that has been around for 2 1/2 years would know the rules.....but once again...i expect too much from people

[old_skool_noma]

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=295-466

try that, high handling and great specs from a good company.

[XTremeKid12]

that amp will blow right through if you try powering the sub. honestly i wouldnt really put a type r in there. the magnet is huge so your gonna need a big box to support it. most subs require a certain amount of cubic inches, i believe its measured in, to perform at its best since the air has to travel. if you can squeeze it and make it fit, i'd go with a sealed box. especially if your droppin to 2 ohms. a ported box is gonna sound like half tight bass and half air being forced out since your pushin a lot of RMS.. IMO it sounds dumb. it'll be a bit louder that way but i still prefer the sound of of a clean sealed box. as far as amps.. your going to want 500RMS at 4 ohms not 2.. wen you wire it down its gonna increase by almost 1 and a half i believe so then you'd be looking at 700 or 750 plus. sonicelectronix.com has some good stuff. all else fails, like already said, ebay will do the job

[wh1teboy]

i think i am going with the alpine type R . the 1242D. but confused on what amp to get with it. will this one work?

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=19251

[old_skool_noma]

it would work but you wouldnt be running the sub to its full potential

[XTremeKid12]

and the chance of blowing out the fuses in the amp if you try and turn the gains up. you need 500RMSx1 at 4ohms not 2 since its a dual voice coil 4ohm sub. if you wanna stay with something low price in the alpine amps go with the mrp-1000 or the pdx-1.600 they'll do just fine. if you do wanna wire to 2ohms though go with the 1000 since the pdx amp doesnt get any wattage increase when wired down.

[wh1teboy]

they dont seem that cheap... it doesnt have to be alpine.. just it has to work with the type R and im only looking to spend 150 too 200 at most on the amp.

[XTremeKid12]

id check for a clearance amp than most amps running that much and with good quality are gonna be a tad bit more. unless you go with ebay or craigslist. just google online car audio sites and see what you can get. just remember you need 500 at 4 ohms bare minimum.

[wh1teboy]

how about this kenwood amp?

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_613KAC9...owAll=N&tp=115