Looking to hit hard @ ~28hz (Can I get better than a HO112-W6V3/12W6V3-D4 or 15W0V3-4?)

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Terrum
10+ year member

CarAudio.com Recruit
Unfortunately I don't have the knowledge nor the tools to build my own box so I splashed out on the overpriced JL Audio HO112-W6V3 about 6 months ago, and it's been by far the best quality prefab subwoofer I've managed to get my car to output with its stock alternator (~90amps). Although the prefab box is supposedly tuned to 33hz, it doesn't hit quite as hard on the lower frequencies (under 40hz) and starts to lose SPL quick (to be expected though, as the F3 for the 12W6V3-D4 is 31hz).

Recently I picked up a dirt cheap 15W0V3-4 with a custom box that the seller built himself to JL Audio specs - for the most part. The only difference is that they used 2 ports instead of 1 (JL Audio specs recommend a 16.85" length and 4" diameter port, however the seller made 2 ~8.5" length, 2" diameter ports instead). Would having two ports instead of one affect the spec'd tuning of 25hz and the F3 of 30hz that I am expecting out of this build? Would I get a better result if I plugged/filled one port and replaced the other port with a 16.85" length/4" diameter port?

Also, can anyone that has experience with the HO112-W6V3 (12W6V3-D4) and 15W0V3-4 let me know which one I should stick with? The HO112-W6V3 is great, and outputs the same if not slightly better than the custom 15W0V3-4 build, but the 15W0V3-4 is infact a lot cheaper, however at the expense of a much larger box.

Lastly, can anyone recommend a sub and/or build for a hatchback that can just about fit a 27" wide, 14" high and 12" deepness 15" box, that hits hard (stays loud) at 28hz? The loudness at ~40hz or higher is perfect - couldn't ask for anything more. But lower than that it really starts to lose SPL. Budget and box size are unimportant at this stage just looking for recommendations despite these factors.

Thank you so much for reading my detailed post and I look forward to any replies and discussions!

EDIT: If anyone has heard the BK Monolith home subwoofer, which is supposedly tuned to 20hz, this subwoofer can hit 28hz without losing loudness no problems. So I'm trying to replicate this in my car if possible.
 
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You will definitely need a custom built box to accomplish what you want to. It doesn't look like you have enough room for a 15" sub. You might be able to buy a a bad azz 12" in a custom ported box to get what you want. I would probably stick to around 32-33 hz. tuning though. You will most likely need some electrical upgrades and sound deadening as well. You will also need some serious watts to throw at that 12". I would look at Deaf Bonce, Sundown, Fi, and DD if you really want a serious 12" woofer.
 
I would normally say Fi for subs but the 8 week plus turn around time on getting your hands on one is a big problem for me at least
DD is great but hard to get and expensive
Sundown is good but the higher end stuff gets a little expensive
The SSA Icon might do what you want (12")
It's rated at 1250 watts but you throw more at it
1.75- 2.1cubes ported @29-33 hz
It's probably a third of the price of the JL's
Bobby is right though,
I don't think you have room for a 15 back there
How much power do you have to work with or is that up in the air as well
The Audio Apex CAB-22 are shipping now for $249.00 (2200@1ohm)
 
27" wide, 14" high and 12
This is only 2.5 cubic feet gross. You'll lose close to a cubic foot just for sub and wood displacement. You will need a very long port to tune such a small volume so low.

tl:dr You are going to need to spend a lot of money to get any big low frequency output in your application. That said, it's really hard for us to say what exactly will be enough to make you happy. Perhaps you could get by with just something like Adire Brahma in 2 cube sealed with a big enough amp. That home theater sub you linked is 50% larger than the volume you plan to use in your car. Hoffman tells us you will need to compromise on efficiency which means more power and a very robust woofer that can handle that and will also function well in the space you have.
 
(12W6V3-D4)
27" wide, 14" high and 12" deep

If you stick with the W6 I'd allow some adjustments on sizing the enclosure, as stated above that's pretty small. In a 27w x 14h footprint you'd be a LOT better off allowing for 16-17" depth if possible. A decent enclosure for the vehicle should make an immediate and large difference.

Tuned low 30's a W6 in 2ft3 net or so should get to 28hz easy and probably under that in a vehicle. As far as volume goes just get an amp that will power that sub right. It probably wont need much in the way of electrical upgrades either. Remember it IS a low power setup, smaller cone/wise etc so keep your expectations in check.
 
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Thanks so much for your replies everyone!

I can fit the 15" W0 in my car with a squeeze at its spec'd size (27" wide, 14" high and 12" deepness) but I did have a feeling I might have been asking for too much though :giggle:

I am curious though as to whether or not I should be focusing more on experimenting with the 15" W0 or the 12" W6 to get as close of a result that I am wanting. Of course I'm not expecting the best, but I do want to make sure I can get the best with what I've currently got (stock electricals, stock alternator (~90amps), the prefab W6 12" box and the custom W0 15" box).

On the 15" W0, would changing the 2 smaller ports into 1 bigger port make a difference?
 
Thanks so much for your replies everyone!
.On the 15" W0, would changing the 2 smaller ports into 1 bigger port make a difference?
Instead of trying to fix a sub-optimum box, why not grab a legit design and either get it built or build it yourself?

u37gva.jpg


That's only marginally larger than the space you mentioned earlier.
 
Instead of trying to fix a sub-optimum box, why not grab a legit design and either get it built or build it yourself?
Because the 15" W0 box I bought from the seller actually is built very closely to JL audio specs, the major difference being 2 half-spec'd ports instead of 1 full-spec'd port as per JL audio's recommendations. I could consider getting a custom box built for the W6, but that's why I'm curious as to which one I should be focusing on - the 15" W0 or the 12" W6? Or an entirely new sub/setup (hence I'm also asking for recommendations).

The W0 specs show a tuning frequency of 25hz and an F3 of 30hz but the W6 shows a tuning frequency of 33hz and an F3 of 31hz. So I'm wondering if the far cheaper W0 would outperform the W6 if I change the 2 ports into 1. The box that the W0 is currently in is very close to the specifications shown on JL Audio's site (27" wide, 14" high and 12" deepness). The only difference being 2 ports instead of 1, and the 2 ports being half the dimensions spec'd on JL Audio's site.
 
2 "half specd" ports using 2" ports is like 6in2 of port vs a single 4" being 12in2. So your about half of what's recommended actually. "Custom box" huh?
 
wondering if the far cheaper W0 would outperform the W6
Not on low frequency extension in 2.5 cubic feet gross I think. I have personally never had good results with multiple smaller ports but I have seen guys have good luck with it. Unless you like to tinker and DIY I'd advise against.
 
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Terrum

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