Ported box for JL Audio 12W6V3

[Nikhil Damani]

Hello everyone,

I built the manufacturer recommended ported box for the JL 12W6 (Ported box specs for 12W6) and when I took my system for tuning, I was told the port was too narrow (1.75 inch wide) and the speaker was working way too hard - Image of width of port.

The expert demonstrated his 12” Rockford Fosgate on the same song and it was hitting tighter and harder and said I should get 10 times what he is - the box is the problem.

I went online and looked at the optimum box for a 12” sub by Visual Ice (box manufacturer) and I noticed the port length was also half of mine, width twice of the JL spec. Also, theirs is 2 cu ft and the JL is 1.3 cu ft (please see the link) Visual Ice Optimum Box for 12” sub

I’d like to get the box made by Visual Ice, but wanted some advice on what internal volume and tuning I should go for, for a good balance between SP and SQ. I love deep bass but bought the JL because I want the quality.

Any help will be highly appreciated!

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[1aespinoza Premium Member]

I built the manufacturer recommended ported box for the JL 12W6 (Ported box specs for 12W6) and when I took my system for tuning, I was told the port was too narrow (1.75 inch wide) and the speaker was working way too hard

JL tests their products and designs the box for optimum output. The port area and volume are a suspension for the cone assembly. Changing those parameters may cause overexcursion causing damage. Also the sound will change due to it playing too freely, thus changing the quality playback.

I went online and looked at the optimum box for a 12” sub by Visual Ice (box manufacturer) and I noticed the port length was also half of mine, width twice of the JL spec. Also, theirs is 2 cu ft and the JL is 1.3 cu ft (please see the link) Visual Ice Optimum Box for 12” sub

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to subwoofers.

The expert demonstrated his 12” Rockford Fosgate on the same song and it was hitting tighter and harder and said I should get 10 times what he is - the box is the problem.

Did he connect your sub to his system? If not, he could have been using twice the power you are, hence it sounding more impressive.
When placing a sub in the vehicle, changing the orientation may prove better than trying untested boxes.

 

[Nikhil Damani]

JL tests their products and designs the box for optimum output. The port area and volume are a suspension for the cone assembly. Changing those parameters may cause overexcursion causing damage. Also the sound will change due to it playing too freely, thus changing the quality playback.

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to subwoofers.

Did he connect your sub to his system? If not, he could have been using twice the power you are, hence it sounding more impressive.
When placing a sub in the vehicle, changing the orientation may prove better than trying untested boxes.

Thank you very much for the advice, I get what you mean as JL seems to be spoken in a different category than others even when I spoke to another fitter (who he said he only fits subs with boxes from JL).

To answer your question, no, he did not connect my sub to his system. However he did mention he was running less power to it.

 

[1aespinoza Premium Member]

To answer your question, no, he did not connect my sub to his system. However he did mention he was running less power to it.

Now I am wondering what sub and amp he is using. I use Fosgate subs to this day and they are great, but they tend to need large boxes when you go ported. I have a T0d412 that needs 1.75 cubes with 4" round port or 2.25 cubes with 41.25 square inch slot port. I also have the RFR3110 that needs 1.75 cubes with 3 3" ports! That IMO is alot of box volume.

 

[Nikhil Damani]

I have an update, but to answer, It was a large box, that I can tell you. He said I’d need a box that stretched the end of the boot.

Yesterday, I went to the shop and met another installer who said the box was fine (though it was warping slightly when playing) but asked me to make the edge of the inner port curved so that air can flow into the port.

Is that wise or necessary?

 

[1aespinoza Premium Member]

Yesterday, I went to the shop and met another installer who said the box was fine (though it was warping slightly when playing) but asked me to make the edge of the inner port curved so that air can flow into the port.

Is that wise or necessary?

A box designer here named Shredder2 posted quite a few box designs. In one of those, the same box with those 45 degree angles bumped the tuning frequency up as opposed to sans 45 degree angles. You could deviate from JL's recommendation since they design for optimum output instead of SPL. Doing so will probably cause you to lose the detail that W6s are known for.
Now, about that warping; any flex from your box will cause you to lose bass output. You could address that with bracing or another box. Maybe that is your whole issue? Hopefully.

 

[Nikhil Damani]

A box designer here named Shredder2 posted quite a few box designs. In one of those, the same box with those 45 degree angles bumped the tuning frequency up as opposed to sans 45 degree angles. You could deviate from JL's recommendation since they design for optimum output instead of SPL. Doing so will probably cause you to lose the detail that W6s are known for.
Now, about that warping; any flex from your box will cause you to lose bass output. You could address that with bracing or another box. Maybe that is your whole issue? Hopefully.

Oh, I don’t want to lose that detail… that’s the whole purpose of buying a JL!

Maybe I will get visual Ice to make me the box, just spend the money and be done with it instead of trying to do this myself.

At least now I know to stick to JL’s design, right?

Many thanks for all your help!

 

[1aespinoza Premium Member]

At least now I know to stick to JL’s design, right?

If your music taste is all over the map, I would definitely use JL's specs.

 

[Nikhil Damani]

If your music taste is all over the map, I would definitely use JL's specs.

That’s is great advice as well.

Like a range of music so ordered a box built to JL specs. Thank you so much!

 

[shredder1 10+ year member]

Hello everyone,

Recommended ported box for the JL 12W6 (Ported box specs for 12W6)

1.3 cu ft

I had to actually go and see this for myself and yes, JL has this on their website. I had to model it up and honestly idk if its a typo or what. For most 12's 1.75ft3-to 2.25ft3 is where volume should be. I modeled the sub and for MY usage I'd go with 2ft3 28.12in2 @ 32hz for the response I would be looking for. It sounds like a bottom heavy tuning but JL's have an inherent punchiness and for the W6 it will be centered around 38hz with good extension.

 

[Jimi77 Premium Member]

1.3cuft isn't enough airspace. Shredders box plans are simple enough if you want to save a couple bucks.