2x ported, 2x sealed, or 1x ported?

[The_Red_Line]

Let me start off by saying that I'm relatively new in the world of car audio, having only dealt with basic installations. I've been working with a reputable shop for the car in question ('14 Hyundai Sonata) with all of my installations, and trust their judgement, but I need some outside advice for this one.

Currently I'm running a single 12w6 in a 1.1 cu ft sealed box @ 2 ohms on a Kicker CX 1200.1. Speakers are 2 sets of C3-650 in component on a JX360/4. Most of my music (a mix between heavier rock/metal and some electronic/dubstep with a little Hip-Hop occasionally) blends pretty well with my speakers, but I have noticed that my bass eventually gets overpowered right about half volume, so I'm looking to build on it some. Taking it to the shop, my idea was initially to just slap a second 12w6 in there in a double sealed box for the simplicity of extra surface area, but they brought up the obvious fact that I hadn't considered which is power loss, seeing as they would both be dual 4-ohm subs, and my amp does not run 1 ohm stable. So here are my options:

1. Swap the sealed to a ported box with proper tuning

2. Add the 2nd 12w6 in a dual sealed with hindered power output (they recommended not to do this)

3. Add the 2nd 12w6 in a dual ported with less hindered output, but potentially bad SQ

They suggest a potential gain of 3-6 dB just by switching to a single ported box versus extreme overpowering by adding a 2nd sub in either scenario, which I can't really verify as all I've ever used is sealed. That being said, is the SQ trade-off significant compared to the potential output gain?

Suggestions?

Click to read more...

 

[garychoffmann 10+ year member]

A correctly designed ported box for that sub will perform better than a sealed. In all parameters

 

[The_Red_Line]

I'll bear that in mind. They offered to let me sample that sub in the ported boxes they carry, so I'll probably do that. Would you follow their recommendation of using one or double the surface area with two?

 

[garychoffmann 10+ year member]

They have prefab boxes? That's why they are saying it will lose sound quality. 2 subs on half the power will not net you the gains you want for the price.

 

[UGHH]

Don't use a prefab ported box. Get a custom ported box made for the sub or subs and the output will be louder and it will sound just as good if not better than sealed. They should know how to build custom boxes (I hope) but it will be pricey from a shop. There are members on this forum that will build and ship you boxes for cheaper than a shop.

 

[The_Red_Line]

Don't use a prefab ported box. Get a custom ported box made for the sub or subs and the output will be louder and it will sound just as good if not better than sealed. They should know how to build custom boxes (I hope) but it will be pricey from a shop. There are members on this forum that will build and ship you boxes for cheaper than a shop.

Good to know. The shop does actually offer custom made boxes, and from what I hear, they're decently priced. I'll ask them about it and compare it against what some folks here offer me. Thanks!

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Good to know. The shop does actually offer custom made boxes, and from what I hear, they're decently priced. I'll ask them about it and compare it against what some folks here offer me. Thanks!

Keep in mind if its over 250$ for a basic slot ported box for a single 12 carpeted, then its overpriced.

 

[negolien]

Yeah these shop guys like to charge like $300.

 

[The_Red_Line]

Keep in mind if its over 250$ for a basic slot ported box for a single 12 carpeted, then its overpriced.

Oh sweet Jesus no. Last I asked about one of their double ported it was right at about $105 give or take. They don't really look or feel like cheaply made crap either.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Oh sweet Jesus no. Last I asked about one of their double ported it was right at about $105 give or take. They don't really look or feel like cheaply made crap either.

thats a hella good price for a shop! you got a sweet place there!

 

[The_Red_Line]

thats a hella good price for a shop! you got a sweet place there!

Sure seems that way. Good God, do other places seriously charge that much for boxes? That's insane.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Sure seems that way. Good God, do other places seriously charge that much for boxes? That's insane.

300 if you are lucky. Over here in california its usually 400-600 for a custom box, very basic. You can pretty much buy all the tools and materials you need with that amount of money.

 

[RandomBeat]

1xported to start. You can always look into making changes afterwards, but that's what I wild personally do. Let the shop show you what they're talking about with a demo... you'll prob be very happy. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

actually if you do make the ported, why not make a seperate chamber Dual ported box. You can always add another sub later on. Plan ahead and save $$

 

[The_Red_Line]

actually if you do make the ported, why not make a seperate chamber Dual ported box. You can always add another sub later on. Plan ahead and save $$

That's not a bad idea either. I'll probably end up going with a single like they recommended, just because I'd hate to have to shell out another $350+ for a proper 1-ohm amp, and it seems pointless to have 2 W6's when I'm starving both of them for power. But, that's not to say I won't potentially change my mind later.