3 18" Enclosure Build... Need Some Insight

[MemzAudio]

I recently built a box about 2-3 months ago. I'm just reaching out to see if yall think I'm getting my performance. If not, I'm up for opinions. I have 3 18" Skar ZVX V2. I have an American Bass VFL 500.1 pushing them at 1.3 ohms at a little over half gain. The enclosure nets at 12.5 with 3 8.25" aeroports tuned to 32-33 hz. Subs up, port back. Vehicle is a escalade. I would really appreciate any info or guidance. Thanks!

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[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

If thats the precise specs then its tuned pretty good for daily.... hard to believe 18s can work fine in 4 cubes. You might gain more output from more port area though.

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

Box sounds really small, probably go bigger since you don't have a large amount of power per sub. Also, how did you set amp gain? Saying "it's a little above half" doesn't sound good. And a little above half is usually too much, but it's obviously signal-dependent.

 

[MrFoca]

Does seem like a small box. I'm running a 18 sundown zv4 and they recommend 5 net tuned @ 30hz. It does sound great. Did you call skar and ask them what they recommend ?

 

[MemzAudio]

If thats the precise specs then its tuned pretty good for daily.... hard to believe 18s can work fine in 4 cubes. You might gain more output from more port area though.

That's what threw me off. They only called for 4 cubic feet of volume per like the Sundown Zv.3's. It is somewhat small. Its 15.4 cubes gross. I really like the design of this box but I have a fealing I'm gonna tear it back out and rebuild.

 

[MemzAudio]

Box sounds really small, probably go bigger since you don't have a large amount of power per sub. Also, how did you set amp gain? Saying "it's a little above half" doesn't sound good. And a little above half is usually too much, but it's obviously signal-dependent.

It has power. It has a Audiocontrol line driver plugged in.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

It has power. It has a Audiocontrol line driver plugged in.

line drivers dont make power...

 

[MemzAudio]

Haha I didn't mean it like that. I was replying to 2 statements gckless made. The amp has enough power power to push these subs to the max... Then he said it's also signal dependant because I have it on a hair above half gain. So I said I have a line driver.

 

[Savackz]

@MemzAudio I have a ZVX 18 and it is 5.5 cubes net so you might want more space for that sub.

 

[T3mpest 10+ year member]

Box is small as others have said. 12 cubic feet net is more in line with what I would want for 2 18's. While sundown may 4 cubes for their 18, they also expect everyone will be running

1.5-3x rated power on them too lol. They probably do it so more people "can fit" 18s and to reduce mechanical failures. Without hearing the setup it's hard to say what's wrong with it inherently as all cars are different and that adds a LOT to the equation.

You seem to have more than adequate port area, given cone area, box volume and power available. If you can build your box a bit bigger I'm sure the low end would improve, especially in a big car like that, 5-6 cubic feet net is as small as I'd want daily for an 18 unless my car had outrageous cabin gain on the lowest notes I wanted to hit. Many conventional 18's I'd even be want between 6-8 cubic feet net before I would run them.

 

[MemzAudio]

Ok see that's what I thought(better size for 2 18s) but I figured, this one time I'll try to build off the manufacture specs. That hurt me. Basically I need to do another tear down and look for around 18 to 20 cu ft for these subs for a good output for 3 of them?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Ok see that's what I thought(better size for 2 18s) but I figured, this one time I'll try to build off the manufacture specs. That hurt me. Basically I need to do another tear down and look for around 18 to 20 cu ft for these subs for a good output for 3 of them?

yup. BEFORE THAT, I would try taking out one of the 18s and covering the hole then play some music with only the two left. It'll simulate how 18s with 6 cubic feet each would sound like and see if you like the sound/output or not. If you are almost as loud/louder or better sounding than the 3 18s in the box, then for sure those 18s need a bigger more efficient enclosure.

 

[ancorp 10+ year member]

This ^^

Plug up that hole. What's your electrical like to run that amp?

 

[MemzAudio]

That sounds like a pretty good idea. I'm gonna try that this weekend. I thought about it once but hearing it from others make me really wanna try it.

 

[MemzAudio]

This ^^
Plug up that hole. What's your electrical like to run that amp?

2 320 amp alts, 2 runs knukonceptz kolossus 0 gauge, 3 die-hard platinum p1 marine dedicated to ab 500.1 amp. Stock 145 amp alt with die-hard platinum p2 running escalade and mids and highs