Got sealed box for my JL 12w3v3-2 svc and I cant even hear em..

[rbtrucking 10+ year member]

First off let me start by saying I know everyone on this site told me to get a custom built ported and you guys have no idea how badly I wish I listened but I just wanted to tell you and see what you thought. I recently purchased a sound ordnance dual 12 inch sealed box for my jls and after putting them in the box and turning them on I couldnt tell if they were on or if I was hearing the bass from my speakers. The only way I was able to tell that they were on was opening the trunk and checking for woofer excursion. I tried all different positions thinking that may be the problem. I faced the woofers toward the rear seats, conventional way toward the rear of the car and even tried facing them upward. Still absoluetly horrible. My question is, is this how sealed boxes sound or is something wrong here? The specs of the box are pretty much spot on. The box's cu ft per chamber is 1.26 and jl reccomends 1.25. The dimensions and everything are all within an inch. The amp I am using is a Memphis mcd-1100, the subs are wired in parallel for 1ohm operation so they are getting 1100 watts rms. Also I know the amp is in perfect working order. So, what do you all think, is this just how bad sealed enclosures are?

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[MANTI5 10+ year member]

Sealed enclosures aren't bad at all, they just tend to not get as loud IN GENERAL. They play lower easier, have a smooth rolloff, and benefit greatly from cabin gain. I'd check your box for leaks and recheck your wiring.

 

[rbtrucking 10+ year member]

I checked the wiring, everything is fine and from what I can tell the box is sealed up nice and tight. Is there anything else it could be? I know sealed enclosures can sound good because my friend has one and his gets nice and loud and he is working with jl audio 10w0's with a cheap little 200watt amp.

 

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

sounds like ur gains are too low, they should be heard easily

 

[rbtrucking 10+ year member]

Ya I thought of that. I jacked the gain all the way up still couldnt hear anything. One thing i was wondering im pretty sure I already know the answer to though, do you need to allow a new box time to break in?

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

unhook one sub and see if that changes the sound. If so, your wiring is wrong.

 

[dkdub 10+ year member]

double check the wiring, it sounds like one is out of phase with the other to me.

 

[Somchine13 10+ year member]

double check the wiring, it sounds like one is out of phase with the other to me.

x2

 

[rbtrucking 10+ year member]

So if one was out of phase that would mess the sound up for both of em?

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

Yes, just unhook one sub from the amp and see if that changes the sound. If it does then you have an error in your wiring. Also, if your enclosure says 1.26 or what ever(if its accurate), then it is actually less do to sub displacement. Won't make a difference but just saying.

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

If the 2 subs are out of phase they cancel eachother out

 

[rbtrucking 10+ year member]

Alright ill check that and report back, thanks for the support everyone.

 

[rbtrucking 10+ year member]

Ya, you guys were right it was out of phase it sounds alot better now. I really appreciate all the help!!

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

np congrats on fixing it.

 

[rbtrucking 10+ year member]

Ya well it sounds a little better than my prefab ported box but I am not gonna lie to you guys it doesnt sound as good as i wished for. My friend has the exact subs as me but his box is ported and was built to jl specs, and his system sounds incredible it hits soo hard and loud almost rips your chest open and sounds **** good and clean doing so might I add! So Im guessing the only way to get that out of my system is get a custom ported box? Also I was wondering does it matter that his cars interior is smaller than mine? He has a 2 door monte carlo(not sure of the year but its old american muscle) Mine is a 06 hyundai sonata. My rear seats have much thicker padding than his. Would this make a big difference or would I be subject to the same incredible bass with a ported custom enclosure? Also he is running his on a JL audio 500/1 slash amp wired in series @4 ohms . I am using a Memphis mcd1100 wired in parallel @ 1 ohm.