help with building box for 12" L3

[jjmccloud25]

Hey everyone. I'm new the site and wanting some help building a box for a 12" L3 just a single sub for an extended cab 97 s10. I don't if I want sealed or a vented box. I'm hoping it'll be enough to give me some hard hitting bass though I'm skeptical just having a single sub though adding on will probably happen when funds allow lol but hopefully this will do for now. I'm pairing it with a fosgate prime 500x1 the birth sheet says 642 rms so I think it's plenty power just gotta figure out the box. I listen to rap mainly if that matters any help would be great thx so much

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[C1500martin 10+ year member]

Hey everyone. I'm new the site and wanting some help building a box for a 12" L3 just a single sub for an extended cab 97 s10. I don't if I want sealed or a vented box. I'm hoping it'll be enough to give me some hard hitting bass though I'm skeptical just having a single sub though adding on will probably happen when funds allow lol but hopefully this will do for now. I'm pairing it with a fosgate prime 500x1 the birth sheet says 642 rms so I think it's plenty power just gotta figure out the box. I listen to rap mainly if that matters any help would be great thx so much

Go ported for best output. Get it properly made to fit your sub. Tuned 32-35 hz

 

[jjmccloud25]

I'm debating on going the extra mile with a ported right now till I add another sub and amp and just going with a sort of "temporary box" right now till I decide if I like the square subs and what I final plan is gonna be I guess so I'm leaning toward a simple sealed box for now if u think that'll sound OK and still hit decent. I mean if it's not worth it I'll go with a ported box now just hate to waste time and money if I'm just gonna change it up in a few months lol if that makes any sense. But I still wanna have a decent hitting system while waiting so any input on using a sealed box for now

 

[Savackz]

Depends on the sub. Some subs are made for sealed enclosures like Dayton subs and Fi Q but if you are going with kicker L series, I would go ported for sure. There is better for the money, but it will do for sure.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I'm debating on going the extra mile with a ported right now till I add another sub and amp and just going with a sort of "temporary box" right now till I decide if I like the square subs and what I final plan is gonna be I guess so I'm leaning toward a simple sealed box for now if u think that'll sound OK and still hit decent. I mean if it's not worth it I'll go with a ported box now just hate to waste time and money if I'm just gonna change it up in a few months lol if that makes any sense. But I still wanna have a decent hitting system while waiting so any input on using a sealed box for now

Build a ported spec'd for your future sub. Plan for the future and save money. When you do switch out, you can just place an additional baffle on the front and cut a new sub hole/holes. Box will be solid afterwards too.

 

[jjmccloud25]

Yea I do know it's not the best sub for what kicker wants lol but I got it for a good price so I went with it and I wanted to try this square idea haven't had a system for a long time so just anxious to get something beating in my truck lol. But I just wanna see if I like Em before I go balls to the wall on a build lol. Kicker doesn't seem to such a big thing now like it was 15 yrs ago when I was still in school lol seems a lot of people don't like Em anymore guess I missed that while scene lol

 

[jjmccloud25]

Jeffdachef I thought about that just limited on funds for a coup more months so I'm just gonna get something going for now and a actual build when I can and don't wanna wait till then to have a little bass so I'm good with just something to get by till then which is why I was just thinking a sealed box it's quick and easy but if the L3 won't do worth a crap in it I'll go ported if I have to I do plan to be ported on my big build though for sure to get the extras a sealed don't offer

 

[jjmccloud25]

If I do go sealed for a few months what size would u recommend as far as cubes I got the extended cab but not sure on actual measurements right now but I can figure out dimensions around the air space that I want. Kicker says 1.5-4.6cubes that's a big window lol so I got no clue

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

If I do go sealed for a few months what size would u recommend as far as cubes I got the extended cab but not sure on actual measurements right now but I can figure out dimensions around the air space that I want. Kicker says 1.5-4.6cubes that's a big window lol so I got no clue

I do not recommend sealed for L series kickers at all. Bigger the better with square subs, their surface area is like a 15. Again, just look at what you want to buy in the future, and build a box off that. the kicker L3 sub will most likely work fine in the box you build for your next subs. If you are tight on money, you arent gonna go straight from an L3 to a wall like that, it takes time to piece up gear.

 

[jjmccloud25]

Ok. I'll just do a simple vented box for now..I'm not planning on a "wall" as I'm gonna stay under the window line but do plan on having at least 2-3 more 12s so building that isn't an option right now cause I plan on spending awhile in the planning stage and all that but I will take your guys advice on vented for right now I guess I can always sale that box or put it back when I'm done with it. As far as budget weather here in Indiana has work cut back to min but here about the end of April money won't be a problem for what I'm planning can't wait!!! But for now lol its a single 12 lol. Anyway thx for the help so far was hoping sealed would get me by but doesn't sound like that'll be worth my time so I'll start a vented as soon as I find a plan that'll work well tuned to 33hz per advice on here. Any suggestions on cubes I should aim for then I can figure out the port and all that

 

[Silver-N-Black 10+ year member]

I don't get this, you are on a budget I get that. But you are going to place a sub on a sealed box to determent if you like it or not. Then you plan on going balls out on a build buy a second sub and ported box? Why not get the ported box see if you like it and if you do get a second one plus a new box? You do understand the sound of it being sealed and ported is different right? By the way what amp are you going to be running.

 

[jjmccloud25]

Not a whole lot to get is there??? And I don't recall planning on going balls out anywhere I mean maybe that's ur thing walkin around with ur balls out but I don't remember bringin anything like that up....but since u don't get something that's very simple and doesn't have a lot to actually "get" let me retype the same stuff over again.....I have a 12" L3 and wanted help with an enclosure for it was thinkin sealed because it's quick and easy and is a temporary deal until funds come in. At that time I plan on building a bigger box with 2-3 more 12s leaving the balls in Of course....but that's in the future weeks or months and I don't wanna build that box right now for a couple reasons if you'd like me to let u know my reasons I can later....for now I'm asking for help and options on a box for this single 12 and was hoping it'd sound OK sealed to be quick and easy so I didn't have to waste money and time going ported if it wasn't needed. But everyone sofar says no on the sealed....still following.....since Noone thinks it'll be worth a **** in a sealed box for a little while I'm asking about help for the vented box now....didn't lose ya yet did I? I've been out of the game for awhile and have never had these square L series subs so got no idea what they'll sound like in either box so no I guess I don't know the difference in what it'll sound like in sealed vs vented which is why I came here....just wanted a quick solution to get me by for now.....and I already said which amp it's a Fosgate R500X1D and the birth sheet states 642rms so I believe wiring my sub to 2 ohm will have more then plenty power for this sub unless u can find something wrong with that pair up I think there a good match up...so if I u still don't get it or I lost ya let me know and I'll try again....

 

[jjmccloud25]

Well I got it all hooked up this past weekend and just used a factory made ported box it's sounds pretty good but I think I can get a little more with a better box so any help with a good blueprint would be great. But the sub seems to handle the power pretty good and neither seem to get hot I'm still seriously considering adding a 2nd sub and amp soon just cause I can never have enough lmao but I am pleased so far with this pair

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

shoulda just got a proper custom ported in the first place lol

use torres box calculator (google it up) and design yourself a box.

 

[jjmccloud25]

Yea lol I'm still looking for a good design or something to go by the box was a buddy's so I'm not out no money on it just borrowing till I figure out exactly what I wanna make or how I guess I'm new to the tuning so it's a learning adventure but I'm getting there. Definitely sounds better ported though I can only imagine how much better it'll sound in a custom box. I'll Google that and see what's up