I think im confused on the type of sub i want. . . SQ vs SPL

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

So, from what im gathering is that i can get a NSv3 12 and have a box built so that the frequency isnt so **** low right?. I think for me, i like the idea of having a sub with 2500rms but i dont want it to ONLY hit the very low frequencies and have the mids non-existent. I mean, if my L7 midrange frequencies seem to disappear in the bigger box and more "punchier" in a smaller box, then it seems to reason, I CAN have the NSv3 sound the way i want it to given its put in the proper enclosure right?.............. or am i wrong about that?.

You can buy the most expensive woofer going and if you don't figure out how to build a proper box it won't sound any better.

It'll play music fine. Just you had a sh*tty overly low tuned, high port area per cubic feet ratio peaky @ss box. Thats why you want the proper sized box along with LOTS of power.

for your tastes, I'd say tune 34hz to 37hz with a medium/small sized box and lots of power.

So did you actually model the Kicker L7 12" or did you just pull that out of your arse?

OP, what model L7 do you have? Older ones have substantially different parameters than the newest version.

Near as I can tell 4-5 cube tuned in the high 20hz range should play a very nice wide and flat bandwidth on their newest model. It actually models much better than a lot of the stuff people here have a ****** over. The specs for the older one I found looked like it was more suited to sealed box or would be peaky ported until you got into really impractical size.

 

[oceanhawk]

You have just discovered "Hoffman's Iron Law".

Pretty much

 

[oceanhawk]

I'd still like to see pictures of this box.

I'll try to get pics tomorrow

 

[oceanhawk]

OP, what model L7 do you have? Older ones have substantially different parameters than the newest version.

L7 12 Q class 2ohm (2015 model)

======================

Vented SQ

Box Volume, ft³ (L) + port displacement

3.25 (92)

Port Opening Size, in x in (cm x cm)

3x13.25 (7.6x34)

Port Length, in (cm)

14.5 (37)

Power Handling, RMS

900

======================

The above ^^ Is off kickers own website.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

L7 12 Q class 2ohm (2015 model)
======================

Vented SQ

Box Volume, ft³ (L) + port displacement

3.25 (92)

Port Opening Size, in x in (cm x cm)

3x13.25 (7.6x34)

Port Length, in (cm)

14.5 (37)

Power Handling, RMS

900

======================

The above ^^ Is off kickers own website.

Kicker lied to you. Almost all manufacturers do this so that you'll think you can cram too much cone area into a tiny space. That said, you might get fair results with their recommendations there, but I like the way it graphs in 4-5 cubes with lower tuning. I'd say 3.25 cube would be absolute bare minimum and you'd better stick to their high tuning to get a remotely decent bandwidth.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

You can buy the most expensive woofer going and if you don't figure out how to build a proper box it won't sound any better.


So did you actually model the Kicker L7 12" or did you just pull that out of your arse?

OP, what model L7 do you have? Older ones have substantially different parameters than the newest version.

Near as I can tell 4-5 cube tuned in the high 20hz range should play a very nice wide and flat bandwidth on their newest model. It actually models much better than a lot of the stuff people here have a ****** over. The specs for the older one I found looked like it was more suited to sealed box or would be peaky ported until you got into really impractical size.

Its for his taste, It could be flat but it sounds like he likes the upper peak with a tiny bit of lows. People around my area all run Kicker. Its kicker central here in So-Cal and we got a lot of people that dont like lows like the op and they have box setups like i mentioned. Literally demoed over 20 L7 setups of all shapes and sizes. You can do your 5 cubic feet low tuned flat response box and be okay with it but IRL It wont sound anywhere the op would like it. Some people like the upper end peak as he already clearly stated how he liked the smaller box's sound signature.

 

[oceanhawk]

Kicker lied to you. Almost all manufacturers do this so that you'll think you can cram too much cone area into a tiny space. That said, you might get fair results with their recommendations there, but I like the way it graphs in 4-5 cubes with lower tuning. I'd say 3.25 cube would be absolute bare minimum and you'd better stick to their high tuning to get a remotely decent bandwidth.

3.25cubed as the bare minimum, meaning that's the smallest box you would use?

Which higher tuning are u referring to?

 

[oceanhawk]

Stupid question.... what does "flat bandwidth" mean?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Stupid question.... what does "flat bandwidth" mean?

Plays from 25hz to 70hz with very little change in actual output and volume very even and smooth sounding but sometimes not as lively as you'd prefer on some music.

 

[oceanhawk]

It could be flat but it sounds like he likes the upper peak with a tiny bit of lows.

Are u referring to me?

If you are , it seems you can't have good 20hz AND 35hz. That bigger box only seemed to hit the very low frequency and that's about it. Again, that's my experience so far with that box

 

[oceanhawk]

Plays from 25hz to 70hz with very little change in actual output and volume very even and smooth sounding

So sound notes between 25 and 70hz sounds the same basicly?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Are u referring to me? If you are , it seems you can't have good 20hz-35hz. That bigger box only seemed to hit the very low frequency and that's about it. Again, that's my experience so far with that box

Yes since you liked your smaller box's sound more than the new box. When i say tiny bit of lows It means your subs goes down to 29 or 27 hz while going up to 60hz+ If I were you, i'd build my own test box. Basically build a cube, cut out the sub's hole and Do an aeroported setup. That way you can start off with a low tuning and chop the port (effectively raising the tuning) until it sounds right for you. Its much better than building slot port after slot port.

So sound notes between 25 and 70hz sounds the same basicly?

close levels of output if you have a decible measuring system like a termlab and play a sweep, those frequencies would be within the single digits (under 10 db) within each other. The less db dependency, the flatter it is.

 

[oceanhawk]

I'll try to get pics tomorrow

Exact larger box

Amazon.com : Atrend 12KSV 12" Single Vented Square Subwoofer Enclosure for Kicker L5 and L7 Subwoofers : Electronics

Smaller box

Amazon.com: Atrend 12SQKV 12in Single Vented Square Box Enclosure Kicker L5/L7 Specific: Electronics

When I received the larger box it had SPL on the enclosure

The smaller box came with the install and I bought the larger box

 

[blazian87 10+ year member]

Exact larger boxAmazon.com : Atrend 12KSV 12" Single Vented Square Subwoofer Enclosure for Kicker L5 and L7 Subwoofers : Electronics

Smaller box

Amazon.com: Atrend 12SQKV 12in Single Vented Square Box Enclosure Kicker L5/L7 Specific: Electronics

When I received the larger box it had SPL on the enclosure

The smaller box came with the install and I bought the larger box

Don't trust prefabs, they are just horrible. It's not just size of box, it's not just tuning, it's everything combined in one. Power, size, tuning, port area, cabin gain (transfer function), type of sub, type of music you listen to, etc... Gotta think of it as a whole, not just generalizations that big boxes sound low, and small boxes sound high. That is usually the case but you can always find a sweet spot if you keep working towards it. The suggestion that jeff made about making a test box with an external aeroport is a great idea. This will be a great way to find your taste.

 

[oceanhawk]

Don't trust prefabs, they are just horrible. It's not just size of box, it's not just tuning, it's everything combined in one. Power, size, tuning, port area, cabin gain (transfer function), type of sub, type of music you listen to, etc... Gotta think of it as a whole, not just generalizations that big boxes sound low, and small boxes sound high. That is usually the case but you can always find a sweet spot if you keep working towards it. The suggestion that jeff made about making a test box with an external aeroport is a great idea. This will be a great way to find your taste.

Thanks for the advice