Overpowering?????....More SPL???

[Leeiswho2b 10+ year member]

I am running 3 JL 12W3v2 dvc 6 in with a Phoenix Gold Xenon 1200.1 @ 1 ohm. From what I found, they should be running optimal with around 250 watts rms. I am pushing them running 1200 watts with subs wired in parallel. Is this too much power for these subs to handle? They sound decent, but I expected more out of them, but then again they are in a 94 Caprice with a sealed pre fab box in the trunk separated with 1.26 cubes of air space each. I had 3 12w0's 8 ohms running off of a Alpine V12 1507, and they had way better SPL, but then again I was bumping in a Jimmy then. Second question, is there anyway to get more SPL outta this car with this setup? Thought about portholes the back dash, but didn't know if it would do much good. I want it to rattle your eyes, feel like your heart is fluttering, and vibrate every hair on your body. HAHAHA!!!! I feel they should atleast be pushing 140+ db, but just doesn't seem like they are. Just a bit aggravating to say the least for me to have $2500+ in these components and not have the results I was expecting. All suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks!

1994 Chevy Caprice LS

5.7 LT-1

Catback w/ 40 series Flows

Compustar 2way 2W900FMR (3000)

20" Chrome Limited Wheels

CDA-9820XM

Built-In XM Tuner/CD Receiver

Phoenix Gold Xenon 1200.1 @ 1 Ohm

3 JL12W3v2 6ohm DVC's

Dual Optima setup

Dynamat Extreme

Click to read more...

 

[SAG3 5,000+ posts]

arent you giving them 400 watts each if they're wired in parallel?

 

[Leeiswho2b 10+ year member]

Here's the thing. I had a local audio shop install this setup. He told me this setup would sound "awesome." I had did my own w/ the W0's setup, and they sounded a heck of a lot better. Too me, his "awesome" doesn't sound remotely close to the setup I did myself. So, generally I am wanting to know is there anything else I can do to make this sound better, SPL wise?

1994 Chevy Caprice LS

5.7 LT-1

Catback w/ 40 series Flows

Compustar 2way 2W900FMR (3000)

20" Chrome Limited Wheels

CDA-9820XM

Built-In XM Tuner/CD Receiver

Phoenix Gold Xenon 1200.1 @ 1 Ohm

3 JL12W3v2 6ohm DVC's

Dual Optima setup

 

[Nukedsodapop 5,000+ posts]

They might be out of phase, thought of that? other than that i dont know what it could be, but welcome to the bored and Im always happy to see another Caprice around here!

-Blake

 

[radavis2004 10+ year member]

from what i heard the optimal power for them is about 375-400 watts per sub

you are not overpowering, they should hit way harder than the wO's, what size is the box you have them in?

 

[Leeiswho2b 10+ year member]

Each have 1.26 cubes separated in a prefab enclosure.

1994 Chevy Caprice LS

5.7 LT-1

Catback w/ 40 series Flows

Compustar 2way 2W900FMR (3000)

20" Chrome Limited Wheels

CDA-9820XM

Built-In XM Tuner/CD Receiver

Phoenix Gold Xenon 1200.1 @ 1 Ohm

3 JL12W3v2 6ohm DVC's

Dual Optima setup

 

[FAM4LIFE 10+ year member]

Here's the thing. I had a local audio shop install this setup. He told me this setup would sound "awesome." I had did my own w/ the W0's setup, and they sounded a heck of a lot better. Too me, his "awesome" doesn't sound remotely close to the setup I did myself. So, generally I am wanting to know is there anything else I can do to make this sound better, SPL wise?

1994 Chevy Caprice LS

5.7 LT-1

Catback w/ 40 series Flows

Compustar 2way 2W900FMR (3000)

20" Chrome Limited Wheels

CDA-9820XM

Built-In XM Tuner/CD Receiver

Phoenix Gold Xenon 1200.1 @ 1 Ohm

3 JL12W3v2 6ohm DVC's

Dual Optima setup

Never thought I'd hear someone say they wanted SPL to sound better....Honestly, you could try opening up the deck but that may only help a little. Do you have a plastic cover or carpeted cardboard like backing in your trunk that separates your trunk from you back seat (not the cushion)? Sometimes removing that helps and you wont have to cut out your deck.

 

[Leeiswho2b 10+ year member]

I had a layer of insulation between the trunk and backseat that I removed. And btw, let me rephrase from above. I wasn't referring to better sounding SPL, I want the most SPL I can get from this car with the existing amp/sub combo that is currently installed. Was just wandering if there was anything more I can do to get as much as I can into the passenger area. I have already dampened the trunk area with dynamat extreme. I know it isn't an "open air space" vehicle as a SUV/van would be, but still expected better results than what I have.

1994 Chevy Caprice LS

5.7 LT-1

Catback w/ 40 series Flows

Compustar 2way 2W900FMR (3000)

20" Chrome Limited Wheels

CDA-9820XM

Built-In XM Tuner/CD Receiver

Phoenix Gold Xenon 1200.1 @ 1 Ohm

3 JL12W3v2 6ohm DVC's

Dual Optima setup

 

[FAM4LIFE 10+ year member]

Are you sure your subs are wired down to around 1-ohm? Have you thought about trying a different box?

 

[Leeiswho2b 10+ year member]

Well, I have dual 6 ohm voice coils. The installer said he wired it parallel down to 1 ohm, but couldn't say for sure. Although I really wouldn't think it'd make much of a difference b/c the PG Xenon amp is rated to put out 1200 watts rms in all loads between 1 & 4 ohms. Seems like they are all in phase, all 3 move at the same time in same direction and are separated in the enclosure. I think I may try using a different designed enclosure, but not sure which design would be best for my particular application. I haven't tried to measue for resonant freq yet. But would imagine that a ported box for 3 12's would be extremely large. Suggestions?

Thanks,

Lee

1994 Chevy Caprice LS

5.7 LT-1

Catback w/ 40 series Flows

Compustar 2way 2W900FMR (3000)

20" Chrome Limited Wheels

CDA-9820XM

Built-In XM Tuner/CD Receiver

Phoenix Gold Xenon 1200.1 @ 1 Ohm

3 JL12W3v2 6ohm DVC's

Dual Optima setup

 

[CBFryman2 5,000+ posts]

are you typing your siggy every time?

anyway. check to see that the subs are in phase.

 

[Leeiswho2b 10+ year member]

Gonna try to research how they should be wired....think it is + to + on each sub to + amp, - to - on each sub to - amp. Wasn't typing, but was pasting.....just found the edit option on profile.......lol. But thanks for pointing that out so I don't look like a retard from here on out!!!!!

 

[CBFryman2 5,000+ posts]

Yes, all +'s should be wired to the amp (none in series) and all -'s should be wired to the amp. if you have one swapped that is your problem //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Since you get the same power regardless of the load out of the Xenon, wire them to 4 ohm. The amp will run cooler and you'll have better control of them.

If you want more SPL you need to vent it into the cabin. Holes in the rear dash are a good start. Next I would experiment with sub aiming to rules out cancellation. I would also double check the crossover point and make sure that it isn't set too low. If that still isn't enough I would look at doing a ported box.