want to upgrade from my 12w3v3's. need advice

[Toneb210]

I bought these jl 12w3's several months ago on sale. I had just got a jx1000/1 amp and had read, and was also told that the w3's could take the 500 watts rms. Ive found that yes they can take it, but they don't sound so good doing it. I'm setting my gain per jl instructions. Getting slightly below target voltage, and the sub just sounds like it's struggling at times. I ended up turning the gain down. Now it sounds clean, very good sound, but not the impact I want. I'm looking at going away from jl. Was considering 2 ssa gcon 12's. This is going in sealed box stuffed with polyfill. Same box my w3's are currently in. Same amp. Just hoping to get the full 500 watts to each sub and still have the sub play clean. Looking for re assurance on my sub choice before pulling the trigger. Any help or other sub options would be appreciated.

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[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I bought these jl 12w3's several months ago on sale. I had just got a jx1000/1 amp and had read, and was also told that the w3's could take the 500 watts rms. Ive found that yes they can take it, but they don't sound so good doing it. I'm setting my gain per jl instructions. Getting slightly below target voltage, and the sub just sounds like it's struggling at times. I ended up turning the gain down. Now it sounds clean, very good sound, but not the impact I want. I'm looking at going away from jl. Was considering 2 ssa gcon 12's. This is going in sealed box stuffed with polyfill. Same box my w3's are currently in. Same amp. Just hoping to get the full 500 watts to each sub and still have the sub play clean. Looking for re assurance on my sub choice before pulling the trigger. Any help or other sub options would be appreciated.

I'd recommend going with an incriminator audio flatlyne because it has an ebp of 44 which means the sub works well in a sealed box. The Gcon can work in a sealed but is more suited towards a ported box.

Check the sub's QES and FS through this calculator

Efficiency Bandwidth Product Calculators - EBP, Speaker Resonance Frequency, Speaker Electrical

To see if the subwoofer of choice will work well in a sealed or ported application. 0-50 = sealed 50-100 either sealed or ported( over 70 to 100 = much more inclined to ported) over 100 = definitely ported

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Fix the box

 

[Toneb210]

Fix the box

you really think if i get a better box design the w3's will take 500 watt rms clean all day long?im going to stay sealed. but i guess i could get a bigger sealed box....

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

you really think if i get a better box design the w3's will take 500 watt rms clean all day long?im going to stay sealed. but i guess i could get a bigger sealed box....

Yes easily. Why sealed?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

you really think if i get a better box design the w3's will take 500 watt rms clean all day long?im going to stay sealed. but i guess i could get a bigger sealed box....

It just sounds like you are lacking loudness and output. A properly designed ported box will give you that output with same sound quality. What you are doing to the subwoofer right now is not giving it full power, instead you might be clipping it since its distorting.

 

[Toneb210]

Yes easily. Why sealed?

I dont want to take up my whole trunk with a ported box. i can build a sealed box myself. get someone to build me a ported box will be pricey

 

[Toneb210]

It just sounds like you are lacking loudness and output. A properly designed ported box will give you that output with same sound quality. What you are doing to the subwoofer right now is not giving it full power, instead you might be clipping it since its distorting.

I dont think im clipping. But I am running off my stock head unit. Audio control lc2i is my loc, sending full range signal to kicker front row, then front row is feeding my jl xd 700/5 to power my door speakers, and my jx1000/1 to power my subs. Both lc2i and front row have signal clipping lights.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I dont want to take up my whole trunk with a ported box. i can build a sealed box myself. get someone to build me a ported box will be pricey

JL audio has an enclosure design right on the owner's manual online to build a proper ported box for their subwoofers. Its not gonna take too much space since its an aerport design. Very simple to build actually.

A sealed box will still be limiting your output by far. A simple subwoofer swap will most likely net you only a few db but an enclosure change will net you a lot more.

 

[Toneb210]

JL audio has an enclosure design right on the owner's manual online to build a proper ported box for their subwoofers. Its not gonna take too much space since its an aerport design. Very simple to build actually.
A sealed box will still be limiting your output by far. A simple subwoofer swap will most likely net you only a few db but an enclosure change will net you a lot more.

From my understanding jl's box specs are on the small side. But i will look into it. Gives me something to go off. And will def be cheaper