Jump to content
ZUaudio

KICKER cvx 12" ported VS. 2 sealed 12" L7

Recommended Posts

I have a single ported kicker CVX 12" in a custom box which I built, IT sounds nice. It is powered by a kicker 750.1.

The box is tuned to 34hz i believe and is 2.25 cubes. The audio is nice, a nice mix between power and quality, the way I like.

But Im looking to go bigger which is difficult because I have a volvo.

I came upon an AMAZING deal. I am getting TWO kicker L7's and a 1500.1 kicker amp.

Each L7 requires 3.23 cubes ported I believe. THER IS NO ROOM FOR TWO PORTED IN MY TRUNCK.

But each one only uses 2 cubes sealed.

MY QUESTION IS:

Would I get more sound (louder) with one CVX 12 ported @ 750w

OR would I get more sound (louder) with two SEALED L7's @ 1500w?

I KNOW sealed will give better SQ, Im not worried about that, im worried about volume achieveable.

THANKS GUYS,

Jason

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't think you are going to get much more output by using the L7s either single ported or both sealed, I would sell all the Kicker subs and buy one very nice 15 or pair of 10s and go ported either way on that 1500.1 (nice amp btw)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What year and kind of volvo??

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'd expect the L7's to win handily and if you ever gain the space when you port those puppies you will REALLY gain.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i have had ALOT of experience with kicker subs. the 2 l7's will be louder. especially on a 1500.1 that is a very strong amp. i miss mine dearly. if u had a 15" cvx ported, id say it would be a tie. a cvx is a l7 but circle. there coild are the sam, magnets are the same. its just round. iv found that the l7's are louder (simpaly because there is more cone area) but the cvx has much more SQ. hope this help man. let me know if u have any questions.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I expected MASS ridicule for posting this question.

I havent built, boxes in a while or had MONSTER subs for that matter.

At the PINNACLE of my interest I had a FI BTL fully loaded on a MEMPHIS mojo 2600 D. THAT THINK SLAMMED!! I had a land rover and the box I built was 9 cubes. IT WAS GORGEOUS, had to hold the sub into the box with BOLTS.

NOT so imply that I am disinterested now, just saying that I haven't played with any REAL power recently. Graduating from school took priority for a while.

I would RATHER have a really nice 15 ported, BUT the deal I cam across is almost STUPID To pass up, so Ill settle for this for a while.

To answer some of your questions: I have a 01 or 02 volvo S60 cant remember which one.

I am limited because although my trunk space is LARGE the trunk lid is small, which limits the opening into the trunk. AT MOST I can have a box that is 15 inches tall, it can be wide and

long but again the hight is limited.

I also want to use my truck space which also limits placement and types of enclosures that I can utilize.

ULTIMATELY I DO have space to port two L7's BUT I don't want to sacrifice the "usability" of my trunk.

I know that sealed subs have less SPL than ported subs, I ESPECIALLY know this because I design and build ALL of the sub boxes I have EVER had. BUT MY EXPERIENCE IS LIMITED with SEALED boxes simply because I NEVER found a use for them HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAH!!!! GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!!!

SO THAT IS WHY I ASK, will there be a noticeable difference between the 12 cvx ported or the DUAL L7 sealed?

The concensus that I got was that it would be about the same. IS THIS TRUE?

Again I am NOT disputing this, I am just asking because I HAVE NO EARTHLY IDEA!!!!

Keep in mind the CVX is stretched about as far as it will got, while keeping PRETTY DECENT SQ.

34hz (I believe) in a 2.25 or 2.3--->PERFECT CUSTOM FOR IT.

FURTHERMORE, there were tricks that I used previously to get more SPL, and cleaner sound from ported boxes FOR EXAMPLE:

-Eliminate square (90 degree) corners, especially in ports

-Brace box when MDF panels got to QUESTIONANABLE length

-SEAL the interior with fiberglass resin

ETC....

ARE THERE ANY tricks like that I could use for sealed.

AGAIN I do NOT want to sacarfice SQ for SPL. I like about a 90 to 10 ratio, meaning ill sacrifice a maximum 10% SQ.

THANKS AGIAN GUYS FOR ALL THE HELP!!!! :morepower1:

Edited by ZUaudio

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Not sure what you read, L7's win for everything in this case.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You'll be surprised how loud sealed can get.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would go with the 2 L7's. Sealed can have a good amount of output depending on car/enclosure/power/etc. Your gaining 750 watts from what you have now... Why not go for the deal.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok, Im meeting the guy today to do the deal.

What are some good sealed designs?

How do you tune a sealed box? CAN IT BE tUNED?

KICKER is saying 2 cubes sealed each, they are also saying that the l7 has .087 displacement.

Im planning to line the outer most walls of my trunk with he back of the boxes, and have the subs face each other.

Leaving a linear cavity in the center of my trunk for use when need be.

So i will make two identical boxes the dimensions of which will be 31 long x 10.5 wide x 15 tall.

Does this design look good?

ALSO i would like to mount both of the subs toward the cabin of the car leaving mdf walls on either side of the trunk cavity.

Is that feasible or will offsetting the subs toward one side of the box create sound problems?

DOES WHAT IM SAYING MAKE ANY SINCE?

Or am I missing things?

Thanks again guys.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Pointing at each other may not be a great idea.

You tune with box size, but if you are unsure what you want start with Kicker's rec'd. They are usually closer to being real than other mainstream brands.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Maybe I've missed it ; but what size of L7 ? 12" ?

If the deal is so great, you can get it and sell all the 3 subs. You keep the good amp and get money to buy a better sub you will be able to port in your trunk.

If you go withthe sealed L7, go as big as you can. Don't try to fit the subs in the smallest recommanded sizes by Kicker.

I had some L7 15" in the past, and Kicker said they could fit in any box between 2 and 6 cu ft ! I tried in a 2 cu ft box and I did not like it. In a 6 cu ft nox it was day and night : much more output, clarity and low end !

good luck, and post some pics when you can !

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Indeed, good clarification, their max size is a good starting point

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you guys for the input.

After 5 days of communication the guy backed out of the deal.

Im really really sad.

:(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

THE GUY FINALLY CALLED ME BACK.

HE SOLD THE 1500.1

BUT I GOT THE L7's

I BUILT THE BOXES TONIGHT AND NOW IM LOOKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL 750.1

YOU GUYS GOTTA ASK NICELY IF YOU WANT TO SEE PICTURES OF THE boxes that I built AND SUBS.

:) :) :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'd like to see pics. How does it sound? Does the L7 sound better than the old sub?

Edited by Duane

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

BETTER?

At this moment its hard to say.

There is def a difference.

Im only running one at the moment in a ported box.

THE L7 is DEF. louder BUT I dont like the sound as much, probably the box.

The the audio quality difference at this point is negligible, although noticable.

BUT thats just me being picky.

Ill upload photos soon

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

THis is my origonal CVX that i traded the guy I got the kickers form.

I traded ONE cvx and 50 bucks for TWO L7's and a kicker box, I dont know what he was thinking?

9I0fPl.jpg

Edited by ZUaudio

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Here are the boxes that I built

8irkh.jpg

This is one installed in my car. As you can see the subs face each other and the ports fire towards the rear of the car.

2Y9ws.jpg

This is the other box that is complete but I havent loaded the sub into it yet. I ordered the wire for it and Im looking for an amp to power it.

Just like the other box the sub faces inward and the port is firing towrs the rear of the car.

THE SUBS HOWEVER are off set so they dont fire directly at each other.

Edited by ZUaudio

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The sub cut out on the second box looks a little funny, BECAUSE IT IS. I had to take a grinder and cut out the walls of the sub box a bit to fit L7 in.

THe demensions were so exact that the sub didnt fit by MM. DONT you hate it when that happens?

OK, I KNOW THEY WERENT EXACT OR ELSE THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN. the truth is that I have NO more room HEIGHT wise or else the box wouldn't fit into my trunk, so I had to give it a little "LOVE"

Edited by ZUaudio

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×