What to look for in a sub for a sealed box?

[02SOMWS6 0]

I have a sealed box that I bought for my Trans Am (well, Firebird back then, before I upgraded) about 7 years ago.  I love the way it looks, and it allows me to store my T-tops in the rear.  It was made for 2x 12" Kicker L5s, which I just got rid of because they sounded sloppy.  They were loud, but not in a great way.  I am in the process of modifying the box to allow 12" circle subs, and each chamber will have around 1.1cu ft each.

 

I want my setup this time around to be a little cleaner and sound better.  Last year I installed some CDT components up front, with 6.5" CDT woofers in the rear.  I plan on powering them with a PPI P900.4, just waiting to make sure it will fit in the spot where the stock Monsoon amp was.  Car is in storage, damn weather up here isn't cooperating for me to get it out just yet.

 

I plan on powering the subs with around 1000-1200W @ 1ohm (amp still unknown), so looking for two DVC 4ohm subs.  I listen to all types of music, mostly mainstream, from rock to rap, pop to country.  I basically want a clean sounding system that can still hit hard.  My old L5s hit plenty hard, but that was about it.

 

My main choice right now is a pair of SA-12s, because of all the good press they've gotten.  But other subs on my radar include the Fi X12, C2 Audio Threatcon 2, I was even thinking of the GCONs but they are a little out of my price range.  I want to spend around $400 shipped, less is better.  I am a bit flexible on this, say a pair of subs that are $30 more will sound much better, it would be a no-brainer not to go with them.  I can get b-stock SA-12 D4 for $160 each, for what its worth.

 

With all that said, what makes a sub geared more towards a sealed enclosure?  I've read that a higher Qts will sound better in a sealed enclosure, while a lower Qts is more for ported enclosures.  Is there truth to this?  Somewhere I read that SA-12s are more for ported enclosures, but it wasn't a credible source.  Just wondering if I should be looking at other subs than what is on my list at the moment, or if I am headed in the right direction.

 

I've been reading a few posts on this forum and you guys seem very knowledgeable on the subject of car audio, so I look forward to your advice.

 

Thanks.

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

The Fi X is an excellent choice.  Most people lean ported with SA-12's, but that does not mean they don't perform sealed.  Qts is a good starter, but that is not the only factor.  There is a lot more to the story when it comes to enclosure alignment.  I am obviously biased towards the SSA Gcon, but for good reason.

[Impious 1,476]

With all that said, what makes a sub geared more towards a sealed enclosure? I've read that a higher Qts will sound better in a sealed enclosure, while a lower Qts is more for ported enclosures. Is there truth to this? Somewhere I read that SA-12s are more for ported enclosures, but it wasn't a credible source. Just wondering if I should be looking at other subs than what is on my list at the moment, or if I am headed in the right.

Ideally you would model the driver in your desired enclosure before purchasing one to verify the response meets your needs.

However when initially looking for drivers to select a good staring point is to calculate the driver's Efficiency Bandwidth Product (EBP).

EBP = Fs/Qes

If the EBP is 50 or less it is best suited for a sealed enclosure. Between 50 to 90 or 100 the driver will work reasonably well in either ported or sealed. Above 90 to 100 the driver would work best ported. So as you can see it isn't ONLY about Qts, you have to take Q in relation to Fs to determine what type of enclosure the driver is most suited towards.

[altoncustomtech 773]

 

With all that said, what makes a sub geared more towards a sealed enclosure? I've read that a higher Qts will sound better in a sealed enclosure, while a lower Qts is more for ported enclosures. Is there truth to this? Somewhere I read that SA-12s are more for ported enclosures, but it wasn't a credible source. Just wondering if I should be looking at other subs than what is on my list at the moment, or if I am headed in the right.

Ideally you would model the driver in your desired enclosure before purchasing one to verify the response meets your needs.

However when initially looking for drivers to select a good staring point is to calculate the driver's Efficiency Bandwidth Product (EBP).

EBP = Fs/Qes

If the EBP is 50 or less it is best suited for a sealed enclosure. Between 50 to 90 or 100 the driver will work reasonably well in either ported or sealed. Above 90 to 100 the driver would work best ported. So as you can see it isn't ONLY about Qts, you have to take Q in relation to Fs to determine what type of enclosure the driver is most suited towards.

 

 

Beat me to it, lol.

[Tirefryr 1,742]

Better than beating you with it.

[02SOMWS6 0]

Thanks for the explanation Impious.  I know it is best to design an enclosure around a sub, but I don't have that luxury this time around.  I'll heed your advice and keep it in mind when I close in on a sub to purchase.

 

Aaron, I wish I could extend my budget to get the GCONs.  However, this car is just a summer fun car that is more performance oriented than anything.  The extra money I save can be used towards other mods for the car.

 

Thanks again for the help.

[lithium 358]

ppi p1000.1 is a solid amp, installed one in my bro's car on an ssa icon. would match up the the 900.4 nicely.  

Edited April 6, 2014 by lithium

[Dangercdv 4]

I have a dual 12 sealed box, with only .9 cubic feet per chamber (before displacement) and a Hifonics 1700.1 amp.
I currently have two Sundown E-12s reversed mounted to 1ohm on the amp. Gain is about 1/4 the way up and I still can't crank the volume to high.
Would I do better to upgrade to the Gcon? or other sub? 

 

[stevemead08 752]

Off topic. You have pics of the car? '02 SOM WS6 would be what I trade my car for if I ever did. One of my favorite fbodies

[02SOMWS6 0]

Off topic. You have pics of the car? '02 SOM WS6 would be what I trade my car for if I ever did. One of my favorite fbodies

 

I'm at work right now, but I grabbed a couple of horribly compressed pictures off my Facebook.  I love the car, but I kinda want to get a Corvette.  Finally got it out of winter storage Thursday, smiled the whole way home.  Best part is the exhaust note, and rowing through the gears...

 

 

 

 

The last one was taken the day I got it out of storage with my roommate's GoPro.  Neat little camera.  Car needs a full detail before I take better pictures with my DSLR.

 

As a quick update to the topic, I have received most of the equipment that I ordered for this build.  Just waiting on the subs (decided on the SA-12 b-stock) which should arrive today, and the PPI 900.4, which I ordered from OCS last Tuesday and it has yet to ship.  I think I'm going to cancel that and order from someplace else, as I don't think they have it in stock and are just holding my money until they get another shipment.  Still need to modify my box to fit 12" circle subs, and hoping to install this coming weekend.

[stevemead08 752]

Gorgeous!

I've owned both. Keep the WS6. In my opinion. Equal performance from both but everyone and their mom has a vette. Your car is clean and unique. My 02 z28 was much more fun to drive daily than my C5 vert. Now I have a 00 SS. Still wish I had my 02 Z.

[Lee Carter 150]

Beautiful car.  Got few of us F-body guys around here.

[Dangercdv 4]

Wow that is really good looking....I got a 00' mustang vert
I do want to know if  I should upgrade my subs tho from E-12s to Gcon 12s.