enclosure help needed, if possible

[FosgateFanatic]

Hello, I have a subwoofer that I plan to use, but need any help I can get on the enclosure required. I have always used sealed enclosures, but want to give ported a try. The sub I plan to use is a JL Audio 10w3v2-d2 ( dual 2 ohm voice coils ). The manual can be seen here:

http://mediacdn.shopatron.com/media/mfg/9013/media_document/live_1/10W3v2_MAN.pdf?1317790407

I plan on putting this in a single cab 95 f-150, so space is limited. Anyways, I'd like to keep the box rectangular instead of wedge shape, as I am pretty new to box building, and it'd be easiest I figure. Id like to keep it under 15 inches high, and 7 inches deep. Length wouldnt really matter. Part that is troubling me is the port. The manual gives specs for a slot port type, but I'd plan to use pvc. I dont know what diameter or length. Whatever the length, is needed, I'd have to make sure the box was atleast that long. I also see where it has a note listed that states: " All enclosure volumes listed above are net internal volumes! Driver displacement, port displacement and brace displacement must be added to obtain the final gross internal volume. All enclosure dimensions above have already taken this into account." So, the 1.0 cubic foot that they seem to suggest isnt correct? Anyways, if anyone can help me on this enclosure, I'd be greatly happy. I use to pay for my enclosures to be built, but these days with 5 kids its hard to have funds for dads hobbies. Thanks for any help I get.

[Ambassador of Bass]

I can't help you alot on this but i will give my $0.02 lol I have a Dodge Ram 1500 regular cab and i built a few boxes for it. Ok. first thing is 7" box depth is no good bc the mdf is 3/4" so 7"-3/4"-3/4"=5.5" and the sub needs 5.75" also don't forget about the .549" xmas (excursion)...if it hits the back of the seats that is not good (been there O.O ) I haven't seen wedge style ported boxes bc i have heard they are not good but i never tried one personally...it seems like you are stuck with a sealed box (maybe wedge) ...that is what i have now with my Fi Q @1,500wrms and it POUNDS! I had a RE sub in a .9cuft sealed box before at 300wrms and it was pretty impressive so i think overall you will be happy just getting a sealed box. I am NO expert but hopefully something in there helps...let me know...

[FosgateFanatic]

Thanks for the help!! Much appreciated. I dunno why I was thinking the mounting depth was 5.5...But you are correct, its 5.75. I said 7 inches, just to try to keep as much room as possible, but even 7-1/2 would be fine, as the current box is 9 inches ( 2 eights facing up ). I figure with the seat in its current position 7-1/2 would leave room for the excursion. I do like sealed boxes, but questioned if the one 10 would be comparable to the two 8's and the guy at my local shop insisted that a 10 in a ported box would be better than the two 8's in a sealed box.

I also done searches, and came up with not much helpful for a starting point, which is the port specs, thats giving me the trouble. I downloaded Torres, but I am lost on it lol.

[Slobalt7]

Just go to the12volt.com and use their calculators. They are the simple ones to calculate port length and box volume with or without wedges ect.

[Ambassador of Bass]

I have to say that one 10 usually will be louder than 2 8's...all depends on the rms and mostly THE BOX. Ported boxes have a good low end frequency extension better than that of a sealed box...but only if they are for that sub. Pre-fab boxes really are not worht the $ so i am glad to see that you want to make a box.

If you did 7.5"deepX15"tallX34"Wide with 3/4" mdf then you did a 2" diameter port 5.6" long you would tune it at 28hz and that would be a nice SQ set-up great for your truck... would be 1.5cuft and that would be LOWWWWWWW. Give me some feedback i can try other numbers if you want but thats my pick...

[FosgateFanatic]

Thanks man, I know ya cant tell on here, but I really appreciate all your help. It'd be so easy to skip past me, and not use any of your time. I have been lurking here quite awhile and I noticed there are many people here who know their stuff, and willing to go the extra mile to help someone in need. Excellent place to hang out. Anyways, the amp I plan to use on the one 10, is a Rockford Fosgate punch 500-1bd. I actually wasnt looking for an amp, but the price was too good to pass up. I paid 130 for it still in the shrink wrap,box, birthsheet, etc......New. I knew it'd be too much for the beat 8's I have, so I just held onto it. A buddy gave me the JL,so I plan to use that until I buy something better, later. I believe with running the 2 coils 1 ohm, the amp may be a little too much....Whats your opinion? I have always heard clean power is easier than distorted, underpower.

Now, I gotta ask, how'd you come up the specs for that port? lol....I gotta learn this stuff. As for your dimensions, that would fit nicely. Thanks again for all your assistance.

[FosgateFanatic]

Well, after talking to a local installer, he insisted I'd never get a ported enclosure behind my seat without cramming the seat all the way forward. He also said that a sub in ported enclosure wont handle as much power as the same sub in a sealed, is he correct? Looks like sealed is the direction I am headed.

[Ambassador of Bass]

That is a killer deal on that amp! It will do a clean 500wrms @1ohm but the sub is only rated at 300wrms so u will need to adjust the gain to that....that amp will be great though....if you need any help on installing let me know i can guide you through it...been there hahaha

"I have always heard clean power is easier than distorted, underpower." don't know what you mean lol but you only want clean power...distortion means a blown sub basically...

I have a program to do all that 28hz is REALLY low good for SQ not so much spl but it would be good...u can do 1,000 diff boxes that was just the one i chose lol been building them for years...in general yes a sealed can handle more power than a ported...the smaller the sealed box the more punchy it sounds and the more efficent it is...the bigger it is the more deep the bass will be but it will be less accurate...but dont go too big or it will just not get loud...dont go too small or it will make the sub have WAY to much x-mas and it will ruin your sub...so follow jl's specs mayb +/- 10% AT MOST but try to stay in their tolerances for box sizes...hope this makes sense let me know glad to help.