Box size question

[DigitalDeath]

So, I'm looking to buy a new box and subs.

One option is to build my own box, as I've done in the past.

Another is to buy a box.

I prefer to build my own, but most of the time I have no time. One thing I know is the size of the box should be matched to the specs of the sub. One thing I see a lot of is people buying subs and just any box -whether it be ported or sealed.

My main question is this:

If a sub requires 2.0 cubic feet for ported or 1 cubic foot for sealed, how much of a problem is, say, a 2.5 cubic feet for ported or 1.25 for sealed?

How do you determine the best size for any given sub? I guess what I'm getting at, is I don't put much faith in what the advertised specs are on anything since the ultimate goal is to sell product, so how do you set a sub up for the best sound?

I listen to everything from Hip Hop to Metal to Country, though the first two the most. I currently have two 12" Infinity 1252w's in a sealed box. I got them for $100 in a box from a friend who needed the cash. I think the box is too small, even for sealed, but want to move them over to a ported box. However, I want to buy a box (or build) one for a much better set of subs.

[parton226]

what kind of subs for the box you wanna build/ buy?

[DigitalDeath]

what kind of subs for the box you wanna build/ buy?

I'm not looking for anything competition as this little project is for the car I drive back and forth to work (A 2002 Hyundai Accent)

At one point in the past I had a Power Acoustik FUBR 12" with a RF Punch 600s and it pounded hard while sounding good. I know PA isn't a favorite here; I'm looking for the best bang for the buck in a pair of subs that's not going to either break the bank or kill my car ;-)

Truthfully, I'm now clueless. I feel audio is all based on personal preferences, so what one person likes, another may not.

Any suggestions will be appreciated

Right now I have (Keep your Kenwood comments at a minimum please -SMILE ):

Kenwood Excelon KDC-X692 head unit

Kenwood Excelon KFC-X1300P Component Speaker in door and rear deck

Kenwood KAC-9104d Classs D mono amp

• 500 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms (900 watts x 1 at 2 ohms)
• 1-ohm stable (output regulated to 900 watts) <- HA! More like 740 watts at 12v
• CEA-2006 compliant

4 Gauge Oxygen free power runs

2x 12" infinity reference W1252 Dual 4 Ohm Voice Coils Running @1 ohm at the AMP

2x 1F Rockford Fosgate Caps,

80AMP alternator

Red Top Optima 800 CC Battery.

[isheetsonu]

After you pick your woofer it should be pretty easy to find the optimum box sizes either by the manufacturer's website or calling tech support. As far as having an oversized enclosure, if you buy a prefab box that is too big, you can always throw some bracing in it to reduce the volume.