Sealed or Ported Box

[Deano]

What is the best box to build for the open space of a boat and hit low, loud, and sharp?
I have two 12's that I would like to eventually replace, but if I do, I want it to ripple the water like the catalina express just drove by.
With that said, what are some of the good 12" subs and amps out there. I already have a 90amp cascade charger and honda generator. I just
need something bad ass to hook it up to..:thumbup:

 

[Cole Trickle]

Ported will always hit lower and louder than sealed. They can also play accurate and sharp as you describe.

I would take the boat to Mike at speed of sound if you want to get the most out of the set up.

I had 4 10" diamonds in a sealed box in my last boat with probably 500 watts pushing them and it sounded good and hit pretty hard. I put a large ported box in my toon With 2 12" kicker cvr's and about 1000 watts and it absolutely destroys the other set up....straight kills fish

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I had a cheap ol Dual 10" under the bow in the front bulk head with 2 ports in the bulkhead. I can't remember what amperage the sub or amp are but that little cheap o' sub rattled the shit out of my cousin's license plate frame on her car sitting 5' away.

 

[Waffles]

Rule of thumb will always be ported will always be louder and hit lower notes but sealed will always be tighter. You can't have all three from a specific enclosure setup. I went with sealed in my toon because, well, there will always be someone else (like the speed of sound cat) out blasting any decent setup you think you have with garbage playlists at the sandbar.

 

[82daytona]

Rons in your ear audio made me two of these and they sound great!

 

[Deano]

Say I put two JL 12 W6's in a ported box built to JL specifications with a 1000 watts. Would it be beneficial for the port to vent to the front into the open air of the boat or is under the seat just as good? I could always cut a vent and put a billet cover over it.

 

[Deano]

Any thoughts on the Rockford Fosgate Prime 1200w amp? Seems like a nice amp for $250 on Amazon. Nothing but good reviews.
Is the JL 1200 1V3 really worth the extra money?

 

[mbrown2]

Any thoughts on the Rockford Fosgate Prime 1200w amp? Seems like a nice amp for $250 on Amazon. Nothing but good reviews.
Is the JL 1200 1V3 really worth the extra money?

A lot of folks will say JL...but unless your are buying real crap, I have found that amps are amps if they are rated equally and come with spec sheets....Phx Gold and Rockford use to be super companies and when they shipped everything offshore they lost their luster. However, I had later model Rockford amps in my DCB and later model Phx Gold amps in my Malibu and they work/sound every bit as good as the JL HD Marine amps in my center console and cars.... They don't get hot, go into protection, ect...

If I can get them cheap I will get the JL stuff but I think they are really proud of their stuff and their prices go along with that. If you get a warranty with that Rockford, I would go with it if the specs are the same...

 

[Outdrive1]

A lot of folks will say JL...but unless your are buying real crap, I have found that amps are amps if they are rated equally and come with spec sheets....Phx Gold and Rockford use to be super companies and when they shipped everything offshore they lost their luster. However, I had later model Rockford amps in my DCB and later model Phx Gold amps in my Malibu and they work/sound every bit as good as the JL HD Marine amps in my center console and cars.... They don't get hot, go into protection, ect...

If I can get them cheap I will get the JL stuff but I think they are really proud of their stuff and their prices go along with that. If you get a warranty with that Rockford, I would go with it if the specs are the same...

The Alpine PDX amps are cheaper than the JL stuff and very comparable IMO.

 

[Cole Trickle]

The Alpine PDX amps are cheaper than the JL stuff and very comparable IMO.

My last three builds have all been with the alpine pdz 5 channels....not a single issue

The newer v9 stuff puts out monster power in a tight compact package.

I think mine came dynoed at 130x4 and 660x 1

 

[Englewood]

I've always had JL Digital amps and never once had a problem. I let wired for sound talk me into getting Kicker Amps in a previous boat, what a P.O.S. those things are!

I say go JL or Alpine. Remember that the speaker placement is equally as important as the power. I had an Ultra 23' that had 2 JLW3's on a 500/1 amp and 6 6.5's that would flush a snowbird out of their trailer from 500' away. Every speaker was very high and the cuddy amplifies the bass even more.

 

[mbrown2]

The Alpine PDX amps are cheaper than the JL stuff and very comparable IMO.

Yep...they are a great option...I just had the new PDX V9 900watt 5-channel installed my Countryman...very good amps and used the PDX's in my Schiada... Only difference I found on the older PDX's and the JL HD...was the JL HD would not drop power when going from 14.4 to 12.2 where is the Alpine was only testing their max for 14.4..

You can get the PDX v9 for basically have of what you can get the 5 channel 900 JL HD.....It all depends on the deals you find but would definitely recommend the Alpine stuff as an alternative.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I just put a PDX V9 in my boat and am very satisfied. I watched it on amazon and got it for $410 shipped. It dynoed at over 1000 watts according to the birth sheet. I have not added a sub to the 5th channel yet. Thinking of adding a single 10 inch JL W3v3 in a sealed box mounted in the front bulkhead of the cabin.

 

[Outdrive1]

I just put a PDX V9 in my boat and am very satisfied. I watched it on amazon and got it for $410 shipped. It dynoed at over 1000 watts according to the birth sheet. I have not added a sub to the 5th channel yet. Thinking of adding a single 10 inch JL W3v3 in a sealed box mounted in the front bulkhead of the cabin.

Either you'll have to keep the gain way down or never turn the stereo up. One w3 ten isn't enough. One w6 or two w3's. You'll fry that one ten.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Either you'll have to keep the gain way down or never turn the stereo up. One w3 ten isn't enough. One w6 or two w3's. You'll fry that one ten.

Single Alpine SWR10D4 instead?

 

[Cole Trickle]

Single Alpine SWR10D4 instead?

Do you have room for a 12?

I'm an alpine fan but I'm not sure I would run there subs with so many other better choices.

 

[Outdrive1]

Single Alpine SWR10D4 instead?

Not sure what those are rated but I had a w3 10 in a stealth box in my Raptor with the HD 900/5 amp and I went threw 4 subs before I got fed up and cut a blow throw in the cab.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

That alpine is rated for 1000 watts RMS. Not enough room for a 12.

 

[Outdrive1]

That alpine is rated for 1000 watts RMS. Not enough room for a 12.

That should work

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

That should work

I'll get that instead then.