I've messed with the gains on the amp, the subwoofer level on my HU, the bass level, changed the box from facing back, to forward to sideways...and it is not hitting like I thought it would. Wierd thing though is that from outside the car it seems like the deck lid is going to be blown off from the bass. Just not feeling it from inside the car

The only other thing I could think of was that the 18 year old kid I bought it from made the box himself and said it was "to 12w7 specs" but the box looks pretty ghetto.

Could the box make that much of a difference and be why I am not feeling the "earth shattering" bass I was expecting? I cant figure out what else it could be. Something tells me it's the box cause when I turn the volume, gains, or bass up, I can tell the speaker is hitting harder but it just seems like the box cant handle it.


Any thoughts?

 

yes it is most definetly the box get a new one.. sense you have a 12 inch sub i would consider looking into zenclosures he has a store on ebay... Also another reason the sub could not be hitting hard is because the 12w7 rms's at 750 and max's at 1500 you possibly dont have enough power...

 

what are the specs on the box? Go measure it and get back to us

 

H-15 1/2 inches
W-16 1/4 inches
Depth-16 1/2 inches

I think it is 3/4 inch particle board.

 

If those are outer dimensions and its a sealed box, the box is slightly too big for the sub. The 12w7 reqs 1.375 cuft, while that box is 1.8cuft. Also, are you sure its particle board and not MDF? If its particle board then that is definetly your problem, it will flex too much to be any good. To fix the volume issue, you can just install dead weight in the box such as additional pieces of wood for bracing to get it down closer to the 1.375 cuft volume for optimal performance

 

btw a sub has to be broken in...you can't just start pounding on it

 

yeah my buddy has that same amp on his 8w7 and it slams way way good with a $250 alpine head unit... custom box too... his hits harder than my 12" alpine type r for sure..

 

Yeah I think the sub is only about 1 month old. Maybe it needs a little time? Bought it used but guy gave me the original receipt that proved date of purchase.

I really do think it's the box. The guy "threw it in" with the sub. Not carpeted and upon a more thurough inspection I noticed some gaps where the MDF(yes it is MDF not particle board..thanks) board comes together but didn't think much of it cause the box appears to be sealed ok.

Another question, I have a sedan....is there enough air space back there for the sub to thump as hard as it should?

 

check the box you can always add filler to fill in the gap if its too big...also what head unit are you running

 

also, how did they setup the signal to the amp? it may be lacking in certain freq's because of the bose system's built in crossover

 

How is the sub wired? If it is a DVC, the coils may not be wired properly.

 

-I have the Kenwood DNX7100.

-My 500/1 is receiving the signal through the remote wire and is not hooked through the bose amp at all. Bose amp is completely disconnected and in a box locked away hopefully for good!! (I put Infinity 6.5 perfects in the front and some cheap pioneers in the back....thanks for the advise on going cheap Gilley!)

-The sub is a 12W7 that I do believe is a dual voice coil(not sure though) but seemed simple enough hooking up because in there is only 1 + and 1 - on the sub.
So I just hooked up positive to the positive and neg to the neg. Should I have done anything different?

Thanks for probing guys to help me find the answer. It really is irritating to have done such a big audio overhaul and not have the bass hitting how I thought it would.

 

It's a single coil sub. 3 Ohms IIRC

Well, If you've got gaps in your box, that's your problem right there... Basically your box is completely out of spec for that sub. From the sounds of it, your box should be used as firewood...

Get yourself a box built to spec, reset your gains since you've messed with them ( What are gains and how to set them). Enjoy the pounding.
That sub should deliver for you.

 

I downloaded the test cd. JL has instructions on how to set the gains that I plan on doing tomorrow. I'll let you guys know how that goes. If it doesn't work, I'll invest in a new box.

Thanks!!

 

my cousin has the JL 1000/1 amp with 1 JL 12w7 sub and it hits so hard.