tuning a ported box

Discussion in 'General Car Audio Discussions' started by adamvogt28, Jun 4, 2006.

  1. adamvogt28

    adamvogt28 Full Member

    heyguys i new to the whole tuning a box thing so i was looking for some help... a friend of mine is building me a ported box for my 12w6v2's to jl specs...it recommends something like tuning it to 34 hz i think...but what happens if you tune it lower? higher? i listen to mostly rap so i really want the deep bass more than anything...does that mean i dshould tune lower? thanks in advance
     
  2. TheViking

    TheViking Well-Known Member



    Tune it to the reccommended frequency...that will yield a good overall response. Tuning it higher (shorter port) will make the thing louder at the frequncies you like, but will unload the woofer at low freq's. Not good and a great way to mechanically make your sub fail. tune it lower and its a waste of "energy"

    I always tune most boxes in the range of 35Hz to 45Hz. The "rap" music you are referring to usually does not contain much audio info below40-45 Hz. Its not true DEEP bass like you think. You want to hear deep bass, listen to the 1812 overture, canon shots, enough said.:)


    ZJust make sure that the box is properly built, if it is not, you WILL trash some subs. Ported boxes are awesome, IF done right.


    Ideally, put the port on the same radiating surface of the sub. radius all edges of the port with a router to help eliminate turbulance, keep the port at least half the distance from the speaker as its diameter, and don t use poly fill. Oh, and if you have a subsonic filter, use it, if you have an EQ or "bas booster" processor, shut it off! (unless you can know, understand, and respect the limits of your system)


    ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!
     
  3. Hautewheeler

    Hautewheeler Full Member

    wonderful advice..

    Understand that when you tune a box to 34 hz, it just means that the setup yeilds the most efficient sound at 34hz, 30-40hz is pretty common. It will still sound great at lower frequencies, and great at higher ones. But if you vere away from what the manufacturer recommends, you really need to know what you're doing otherwise Viking's right: it becomes very easy to damage the mechanics of your subs. Make sure the box is being built right: thick enough, (at least 5/8 mdf and as close as you can get it to the volume listed on your white (spec) sheets. In most cases, the "right" box means as much if not more than the subs do. My 15's are tuned to 18hz, and they hit l:jawdrop:w but they're high excursion, and they can handle much more power than what I give them, and the box still sounds great at higher frequencies.

    Just follow Vik's advice, and you wont be sorry, and you won't be smoking your subs:)
     
  4. sinistercory

    sinistercory Full Member

    also, w6's seem to fall flat on their face when tuning too high. with JL, stay with manufacturer recommendations, always a sure bet.
     
  5. triple_A

    triple_A Full Member

    I guess everything has allready been said :)

    but if you want to experiment with box size, tuning freq's etc. you can download winISD from this site.

    enter the parameters of your woofers (if they're not in the program allready) and simulate :)
    you can plot power handling, resistance, freq. curves, cone excursion, group delay etc. etc.
     
  6. xlaudio

    xlaudio Full Member

    how do u use the sonic filter knob, the ma audio hk2000d
    has a sonic bass boost ,feq and gain .?
     
  7. Hautewheeler

    Hautewheeler Full Member

    sonic filter knob is for making sure your subs don't hit freq's lower than they can handle.. this knob "cuts out" the "damaging" signals.

    put your bass boost at 1/4 the way up from zero, start from there (I don't use mine)

    freq setting is for cutting out high signals that make subs sound like but. start with this at about 50hz and go from there.

    start with your gain about 1/4 also. set your head unit settings where you want them, and then when you're satisfied with the way the rest of the speakers sound, then start playing around with the amp settings to get the sub the way you want it to sound

    and then do lots and lots of pounding!:D
     
  8. xlaudio

    xlaudio Full Member

    ok cool
    thanks
     
  9. ramos

    ramos Full Member


    subsonic filter ;)
     
  10. Hautewheeler

    Hautewheeler Full Member

    I like you, ramos.. You're not opposed to letting me know when I look like an idiot. I appreciate you watching my back- Thanks-lol:)
     
  11. sinistercory

    sinistercory Full Member

    The actual term that should be used is "infrasonic" filter. I had been using the term subsonic for years and was rudely incorrected at a convention with some of our manufacturers. They had good reasons, whatever they were, but we all know what we are talking about:) Plus, most manufacturers still use the term "subsonic". So, screw the higher ups!
     
  12. aznboi3644

    aznboi3644 Full Member

    Why would they correct you if their products said subsonic filter?
     
  13. sinistercory

    sinistercory Full Member

    their product said infrasonic filter, other brands use the term subsonic
     
  14. Hautewheeler

    Hautewheeler Full Member

    sounds to me like some "know-it-all" trying to be stuck up.:blow:
     
  15. ramos

    ramos Full Member

    Yep, you say tomatoe..... yada yada . :)
     
  16. bigbassboi

    bigbassboi Full Member

    i had a single type r 15 in a box tuned to 28 hz, to be honest a little to low, hard on the mechanics, my new box has it tuned to 35 hz and just got metered,,, 145.5 db ....
     
  17. TheViking

    TheViking Well-Known Member




    Nice job!!!!!!
     
  18. ramos

    ramos Full Member

    Very nice . Your still tuned low for spl which is a good thing with the r's. They like low tuning :)
     
  19. aznboi3644

    aznboi3644 Full Member

    Damn 145 on one type r 15...real nice job.

    A friend of mine has the older model type r's...two 15's in a big ass ported box...he only hit 144db lol.

    But the guy he bought it from built the box himself and i doubt he knew how to tune it...cuz the box takes up the whole trunk of my friends volvo WAGON. It's big enough where I can fit in it. Just goes to show you again that its all in the box.