I have 2 JL audio 12's in my 2004 Reg cab STX (pics below) and the bass is not quite deep enough for me. The subs hit really hard, but its somewhat of a cross between a midbass and deep bass (sounds like really good 10's for some reason on most occasions. What can I do to get deeper bass? The speakers I have a 8 ohm and powered by an 800 W amp, not sure of the specs of the speakers. Should I try to go up to 2 15's? would a lower "ohm" do the trick? What exactly does the "ohm" mean? I heard the lower that is the deeper the bass. They are in a ported box, box is huge...would prefer smaller, but the main concern is the sound. Should I get a higher rated speaker...something over 1000-1500 watts? Also, I am running from my factory cd player with a stepdown...would an aftermarket make the difference?

The 2 12's are on the passenger side and go from the wall to the middle of the center console...as u see in the second pic, I would like to add 2 more 12's seeing as I would have the same amount of room behind the drivers side. Any suggestions on how I can make my system sound realy good. I am also running factory speakers in the doors.

 

for what you are after the best thing you can do is a down firing box. Space the subs about 2-3 inches from the floor. If you can tell me what model JL's they are I can give you a rough idea of box volume. I have been in the auto sound industry for over 15 years, and have two 10s in my 00 Lightning that will scare you. Good luck in your quest for bass

 

also depends on your amp range, and HU range, some just dont output that low of a freq. But generally its the sub that isnt capable of reaching those lower freq.
-Patrick

 

interesting, will just changing the box to a down-firing box with the same exact subs make that much of a difference?

 

You might also consider switching to a sealed box instead of a ported box. Ported boxes are tuned to a certain frequency and fall off very quickly below that frequency.

Also, the ohms will not effect how low the sub plays. It is a measure of resistence and only effects how you end up wiring the subs and how much power the amp sends to them.

 

you make my job easier


i agree, the box is probably tuned to some high *** frequency that the builder thought would provide "GREAT SPL"

you can try re tuning your amp or simply sealing off the port. with that size of a box im sure it can go low if it was sealed

 

you'd also bottom out pretty quick

 

you can reduce the power its receiving but it also looks like theres space to cut a third 11" hole lol

 

Heres mine btw, and ppl were so shocked when i showed the pictures and they realized it was going to be a bottom firing box.





As you can tell its not too hard to custom make a box that fits in your truck, just take your time, and ask alot of questions before hand.
-Patrick

 

I have read all of the replys and I have started reading up on diff types of subs. Crutchfields how-to pages have helped also. I know I want a lot of bass...but, I do have limited space available.

I have learned that if I go with a sealed box, rather than a ported...it can be smaller...but I need to feed the subs a lot of more power. What I am thinking is a down firing box the entire width of my cab, running from one door to the other. with 2 15's facing the floor. This is if I can get away with the 20 inches or so im going to need behing the seats....which i doubt i can get, so im not getting my hopes up on that idea. If they wont fit I want to go with 4 12's facing the floor. This I know will fit, and having the box go up about 1 1/2 feet. and 2 amps mounted on top of the box.

But before I get into all that what can I do for the time being to make these things sound deeper. I have heard change the tune of the box. Or tune the amp. How would I do these?

 

You dont really need 4 12's just two good ones, or one really good top of the line, can provide more bass then 3 or 4 generic subs. Ive got two 12s, and am considering going to a single JL W6 or W7
-Patrick

 

more cone area is always better the key is to fit as much cone area in your truck that you can. but you also have to remember to factor in avaliable airspace. I know I was going to use a single 18 ported but it would have taken 20 cubes to do so. I'm now going to use 2 different 18's in the same 20 cubes with the same power but now I have double the cone area

 

really. thats good to know. would save a lot of money. The 12's or 15's I am thinking of getting are pricy, but really good. They are Rockford Fosgate Power Stage 2.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-7BmIbk6...20&I=575T212D2




The 15's would be the same brand. And looking into a 3000 watt amp, found all this on ebay for about $1600. I want to rebulid my audio system one setp at a time...and be top notch. So your thinking I could actually go with maybe 1 12 or 15 and that would be ok?

 

How about maybe starting with the front soundstage first & work your way back. You'll never hear those stock speakers over some subs.

 

As said, putting those in a sealed box will get you lower bass, but you will be losing output...

Anything downfiring over 10's seems like it would take up a LOT of legroom, I guess if you can make it work go for something bigger though.

As for that Rockford thingamajig, I would look around a little more...you can find drivers just as good, or better, than that for much cheaper. 700 bucks a sub is just rediculous, I dont care what it is lol.

My 2 cents anyway