My boat came with one of the Clarion 10 inch free air subs and it actually sounded pretty good. Then Mikeski on Wakeworld got a deal on a bunch of old 12 inch JL 12W3's for $100 each. I picked up one of those and installed it and have been running it for 2 years + now just as a free air sub.
AnHaney and I were talking and decided that it would probably sound better if I put it in a box. So Saturday I built a box. I did not take any pictures, because I am ashamed to show any of this workmanship, but I did learn a few things.
The JL website says that the sealed enclosure should be 1.25 cu feet, but then gives dimensions for a box that is closer to 2 cubic feet in size.
It says to use 3/4 MDF. I got half way into it and realized I was using 1/2. I think it is fine, but now I am saying...What if?
Moving the heater was an unbeleivable PIA. I would not wish that on my worst enemy (OK, maybe I would like to see Hillary try it). AnHaney said that his heater was just sitting on his ballast tank, not even mounted or anything, now I understand why. It is pretty difficult to reach in there, even with very long arms, but too small to actually climb in there. After playing contortionist for a good while yesterday, I am pretty sore today. It helped a lot to be able to remove the sub and reach in from under the driver's seat. I ended up mounting it on it's side, and then giving it extra support from the top of the subwoofer enclosure. Those stupid clamshell style seats were not very helpful in trying to access that area.
The wall in front of the driver's seat is not vertical. My box was perfectly square, but once I mounted it to the wall, the more foreward part of the box was 1 inch above the floor.
As for the sound, it is difficult. I think it pounds a bit better. The previous setup basically was a 10 cubic foot ported enclosure, now I have about 1.75 cubic feet and it is sealed. The bass is tighter, and for most songs sounds better. I have a few songs that a loose rumbling base sounds really good, and I think it is just a hair less good with those. It is a challenge to know because I cannot listen to it back to back with and without the enclosure.
Mostly I just wanted to give props to anyone who puts in those heaters, and give a healthy 'beware' to anyone who thinks you can just reach in there and pop a few screws and move it.
AnHaney and I were talking and decided that it would probably sound better if I put it in a box. So Saturday I built a box. I did not take any pictures, because I am ashamed to show any of this workmanship, but I did learn a few things.
The JL website says that the sealed enclosure should be 1.25 cu feet, but then gives dimensions for a box that is closer to 2 cubic feet in size.
It says to use 3/4 MDF. I got half way into it and realized I was using 1/2. I think it is fine, but now I am saying...What if?
Moving the heater was an unbeleivable PIA. I would not wish that on my worst enemy (OK, maybe I would like to see Hillary try it). AnHaney said that his heater was just sitting on his ballast tank, not even mounted or anything, now I understand why. It is pretty difficult to reach in there, even with very long arms, but too small to actually climb in there. After playing contortionist for a good while yesterday, I am pretty sore today. It helped a lot to be able to remove the sub and reach in from under the driver's seat. I ended up mounting it on it's side, and then giving it extra support from the top of the subwoofer enclosure. Those stupid clamshell style seats were not very helpful in trying to access that area.
The wall in front of the driver's seat is not vertical. My box was perfectly square, but once I mounted it to the wall, the more foreward part of the box was 1 inch above the floor.
As for the sound, it is difficult. I think it pounds a bit better. The previous setup basically was a 10 cubic foot ported enclosure, now I have about 1.75 cubic feet and it is sealed. The bass is tighter, and for most songs sounds better. I have a few songs that a loose rumbling base sounds really good, and I think it is just a hair less good with those. It is a challenge to know because I cannot listen to it back to back with and without the enclosure.
Mostly I just wanted to give props to anyone who puts in those heaters, and give a healthy 'beware' to anyone who thinks you can just reach in there and pop a few screws and move it.
. Did you build your box first or did you build it in the compartment?
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