I'm limited for space and have a single JL8w3v3. I think this will be enough to fill out bass and thump at louder volumes (but not really concerned with large SPL) - just getting the low-end and some power that's missing from th 6.5"

JL recommends to enclosures: 12x10x8 sealed or 12.5x10x9.25 ported.

I understand the difference will be in how "tight" the bass will be vs how much power is required. In the sealed unit, bass is tight, but requires more power vs the ported enclosure, where the bass would be "loose". I'll be putting upto 200wrms into the sub (2 channels from xd400/4 bridged), so I think I'm OK power-wise

Question is if sealed or ported would be better (I'm going to place this either down firing or rear-firing in the passenger area of a van - between driver & pass seats).

Also, wanted to confirm that I can change the sealed dimensions (while maintaining the net internal volume) w/o affecting the sound characteristics greatly? For example going from 12x10x8 (580cu.in.) to 15x10x6.5 (573cu.in)

Thanks!

 

Just a quick update to my own post in case it helps someone else:

I used ran the sealed vs ported (JL suggested designs) through WinISD and the ported design has a better response.

One point of confusion is that WinISD suggested:
0.991 cuft, 29Hz, 2"dia port x 8.44" length
versus JL suggestion of:
0.35 cuft, 35Hz, 2"dia port x 18" length

 

Being that it's only one small sub, I'd go ported and try to get as much out of it as possible.

 

^^What he said.....go with the JL specs, they spend ridiculous time and money figuring them out and it's pretty hard to improve on.

I would also suggest you try firing the box forward at your dash after you get it in there.....firing to the rear will help the low end extension a bit but cost you a lot of SPL. It's still not going to pop your windshield facing the front but it will step up the volume quite a bit and having all the sound up front will help the SQ.....

HTH