Right now, Im running an audioque hdc3 12 in a 2.2 cubic ft box ported at 30 hz. Im losing alot of sound quality with this box and I was wondering if there are any specific box types (other than sealed) in which I may be able to retain a bit more quality. Im aware that the hdc3 is known for poor sound quality but Id rather not purchase a new driver at this time. I know anybody could tell me that it varies from car to car or something general like that but Im just looking for anyone with some experience who may be able to help me out. Open to any suggestions! Thanks

The AQ woofers require a much higher tuning in most cases since the suspension is very tight, I see most people tuning 37 hz +.

What do you think you're missing out on?

AudioQue likes a higher tuning have you tried that? They say tune around 38-40hz. Not sure your going to gain much in SQ form that driver.

AudioQue likes a higher tuning have you tried that? They say tune around 38-40hz. Not sure your going to gain much in SQ form that driver.

Beat you to it

AudioQue likes a higher tuning have you tried that? They say tune around 38-40hz. Not sure your going to gain much in SQ form that driver.

Beat you to it

I was aware that the drivers favor the higher tuning but I thought it would drop way off on the low end (which it still does). I guess I should just build another standard ported box but go with a tuning around 38 hz? I cant imagine that a higher tuning would revive my low end, maybe Im just better off buying a new driver thats a bit more accurate?

AudioQue likes a higher tuning have you tried that? They say tune around 38-40hz. Not sure your going to gain much in SQ form that driver.

Beat you to it

I was aware that the drivers favor the higher tuning but I thought it would drop way off on the low end (which it still does). I guess I should just build another standard ported box but go with a tuning around 38 hz? I cant imagine that a higher tuning would revive my low end, maybe Im just better off buying a new driver thats a bit more accurate?

A new driver would be in your favor, just in the nature of the AQ woofer.. It's meant to get loud and in the higher frequency range. What kind of power are you running to your current woofer? There are many good budget drivers, any kind of budget you may have?

I'm assuming you want something more linear and less peaky?

How old is the driver itself. AQ is notorious for a tight suspension that it takes awhile for the spiders to loosen up.

The AQ woofers require a much higher tuning in most cases since the suspension is very tight, I see most people tuning 37 hz +.

What do you think you're missing out on?

Dang troll!

How old is the driver itself. AQ is notorious for a tight suspension that it takes awhile for the spiders to loosen up.

When you have 8 hard spiders.. it doesn't loosen up much lol. IIRC PWK tested a DD woofer similar to the AQ and after about 24 hours of break in period.. the fs only dropped around 3-6hz

AudioQue likes a higher tuning have you tried that? They say tune around 38-40hz. Not sure your going to gain much in SQ form that driver.

Beat you to it

I was aware that the drivers favor the higher tuning but I thought it would drop way off on the low end (which it still does). I guess I should just build another standard ported box but go with a tuning around 38 hz? I cant imagine that a higher tuning would revive my low end, maybe Im just better off buying a new driver thats a bit more accurate?

A new driver would be in your favor, just in the nature of the AQ woofer.. It's meant to get loud and in the higher frequency range. What kind of power are you running to your current woofer? There are many good budget drivers, any kind of budget you may have?

I was powering it at .5 ohm with a hifonics bxi1608d, 1600wrms at 1 ohm. I could rewire the setup for a 2ohm load in which it will see 1100wrms according to hifonics. Maybe that could clean up the sound? Im sure that quality is lost as impedance decreases.

Also, I emailed Kevin with Skar Audio about his trade in program. He was willing to trade me a vvx 12 for some of my unused equipment. I pondered the thought of making the trade, buying an additioncal vvx 12 and building a new box. I could get two dual 4s and wire them down to a 1ohm load on the amp so they would see around 800w a piece. I also thought about running just the single vvx 12 since it would cost me nothing but now that I have experienced the output from the hdc3, I dont think I would be satisfied with a single vvx 12.

How old is the driver itself. AQ is notorious for a tight suspension that it takes awhile for the spiders to loosen up.

When you have 8 hard spiders.. it doesn't loosen up much lol. IIRC PWK tested a DD woofer similar to the AQ and after about 24 hours of break in period.. the fs only dropped around 3-6hz

DD and AQ say it takes weeks sometimes even months to loosen up!

AudioQue likes a higher tuning have you tried that? They say tune around 38-40hz. Not sure your going to gain much in SQ form that driver.

Beat you to it

I was aware that the drivers favor the higher tuning but I thought it would drop way off on the low end (which it still does). I guess I should just build another standard ported box but go with a tuning around 38 hz? I cant imagine that a higher tuning would revive my low end, maybe Im just better off buying a new driver thats a bit more accurate?

A new driver would be in your favor, just in the nature of the AQ woofer.. It's meant to get loud and in the higher frequency range. What kind of power are you running to your current woofer? There are many good budget drivers, any kind of budget you may have?

I was powering it at .5 ohm with a hifonics bxi1608d, 1600wrms at 1 ohm. I could rewire the setup for a 2ohm load in which it will see 1100wrms according to hifonics. Maybe that could clean up the sound? Im sure that quality is lost as impedance decreases.

Also, I emailed Kevin with Skar Audio about his trade in program. He was willing to trade me a vvx 12 for some of my unused equipment. I pondered the thought of making the trade, buying an additioncal vvx 12 and building a new box. I could get two dual 4s and wire them down to a 1ohm load on the amp so they would see around 800w a piece. I also thought about running just the single vvx 12 since it would cost me nothing but now that I have experienced the output from the hdc3, I dont think I would be satisfied with a single vvx 12.

I don't think that's a bad idea at all.. if you have old stuff laying around.. might as well get something good while the deal lasts!

I'm trying to understand what you're not getting out of your current woofer? Is it output issues at lower frequencies? I'm not quite sure what you need or you think you're losing by running the AQ woofer.

AudioQue likes a higher tuning have you tried that? They say tune around 38-40hz. Not sure your going to gain much in SQ form that driver.

Beat you to it

I was aware that the drivers favor the higher tuning but I thought it would drop way off on the low end (which it still does). I guess I should just build another standard ported box but go with a tuning around 38 hz? I cant imagine that a higher tuning would revive my low end, maybe Im just better off buying a new driver thats a bit more accurate?

A new driver would be in your favor, just in the nature of the AQ woofer.. It's meant to get loud and in the higher frequency range. What kind of power are you running to your current woofer? There are many good budget drivers, any kind of budget you may have?

I was powering it at .5 ohm with a hifonics bxi1608d, 1600wrms at 1 ohm. I could rewire the setup for a 2ohm load in which it will see 1100wrms according to hifonics. Maybe that could clean up the sound? Im sure that quality is lost as impedance decreases.

Also, I emailed Kevin with Skar Audio about his trade in program. He was willing to trade me a vvx 12 for some of my unused equipment. I pondered the thought of making the trade, buying an additioncal vvx 12 and building a new box. I could get two dual 4s and wire them down to a 1ohm load on the amp so they would see around 800w a piece. I also thought about running just the single vvx 12 since it would cost me nothing but now that I have experienced the output from the hdc3, I dont think I would be satisfied with a single vvx 12.

I don't think that's a bad idea at all.. if you have old stuff laying around.. might as well get something good while the deal lasts!

I'm trying to understand what you're not getting out of your current woofer? Is it output issues at lower frequencies? I'm not quite sure what you need or you think you're losing by running the AQ woofer.

Im losing output at the lower frequencies, like you stated. The sub hits a 45 hz note with glory but 30 hz...not so much. Do you think I should just wait it out and see if the low end comes to life?

AudioQue likes a higher tuning have you tried that? They say tune around 38-40hz. Not sure your going to gain much in SQ form that driver.

Beat you to it

I was aware that the drivers favor the higher tuning but I thought it would drop way off on the low end (which it still does). I guess I should just build another standard ported box but go with a tuning around 38 hz? I cant imagine that a higher tuning would revive my low end, maybe Im just better off buying a new driver thats a bit more accurate?

A new driver would be in your favor, just in the nature of the AQ woofer.. It's meant to get loud and in the higher frequency range. What kind of power are you running to your current woofer? There are many good budget drivers, any kind of budget you may have?

I was powering it at .5 ohm with a hifonics bxi1608d, 1600wrms at 1 ohm. I could rewire the setup for a 2ohm load in which it will see 1100wrms according to hifonics. Maybe that could clean up the sound? Im sure that quality is lost as impedance decreases.

Also, I emailed Kevin with Skar Audio about his trade in program. He was willing to trade me a vvx 12 for some of my unused equipment. I pondered the thought of making the trade, buying an additioncal vvx 12 and building a new box. I could get two dual 4s and wire them down to a 1ohm load on the amp so they would see around 800w a piece. I also thought about running just the single vvx 12 since it would cost me nothing but now that I have experienced the output from the hdc3, I dont think I would be satisfied with a single vvx 12.

I don't think that's a bad idea at all.. if you have old stuff laying around.. might as well get something good while the deal lasts!

I'm trying to understand what you're not getting out of your current woofer? Is it output issues at lower frequencies? I'm not quite sure what you need or you think you're losing by running the AQ woofer.

Im losing output at the lower frequencies, like you stated. The sub hits a 45 hz note with glory but 30 hz...not so much. Do you think I should just wait it out and see if the low end comes to life?

Tuning higher will take away from the low end.. Cause and effect You raise tuning, Low end output is lost while higher frequencies are gained and vice versa.

I think a Low end monster such as an SSA Icon/XCON, Fi BL, or perhaps even the scars tuned to around 30-35hz would meet your output goals.

Alrightt man. I try to come up with some money and see if I can pick up a Bl or Icon used. Thanks for the help

The trade in Program at Skar would be a great idea to get into a great sounding budget sub woofer.

Wish I wasn't so happy with my Icon... I'd sell it to you... hahaha....

Icon would def give you better sound and would be fine in that enclosure as well... Most likely similar diameter cutouts.. Cubes is recommended to 2.5 cubes I believe so you'd be close in spec...

Yea, trade in that used equipment and try out the Skar in that enclosure...

I recommend the Skar's as well if you're looking for low-end. I just designed a box for one in 2.25ft^3 at 30hz...the customer was VERY impressed with the low-end output.

Never used a skar driver so I don't have any input on it.

But I've used both the icon and the bl. Icon got pretty loud and sounded superb doing it. The Bl also got loud (can't compare output due to different size drivers, different enclosure, and different amount of drivers), but seemed like the icon had better sq. But like I said, different enclosures so it's hard to really gauge what was ultimately better.

After runningg through swaggs camry build, Im inspired to build a nice looking kerfed ported box. Are there any audible benefits to a kerfed port compared to a normal straight edged port?