Need help Sub: JL Audio 10W0v3-4

[shekharpatil45]

I am planning to build my first subwoofer for my CNG car after a lot of research.
I'm mostly interested in low frequencies with SQ type setup.

Requirements:

What I need: Deep • smooth • soft • felt • not loud • feel air flow
What I don't need: Loudness, boomy, hard punch
Want to feel bass more than you hear it
Enclosure Details:

Box dimensions Outer: 23W x 15D x 10H (FIXED)
Type: Ported (Slot)
Tuning Frequency: 32–33 Hz Strictly
Material: Green board ¾" MDF
Kind of driver I'm looking for:

Type: SQ (Avoid SPL?)
Fs (Resonant Frequency): ≤ 32 Hz
Xmax (Linear Cone Travel): ≥ 10–12 mm
Qts: 0.40 – 0.55 (sealed/ported friendly)
Cone Weight: Moderate — not ultra-heavy SPL type
BL (Motor Control): Moderate to high
Note: Should I totally avoid SPL-centric subs with stiff suspension or very heavy cones — they tend to make bass “hard” or “boomy” in a small ported box.

Based on this, I selected JL Audio 10W0v3-4. (Price Around 10k).
I initially selected Image Dynamics IDQ8 D4 V4 8" Dual 4-Ohm Coil Subwoofer 500 Watts RMS because of large xmax value. But unfortunately not available in India.
I am open to suggestions as well.

As I'm building for the first time and don't have enough exposure to hear most of the subs physically, I'm relying solely on the specs on paper.

Honestly, I could be completely wrong here Just need suggestions on the overall plan..

 

[Phew]

@shekharpatil45 what amplifier is going to be used to power them? what are the components at the front and what amplifier is used to power them?

 

[shekharpatil45]

@shekharpatil45 what amplifier is going to be used to power them? what are the components at the front and what amplifier is used to power them?

My component speakers are stock ones. But they are excellent in quality. Old car. Old quality. They are also capable of producing low frequencies at some extent but I need more deep. I have installed blaupunkt hi low converter to stock head unit and have RCA ouput.
Amp is powerbass ACS-500D 1ch Compact Amplifier

Power Bass USA ACS-500D 1ch Compact Amplifier

ACS-500D 500W RMS @ 1Ω MONOBLOCK CLASS D COMPACT AMPLIFIER PowerBass is pleased to introduce our newest series of Class A/B full range and Class D bass amplifiers. Borrowing from our classic ASA series, these new amplifiers offer the most desired features in the most compact chassis allowable...

powerbassusa.com

 

[Phew]

@shekharpatil45 I would suggest the Gladen RS-08 as I have heard it in comparison to the JL Audio 10W0v3-4 subwoofer you have mentioned and there is no comparison between them when it comes to build quality and bass reproduction. There is a significant difference in control, tightness and how clean the bass is produced the lower they go.

As for what you have mentioned as needed, no subwoofer in the 10-15k(I assume thats the price bracket your are looking at, correct me if I am wrong) region will do all of that, some might do the 'smooth' and 'felt' part but that will be all.

 

[shekharpatil45]

Your plan and goals are solid, and you’re thinking in the right SQ direction
For a small ported box tuned ~32–33 Hz, aiming for soft, deep, “felt” bass, you should avoid SPL-focused subs (stiff suspension, very heavy cones, high Fs). Those will sound hard/boomy in your enclosure.
JL Audio 10W0v3-4 is a safe and good choice for your goals:

• Low Fs
• Smooth, controlled bass
• Works well in small ported boxes
• More “feel” than punch
• Not loud, not aggressive
• It will suit SQ + low-frequency airflow better than most budget SPL subs.

If you want alternatives commonly available in India (SQ-leaning):

• Hertz ES / DS series (10”)
• Morel Primo 10
• Rockford Fosgate P2 (not T1/T2)
• Alpine S-Series (older models preferred)

Stick to:
10” driver
Moderate cone weight
Xmax ~10–12 mm
Proper port area (avoid chuffing)
Clean amp, not oversized
Bottom line:
Your enclosure + tuning + JL 10W0v3 = deep, smooth, felt bass if built correctly. You’re not wrong just keep execution clean.

I decided to go with sealed
JL official documentation suggests 0.65 ft3 net volume for sealed enclosure and mine turns to around 1.2 to 1.3
Is that too large?

 

[shekharpatil45]

That’s not a problem, but it will change the character of the bass compared to JL’s recommended 0.65 ft³.A sealed box that is almost double the recommended volume (1.2–1.3 ft³) will result in:
Lower system Q (more “soft” and smooth bass)
Deeper extension
Less punch and less control
Slightly reduced power handling
Bass will feel more “airy” and relaxed rather than tight
To make it ideal:
Add polyfill / damping material inside (this helps control the cone and simulates a smaller box)
Ensure the box is very rigid and well sealed
Don’t overpower it with a huge amp
If you want to be closer to JL’s design:
You could reduce internal volume with a wooden block or double baffle to bring it closer to 0.7–0.8 ft³, which is a nice SQ sweet spot.
Bottom line:
Your 1.2–1.3 ft³ sealed box is not “wrong” it will give you smoother, deeper, softer bass, just less punch. With damping and clean power, it should still sound very good for your goals.

Work in progress...

 

[shekharpatil45]

Should I go with JD 500/1D mono amp for this driver?
It has 250 rms and driver is 300 rms. So is 250 rms going to be enough?
I heard people saying amp should have 10-20% more rms than subwoofer rated rms power.
Can you help?