Why is my sub not hitting that loud?

Why is my sub not hitting that loud?

I have all stock speakers but ive got aftermarket head unit sub and amp.
Ive got a dhd 1200 watt sub. 800 watt boss amp. Pioneer mp3 head unit.
Ive got the sub in a bandpass box but the box has some cracks in the glass which probably could be a reason.

I know that when i turn the L on my head unit to 5 it hits a lot harder but my stock speakers are crap so they make bad sounds when its up that high. Ive got it at -2 right now so it hits decent.

Is there a way to make it so i can just make the amp lows higher? I dont really want to have to upgrade all my stock speakers right now because that costs money getting all new amps and speakers for them.

I thought i could just go with an equalizer but im not sure if that would do it.

Also would a closed box be better, that is what the sub is suggested to be in by the factory. Do closed boxes make it louder?

I am willing to bet that your 'problem' is the bandpass enclosure. Bandpasses have to be built exactly to a woofer's specs.

If you want nothing but SPL, build a slightly bigger box, then port it.

on the bass its self its most deffinatly the box.

another thing that would help a little is if your headunit has crossovers for the speakers so you can keep some that bass out of them since there stock and deffinatly cant handle it. or upgrade to a set of components w/ crossovers.

Would something like this be any good
http://www.millionbuy.com/hbx12vegatc.html


Or is it better off to make my own, i mean its 30 bucks not too bad. Between the work and the materials it would cost almost the same to build one i think. If i get a good enough sound out of my sub in a better box i will only have one, but im thinking of getting a second to be louder.

Also i was wondering is a mono amp better for a subwoofer because mine isnt mono and if i buy new speakers for the car i will use the amp for the sub currently on those speakers and buy a new amp for the sub, or subs which would be mono.

One more thing what is a good way to secure a box in the back, ive got the box just basicly sitting there and it flys around when i drive and sometimes the ground wire falls out because of it, i know a strap of some kind would be good but dont know how i would go at it.

My sub box doesnt have that slit on the side of the box, its basicly sealed all around, is that slit suppose to make it hit harder, makes sense if it does.

The reason you see a slit is becuase its a ported box not a sealed box.

Yes a ported box will make your sub hit hard but you need to specify a big enough ported box for your sub to make sure it's pushing the amount of air it needs to.

Also a $30 dollar ported box most likely is not made out of the best materials I can think of and probably will not last and might get blown apart.

If you are going to get a box I would reccomend investing in a good quality built one. Building a ported box for your subs can be kinda tricky based on the subs specifications.

I have no experience building sub boxes so I am just going to buy a ported box for my subs.

I'd like to add that boss doesnt exactly make the best amps... but yeah i'd say the bandpass box is defintely a bad thing in most cases.. they can be loud but even if they are loud they typically sound like ass. They generally have a small range where they peak greatly but that peak is the only freaquencies they play.. I'd say the main things generally affecting how hard your system hits is : The size of the box, the type of box, the sub, the amp, the placement of the box, the size of the car, how you have your amps and HU crossed/equalized, and the music you are playing.. usually the bigger the box the more efficient it is and the louder it will be with less power.. if the box is ported then the higher the tune of the port the bigger the peak, and thus greater potential output but over a smaller range of frequencies.. A sealed box with have the flattest (ie most accurate) frequency responce but wont have huge peaks generally like a bandpass or ported enclosure. THe placement of the box is very important and can make a huge difference so try facing the box in different directions if thats possible..