ZEnclosures 12" Box w/ JL 12W3v3 Installed and Reviewed

Alstann

I recently took delivery of my ZEnclosures subwoofer box, and was eager to install my subwoofer and finally get some bass back into my life! This is just a simple review and consideration of the subwoofer box as well as the entire setup.

Delivery, Installation, and Pictures:

The box came in a long cardboard box, taped up with what I assume was like 20 rolls of tape. Not a bad thing though! Here it is removed from the cardboard box. Also, I would like to note that ZEnclosures shipped my box to me (same state, FL) in about 3 days. Damn fast!

Bubble wrapped everywhere and with extra scraps of carpet for cushioning around the side parts.


And, removed from the box and some all around views:









And, compared to my old subwoofer set up:



The box was larger than I expected, but nothing too crazy. The pictures on the ZEnclosures website are pretty accurate.

As for the sound components, of course, I have the single 12 inch JL Audio W3v3 rated 500w RMS @ 2ohm. Plenty of punch for a tiny interior car. I also went ahead and ordered a sub-specific metal grille from JL Audio. The grille is made of a strong, thick mesh, that sounds strong when you knock against it. Almost like a car door. The amplifier is a Power Acoustik BAMF 2000/D. Not the highest grade of amps, but it was cheap and has served me clean, stable power for over 3 years now on two of these subs!



As for the amplifier mounting location, before I purchased the box, I had decided on just mounting the amplifier straight on top of the box, since I have my 4 channel under the passenger seat. Luckily, the side "wings" on the box have ample space for an amplifier! I secured the amplifier with many strips of 3m double sided high heat high strength tape, as well as the 4 screws. It is rock solid and not going anywhere!





And here are some photos of the sub and amp together:





As you guys may or may not know, my audio setup in my car is a Car Computer (info in sig, if you are curious), which made wiring the subwoofer in much more simple. For power, I utilized a distribution block I used under the passenger seat from when I installed my car computer, and for the ground, there are many screws attached to the frame in the trunk area.

For the RCA inputs, it was very, very simple. My car computer is located under the foam bridge thing next to the spare tire, so all it took was a 3.5mm to RCA L/R cable that was 6 feet to connect the computer to the amplifier. Remote turn on wire was also previously wired into the trunk, so I just tapped into it. I didn't take photos of this wiring, but I can if need be. Besides, it's a pretty one off audio system anyway.

I also wired the bass level knob and double side taped it between the driver seat and the center console gap, for quick and easy access. Right next to the shifter.

One thing I wanted to maintain with this setup was quick removablity of the subwoofer setup. I haven't gotten around to setting this up, but I know they sell quick disconnects for heavy gauge wires, and I plan on setting this up and bundling the wires neatly to make a quick disconnect system possible. Right now, the wires are just stuffed under the subwoofer wing so I could have the bass right away!

And lastly, here is the installed photo. Not sure if you guys can tell, but the trunk space isn't bad! I still can fit my longboard and backpack for college no sweat, and it carries two pallets of water bottles no worries. Of course, it is removable in under a minute in case I need more space.



Review and Impressions:

This is one NICE box. The box is constructed very well, with silicone or whatever at EVERY single seam, and in a very healthy quanity. There was no sawdust or anything inside the box, and the carpet was attached tight and with no areas of fraying or anything. The price spent is WELL worth it.

As you can see in the last photo, the fitment is DEAD ON. There is some gaps on the side of the "wings," which prove to make super useful handles to lift the box out of the car. Once seated in the trunk, the box looks flush all the way around. Perfect. Also, the rearward visiblity is confirmed not affected by this box.

Weight of the entire subwoofer setup, with subwoofer, box, and amp was 51~ pounds, give or take. It was done on a bathroom scale, but somewhat accurate nonetheless. This is not an insane amount of weight gain, and concerning performance of the car, I couldn't feel a difference, with straight line speed or cornering. The box is situated near the center of the car, so it doesn't induce any crazy weight transfer or anything. I actually went drifting with it in, and it felt the same as without. Of course, I can just remove it if need be.

The sound produced by this particular sub and box combo, is quite incredible. I purchased the JL Audio W3 due to the reputation of sound quality, and it delivers. On full gain (no clipping / bottoming out), the sub SLAMS HARD. Any louder, and it would be quite uncomfortable in our car. I have listened to many systems, including SPL/DB Drag, as well as precision SQ cars (my previous car had the 2 JL W3's, as well as a Pioneer HU coupled with nice JBL and Pioneer speakers all around), and this sub does great! Any song, including heavy bass from rap, to tight, fast bass from electronic music responds great and without delay. One thing of complaint - the doors rattle like all hell now! Dynamat would be great.

As I am on stock speakers, the subwoofer does overpower the speakers. I plan on doing a Polk Audio setup eventually, after some more performance mods. Perhaps some dynamat, but personally, my car being somewhat noisy isn't an issue to me.

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Jasonle

I have the same subs and box! Both great. Thanks for the review dude.

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afbunn

Great and useful review, I've been thinking about getting one of these for my Z. It's the only box I've seen that doesn't look tacky. I just wish you would have taken the pics with a better camera. :P

Nillaz

Very nice. I ordered the 10" version of this box over the weekend. Can't wait!

Just a thought though...is it safe to mount your amp upside down the way you have? I'm thinking about it from a heat dissipation standpoint. I have no experience with Power Acoustik amps but aren't those heatsinks/vents along the edges on the top of the amp?

Alstann

No problem! How do you like the system? Personally, it's absolutely perfect for the Z. Any louder, and I would need to start bringing some ear plugs around, haha.

Thanks. Trust me, the box is absolutely gorgeous and absolutely well built. The craftmanship is top notch! And yeah, I apologise about the pictures - 5MP cellphone camera isn't terribly good.

I thought for a while about the upside down mounting of an amplifier, and decided to proceed with it. When this amp was pushing 1k RMS for two of my JLW3v3's, it still produced little to no heat. After a loud music session, I tested the temperature of the amp by hand, and it was no more than the room temperature of the car. I'm not worried too much about heat buildup or anything.

Vibration was another issue I was considering, but again, I figured since it survived my 2 subwoofers for 3 years of installed thumping, one sub wouldn't harm it anymore. Knock on MDF.

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Jasonle

I love it! And it is perfect. I was going to go with 2 10s.. but I'm very happy with one 12

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2009 Nissan 370z/2003 Honda Soccer Van
Shineauto Amuse Body Kit/UAM Fenders/Bc Br Coilovers/Topspeed Exhaust/Racing Hart Wheels and More My Sexy Beast

tdurden

Can you see the speaker through the glass when the trunk is closed?

Pharmboy333

Looks great, loving the idea of mounting amp on box. The fewer holes drilled in the z the better IMO

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James Donovan

Very Nice collection, I loved this. its really superb.

Nillaz

Just received my box today. I do kind of wish the "wings" extended all the way across the interior of the car but otherwise the build quality is good and the fitment is perfect. Can't wait for my dash kit and harnesses to arrive so I can get on with the install and do away with the nasty base audio!

anhdat503

hey i want to know is it fit on jl w7 12

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Alstann

Indeed you can. Here's a picture at eye level of the subwoofer outside of the hatch:



It's kinda hard to see - but that is the nice part. Being that the subwoofer, box, and grille is all black, it blends real well with the carpets and plastics in the trunk. Plus, with glare from sunlight or artificial lighting, it makes it harder to see. People at a local car meet didn't even notice the subwoofer until I pointed it out!

The JLAudio W7ae sub is a pretty tall sub - 9.5" according to JL themselves. ZEnclosures says the box fits 10 inches deep. Unfortunately, I personally did not measure the true internal depth, I measured the outside of the box at 13 inches, and after subtracting 2 x .75 for the wood, you have over 11 inches. I don't see why it wouldn't fit!

I thought the same thing about the wings, but they do make useful grab handles to remove the box! Besides, you can't see the gaps unless you look for em. Good to know ZEnclosures makes a consistent product though.

Thanks man. ^^

Absolutely! In the future, I might be investing in a 4+1 channel amp, maybe the JL HD900/5 amp. It's quite pricey, but to have one amp powering my entire car, it would be nice and clean. Plus, it would save weight and the JL amp lineup is pretty high quality stuff. Then again, I might go with "don't fix what ain't broke."

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anhdat503

thank u measured for me yea i think is will fit for jl 12w7 because got about 1in 1/2

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Injen Intakes*HKS Hi-Power Ti Exhaust*Tein Lowering*Stillen Sway Bars*SPC Front & Rear*Black Door Handle*BlackOut TailLights*Nismo CF Shift Knob*CF Hood Struts*CF Cubby Door*CF Shifter Trim*CF Radiator Cover*CF Brake Fluid Cover & Battery Cover

doodz

Do you have a picture from inside the front of the car facing the hatch? Just curious what the box looks like from the front. Thanks.

JAYNO20

Is that amp hitting anything in the interior being mounted on the bottom like that?

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