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DS-21 wrote:
 If you want to take that line, forget the vented box. That is is an utter waste of the driver's capabilities.
To get the most bass out of any given driver, the best solution is almost always a bandpass variant. (That's all Dr. Geddes uses, for instance.) After bandpass comes vented, and after vented comes sealed, after sealed comes cardoid, and after cardoid comes dipole. |
The problem with bandpass is that to get substantial gain vs. what a ported enclosure will produce, you have to significantly narrow the bandwidth of operation where that gain occurs. Using a bandpass across a wide band, with a relatively smooth response, it has virtually no practical advantage over a ported alignment.
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You guys keep assuming that SPL at LF is the only goal for most subwoofers. For some people, that's true. However, many of us also have aesthetic considerations. A ported/PR subwoofer is generally not only larger, but also less flexible in terms of enclosure shape than a sealed box.
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The only issue I am discussing is practical maximum performance conditions for hi-fi audio use.
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To the OP, my honest advice would be to sell the 13W7 and buy a better driver. I've never heard a W7 used in the car or home to sound right, and for that matter I can't say I care for the Fathom, either. The reason is probably the giant compromise JL made to get the long stroke and admirably linear BL: the inductance of the driver is through the roof!
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Your subjective listening assessment is as valid as any other non-controlled listening experience - that is - it is of low credibility. In contrast to your statement, many hi-fi reviewers, with their uncontrolled subjective listening assessments, seem to think it's one of the best subs that they have used, regardless of the inductance. In all, the only thing that inductance really affects here is the high frequency response of the driver - which when used as a sub-woofer in the typical <100Hz band - is a non-issue.
-Chris