VentedEnclosureApplications, BoxBuildingNotes

VentedEnclosureApplications

Ported Solo-Barics? Absolutely...and with a vengeance! These enclosures incorporate massive slot- loaded (rectangular) ports with ultra low air velocity for ground pounding street bass that will make your “skin bounce on your bones!” These boxes are the enclosure of choice for outrageous street bass and high performance SPL contests. If space is not a problem and you want to get the most from your Solo-Baric, try one of these ported designs. You will not be disappointed.

The ported Compact design increases bass efficiency and fits in many space-limited applications. Although it is the smallest recommended ported enclosure, the output from 30 to 80 Hz will be considerably higher than that of any sealed box. The SPL / Deep Bass ported design has even more output in this crucial frequency band.

	The SPL / Deep Bass is the largest and most efficient enclosure design. The SPL / Deep Bass delivers
INSTALLATION	the sonic output needed to win SPL contests and it produces bass notes “all the way down to the
	cella”. This design turns heads and jump starts your heart.
	Model:	VentedCompact (MinimumEnclosureVolume)	VentedSPL/DeepBass (MaximumEnclosureVolume)

	S8L5	.66ft3 (18.7L) + port displacement	1.0 ft3 (28.3L) + port displacement
		1.5 x 9.5” (3.8x24cm) port, 19.25” (49cm) long	2 x 9.5” (5.1x24cm) port, 21.25” (54cm) long
		1.5 x 9.5” (3.8x24cm) port, 19.25” (49cm) long	2 x 9.5” (5.1x24cm) port, 21.25” (54cm) long
		Power Handling = 275W RMS	Power Handling = 275W RMS
	S10L5	1.25 ft3 (35.4L) + port displacement	2.25 ft3 (63.7L) + port displacement

If you prefer an ultra-smooth bass response, you should loosely fill your Solo-Baric enclosure with poly-fil stuffing. Ported designs will require covering the end of the port (located inside the box) with grill cloth, chicken wire, or expanded metal to prevent the poly-fil from exiting the port. The use of poly-fil will slightly decrease efficiency, but will deepen and extend the low frequency output.

For more advice on box building, refer to your Authorized Kicker Dealer, or click on the Support tab on the Kicker homepage, www.kicker.com. Choose the Technical Manuals link and then download or view the corresponding information. Please E-mail support@kicker.com or call Technical Services

(405) 624-8583 for specific or unanswered questions.

Figure 5

	2.5 x 11.25” (6.4x29cm) port, 19.75” (50cm)	long	3 x 11.25” (7.6x29cm) port, 18” (46cm)	long
	Power Handling = 450W RMS		Power Handling = 450W RMS
S12L5	1.75 ft3 (49.6L) + port displacement		3.25 ft3 (92L) + port displacement
	2.5 x 13.25” (6.4x34cm) port, 22.5” (57cm)	long	3 x 13.25” (7.6x34cm) port, 14.5” (37cm)	long
	Power Handling = 600W RMS		Power Handling = 600W RMS
S15L5	3.0 ft3 (85L) + port displacement		6.0 ft3 (170L) + port displacement
	2.5 x 16.25” (6.4x41cm) port, 19.5” (50cm)	long	3.5 x 16.25” (8.9x41cm) port, 13.75” (35cm) long
	Power Handling = 750W RMS		Power Handling = 750W RMS

BoxBuildingNotes

Use 3/4” (1.9cm) or thicker MDF (medium density fiberboard) and seal the joints with silicone. Use the “template” inside your Solo-Baric’s shipping carton to mark the mounting hole, then cut directly on the line. These designs need internal bracing. Add triangular bracing between each of the larger unsupported panels. See Figure 5.

D = 3 x 3 for S15L5, S12L5 D = 2 x 2 for S10L5, S8L5

Figure 6

INSTALLATION

All the cubic feet (L) measurements in this manual include the displacement of the woofer. For the vented enclosures the displacement of the port must be calculated and added to the internal volume of the final design. Use the outer dimensions of the port and multiply “X x Y x Z”, convert to cubic feet, for example the S12L5 vented compact design’s external port dimensions are, using 3/4” (1.9cm) MDF:

[(13.25” + 1.5” total MDF wall thickness) x (2.5” + 1.5” total MDF wall thickness) x 22.5”] x (1 ft3 / 1728 in3 ) = .77 ft3, and add this number to the internal volume of the enclosure, S12L5’s 1.75 ft3 + .77 ft3 = 2.52 ft3. See Figure 6. Due to the necessary length of these ports, you may want to fold the port along the bottom and back walls. It will be impractical to use round ports for these designs.

Do not install a port opening against a solid surface, such as an internal brace, back-panel or trunk wall, seat or interior panel of your vehicle. The port opening must remain unobstructed. Use the smallest dimension of the rectangular port as the minimum amount of space between the port opening and any solid surface to insure unrestricted airflow.

4	SOLO-BARICL5SUBWOOFER

The displacement of the port must be calculated and added to the internal volume of the final design. The dimensions for X, Y, and Z may vary based on the thickness of the material used to make the port.

A Note on PowerHandlingCapacity

Solo-Baric subwoofers will handle massive amounts of power in any of the recommended enclosures,

minimum or maximum. The smaller enclosures are best for use in limited-space applications. The larger recommended enclosures will yield slightly more bass at the lowest frequencies.

The listed Power Handling capacities assume that both voice coils are in use.

Always connect both coils in a dual voice-coil speaker.

Note: The use of a subsonic filter will significantly increase the power handling.	5
The power handling specifications in these charts are calculated using a 25Hz, 24dB per octave subsonic filter.

S15L5, S12L5, S8L5, S10L5 specifications

Kicker is a well-respected name in the world of car audio, known for high-quality speakers and subwoofers. Among their dynamic lineup, the Kicker L5 series, specifically the S8L5, S10L5, S12L5, and S15L5, stands out for its blend of power, performance, and innovative design.

The Kicker S8L5 is an 8-inch subwoofer designed for those who desire a small footprint without compromising on sound quality. It features a unique squared design, offering a larger surface area for better sound output compared to traditional round subwoofers. With a power handling capacity of up to 600 watts RMS, it delivers deep bass and clear audio even at high volume levels. The subwoofer also includes Kicker’s Venturi venting technology, which reduces distortion and enhances cooling during intense use.

Moving on to the S10L5, this 10-inch variant escalates the bass experience even further. With a power handling of 600 watts RMS, it employs similar features to the S8L5 but is equipped to handle lower frequencies more efficiently. The S10L5 also incorporates a heavy-duty rubber surround, which is designed to withstand extreme usage while providing a robust performance. The square design, combined with advanced cone technology, ensures a maximum output that is both loud and clear.

The S12L5 is a favorite among audiophiles looking for a balance of size and power. This 12-inch subwoofer boasts a power handling capability of up to 800 watts RMS. Like its smaller counterparts, the S12L5 features Kicker’s exclusive solo-baric design for improved production of low frequencies. Features such as an injection-molded poly cone and a ribbed Santoprene surround help produce enhanced sound fidelity, allowing for a rich listening experience across all genres of music.

Finally, the Kicker S15L5 brings the thunder with its impressive 15-inch size, capable of handling an astonishing 1200 watts RMS. This subwoofer targets serious bass enthusiasts, ideal for larger vehicles or custom setups. It comes equipped with dual voice coils for versatile wiring options and better heat dissipation, further enhancing performance.

Across the S8L5, S10L5, S12L5, and S15L5 models, Kicker emphasizes durability, power handling, and innovative design with unique technologies that cater to a variety of audio needs. Whether you're a casual listener or a dedicated audiophile, the L5 series delivers exceptional sound quality that resonates with music lovers everywhere.