Elemental Designs e3.12
12″ subwoofer · dual 2 Ω · 500 W RMS
| Source | web.archive.org · manufacturer data |
|---|---|
| Checked against source | October 2026 |
| Thiele/Small parameters | complete |
| Mounting dimensions | 3 of 4 — missing: magnet diameter; the designer will use an estimate |
Recommended box
For a sedan, one sub, 500 W. It’s the same math as the designer’s step-by-step mode, where you can fit the box to your space, vehicle and amp and get plans, a cut sheet and DXF.
Sealed
smaller, tighter| Bass character (Qtc) | Tight and punchy · 0.80 |
|---|---|
| Fc | 54 Hz |
| F3 (−3 dB, no cabin gain) | 52 Hz |
| Example box (outside) | 14 3/16″ × 14 3/16″ × 13 13/16″ |
Ported
deeper, louder| Tuning (Fb) | 30 Hz |
|---|---|
| Port | slot 1 3/4 × 14 5/16″, 25 15/16″ long |
| Port velocity at 500 W | 61 ft/s |
| F3 (−3 dB, no cabin gain) | 31 Hz |
| Example box (outside) | 31 1/2″ × 15 3/4″ × 13 15/16″ |
Deeper: 3.18 ft³ (90 L) tuned to 28 Hz, 31 1/2″ × 15 3/4″ × 16 3/4″ outside — a bigger box with flatter deep bass. Open in the calculator
Projects with this subwoofer
Boxes that users designed and published: plans, cut sheet and response graph.
Thiele/Small parameters
| Size | 12″ |
|---|---|
| Voice coils | dual 2 Ω |
| RMS power | 500 W |
| Fs | 21.5 Hz |
| Qts | 0.32 |
| Qes | 0.35 |
| Qms | 3.33 |
| Vas | 5.72 ft³ |
| Re (one coil) | 1.85 Ω |
|---|---|
| Sd | 84.5 in² |
| Xmax | 0.63″ |
| Vd | 53.2 in³ calc. |
| Mms | 142 g calc. |
| BL | 10.1 T·m calc. |
| EBP | 61 — sealed or ported calc. |
| Sensitivity, 1 W / 1 m | 88.6 dB calc. |
Mounting dimensions
| Cutout diameter | 11″ |
|---|---|
| Mounting depth | 5 3/4″ |
| Overall diameter | 12 3/8″ |
Judging by its value, the published Re is for both coils in series — converted to per coil.
“≈” means the value isn’t in the spec sheet and a typical value for the size is used; “calc.” means it’s calculated from the published parameters. Check the manufacturer’s spec sheet before you build.
Data sources
Other Elemental Designs 12″ models
- Elemental Designs 13Kv.2 12″ · DVC
- Elemental Designs 13Ov.2 12″ · DVC
- Elemental Designs e5.12 12″ · dual 2 Ω
- Elemental Designs E12a (2002) 12″ · DVC
- Elemental Designs e12A (2003) 12″
- Elemental Designs E12k (2002) 12″
- Elemental Designs e12K (2003) 12″ · DVC
- Elemental Designs e12kd4 12″ · DVC
- Elemental Designs E12o 12″ · DVC
- Elemental Designs e12O.14 12″ · 4 Ω
- Elemental Designs e12O.44 12″ · dual 4 Ω
Similar 12″ subwoofers from other brands
Close in Fs, Qts and Vas — a box of similar volume will suit them.
- Audiobahn AWC12D 1.27 ft³ sealed · 2.26 ft³ ported
- Orion 2NT 12 SVC 0.71 ft³ sealed · 2.30 ft³ ported
- Dayton Audio SD315A-88 1.13 ft³ sealed · 2.40 ft³ ported
- SPL Dynamics V-12S4 0.81 ft³ sealed · 2.44 ft³ ported
- Helix W12 Competition (1x4 Ohm) 0.74 ft³ sealed · 2.37 ft³ ported
- Orion XtrPro 12D (2000) 0.88 ft³ sealed · 2.40 ft³ ported
FAQ
What box does the Elemental Designs e3.12 need?
Recommended net volume: 1.06 ft³ sealed, 2.51 ft³ ported tuned to 30 Hz — for one sub in a sedan at 500 W. Fit the box to your space and amp in the free calculator, with plans and a cut sheet.
What are the Elemental Designs e3.12 Thiele/Small specs?
Fs 21.5 Hz, Qts 0.32, Vas 5.72 ft³, Xmax 0.63″, Sd 84.5 in².
What is the Elemental Designs e3.12 mounting depth?
Mounting depth is 5 3/4″, cutout diameter 11″. The inside depth of the box must exceed the mounting depth by at least 1″.
How much power does the Elemental Designs e3.12 handle and how do I wire it?
RMS power rating: 500 W. Dual 2 Ω voice coils: series gives 4 Ω, parallel gives 1 Ω at the amp. Wiring for several subs and amp power — in the wiring calculator.