I posted earlier about using a labyrinth. This is the best way to get lows out of a small speaker. That's how Bose does it with that table top radio / CD player they sell...Build one that is tuned to do 40hz to 100hz and you will get your bottom end. But here's the catch - just like W cabinets the lows will happen away from the cabinet. If you want to hear them closer, then a larger box that is properly tuned will work better. A 12 can go that low, but it just doesn't move enough air to be heard. that was your problem to begin with - the cabinet you have can almost do it, but you were pushing it too hard to get it to levels where you could hear it. Been there, done that... If you want chest thumping lows fairly close to the box, then you will have to go to a group of larger speakers. My best sound rig for a 5 string was four 5 cubic foot boxes with a 15 in each box. Coupling is the key to that.
Trying to bi amp works great on paper, but for bass players, what works great on paper doesn't always work on stage.
I suppose you could build a tall rear loaded labyrinth, like as tall as the 8x8 and maybe 15" wide and 20" deep, with the 12 up high and the mouth of labyrinth on the bottom. The longer the labyrinth, the more lows you get. But even with a super efficient 12 and labyrinth, I doubt you'll get what you want out of just one 12". two probably.....
Trying to bi amp works great on paper, but for bass players, what works great on paper doesn't always work on stage.
I suppose you could build a tall rear loaded labyrinth, like as tall as the 8x8 and maybe 15" wide and 20" deep, with the 12 up high and the mouth of labyrinth on the bottom. The longer the labyrinth, the more lows you get. But even with a super efficient 12 and labyrinth, I doubt you'll get what you want out of just one 12". two probably.....