Building the Best Subwoofer Speaker Box Enclosure For Your Car Or SUV

Box Building

Building the Best Subwoofer Speaker Box Enclosure For Your Car Or SUV

Building the Best Subwoofer Speaker Box Enclosure For Your Car Or SUV

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Building the Best Subwoofer Speaker Box Enclosure For Your Car Or SUV

Building the Best Subwoofer Speaker Box Enclosure For Your Car Or SUV

Each type of sub requires it's own type of box. If a sub is installed in a box larger or smaller than what is supposed to, it will sound distorted/bad and could be destroyed. Boxes can be built in many shapes, but it is important that the box volume is calculated accurately to achieve maximum performance.

Materials

A box MUST be very sturdy. Most common building materials are 5/8 "or thicker particle board or medium density fiberboard. If building a box with Plexiglas, do not use anything less that 1/2 inch thick. A common material used to mold complex shaped boxes is fiberglass, but it is very hard to work with, and require several layers for a smooth finish.

Gluing, Sealing

Glue should be used at all joints to fillany spaces. Any spaces will degrade the performance of your subs, not to Mention the annoying noise Air makes when being pushed out of a small hole. On applying the glue, let it cure for at least 24 hours before mounting the subs. This is a measure to protect the measures rubbers used to make the subs from the fumes that some manufacturers glue products have.

Holding Joints Together

In connecting box joints, it is best to screw the joints every four inches or so using 2 "-2-1/2" screws. Pre-drill about 3/4 "deep, so that screws do not split the wood at the edges, especially when working with particle/dashboard.

Should I have a Box for Each Sub?

It is advised to have a separate chamber for each sub. Even though not necessary, here are tworeasons why such a directive should be taken: First, if one of the subs blows, then the volume of the box will be "twice" as big for the one remaining working sub. This could cause problems and even damage the other divers. The second reason is bracing. Building a box with a divider in the middle will make the box more rigid.

Ports

Ports must be built into your box design to channel out the Air made by the sub's vibrations. If a pre-made port is not available, the most common material is PVC. PVC is very rigid, comes in different diaMeters. Cut the tubing at the desired length. Consider the volume the port takes up when calculating the volume box. Cut a hole in the box. Make sure the hole is as perfect as possible to minimize gaps between the box and the tube. A couplewood braces can be added for screwing the top the box port. Seal the gaps using a proper sealant (Evo Stick or even silicone can be used).

Bracing

Boxes that are more than a foot in width or length or height, should be braced so that the box becomes more sturdy. This can be accomplished with a piece of wood, maybe 3 or 4 inches wide across the box). It is a good idea to put wood blocks on the corners for reinforceMent. Always consider that blocks, braces, neon lights, etc. inside a box take up space and should be accounted for when calculating internal volume.

Damping/Filling

Damping increases efficiency by subwoofer dissipating some energy that affects the sub, particularly the voice coil. It is advisable to put damping material inside a box.Polyfill Pillow and fiberglass insulation are common, though polyfill is a lot easier on your skin. Polyfill also "tricks" to sub into thinking it is in a bigger box. Play around with different amounts of polyfill until you get the desired results.

Making it look professional

Building the Best Subwoofer Speaker Box Enclosure For Your Car Or SUV