custom sub boxes
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custom sub boxes
I have a question for anyone with an answer... I have two 12" MTX subs and I am wanting to build a custom fit box in the trunk. Should I build a sealed or ported box, and how big should I make it. Also if anyone has any pics of the box that they made, I would appreciate it.
DJEvo7
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#2
Let me see if I can answer most of your questions...
1: Sealed or ported? That depends on the sound your goind for and how much space you have to work with. Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong but sealed will give you more "bass" and takes less space but you lose some of the quality, on the other hand ported take up more space and is harded to build (have to get measurements just right) but the quality is better.
2. How big? That depends on the type of box (already covered ) and the type of speakers you have. Every speaker is different. Look in the owners manual to see how much cubic air space they will need. If you can't find it there then try online. It is possible to use a general amount of airspace but then you start too lose quality again. Once you have the amount of air space you need then you can design your box from there.
Let me know if this helps...
1: Sealed or ported? That depends on the sound your goind for and how much space you have to work with. Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong but sealed will give you more "bass" and takes less space but you lose some of the quality, on the other hand ported take up more space and is harded to build (have to get measurements just right) but the quality is better.
2. How big? That depends on the type of box (already covered ) and the type of speakers you have. Every speaker is different. Look in the owners manual to see how much cubic air space they will need. If you can't find it there then try online. It is possible to use a general amount of airspace but then you start too lose quality again. Once you have the amount of air space you need then you can design your box from there.
Let me know if this helps...
#3
I am not so sure about your statement that you lose quality when you use a sealed box. I find that a ported and bandpass boxes give a much sloppier sound than a sealed box. Depending on the placement of your port you are going to hear way to much swooshing air movement.
You are correct in saying though that ported boxes need more volume. If I was going to buy a custom box I would surely make it sealed. It is so much easier to do, and doesn't take up quite as much trunk (since we don't have much trunk space to begin with.
One other note be sure to have the speaker firing into the trunk, this way you will be the maximal air movement, ie the maximal bass response.
Building a box can be a tricky thing to do well. Some tips i could give are:
1. Make sure the box is sealed well, if it is not you could damage your speakers
2. use the correct building materials, every book i have read on the subject and person I have spoken to has said that if you are building a box to use medium density partical board.
If you have the money consider having a custom car audio store build you an enclosure. Consider fiberglassing the well were the spare tire is locate and dropping the sub in there. If you go to a good store they will know what to do.
One last note, and this is to everybody, please don't ever get audio equipment installed by a major chain store, such as Best Buy or Circuit City.... these guys do the worst installs that I have ever seen, and then they will tell you that it is all right and that everything sounds good, when really it sounds like crap.... not to mention that they sell poor quality merch for the most part. Do it yourself, or spend the money to have real professionals that know what they are doing do it,not so high school drop out who has a killer stereo in his IROC camero
You are correct in saying though that ported boxes need more volume. If I was going to buy a custom box I would surely make it sealed. It is so much easier to do, and doesn't take up quite as much trunk (since we don't have much trunk space to begin with.
One other note be sure to have the speaker firing into the trunk, this way you will be the maximal air movement, ie the maximal bass response.
Building a box can be a tricky thing to do well. Some tips i could give are:
1. Make sure the box is sealed well, if it is not you could damage your speakers
2. use the correct building materials, every book i have read on the subject and person I have spoken to has said that if you are building a box to use medium density partical board.
If you have the money consider having a custom car audio store build you an enclosure. Consider fiberglassing the well were the spare tire is locate and dropping the sub in there. If you go to a good store they will know what to do.
One last note, and this is to everybody, please don't ever get audio equipment installed by a major chain store, such as Best Buy or Circuit City.... these guys do the worst installs that I have ever seen, and then they will tell you that it is all right and that everything sounds good, when really it sounds like crap.... not to mention that they sell poor quality merch for the most part. Do it yourself, or spend the money to have real professionals that know what they are doing do it,not so high school drop out who has a killer stereo in his IROC camero
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thanks to both of you. the info that you gave really helps. i'm a little nervous about droping the subs into the well from the spare though. little things like getting a flat tire and all. i wouild still like to see a lancer that had a custom fit box built in. and i agree on the part that you shouldn't go to a chain for installs.
DJEvo7
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Id deffinately say Ported is louder but less quality.....and sealed is best quality....and I really never thought ported boxes were harder to make....just gotta put the port in to the specifications of the instruction manual, or look at the company's sight on the net....they usualy just say to use white tubing......just cut the circle out and stick in........
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Maybe this is a bit off topic but are there plans somewhere for the lancer trunk for an already designed enclosure? Tried the search but I find more questions than actual plan links/locations...any help would be cool. Maybe that would help djevovii out as well.
thnx
thnx
#10
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It really doesn't work that way. There will be an optimal box for a particular subwoofer, but you first have to know the sub your using. Then you need to measure how the vehicles interior effects response, The factor in the amount of power you will really have and last would be what kind of performance your looking for. There is no magic blueprint to the perfect box for your car. There are too many variables.
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BillAce, thnx man, that is what I was thinking as well but wondered if there isnt some kind of already built setup for 2 10's or something since some of those are somewhat the same. But I think you are right and I will have to do my own calcs on this issue.
thnx again
thnx again
#12
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I recommend buying the amp first. That will be the most expensive item and you get what you pay for. Then figure out how much space you want to give up in your trunk. Then find the sub that plays the way you want in the space you have with the amount of power your amp will give. Doing things this way, I do 1 subwoofer most of the time. I like hte idea of buying less of better equipment in car audio.
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hey i object to that comment about chain stores having crappy installers. i lived in holland, MI and worked at circuit city. i was the salesman, and the manager there had worked there for 7 years, and he was 100% top notch installer. even did show cars including a bad *** evo what was featured at a chicago show and won prizes and such. anyway, to throw everyone who works at a chain store into a box label "don't know what they are doing" think again. after all, i have an engineering degree which included multiple electronics courses whichi involved amplifier design, signal response and other car stereo related stuff. when kids came in thinking they knew what they were talking about i could basically teach them a whole new level of stuff. not saying i am 100% knowledgable about car stereo but i can hold certainly hold my own. sense i moved down here in texas i would have to agree that chain store people are clueless. even the high class ones the salespeople just try selling not demonstrating and explaining. it's really bad at the circuit city where they just flat out don't know what they are talking about. lesson learned: there are regional differences in the quality of employees these places have. i work at one of the best, and i have shopped at some of the worst.
as for boxes, i am currently cunstructing a 98% fiberglass box that is very easily removable for the rear corner of the trunk. (2% for the MDF sub ring) it fits a single 12 and i will have volume measurements this weekend when i finish the box. i am going to make a write up on it if i have time as well. the neat thing about it though is that i made a reuseable mold for this box so i can reproduce them quite easily. however i don't have access to large volumes of fiberglass resin and matting for cheap right now. that makes my box very expensive to make... if i really like the box (which thus far i feel it is one of the best i have seen that is easily removable in an evo), then i will consider making them for other people.
as for boxes, i am currently cunstructing a 98% fiberglass box that is very easily removable for the rear corner of the trunk. (2% for the MDF sub ring) it fits a single 12 and i will have volume measurements this weekend when i finish the box. i am going to make a write up on it if i have time as well. the neat thing about it though is that i made a reuseable mold for this box so i can reproduce them quite easily. however i don't have access to large volumes of fiberglass resin and matting for cheap right now. that makes my box very expensive to make... if i really like the box (which thus far i feel it is one of the best i have seen that is easily removable in an evo), then i will consider making them for other people.
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KevinD, got your point homie,...as for the write up, that would be totally awesome and I am sure it will be appreciated very much...
I got the total hook up here at the beach (Jax, FL) at a fiberglass wholesaler (Surf Source, providing all glass weaves, resins, catalysts and stuff for surfboard industry) who can get all that for cheap. Maybe we should get on this my friend. Fiberglass, handlayed would be sooo hot.
I got the total hook up here at the beach (Jax, FL) at a fiberglass wholesaler (Surf Source, providing all glass weaves, resins, catalysts and stuff for surfboard industry) who can get all that for cheap. Maybe we should get on this my friend. Fiberglass, handlayed would be sooo hot.