Sub Box

[tippy]

I am wanting to build a new box for my 18" Sub and need some advice on one or two things.

If anyone knows/or has built one, please message me or post up.

What i want to do is make my box look something like this-
tinypic.com/f0cfa9.jpg

I know..i am the best drawer in the world ;D

Tippy~

[deluxestogie]

Submarine? Submachinegun? Subwoofer? Subfloor? Substrate?

[RandyA]

what do need advice on... i might be able to help... i have built a couple... and have helped my brother make a couple of fiberglass boxes as well

i think he is referring to a "subwoofer"

[tippy]

haha..yes a subwoofer box.

I dont have that much time to type right now so i wont explain everything im haveing trouble with in my head.
But for material's that im going to pick up today, how does this list sound.
Fiber board
liquid nail
and caulking.

Plus im going to use screws. I heard someone say to use silicone...is it needed?

Ill post up later some of my other Q's and check back on the forum before i go get the stuff so hopefully one of you guys will see this post before then. lol

Thanks,
Tippy~

[Millslane]

Tippy, silicone isn't needed, but it won't hurt. it will only seal up the joints so that noting may pass through. but caulk will do that as well. i don't need both, just one or the other.

when making that box, just be sure that you have the required cubic inches of space needed for you subs to operate, as well as the port hole, if any, locaten in the proper space.

Bass is about resinating (sp?) you need the sound to travel. some subs don't need alot if any space, some need a mouse trap to work properly (Bose).

do you have access to this information? if you bought the Subs new, there should be detials on the origional box.

[Mavro]

millslane said:

when making that box, just be sure that you have the required cubic inches of space needed for you subs to operate, as well as the port hole, if any, locaten in the proper space.

Bass is about resinating (sp?) you need the sound to travel. some subs don't need alot if any space, some need a mouse trap to work properly (Bose).

Millslane is right. The proper volume (cubic in/ft) of the inside of the box is VERY important. Make sure to check with your owner's manual or the manufacturer's website for details.

You also need to decide if you want your box to be ported (with a hole that lets air pass through), or sealed (completely sealed so that no air gets in or out). The difference is that porting helps the sound travel and resonate throughout room/car and gives you more of an ambient vibration. Sealed gives you a tighter, punchier sound with less reverberation. The ported/sealed setups mean different box volumes so you need to decide which setup you want to use before you build the box.

After doing the math and building a rough box, the easiest way to determine if your box has the right volume is to fill a plastic bag with enough water to satisfy the cubic in/ft requirement. Seal the bag, place it in the box, then install the speaker. Make sure everything fits together without too much extra space between the bag, the walls of the box, and the speaker.

As for assembly, liquid nails is great for chemically bonding fiber/particle board. Make sure the pieces are clamped and allowed to dry for at least 24 hours before you move the box around. I would also use wood screws to mechanically bond the pieces together. Remember, sub boxes vibrate A LOT. You want to make sure it holds together and doesn't vibrate itself to pieces while you listen to your music.

Here's a link to my car's website:
www.cardomain.com/id/mavro2

I have a few pictures of the stereo system I built, including my sealed sub box. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

-Mavro

[tippy]

Thanks for that info guys.

I am building a seald box. I allready have a ported box and want to see if there is any diffrence in sound, plus i want to face the speaker a diffrent way.

Anyways, Here is the link to the sub i have.
mobile.jlaudio.com/products_subs.php?series_id=14

Im guessing the Effective Piston Area (Sd): 186.1 sq. in. / 0.12009 sq. m.

is the Cubic meeter i need?

maybe...lol

Thanks again,
Tippy~

[Mavro]

tippy said:

Thanks for that info guys.

I am building a seald box. I allready have a ported box and want to see if there is any diffrence in sound, plus i want to face the speaker a diffrent way.

Anyways, Here is the link to the sub i have.
mobile.jlaudio.com/products_subs.php?series_id=14

Im guessing the Effective Piston Area (Sd): 186.1 sq. in. / 0.12009 sq. m.

is the Cubic meeter i need?

maybe...lol

Thanks again,
Tippy~

Close. The Effective Piston Area is the movement area that the cone requires to pump back and forth.

You need the Driver Displacement: 0.20 cu. ft. / 5.6 liters

[Medina]

An 18 is monstrous! Good luck with the project. My buddy and I are going to take a stab at fiberglass enclosures for our cars in the spring. We built the boxes we have now but want to make it extra nice. Let us know how it goes.

[tippy]

hum..so the driver has to be atleast 0.20 cu. ft. away from anything..right?

So how do i find out how big the box has to be? actually..i prob dont have to worry about that...the box im gonna be makeing is gonna be a little bigger than the one i have now and i think that one was made for this type of sub.

anyways, i picked up the partical board today, i will prob start on cutting it out next week, or this weekend.

What would help is a program that i could like give the measurements of the boards and it woudl show me them...or show the whole box. Does anyone know of a program like that?

..that would be VERY usefully for alot of things i do.

Thanks guys,
Tippy~

[Electricity]

This is the total box size that you need, quoted from the page you linked-
Driver Displacement: 0.20 cu. ft. / 5.6 liters
I don't know of a program that will let you do what you want, but you can always do it by hand... Length x width x height= volume.
I'm not sure how that would work for something with the top cut out, but I'm sure google can help!

[RandyA]

External Dimensions for a sealed box
(Width x Height x Depth)

24 in. x 19 in. x 15.5 in. for an 18W3-D2 and

24 in. x 19 in. x 16.75 in. for an 18W3-D4

did you pick up any 3/4 in. medium density fiber board? this is not the type of board that shelves are made of (particle board with the white surfaces) ;Dyou should be able to get it at home depot or lowes mobile.jlaudio.com/products_subs.php?series_id=14 look at the bottom of the page for 18W3 enclosure specifications

[Electricity]

Exaultion for you randya, great info!
Heres a question though, whats the deal with putting carpeting/liner on the outside of the box? Is it neccicary, or just so you don't potentialy tear your car to shreads with the box.

I myself am thinking of custom building a box, when I get my new car.
-E

[Millslane]

mobile.jlaudio.com/products_subs_enclusure.php?series_id=14

this is the link to the reccomended enclosure sizes Randy mentioned.

Electricity, the carpet, IMO, serves are few purposes, one, to look better in you car, protection for the box, helps it to not slide around as much. there may be others, but thats all i can think of now

[RandyA]

thanks for the correction millsane... the carpet also cuts down on sharp corners. that can tear your cars carpet and your skin apart... (standard cab truck+ offroad+sub box=7 stitches ) and it hides imperfections like uneven corners and screws that didnt properly countersink...