Subwoofer enclosures

[samwhite59]

Hi, am after a bit of guidance regarding sub enclosures.

My home audio speakers are packed with some foam or acoustic material of some kind, should my new sub enclosure also be filled with something similar before I fit the cones? I bought the cones and enclosure separately so it is just a bare box at the moment.

Cheers!

 

[Luke]

Hi, am after a bit of guidance regarding sub enclosures.

My home audio speakers are packed with some foam or acoustic material of some kind, should my new sub enclosure also be filled with something similar before I fit the cones? I bought the cones and enclosure separately so it is just a bare box at the moment.

Cheers!

Its only worth packing out your sub boxes if the sub box is sealed not ported, and it doesnt make too much of a difference. Basically it makes it think the box is a bit bigger than it is therefor deep bass reprocussions are clearer.

 

[samwhite59]

The box is sealed, so sounds like it is worth doing then! Having done some research online is seems like Polyfill or fiberglass insulation is the way to go.

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

Anyone know a good cheap source for either of these?

TIA

 

[Luke]

The box is sealed, so sounds like it is worth doing then! Having done some research online is seems like Polyfill or fiberglass insulation is the way to go.



Anyone know a good cheap source for either of these?

TIA

Have you got a local car audio shop (not halfrauds)? They should stock it, and wont cost much.

Or
http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/view_product.php?partno=K820

 

[Dan]

Cotton wool works exactly the same at a lot lower price. Yes it is worth doing, it makes the sub last longer with a slightly deeper bass as luke said. When you get it in slowly increase the sub volume over about a week, starting quite low and woring it it. You will find it will work a lot better than 1 that is turned straight up, the sub will also last longer. Its kind of breaking it in.

 

[Luke]

Cotton wool works exactly the same at a lot lower price. Yes it is worth doing, it makes the sub last longer with a slightly deeper bass as luke said. When you get it in slowly increase the sub volume over about a week, starting quite low and woring it it. You will find it will work a lot better than 1 that is turned straight up, the sub will also last longer. Its kind of breaking it in.

A very important fact thats often overlooked!

 

[samwhite59]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll check out cotton wool (when I can find a big enough bag full for two subs) and also maybe see how much fiberglass roof insulation rolls are in B&Q over the weekend.

 

[Lowtechguy]

lots of sq guru's here I see pmsl.

making a box bigger is pointless unless your box is too small.

Check with the documents with the sub what enclosure it needs sealed and compare that with what you have bought, if its the same, wicked. if not then stick blocks of wood/wadding until it is. (blocks of wood to make it smaller, wadding to make it bigger).

Try not to do anything permanent like polyfill as this is harder to remove if you have got it wrong or choose to change your sub...

I personally would screw it in, if it sounds wrong experiment, if not put your feet up and watch eastenders.

 

[chaos]

My JBL sub's instructions said to loosely stuff the enclosure with fibrefill. So I used an old pillow - the stuff's quite stiff - I found I didn't need to attach it or anything.
Try a local fabric shop - they are bound to sell fibrefill - but it could be expensive!

HTH