Subwoofer boxes

Dew · Post by **Dew** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:52 pm

I need to build my own boxes for my two 12" subs and I need to know if it would be alright to use 3/4" plywood instead of MDF or particle board. I was going to buy MDF but a friend told me that it's very hard to screw it together and it wont hold up to moisture very well. Also would 1/2" ply work instead or should I stay with 3/4"?

Dew · Post by **Dew** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:57 pm

Hello...hello... Echo... echo... anyone in here???

Behemoth · Post by **Behemoth** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:13 am

Go with the mdf it's what the pros use.

VW_Factor · Post by **VW_Factor** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:32 pm

Behemoth wrote:Go with the mdf it's what the pros use.

MDF is the perferred material for sure. Plywood has some give or flex to it under pressure, and can cause distortion. For all intents and purposes it will work, however, for more proper sound reproduction MDF is the way to be.

Dew · Post by **Dew** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:23 pm

Thanks guys.

DesertGuy · Post by **DesertGuy** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:37 pm

Dew:

Basically, anything will work as far as constructing an enclosure for a sub box. However, MDF is by far the preferred material being used. MDF provides a dense characteristic for vibration deflection allowing the manipulation of frequency. Other materials may (plywood) yield a mushy response. A correctly designed box can give you that "punch" that shakes your heart.

MDF is not at all difficult to work with as long as you take the necessary precautions in its construction, such as pilot drilling and so forth. I have constructed sealed and ported enclosures, never mastered the "correct" bandpass box though, and MDF has always been the best material, IMO. Many take the construction of a sub box to a very high level and know much more than I. With that being said, you may find this article interesting:

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/article/1789/

Hope that helped some... Hope that helped some... Hope that helped some (Yeah, there must be an echo in here

)

Dew · Post by **Dew** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:23 pm

Thanks for the tip. There's an enclosure wizard at rockord fosgate's website that helps with all the dimensions and stuff. I think I'm getting a pretty good idea of what I need and how to put it all together. I'll let you know how it comes out.

Druminbugkid · Post by **Druminbugkid** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 5:50 pm

I was going to build a box also. If you are concerd about moister I thought just rattle can the inside and outside or roll or brush with some good paint should help against moister. I was planing on using undercoat. Be in a car moister shouldn't affect it unless you have leaks or something of that nature

Dew · Post by **Dew** » Wed May 02, 2007 6:17 pm

Got it done finally. I made a wedge shaped enclosure that is 14" high 34" wide 11" deep at the base and 8 " at the top. It fits perfectly behind the rear seat. Of course it's a sealed enclosure cuz that wouldn't be big enough for a ported one with 2 12's in it. All I can say is WOW they really pump hard. I have to say two twelves are not too much for an old beetle. The only thing that was rattling was the roof of my metal garage.

sammyphsyco · Post by **sammyphsyco** » Sun May 20, 2007 12:43 am

Thompson water seal! if your concerned about water and MDF.

Druminbugkid · Post by **Druminbugkid** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 8:29 pm

Crazy.

Geoff67 · Post by **Geoff67** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 5:55 pm

pics?

Piper · Post by **Piper** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:35 pm

I work with MDF almost daily, and yes, paint, or water seal will help, but MDF is actually QUITE moisture restistant. My brother and I have built several boxes for ourselves, and for friends, with great results. We've even built a few that have won friends stereo competitions by following these guidlines. Having built a number of boxes in the past, my advice to anyone building a box is this.

Pre drill every screw hole

Use longer screws than necessary (2" screws on 3/4 MDF is sufficient) especially in sealed boxes, the preassure can be amazing!

once the box is ready to be assembled, silicone every joint before it goes together, then nail in place, then screw very few inches

Once everything is set up, take the silicone, and smear every joint inside the box with a big bead of caulk, better too much than too little