Prefab subwoofer box

sab1 · 10 Aug 2012 at 17:38

I'm looking to buy a sealed box for my subwoofer. I'm guessing most people will probably recommend making one yourself, but I'm just wondering how the quality of prefab boxes are.

Of course using a ported prefab would be a definite no due to it not being made to the spec of the subwoofer, but for sealed would it really make much difference?

Specifically I have seen an Autoleads 12" subwoofer box for around £20-30 delivered.

Any opinions are welcome.

Scooby_WR1 · 10 Aug 2012 at 18:06

As long as it has the correct displacement for the subwoofer then it will be fine since it will be a sealed box.

Matt82 · 10 Aug 2012 at 19:04

all depends on the size of the box and the requirements for the sub

personally, if i were to do it, id get a nice 8 inch sub and make a slot port

ahenners · 10 Aug 2012 at 20:25

Years ago I bought a pre fab box (may have been autoleads, can't remember) and fitted my own 12" sub to it. Seemed perfectly fine and actually better than the cheap sub it replaced. Have never made my own boxes or had that many subs to compare with though.

mejinks · 10 Aug 2012 at 22:31

What sub is going in it? Whats the box dimensions?

dilated · 11 Aug 2012 at 13:37

I once swapped a prefab box with a mid range 10" alpine speaker for a 3 chamber ported box designed by someone on talkaudio. The difference was amazing, it sounded like a I had fitted 2 or 3 subs. Id defiantly do the same again as in theory a 6/8" sub in a good box is greater than a 10/12" in a sealed box.

sab1 · 11 Aug 2012 at 19:30

This is the sub
http://www.ascendantaudio.com/arsenal.php

The specs state a sealed enclosure of between 0.75-1.25 cubic feet, and most prefab boxes are 1.25 cubic feet, which should be fine after displacement. My main concern is how well sealed they would be, in terms of leaks.

I'm very tempted to get a custom ported box for the louder bass, but I'd lose a lot of boot space and I have doubts over how good ported would be for sound quality.

Matt82 · 11 Aug 2012 at 20:23

if you think its going to be leaky paint the inside with lightly watered down PVA glue

Reality Bites · 11 Aug 2012 at 21:47

Prefab boxes are fine, just make sure they are the correct size for your sub, I would recommend a sealed box as it would provide better sq. IMO ported boxes are a bit pants.

mejinks · 12 Aug 2012 at 01:09

Matt82 said:
if you think its going to be leaky paint the inside with lightly watered down PVA glue

Or left over house paint or fibreglass resin with bits of matting in the corners.

Matt82 · 12 Aug 2012 at 01:23

Not done that myself, but it sounds ok. Do steer clear of silicon sealant. It releases acetic acid, from memory, which is bad for the rubber components on the sub.