The shape of a sub-enclosure

[Waterwookiee]

So, I see a lot written about the volume of a sub enclosure, and a few pieces that note, shapes to stay away from, but not a whole lot written about the effect the shape has on the sound.

I am trying to shoehorn a 10" into my single cab with little or no cutting, so I am debating between a wedge shape, and a long rectangle (with a front and back that are paralel, i.e. 45 degree angles all around)

What effect does shape have? What shapes are to be avoided and why?

What direction should the sub be pointed? (on a wedge, I could face the seat back, or the back cab wall equaly well)

This could prove to be a good topic for everyone to discuss....

[fredster34]

Originally Posted by Waterwookiee

So, I see a lot written about the volume of a sub enclosure, and a few pieces that note, shapes to stay away from, but not a whole lot written about the effect the shape has on the sound.

I am trying to shoehorn a 10" into my single cab with little or no cutting, so I am debating between a wedge shape, and a long rectangle (with a front and back that are paralel, i.e. 45 degree angles all around)

What effect does shape have? What shapes are to be avoided and why?

What direction should the sub be pointed? (on a wedge, I could face the seat back, or the back cab wall equaly well)

This could prove to be a good topic for everyone to discuss....

I asked a JL Audio tech guy these questions before. Shape doesnt matter that much, if at all. the wavelengths of bass notes are too long to worry about standing waves (cancelling sound) being created inside a box.

box volume is the most important parameter to follow. with a sealed box, there's a a wider range of volumes u can build. e.g. if ur 10" sub has a recommended volume of .75 cuft, u can build around 10% higher or lower than that number. a smaller box gives tighter, louder bass. a larger box gives deeper bass.

as far as direction to face the sub, it wouldnt matter too much in the cab of a truck. just face it foward towards the windshield. that way, the box design is not as complex to build. its a different story in a sedan or coupe. they tend to have less standing waves when the subs face the rear.

[Waterwookiee]

Good info!

I am also debating between an 8" and a 10"

With an 8", I am looking at 200W. I would think that would be plenty for a rocker in a single cab, and one heck of a lot more space conscience.

But just knowing that I can wire a 10" DVC with my amp to deliver 350w is really cool.

In all honesty, 350w into a 10" would probably be overkill. Right now, just to have something, I have a crappy 60w bazooka 6" tube, and it's (to my ear) about 70% of the sound pressure I am looking for, so I guess a 200w 8" should pound.

Opinions? (I know, it's an age old question, but I had to ask.... )

[fredster34]

Originally Posted by Waterwookiee

Good info!

I am also debating between an 8" and a 10"

With an 8", I am looking at 200W. I would think that would be plenty for a rocker in a single cab, and one heck of a lot more space conscience.

But just knowing that I can wire a 10" DVC with my amp to deliver 350w is really cool.

In all honesty, 350w into a 10" would probably be overkill. Right now, just to have something, I have a crappy 60w bazooka 6" tube, and it's (to my ear) about 70% of the sound pressure I am looking for, so I guess a 200w 8" should pound.

Opinions? (I know, it's an age old question, but I had to ask.... )

ur currently running a Bazooka brand 6" tube, right? i'm not a big fan of tubes, but Bazooka is probably the best company for those. tubes give loud bass because of "corner loading", meaning facing the woofer 3"-6" from a wall or corner of the car. u can use that same principle to any box woofer, too.

like i said, tubes r loud, but they dont give tight and deep bass. reason being is that tubes are essentially ported boxes, and the volume of a tube is too small for the sub to work properly. thats why ur supposed to "corner load" them for best sound (if u put a Bazooka sub in a regular box, it might sound even better). i had a 10" Bazooka before in my Camry n it gave me one-note bass. loud at a certain frequency, non-existent bass at others. i hated it.

anyways, if ur 70% happy with the bass output of ur current tube, go with a Bazooka 8" or 10" version. it will definitely be louder.