How to build a dual chamber 10" sub enclosure?

Question

I want to build an enclosure for my 2 10" subwoofers (500watts each). I heard its better to have dual chambers instead of one, is this true? Also, what type of enclosure is best? What do I need? And can you give me the guide lines? Finally, would it come out cheaper than $50?

Answer 1

Build the box just like Matt Z said only use MDF, NOT any other type of wood.  Only 5/8" or 3/4" MDF for speaker boxes depending on how big the box is.  I suggest using a program like BassBox Pro to design the box for you.  You tell it what you want and it prints out exactly the pieces you need.  It works best for metric though.

Answer 2

A Duel chamber design works better because the divider helps make the box stronger.

If you are using a 2 channel amp, you deffinately want a duel chamber box.  A mono block amp is 1 channel output and so a single or duel wont matter (mono amp with 1 channel means the subs will play Exactly the Same tone/note/harmonic so there is no cancelation between the subs.

The second question, about the $50.00.    

It works like this:

A swap meet 3/4 MDF Sealed box cost 30-35$ (made by a box manufacturer that builds boxes for a living)    

Build-it-yourself = 3 hours+ 30-50 $ for wood/glue/silicone/table saw/measurement/ design

Answer 3

The subwoofer enclosure is built around your subwoofer.  You need the specs of the subwoofer to figure out what size to make the enclosure.  You can also use the manufacturer's recommendations to figure out what enclosure to use.

There is no single "best" subwoofer enclosure.  Some subs work well in some types while other work well in another type.  Most subs work well in many different types of enclosures.  If this is the case then you should decide based on what sound you want from your subs.  Sealed enclosures will give you the most sound quality while ported enclosure will give you more output.

When it comes to how many chambers are the best it depends on the situation.  Ideally they will sound the same.  However there are pros and cons to each one.  First, a single chamber (or common chamber enclosure) will mean the subs are sharing the same airspace.  This is fine if both subs are working properly.  But if one sub was to perform badly the other sub would be effected.  Another problem is that if one sub was to blow the other one could blow as well.  The only real bad thing about seperate chambers is that they will take up more space, especially if it is a ported enclosure.  

I would say that you should use seperate chambers if you have the space available to do it properly.  

Instead of paying for BassBox you could use WinISD.  That is a free program that will help you design an enclosure.  This can take some time to get use to, even more so if you do not have much experience working with sub enclosures.  That is why I would say stick to the manufacturer's recommendations for enclosure specs.

You can build an enclosure for under $50 if you do it yourself.  You will need some tools to build it and some time as well.  What you need as far as supplies for a simple box is 3/4" MDF (recommended wood for sub enclosures), some wood glue, something to seal the enclosure once it is done, and some screws (some people only use a brad nailer because it will be sufficient but I prefer screws so I know it will never come apart).  I may have forgotten some basic supplies but that is the basics.  

Some tools you will need will be: tablesaw or circular saw, jigsaw or router to cut sub hole, nailer or hammer if you use nails otherwise a drill to put in screws.  You will need to make sure to drill all holes before you put any screws in.  MDF can split very easily so this is important.

Building it is fairly straightforward.  You just need to make sure your cuts are straight so you have no big holes.  You also need to make sure you build it to the right volume (and tuning frequency if ported).  Also, if you have a large enclosure you may need to use bracing.  It doesn't have to be anything special but it will help with strength.  Just make sure to take into account the displacement it will take up.  One last tip is to never build a perfect cube.  It will be the worst shape when it comes to a speaker enclosure.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

you can use a sheet of plywood. that's what i used for my two 12's its fairly cheap to make. You first have to build all the sides but one which will be your top. When building use smalls nails and a nail gun to hold it together.  you then want to put a divider right in the middle of your box. after doing so take caulking and caulk all the edges of the box. allow this to dry. after doing so. nail the top board onto the box. next find where the center of each of the sides will be. then take the ring that covers the screws and trace the inside of the ring. after doing so cut out the hole. finally place the subs in the holes and wire them up, then s***w them in. that should work. its worked great for me.

this website may help you out a little as well.http://www.termpro.com/articles/buildbox...