Sub Enclosure Question

[azzfox]

hey all, im not looking for any subs just yet but iv been looking on the Pioneer website just having a browse. On the subs it has a Recommended Enclosure Volume (litres). Is a manufactures volume recommendation good to use or should you ignore them and work out a different/better volume for your enclosure?

[stocky]

definately use the volume they tell you to use. dont just go out and buy a cheap box. i made my box exact to the specs that i was given and my sub sounds great

[StoneX]

It depends on which manufacturer... Some recommend boxes that are smaller than they should be so that people looking for a sub to use with limited space will buy it.

It's probably best to ask an installer who works with the particular sub each day... An installer, not a sales person, from a speciaised car audio store, not JB, Strathfield, or Autobarn.

[phree]

Yeah I totally agree with StoneX. The recommended boxes, particularly from the mainstream manufacturers are quite often on the small side. Ported boxes are also usually tuned lower than what most people would normally use. This is to ensure that power handling is maximised.

There is quite a few programs that will do the math for you. You can work out the best size to suit your car and music tastes etc from the Thiele Small specs. So when buying a sub, make sure that the t/s specs are available. A lot of cheap subs don't have meaningful specs.

Pioneer have good specs, but usually recommend the wrong box. The popular 306c is a good example. They recommend a small sealed box. The specs say that the sub works best in a ported box.

It's great fun designing and building your own box/s, the difference in performance is often huge.