enclosure filler Qs

hi, just have a few things on my mind about subs and enclosures

1) Do we really have to follow the recommended enclosure size (sealed) given by the manufacturer? or does it really depend on what type of bass you'd like to hear. If I follow the recommended size, how would the bass sound like and how would it differ from enclosure size closer to preference?

2) If we have the right enclosure size, then i dont really need to fill it with acoustic filler rite?

Any tips would be great as i would like to have a fiberglass side on my enclosure and i wouldn't want any filler in there so its tidier.

Also if there are any tips on how to hide wiring. would be great.. thanks.

1.  ALWAYS begin with the manufacturer's recomendations.  If you really know what you are doing, there are many ways to use the T/S numbers (or determine what they really are for a given woofer) and build accordingly.  But as a beginner, don't try it.

2.  I always recomend polyfill for a sealed enclosure.  NEVER use fiberglass insulation, I don't care how many cheesy books or people with stories tell you it's OK.  It can and will degrade your woofer's performance and in a worst case can destroy it.

3.  Hiding wiring is all up to your skills, ingenuity and willinginess to rip the car apart.

kfr01] wrote:

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ust curious DYohn, what's the rationale behind always recommending polyfill for a sealed box?

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The filler slows down the soundwaves in the box. What this does is gives the enclosure a "larger" feel to it. This can aid in transient responce, and extention, similar to building a larger enclosure. However, in ported applications, without the proper measuring equipment there is no way to accurately measure the change that results in port tuning. And in all cases of ported apps this will have an affect on it. Please do not attempt this in a ported application.

While I have found it works on some drivers, I can honestly say I have heard no differance whatsoever on other drivers. I actually did a H2H test about 4 years ago with 6 or 7 differant drivers. 4 made a differance and the others did not.

nickch wrote:

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1) Do we really have to follow the recommended enclosure size (sealed) given by the manufacturer? or does it really depend on what type of bass you'd like to hear. If I follow the recommended size, how would the bass sound like and how would it differ from enclosure size closer to preference?

2) If we have the right enclosure size, then i dont really need to fill it with acoustic filler rite?

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1) I can't tell you the last time I did. However as reccomended without proper understanding of how a driver functions, and the affect altering the enclosure has on how it functions, I don't suggest you do this.

The general public's perception of "good sound" is typically a high sub frequency peak. Most people don't hear this when they listen to a subwoofer. However, with that peak comes an unnatural shift in frequency reproduction.  In order to boost these frequencies Mfgs reccomend a smaller sealed enclosure. This is also beneficial to the Mfg as far as warranty issue reduction due to the reduction of driver excursion with the same power.

2) You have to be the judge. Your ears will tell you what is pleasing to you far better than anyone elses opinion ever can.

^^edit^^

[b][u]1) I can't tell you the last time I did. However as reccomended without proper understanding of how a driver functions, and the affect altering the enclosure has on how it functions, I don't suggest you do this.[/u][/b]

I meant to say, I don't suggest you do this without the proper knowledge or help from someone knowledgeable who can assist you.

Look at www.linearteam.org for WinISD Pro for a great freeware design program.

thanks.

but i was just asking if its really neccessary to fill the box up if i build a perfect enclosure with the recommended volume as i'm thinking of having a thick lexan window with mirrors on the walls and i dont want to have to put in filler that will kinda mess the display up even tho it actually will improve the sound.

nickch wrote:

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thanks.

but i was just asking if its really neccessary to fill the box up if i build a perfect enclosure with the recommended volume as i'm thinking of having a thick lexan window with mirrors on the walls and i dont want to have to put in filler that will kinda mess the display up even tho it actually will improve the sound.

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As I said, it is a matter of preferance. There is no reason why you need to put it in there, even if the enclosure isn't "perfect". However, in light of the lexan window I suggest you don't use it

Something like this Cascade Audio Deflex pad might be good for an enclosure with a window while gaining some of the benefit of stuffing:

https://www.cascadeaudio.com/prod/deflex.html

I used this in my box because I really didn't want to increase the effective volume but wanted to break up the sub's back wave.  I noticed an increase in sound quality.  They are thin and black, so they wouldn't look bad through a window.