prefab boxes

pre -fab boxes are just made as a generalization of cubic foot and tune for the size speaker it is Which is most the time not going to work to get you the most performance from you sub. To get the most out of a woofer you want it to not only be the perfect air space but also tune in ported boxes for the sub, your desired sound and also the power you are running. On top of that you want something that is going to be able to be placed and designed to get the most from the combo in the vehical it going in. So that is why a custom box is much better than a pre-fab box 99% of the time.

Generally, unless you are paying a pretty decent premium, they are made from pressboard or particle board, in 1/2 (or if you are lucky, 3/8) inch material, which are not nearly dense enough or strong enough for appropriate subwoofer enclosures. Also, the chances of a woofer dropping perfectly into a pre-fab box, and being tuned correctly, are close to astronomical. An enclosure isn't just a box, but a complex mathematical relationship with the woofer's Vas, Qms, Sd, and Fs. It ISN'T likely to happen.It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

I am sure he meant to say 5/8 if you are lucky. 

man, I didn't know all that. Thanks for all the info guys.

Just to add to what these guys have said... One other disadvantage is that the enclosure are typically made for a generalized sound. By that I mean that the companies tune the enclosures high and design them so that they will get loud. Sound quality is typically the last thing on the minds of the people who design these enclosures. There are other problems such as vent dimensions. Manufacturers use small vent areas to keep the port length down. Unless you have a low powered sub you will have port noise.

i am an idiot wrote: I am sure he meant to say 5/8 if you are lucky.

Get out of my mind! It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

just to add my .o2, you cant even trust prefab boxes that are made by the subwoofers' manufacturer specifically for that sub. ive seen several pre-loaded boxes for kicker L5s simply blown apart because the only thing holding them together is a small amount of glue around the edges and the carpet, no screws or nails at all.

 yeah ive seen alot of pre-fab boxes blow apart........if you must use one the first thing i would do is liquid nails it really good.