Poll...How many of you

I was sitting here thinking today, and I was wondering how many of you build enclosures with the manufacturers specs, and how many measure their own TS parameters. Now, I completely understand that there isnt much net to measure cheap subs in ghetto-fab....I mean pre-fab boxes, so we'll stick to higher end installs. I'd love to hear how many measure and how many take the manufacturers word for it............

 "net" should say need......sorry

personally i build different boxes till i find on i like the sound of. but i have wood and plenty time to waste

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Quad L Handyman services

well all i like about building my box by myself, it's kinda motivation of doing it or talent of doing it!! and i make in the way i wanted, that what make me happy!!... rather than spend some bucks choose those squary boxes in the shop!

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Proud to be L O U D!!

I try to stick to manufacturer spec's but sometimes the space in a vehicle doesn't allow you that opportunity. That's where Dacron filler is a must in any enclosure builder's tool box.

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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA

I use the manufacturer's specs then adjust the box fill and/or port length to fine tune the response.

i have a pair of rockford series 1's in a rockford ported box thats tuned just right.....they are quite loud for 100wrms

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I need quality equipment, feel free to donate.

I'll built to specs but if it's not hitting deep enough, I'l play around with different ft3 to get the sound I want.

So......so far nobody measures their own Thiele Small Parameters. Any time I build a custom enclosure for a customer I test the TS parameters myself. I have found that manufacturers specs can be off, and I dont mean just a little, I have seen some that were WAY off.

i personally dont even know how to measure the TS parameters.

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Quad L Handyman services

Ask and ye shall receive........Click Me!

I have compared several boxes over the years. Some are pretty much right on, and some have more noticable differences that can range from slight increase in bass response to "night and day" differences in spl and sound clarity. The biggest differences in TS parameters come from the less expensive, to mid-line drivers. But nearly all have some differences over the manufacturers specs. As we all know, the difference between a good sounding box and a great sounding box in some cases is no more than 1" in any one direction. The major benefit of measuring your own parameters is that it almost completely does away with the need to build several boxes in order to find the one that works best. Pick a couple subs at random and try it out, you may be surprised at what you find. If nothing else, this method will make it possible to build boxes for those occasional subs that you cannot find specs for. I think this is just one of the many techniques that makes good installers even better. After all, you can never have too much knowledge, especially when it comes to installing.

Thanks Cbates

I always measure the T/S. Most of the time, manufacturers specs are calculated so the enclosure will fit in an average trunk space.

You'd be suprised how deep one 10" driver can get using T/S Paremeters compared to a 15" driver mounted in a store bought enclosure.

i like to build ported boxes only unless its for a customer who specifically requests sealed box for better SQ.  me. i am an SPL competitor and only listen to rap so i just want my bass to be stupid loud.  i usually will try the manufacturers specs for a slot-ported box and if i dont like the sound...i can always change the port length until i get the sound i like.

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ususlly by the time i get around to building a box i have consumed too much beer to care, or cut straight

lol......

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They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.....