Isobaric Questions
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=28805
Printed Date: May 14, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Topic: Isobaric Questions
Posted By: fastev
Subject: Isobaric Questions
Date Posted: March 21, 2004 at 8:12 PM
I'm planning to build a new box for my truck, 2002 Ford Ranger extended cab. I've heard that isobaric enclosures only need to be about half the required volume. Is this right? Also, do I power both subs, or is one passive. If anyone could shed some light on this subject I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks!! --Evan
Replies:
Posted By: Bendog
Date Posted: March 21, 2004 at 10:17 PM
yes an isobarik enclosure does require less space than what one of the speaker need but you would need 2 speakers and should be matced to the closest spec. meaning you cant just buy one speaker her and then another some companies do sell match speakers so shops probably do it to. but both speakers should be exact to each other. the only downfall is that you dont gain any more power because you have 2 speakers because you will only be able to listen to one. hope that help. if you got some other question ill see if i can answer it.
Posted By: auex
Date Posted: March 21, 2004 at 10:28 PM
50% less space, also at least -3db when using isobaric.
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Posted By: thapimpfromchi
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 3:29 AM
isobaric, is that the one where you mount the subwoofer backwards (basket showing, instead of cone)?? Or is that where you have one sub mounted normal, and another on top of it backwards? I get these names mixed up all the time.
------------- 1990 Honda Civic HB:
Clarion DXZ545MP H.U.
2- 6.5" Power Acoustik interiors
Diamond Audio 600.1 amp
Diamond Audio 15" M6MKII
Pyramid PB881X 4 CH. Amp
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 10:38 AM
Isobaric loading uses two woofers, one "behind" the other or in a "Clamshell" mounting, where the two drivers are mounted face to face and one driver wired out of phase, inside the enclosure. You power both speakers. You can achieve very clean response down to about 18Hz with this kind of loading, but as auex said the SPL output is less than a single speakers, even though the power utilization is better and the enclosure size can be very small. It is not the best bang for the buck in car audio, in my opinon. The best bang for the buck is almost always using a small sealed enclosure with a single driver.
Posted By: thapimpfromchi
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 2:21 PM
i have heard that isobaric gives you 3db more. but the only downside is that it requires alooot more power this way.
------------- 1990 Honda Civic HB:
Clarion DXZ545MP H.U.
2- 6.5" Power Acoustik interiors
Diamond Audio 600.1 amp
Diamond Audio 15" M6MKII
Pyramid PB881X 4 CH. Amp
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 3:34 PM
Actually isobaric loading achieves an increase in efficiency (less power input required for same output) but you do not increase SPL since the woofers excursion limit each other. The net effect is usually from 0 to -3 db different than the output of one woofer in a sealed enclosure, but that SPL number is achieved at about 70% power input. That's why ISO (or "push-pull" as it is sometimes called) is used sometimes in professional sound reinforcement. The down side is the expense. You have to use two woofers that are exactly matched, so you end up with the same or slightly less SPL at twice the cost. The only real upside in a car application is the net Vas gets cut in half so the enclosure can be 1/2 the size of that required for a single woofer.
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