Looking to build a home audio sub box
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=77840
Printed Date: July 02, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Topic: Looking to build a home audio sub box
Posted By: 6000ssei
Subject: Looking to build a home audio sub box
Date Posted: May 15, 2006 at 10:21 PM
I have a couple of Orion XTR 12" subwoofers kicking around the house and since I dont feel like going out and spending money on home audio subs, I figured I could just make something with what I have.. I will be useing MDF board to build whatever it is I decide to make.. I want something that can handle solid bass and doesnt sound loose and flimsy, something that sounds tight.. Some of my music is pretty speaker demanding. I also would like it to be able to handle lower tones well also.. I have looked around a little recently at different ideas and still am unsure what I would like.. What is your opinions? I could build either one larger box for both speakers or two smaller boxes.. I came across this one sub box design called the "home wrecker", anyone ever heard of it? TIA for your assistance.
Replies:
Posted By: aznboi3644
Date Posted: May 15, 2006 at 10:30 PM
Yeah i've heard of the home wrecker. It's from DECWARE.com right. Well you could try making a "wicked one" for home audio also. Either one would probably more than surpass your expectations.
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: May 15, 2006 at 10:51 PM
You'll probably be working trial-and-error methods with that unless you are capable of measuring those subs' physical and T/S parameters. Do you have any idea of what was published for these? Do you know of a link that you can share with the forum? If you don't have anything, you could start with a rough box at least 6 cu. ft. Buy a plate amp of maybe 500 watts or so from Parts Express, depending on what power these will take. Wire the two speakers to somewhere between 4 and 8 ohms, depending on their configurations. Cut two speaker holes in one baffle and form a rough box, sealed. Try it at 6 cu ft and see what it does using test tones. You want the sub range from about 25 to 100 Hz to play at about the same level through every frequency although it should still probably drop lower in amplitude under about 35 Hz. If you get something crazy like the subs are flapping at 35 Hz or the tones are too loud in some range or another, reduce the box size to 5 cu ft and try it. This box should be a test box with one end adaptable for moving. You would move the end in, screw it, and caulk the seam. Lots of time involved with trial and error. 
After you've decided how much air space you should give them, build a nice enclosure and leave the carpet for the car. Finish it with something else for the house. ------------- Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: May 15, 2006 at 10:55 PM
Well, my suggestion would be "Keep those Orions in the car, where they belong" Not a good woofer for true SUB applications... They are fine for "detached woofer" use, but a true subwoofer? No way.
They wont go low... well they might, but being as they are a pretty short throw woofer, (designed mostly for efficiency, not extension) they won't move enough air to be effective at subwoofer frequencies.
-------------
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."
Posted By: 6000ssei
Date Posted: May 16, 2006 at 12:02 AM
Definitly some interesting feedback so far. And yes the home wrecker sub box was from decaware.com.. I dont know if its any good or not and I dont have anything to measure the subs with either. They arent the best sub but its all I have to work with and theres gotta be some decent enough sound to be had from them.. The trial and error might be the way to go.. I am not looking for professional sound by any means because presently, I dont have the equipment to produce that type of thing.. If I build a box with both of them in it, should they be sealed from each other? The homewrecker box would probably work nicely but building it to be perfect would be very difficult.
Posted By: luckydevil
Date Posted: May 16, 2006 at 3:03 AM
I built a ported enclosure for a kicker cvr12 that is currently residing in my garage and it sounds great (to me). I've never really heard a high-end home system luckily, so I am happy with what I have.
I say go for it and have fun. It won't be audiophile, but neither will the price. And of course rattling the walls a little in the house is always a blast. 
Posted By: dragon51
Date Posted: May 16, 2006 at 4:16 AM
It will be boomy but not very accurate for home use and Haemphyst is right on they will not play as low as a good HT speaker good subs you should feel and not hear and should blend seamlessly with the other speakers but most people like the boomy bass that has become the norm. If your after a good project get the Titanic 12" sub from parts express and the 250 watt plate amp if interested I have a sight that has the proper box design for that sub and will out perfom any thing up to at least a $1,000
Posted By: luckydevil
Date Posted: May 16, 2006 at 10:10 AM
dragon51- could you please post that link?
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: May 16, 2006 at 11:36 AM
The problem with using car audio subs in the house is generally car subs have too high an Fs and Qts numbers. They are designed to produce peak SPL in the 50-70Hz range and to be inefficient so very small enclosures and very high power amps can be used. In a home theater, you want the lowest Fs and highest efficiency possible, as you want those 20-40Hz rumbles required for big movie soundtracks. Plus in a room you want to be able to use much smaller amplifiers than in a car because of expense and heat and because of your electricity bills. :) That being said, you can certainly use the woofers you have if you choose. Like Steve said you'll need to obtain or measure the T/S parameters of the sub (at the very least you'll need the Fs and Qts. Perhaps you can get this info by emailing Orion?) Then you can model the subs in software like WinISD or Unibox and see how large and what type of an enclosure you might need. Then it's up to you to decide if it's worth the effort to go for it, or if buying an HT sub might be a better idea. Dayton subwoofers are the house-brand of Parts Express. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: 6000ssei
Date Posted: May 16, 2006 at 11:43 PM
Wow there is a lot to be learned in here.. Since I am somewhat new at some of this, I am going to be sort of a newb when I ask what this is? "Fs and Qts numbers" And since these subs are older I dont even know if anyone would even have any information on them at all..
Posted By: dragon51
Date Posted: May 17, 2006 at 5:44 AM
Ok let me send a PM to the guy who designed the box they are posted on another sight for use but I want to ask him befor I post that link ok. I respect this guy alot for all his help and knowledge
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: May 17, 2006 at 10:06 AM
Read about speaker Theile - Small parameters HERE. To properly design an enclosure for a speaker these kinds of parameters must be known; the very minimum to get into the ball park is the Fs (resonance frequency) and Qts (the driver's Q from suspension compliance at Fs.) ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: 6000ssei
Date Posted: May 17, 2006 at 6:04 PM
Man thats a lot of stuff to try and remember. Theres definitly a lot more to sound and boxes then I thought. I knew there was much to be known but I didnt know it was as technical as it was and so exact right down to a piece of dust dam near! I might better just make up a decent size seald enclosure for these orions since I cant seem to get ANY information on them anywhere, and maybe some other time I will purchase a nice sub to really shake the foundations with.. Most of what I want these orions for is music anyways opposed to home theator..
Posted By: luckydevil
Date Posted: May 17, 2006 at 7:17 PM
I found the Home Wrecker. Very interesting, I may just have to build one.
https://www.decware.com/newsite/mainmenu.htm
All the box plans are under "speakers."
I'm diggin those Imperial Horn enclosures also.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: May 17, 2006 at 7:27 PM
6000ssei wrote:
Man thats a lot of stuff to try and remember. Theres definitly a lot more to sound and boxes then I thought. I knew there was much to be known but I didnt know it was as technical as it was and so exact right down to a piece of dust dam near!
Yep. Enclosure design and construction and loudspeaker building in general is a true science, with a lot of craft and art mixed in for good measure. It's easy to get started (which is why there are so many DIY resources around) but very difficult to become really good. I've been doing this stuff for more than 30 years and I even have a college degree in the field and I do not consider myself an expert, especially when compared to some of the real geniuses out there. Go ahead and build a 5 cuft enclosure and mount your subs and hope for the best. But if you really want something that is properly designed and optimised for your needs, hire a pro. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: luckydevil
Date Posted: May 17, 2006 at 8:53 PM
Dyohn- sorry for getting a little off-topic, but what is your degree in? I'd love to get involved in some sort of audio engineering program but my school doesn't offer anything but the typical engineering majors.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: May 17, 2006 at 9:29 PM
Acoustical Engineering. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: dragon51
Date Posted: May 18, 2006 at 3:52 AM
I got the PM back and it's ok to post his link. He has all the cuts required from the MDF aprox. price it's straight forward. This guy used to desing hi-end speakers and just knows way to much about freq. response and sound reflections. There is also some very good treads on bass traps, diffusers and how to build them to obtain the best sound that you can get out of your HT. This guy has years of experience in the music industry. Titanic home theather sub plans https://www.soundandvisionmag.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=40512
Posted By: 6000ssei
Date Posted: May 18, 2006 at 9:40 PM
dragon51 wrote:
I got the PM back and it's ok to post his link. He has all the cuts required from the MDF aprox. price it's straight forward. This guy used to desing hi-end speakers and just knows way to much about freq. response and sound reflections. There is also some very good treads on bass traps, diffusers and how to build them to obtain the best sound that you can get out of your HT. This guy has years of experience in the music industry. Titanic home theather sub plans https://www.soundandvisionmag.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=40512
Thanks for posting the link. I wonder if a box design like that would work well for one of the 12's I have.. Definitly wouldnt mind building a killer box sometime specifically meant for HT use and just see how well they actually do work. Theres so many designs and so many speakers, how do you ever know which one works best?
Posted By: dragon51
Date Posted: May 19, 2006 at 3:11 AM
Sure thing The only problem with adding different speakers to that design is it was built for that speaker only the one's you have got different Theile - Small parameters and that other stuff that makes a real difference in making a properly designed box. It would be loud but not accurate or produse the freq. showen on that graft. But you could always build it and use it till you get the right speaker for the box. You can get it at parts express for $159.66 here is the link https://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=295-404
|