HOW TO MAKE A PORTED SUB BOX?

In this article, we will try to guide you about, How to make a ported sub box? The design of a ported box is different from a sealed enclosure because the goal of a ported box is to increase low-frequency bass production. In these boxes, the air is allowed to pass through a small opening into a larger area that will have the woofer in it.

The port then takes advantage of that large space and allows outside air to mingle with the air inside of the box. This has the effect of increasing bass output below what it would be with just an enclosed space for air behind the woofer (like in a sealed enclosure).

A common misconception is that ported boxes are more efficient than sealed enclosures, however, this is not always true since most drivers – especially subwoofers – will distort at high volumes within both enclosures.

A ported box produces more bass than a sealed enclosure of the same size; ideal if you like to feel the punch and power of your music. If your car is small, or if you prefer not to install large speakers, then this type of enclosure is for you!

Ported boxes are not as common as sealed enclosures which means that they do require a little more attention to detail when building. If done improperly, a ported box can resonate at very high volumes and produce a lot of distortion.

How to make a ported sub box? If you’re looking for a powerful bass system for your car, you may want to consider making a ported sub box. Ported boxes are better at producing strong and efficient bass sounds than sealed boxes, which is why they are a popular choice for car audio systems. In this post, we will guide you on how to create a ported sub box for your car audio system.

What will we learn here?

What is a ported subwoofer box?
What is the port in subwoofer box?
What are the benefits of Ported Sub box?
What is a Subwoofer?
How to make a ported sub box? Step by Step Guide
FAQs
Conclusion

WHAT IS A PORTED SUBWOOFER BOX?

A ported box is a type of speaker enclosure that uses a port, or a specially designed opening, to increase the efficiency of the system. If you’ve ever seen or used a subwoofer, then you know what an enclosure is: It’s the thing that houses your speaker(s). Sub boxes can be sealed (also known as acoustic suspension) or ported.

WHAT IS THE PORT IN SUBWOOFER BOX?

A port is a tube (usually round but it can be square, too) that is built into an enclosure and allows air to move in and out of the box when you push on the speaker cone.

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF PORT IN SUB BOX?

Ports add SPL (sound pressure level) because they allow air behind the woofer to act like a spring and push the woofer back when it pushes forward.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PORTED SUB BOX?

Ported boxes are great for producing really deep bass and they tend to be much smaller than sealed subs because the venting makes them more efficient (i.e. they don’t need as much power as a similar size sealed box). But ported boxes aren’t as good as sealed enclosures at keeping the bass in your car and they’re not as efficient either.

A ported box can give you more SPL than a similar sized sealed box, and most systems with one 15" woofer will have a ported box just to keep up with a system that has two 12" subs. Sealed boxes are generally preferred over ported boxes because they’re more efficient and retain more SPL, and they will sound tighter than a ported box.

But lots of people choose to use ported boxes because they can produce some really deep bass and you don’t need as much power to drive the speaker compared with a similar size sealed enclosure. If you’re just looking for loud bass that rattles objects in your car, then a ported box is probably what you want.

If you’re building a ported box, the general rule of thumb for getting started is to use 1 cubic foot of airspace per cubic inch of the woofer. So if you have a 15" woofer that’s 4" deep, it will need an enclosure that holds at least 4 cubic feet of air. There are box calculators that can help you figure this out if you know the other dimensions, but just remember that for every cubic inch of airspace you need 1 cubic foot.

WHAT IS A SUBWOOFER?

A subwoofer is basically a speaker driver (like the ones in your home stereo) that has been designed to produce really low frequencies (like under 100Hz) with lots of power. But because most speakers don’t have frames that can handle the extra power, you’ll need to build an enclosure around your subwoofer so it doesn’t move as much and stays cool.

The airspace inside your sub box will act like a spring and help keep the woofer from moving as much (reducing distortion). If you don’t build an enclosure for your woofer, it can distort horribly and cause all sorts of damage. There are many types of boxes but the most common is the sealed box.

VS SEALED SUB BOX

Sealed enclosures are made with straight walls and a flat front panel. They typically have all their air trapped in the box when you build it, and they rely on the woofer’s frame to hold it in. Because there is no port (vent) in a sealed enclosure, it’s often easier to make one with accurate dimensions and keep your costs low if you’re trying to save money by building your own boxes.

HOW TO MAKE A PORTED SUB BOX? STEP BY STEP GUIDE

If you want to ensure your sound quality is always top notch , then build yourself one of these! You will learn a lot about how to design, cut, and assemble wood pieces – all skills that will transfer to other kinds of projects. Plus it is always nice to own something you made yourself!

PERFECT AMOUNT OF AIR SPACE FOR YOUR SUBWOOFER

Every subwoofer has an ideal box size where it works best, and this varies depending on whether it’s in a sealed or ported box. In this guide, we’ll use the example of a Sundown Audio Ev3 10′ subwoofer. To determine the recommended box size, we need to check the speaker’s specifications on the manufacturer’s website or manual.

For the Ev3 10", the ideal air space for a ported enclosure is 1.75 cubic feet, and it’s not recommended for a sealed enclosure. Once you know the recommended air space, you can compare it with the measurements you took earlier.

To do this, you can use a simple formula to convert the measurements into cubic feet. For example, if your rough measurements are 2 feet wide, 2 feet tall, and 1.5 feet long, you have a volume of 6 cubic feet. In the case of the Ev3 sub, we have more than enough space.

PARAMETERS TO BE ENTERED

All the details about your subwoofer that make it unique and affect its performance can be entered into a design program to help calculate the ideal box. You can find these values on the spec sheet for your subwoofer. When entering the values, you can use the tab key to move quickly to the next parameter.

The program can also automatically calculate some of the values, saving you time. If you find that some of your values are in different units, you can click on the unit to switch to the available options.

It’s okay if you don’t have every box filled out, but make sure to save your driver info once you’re finished on the parameters tab.

DESIGN THE IDEAL SUBWOOFER BOX

To create my subwoofer box, I used a computer program called Fusion 360, but you can also draw it by hand or skip this step if you want. The box size will depend on your subwoofer and may require some trial and error to get right.

I chose a box that was 13.5 inches by 13.5 inches by 22.5 inches to give me the desired air space of 1.75 cubic feet. When choosing your dimensions, keep in mind that the volume provided by WinISD or the manufacturer is for the interior of the box and doesn’t include the thickness of the material. Most subwoofer boxes are made with 3/4-inch MDF, which is what I used.

When I designed my sub box, I decided to make the sides sandwiched by the top and bottom. This influenced the sizes of the pieces I cut out.

I started with the base, which was a rectangle that accounted for the thickness of the material. Then I made a sketch for the back and repeated the process for the other sides. I also made a top that was the same as the bottom.

I cut out holes for the speaker and the port based on the sub spec sheet. I placed the holes in the front of the box, with the speaker in the middle.

After cutting out these holes, my 3D model was finished. I could add other features like holes for wire terminals later.

MEASURING APPROXIMATE SIZES

Before building a custom subwoofer box, you need to measure the available space. If you plan to install it in a car or SUV, the trunk or rear cargo area is the best location. For trucks, the best place is under or behind the rear most seats. Measure the area where you want to place the subwoofer box to have an idea of how much space you have to work with. You don’t need to measure perfectly at this stage.

CREATING 2D PLANS FROM A 3D MODEL

If you made a 3D model of your sub box using a computer program, you can turn the model into drawings to assist you while building the box. These drawings can be very useful when cutting out the pieces, and can help prevent mistakes.

CONFIGURING WINISD FOR SUB BOX DESIGN

The shape and size of the ports can change the sound of your subwoofer. A program called WinISD can help you calculate the size, tuning, and other things for your subwoofer. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.

To get started, you need to create a new project in WinISD. Click the second button at the top to do this. The program already has a lot of subs pre-loaded, but we’ll show you how to enter your own sub, so you can follow along. To add a new sub, select “Add New” and fill in the details. Then, go to the parameters tab to continue.

SUB BOX IS OPTIMIZING

To optimize your subwoofer box, you need to select your subwoofer and the type of box you want to use in a program called WinISD. Then, you enter the recommended airspace and tuning frequency for your sub.

You can also choose the port configuration, and for this example, we will use one circular port with a recommended port area of 26 square inches. You can buy cylindrical ports or use PVC pipe.

Once you find the port area, you can calculate the Cross area and the Vent length. The given values change depending on the volume and tuning frequency, so it’s okay if it’s not exact.

After entering all the necessary values in WinISD, you will see a graph that shows how your subwoofer will perform at different Hertz. The y-axis represents decibels and the x-axis represents Hertz.

The graph helps you to understand how the speaker will perform at different frequencies, and you can click along the graph to get a more precise idea.

The higher the frequency, the higher the note being played, and the higher the decibels, the louder the speaker will be. As we are building a box for a subwoofer, we aren’t really concerned about the higher frequency levels.

Although this graph isn’t an accurate guide to exactly how loud your sub will be, it is a useful tool to compare how certain frequencies will sound relative to others. You can experiment with different values to see how the chart changes.

BEGIN THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS!

There are already many guides available on how to build a subwoofer box, so there’s no need for me to explain the process and techniques. Simply look up some guides on how to build the ported subwoofer box you designed and have fun building!

HOW TO MAKE A PORTED SUB BOX? PROCESS:

Here are some step-by-step instructions on how to build a ported subwoofer box:

MATERIALS:

MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or plywood
Wood glue
Screws
Silicone sealant
Speaker terminals
Subwoofer
Port tube
Amplifier
Saw (circular or table saw)
Drill with a screwdriver bit and a hole saw bit
Measuring tape
Clamps
Sandpaper or a sander
Paint or veneer (optional)

STEPS:

Choose the subwoofer you want to use and determine its recommended box volume and port size.
Decide on the box dimensions and design, including the placement of the subwoofer and port.
Cut the MDF or plywood panels to size using a saw. The thickness of the panels will depend on the size of the box and the subwoofer used.
Sand the edges of the panels until they are smooth and fit together snugly.
Apply wood glue to the edges of the panels and clamp them together. Use screws to secure the panels if necessary.
Cut a hole in the panel where the subwoofer will be mounted using a hole saw bit. Sand the edges of the hole until they are smooth.
Install the speaker terminals on the back panel of the box using screws and silicone sealant to ensure a tight seal.
Measure and cut the port tube to the appropriate length and install it into the box. Use silicone sealant to seal the edges of the port tube to the box.
Install the subwoofer into the box using screws and silicone sealant to ensure a tight seal. Be sure to align the subwoofer correctly in the box.
Connect the subwoofer to an amplifier and test the sound output. Adjust the tuning frequency if necessary by changing the length or diameter of the port tube.
Finish the box with paint or veneer if desired.

And that’s it! These steps should give you a basic idea of how to build a ported subwoofer box. Remember to take your time and measure carefully to ensure a good fit and sound quality.

TESTING THE BOX

After building your subwoofer box, the next step is to test it out to see how it performs. The testing process involves connecting the subwoofer to an amplifier, measuring the sound output, and adjusting the tuning frequency if necessary.

CONNECTING THE SUBWOOFER TO AN AMPLIFIER

Once the subwoofer box is built, it’s time to connect it to an amplifier. To do this, first, turn off the amplifier and unplug it from the power source.

Then, connect the speaker wire to the subwoofer’s terminals. Make sure the wire is firmly connected and that the positive and negative wires are not touching each other.

Next, connect the other end of the speaker wire to the amplifier’s output terminals, ensuring that the polarity is correct. Finally, turn on the amplifier and adjust the volume to a low level.

MEASURING THE SOUND OUTPUT

To measure the sound output of the subwoofer, a sound level meter can be used. This device measures the sound pressure level in decibels (dB) and can help determine if the subwoofer is performing as expected.

Place the sound level meter at the listening position and play a test tone through the subwoofer. The test tone should be at the subwoofer’s tuning frequency.

If the sound pressure level is below what was calculated during the design process, adjustments may need to be made to the box or tuning frequency.

ADJUSTING THE TUNING FREQUENCY IF NECESSARY

If the sound pressure level is below what was calculated during the design process, the tuning frequency may need to be adjusted. To adjust the tuning frequency, the size of the port can be changed.

If the sound pressure level is too high, the port can be made smaller, and if it’s too low, the port can be made larger. Another option is to change the tuning frequency by adding or removing internal stuffing from the box.

Keep in mind that any changes made to the box or tuning frequency may affect the subwoofer’s performance, so it’s essential to re-measure the sound output after making adjustments.

FAQ’S:

Q:1 Can you port your own sub box?

YES… YES you can! I don’t know many people who would want to, but it is certainly possible. With full knowledge of the laws of acoustics and a good set of math skills you can definitely build your own ported subwoofer box for those times when you just need to have the volume as loud as possible to drown out all the voices in your head.

Q:2 Do ported sub boxes hit harder?

Most people want to know if ported sub boxes hit harder than regular sealed sub boxes. The answer to this question is yes and no. Sealed sub boxes must be built so the air pressure inside the box is equalized with the outside air pressure whereas ported sub boxes can have much more air in them than “normal”. This increased amount of air inside the ported box raises the efficiency of the subwoofer and this gives you more SPL.

Q:3 What makes a sub box louder?

If you have a sealed subwoofer enclosure, you can improve the sound it produces by using poly fill. Poly fill is a material that helps to slow down the airflow within the enclosure. This results in a cleaner and tighter bass production.

Q:4 What happens if ported box is too small?

If your sealed subwoofer box is too small, adding a port won’t necessarily improve its frequency response. Additionally, the placement of the port inside the box is crucial. You must ensure that there is at least the same amount of space between the port and any interior wall as the diameter of the port itself.

Q:5 What is the best wood to build a subwoofer box?

MDF is the most commonly used and the best material for subwoofers due to many reasons. This engineered wood is highly durable, and its density and thickness help produce the best sound quality from your subwoofer. If thinner boards were used, the sound would vibrate and become distorted, making MDF the preferred material for subwoofers.

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, building a ported subwoofer box requires careful consideration of the subwoofer’s specifications, the desired tuning frequency, and the available space for the enclosure. Using specialized software like WinISD can help in designing an optimized ported sub box that can provide deeper and cleaner bass.

Once the design is complete, building the box with high-quality materials like MDF can ensure durability and optimum sound quality.

Testing the box with an amplifier and measuring the sound output can help fine-tune the tuning frequency and optimize the box’s performance.

By following these steps and techniques, one can build a custom ported subwoofer box that delivers powerful and high-quality bass for their music or home theater system.

We hope you will be well aware about how to make a ported sub box, after reading this comprehensive guide. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below!