How Do I Tune Subwoofer Enclosures? | Car Audio Q & A

Watch as Allyn answers a few questions about subwoofer enclosure tuning!

This video is a part of our Q&A Series, be sure to check out the Q&A playlist to see them all!

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[madmat]

I have to say that I'm a bit surprised that you never talked about stuffing a sealed box with polyfill to tune it as that's one way to help a box that's too small (not way too small mind you) behave more like one that's the right size. Then there's the option of placing stuff in a box that's too large to displace air volume and make it smaller. closed cell foam sheeting (insulation) works well for this.

[c.n.h]

What programs do you use for box design?

[twistedmistersartz]

So if you were to lengthen the port in that box. Would it lower the tuning ot would it raise the tuning because the box would be smaller? Or would it cancel itself out and stay the same cuz the port was longer but the box was made smaller? Tia. Love your guys videos. :)

[VentureWelding]

So what other apps or software do you find especially useful when preparing to build a box?

[paperassets]

hmm? I still do not see how to tune the box!.. I must admit it was an "open question" and the answer was an open response, next time the question will be: what are the specific steps to tune a ported box for XYZ vehicle?.. by the way I'm an Audio, video and security technician, you can do things the professional way or the do it yourself way.

[domcarman]

Building a similar box to that one should the woofer be mounted closer or further away from the port exit in the baffle?

[FinsleysCustomCarAudio]

I build a box for 6 12’s. Come to find out I tuned the box to 18hz. Is this good for low bass or did I tune box to low?

[danielanderson]

I remember tuning sealed boxes in the 90’s for SPL before ported became the go to. For 63Hz it was 1.25cf. 15” Petra Prowler. Anything below 50Hz the sub sounded like crap but at the tuning frequency it ripped your head off. The second harmonic at around 126Hz was deadly as well but they ended up putting the 80Hz cap on Termpro.

[tazbahahisrael]

Hello Allen. I have a question. I have a pre fab box (that my old co worker who is an installer) that my JL 12w3v3 is in. Me looking online, I found out it has a tuning frequency of 38 hz. That’s one of the reasons I don’t like pre fab because I think that tuning frequency is high. It’s ported and it’s 1.75 cubic liters. How can I get the frequency lowered without getting another box? I told him in the beginning btw that I would pay him to build me a box.

[marianomojica]

What tuning program do you use I also build subwoofer boxes

[Huy]

This was like answering a question with a question. Never understood why people cant give a simple answer. Then go into detail if you desire.

[alexandrusava]

Hi, I have a few questions in regard to the bass response graphic: 1. Why is so important  -3db and why do you want to have a flat response? 2.  -3db is the point where you want to have the desired port frequency? 3. If I make a box with a peak at +3db that means I'm gaining +3db output at the peak frequency? 4. What is the difference between tuning a box at 20Hz vs.  let's say 40Hz or higher. 5. When do I know that I'm at the maximum volume box of a certain woofer on the graphic. Thank you, I appreciate your effort.

[lexluther]

yes i understand ..get the specs of your speaker say 1.50-2.0 for vented and the 1.50 is regular bass while you get the 2.0 its gonna boom but how far off can you be say you get a 2.10 will it be forgiving? i know too much air space bass sound muddy while to little you hear the box itself so box bass

[Eddyj]

This was an awesome video! There's one question that I have that the Internet has yet to answer... I'm doing some research on building a 1x15" bass guitar cabinet, and I'm trying to figure out what frequency would be best to tune to. I play a 5 string, and my lowest string (B) produces a frequency of 31Hz. Should I tune my cabinet to that frequency? Or would it be best to go lower (~25Hz), or perhaps higher to my E (41Hz)?

The frequency response of the woofer is 38-3k Hz, not sure if that would be needed.
Ideally, I would love for my woofer to produce the fundamental of my low B, but woofers that can do that, at acceptable THD, SPL, and Sensitivity, are kind of hard to come by.

[meladfathy]

Would u please name the programe name u use plz.???🤗

[loloent]

How about this, I give u my spec & the space available for my speakers can you Figure the dimensions for with ur program

[Ghost.uppercut]

Hey man thank-you this video helped a lot but I was wondering. All the boxes I am looking at on the site seem to be tuned wicked high. Like 42- 43hz. With small enclosures and larger ones isn't that gonna sound a little too high for say an eclipse 8812 sub?

[cesarsalcedo]

I have a 10in Orion hcca what do you think a good port size

[ObeyHipHop]

best website.. i love the free shipping

[domcarman]

So if I need a 4 cu. ft. Ported box for a single 15” the manufacturer recommends a port displacement of 0.52 cu. ft and woofer displacement is 0.21 Cu . Ft. Do I need a total of 4.73 Cu Ft or 4.21 Cu.ft?