Building Test Enclosures.....

[Fish Chris]

I've heard many times, and have even experienced first hand, that no matter how many calculations you make, and no matter how carefully you plan your enclosure, it often takes 2, 3, or even more tries, to "nail it" spot on.

Keeping that in mind, I think I have decided to build a test enclosure.... or even two enclosures simultaneously {so that they could be tested one immediatly after the other, and closely compared}

When I say "test" enclosures, I mean:

1) I'll use 3/4" MDF instead of 1", since its much cheaper, and easier to get.

2) I'll make these enclosures totally rectangular, for ease of construction.

3) I won't so much as even paint them, for finish.

4) Then, if I want to add or subtract cubes, or port length, I can be as sloppy as I want to (as long as everything is still air tight)

.......and none of this will need to look good anyway, because as soon as I decide on the exact sound I like, I will go on and build an enclosure out of 1" MDF, with a slanted face, fully carpeted.... you know, nice and pretty. The only thing I will copy to the "T" is the box volumes, and port lengths.

I'll tell you what else..... knowing that these are only test boxes, I won't be afraid to step a little further out of the box {no pun intended} and yes, I think I am going to have to go on and do a seperated enclosure with like 1 cube sealed for one of my 12"s, and the other 2 to 3 cubes, ported and tuned to 28 or 30hz. If it works, COOOL ! I'll have sometrhing very few others do. If not, so what. I'll try something else.

Anybody here ever go this route ?

Seems logical to me...... and kind of fun :-)

Your thoughts ?

Peace,

Fish

PS, I'm wondering how many guys have put a ton of time and effort into a box that didn't sound near as good as they had hoped..... then, just to try something else {based on what they learned from the first box} they just threw a little something together, to try it < and it sounded freaking great ! So now they have this sweet, pretty, solid box that sounds like arse..... and this crappy little throw-together, that sounds freaking awesome ! Doh ! Now what ? :-)

[dr.db]

If you are building this for yourself...then do what ever sounds good to you!!

[Fish Chris]

Yes Dr.db, it is for me. And yes, this sounds like a good idea to me. I was just curious if it sounded like a good idea to you, or the others ?

Or to put it another way, have you ever built a box that didn't sound quite as good as you had hoped, the first time around ? I mean, I guess theirs a point at which a guy has gotten SO good, that he can figure for every parameter, including the actual vehicle the box will be used in, so that it comes out spot on, first try.

Unfortunately, I'm not there yet. And I can't afford to have a guy like that build my box for me.

Peace,

Fish

If you are building this for yourself...then do what ever sounds good to you!!

[stereomayhem]

You got it! Test...rebuild...test...rebuild...test...rebuild. Good luck and don't forget pics!

[dr.db]

Naw man your on the right path...just build until you get the sound right..take lots of notes..think it ,build it!