Type of Box for Alpine Type R Woofer

Akshay1234 · 3rd August 2011, 13:12

Hey guys, I have an Alpine SWR-1243d sub which I am using along with an M500 mono amp.

It was installed in a tube. I liked the overall loudness of the bass, but it lacked punch, and the bass sounded very similar for all types of songs. I guess tubes are like that.

I changed it to a sealed box. 1.25 cu.ft I think. And the bass is so much tighter, and it sounds much better. But now its still lacking punch. I also think it plays too low sometimes, I don't need the sub to go that low. There is a lot of excursion but there doesn't seem to be so much bass.

The feeling I want is that I should feel like I'm getting hit in the chest whenever its playing loud. I hope you guys understand what I mean. But yet I don't want bass tube kind of bass, I want tight and punchy bass.

Any suggestions? There is work going on in my house, so carpenters are here and I can get a custom box made without any issues. So if you guys can help me with what specs to use, what materials etc etc that will be great.

abhibh · 3rd August 2011, 14:42

Use it in 1 - 1.1 cuft Box (gross volume) and it will pack more punch and will decrease the low end. Also enable subsonic filter on the MONO amp (if it has one).

Read this:
How to Build a Subwoofer Box

Akshay1234 · 3rd August 2011, 18:34

Its already going quite low. I don't need it to go lower, infact I its fine if it doesn't go this low. I just want more punch.

low_bass_makker · 4th August 2011, 03:00

Without changing anything add solid stuff inside the box to reduce the internal volume and suit to your listening tastes. The best thing comes to mind is High Density Thermacol.

DerAlte · 4th August 2011, 09:32

High Density Polystyrene (thermocol) is still transparent to sound. Better would be wood pieces, or even better - bricks.

navin · 4th August 2011, 10:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerAlte

High Density Polystyrene (thermocol) is still transparent to sound. Better would be wood pieces, or even better - bricks.

WHy not add some bracing. You loose volume and you stiffen the box.

Akshay1234 · 4th August 2011, 11:09

Im not really keen on opening the box. But do you have any suggestions on another box? Should I just stick to the Alpine specified size? Also will a normal rectangular ported box be better than a bass tube?

Thanks alot guys.

Akshay1234 · 9th August 2011, 10:12

Guys I think ill get a box made to the Alpine specified specs, but it looks greek to me, can you help me out with that?

External dimensions - 13.5x13.5x24 (I'm assuming the length is 24 and breadth and height are 13.5?)
Gross internal volume - 1.9 cu.ft
Vent area - 15 sq.in (12" x 1.25")
Vent length - 22"
Vent displacement - .29 cu.ft
Net internal volume - 1.5 cu.ft
Something ripple (?) - 27hz, 3.9db, 33hz

Now if you all can help me with the vent etc, where on the box will the vent be?

navin · 9th August 2011, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshay1234

Im not really keen on opening the box.

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshay1234

External dimensions - 13.5x13.5x24 (I'm assuming the length is 24 and breadth and height are 13.5?)
Gross internal volume - 1.9 cu.ft
Vent area - 15 sq.in (12" x 1.25")
Vent length - 22"
Vent displacement - .29 cu.ft
Net internal volume - 1.5 cu.ft
Something ripple (?) - 27hz, 3.9db, 33hz

Now if you all can help me with the vent etc, where on the box will the vent be?

It does not matter which dimension is called width or which is called length. the dimensions are still the same. 24" x 13.5" x 13.5". I assume they are using 19mm MDF. Which will give you a net volume of 22.5x12x12 which means about 1.875 cu. ft. After woofer and port displacement you will get 1.5-1.6 cu. ft (which is also the same as your spec).

22" is a rather long lenght for the vent but if that's what Alpine wants maybe they know something we dont.

Dont worry about vent displacement or ripple. If you are building to spec just build to spec.

Did they give any picture?

Akshay1234 · 9th August 2011, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by navin

It does not matter which dimension is called width or which is called length. the dimensions are still the same. 24" x 13.5" x 13.5". I assume they are using 19mm MDF. Which will give you a net volume of 22.5x12x12 which means about 1.875 cu. ft. After woofer and port displacement you will get 1.5-1.6 cu. ft (which is also the same as your spec).

22" is a rather long lenght for the vent but if that's what Alpine wants maybe they know something we dont.

Dont worry about vent displacement or ripple. If you are building to spec just build to spec.

Did they give any picture?

They didn't give any picture. So basically the vent is not a round one, but a rectangular one. And since its length is 22" I'm assuming it will have to open on the side?

Thank you sir.

Ok I just made a quick drawing in paint, something like this fine?

navin · 9th August 2011, 11:18

akshay copy the box design here. Only the height of your box will be 13.5" and the depth will be 13.5". And you box wont be tapered. If you want to taper your box you can do that too. Just make the average depth 13.5" so say 12" at the top and 15" at the bottom.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/ask-gu...ox-design.html

low_bass_makker · 9th August 2011, 12:13

If you need more low end extension go for the full size box, but if you need kick like you mentioned above go for the compact size one..

Digital Designs: Box Recommendations

Akshay1234 · 9th August 2011, 12:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by navin

akshay copy the box design here. Only the height of your box will be 13.5" and the depth will be 13.5". And you box wont be tapered. If you want to taper your box you can do that too. Just make the average depth 13.5" so say 12" at the top and 15" at the bottom.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/ask-gu...ox-design.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by low_bass_makker

If you need more low end extension go for the full size box, but if you need kick like you mentioned above go for the compact size one..

Digital Designs: Box Recommendations

So should I just stick to the Alpine specs, or to what LBM has shown me?

LBM I want that kick, but also I want loud bass.

low_bass_makker · 9th August 2011, 12:58

Go with the compact box design.

Akshay1234 · 9th August 2011, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by low_bass_makker

Go with the compact box design.

Thank you LBM. Will get the carpenters to start on that, but this total area is smaller than the Alpine box, will I still get a good kick and loud bass out of it? I don't really want to be disappointed after getting it made so just double checking.

Also any insulation or padding on the inside? I'm not sure if these guys know exactly how to build it, will fevicol be fine for gluing the sides, or should they get something else?

3rd August 2011, 13:12	#1
Akshay1234 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10,265 Thanked: 12,317 Times	Type of Box for Alpine Type R Woofer Hey guys, I have an Alpine SWR-1243d sub which I am using along with an M500 mono amp. It was installed in a tube. I liked the overall loudness of the bass, but it lacked punch, and the bass sounded very similar for all types of songs. I guess tubes are like that. I changed it to a sealed box. 1.25 cu.ft I think. And the bass is so much tighter, and it sounds much better. But now its still lacking punch. I also think it plays too low sometimes, I don't need the sub to go that low. There is a lot of excursion but there doesn't seem to be so much bass. The feeling I want is that I should feel like I'm getting hit in the chest whenever its playing loud. I hope you guys understand what I mean. But yet I don't want bass tube kind of bass, I want tight and punchy bass. Any suggestions? There is work going on in my house, so carpenters are here and I can get a custom box made without any issues. So if you guys can help me with what specs to use, what materials etc etc that will be great.
	() Thanks

3rd August 2011, 14:42	#2
abhibh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Back in the HOOD near you! Posts: 2,768 Thanked: 39 Times	Re: Type of Box for Alpine Type R Woofer Use it in 1 - 1.1 cuft Box (gross volume) and it will pack more punch and will decrease the low end. Also enable subsonic filter on the MONO amp (if it has one). Read this: How to Build a Subwoofer Box
	() Thanks

3rd August 2011, 18:34	#3
Akshay1234 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10,265 Thanked: 12,317 Times	Re: Type of Box for Alpine Type R Woofer Its already going quite low. I don't need it to go lower, infact I its fine if it doesn't go this low. I just want more punch.
	() Thanks

4th August 2011, 03:00	#4
low_bass_makker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Faridabad Posts: 6,815 Thanked: 305 Times View My Garage	Re: Type of Box for Alpine Type R Woofer Without changing anything add solid stuff inside the box to reduce the internal volume and suit to your listening tastes. The best thing comes to mind is High Density Thermacol.
	() Thanks

4th August 2011, 09:32	#5
DerAlte Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,069 Thanked: 2,919 Times	Re: Type of Box for Alpine Type R Woofer High Density Polystyrene (thermocol) is still transparent to sound. Better would be wood pieces, or even better - bricks.
	() Thanks

4th August 2011, 11:09	#7
Akshay1234 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10,265 Thanked: 12,317 Times	Re: Type of Box for Alpine Type R Woofer Im not really keen on opening the box. But do you have any suggestions on another box? Should I just stick to the Alpine specified size? Also will a normal rectangular ported box be better than a bass tube? Thanks alot guys.
	() Thanks

9th August 2011, 10:12	#8
Akshay1234 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10,265 Thanked: 12,317 Times	Re: Type of Box for Alpine Type R Woofer Guys I think ill get a box made to the Alpine specified specs, but it looks greek to me, can you help me out with that? External dimensions - 13.5x13.5x24 (I'm assuming the length is 24 and breadth and height are 13.5?) Gross internal volume - 1.9 cu.ft Vent area - 15 sq.in (12" x 1.25") Vent length - 22" Vent displacement - .29 cu.ft Net internal volume - 1.5 cu.ft Something ripple (?) - 27hz, 3.9db, 33hz Now if you all can help me with the vent etc, where on the box will the vent be?
	() Thanks

9th August 2011, 11:18	#11
navin Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25,196 Thanked: 9,292 Times	Re: Type of Box for Alpine Type R Woofer akshay copy the box design here. Only the height of your box will be 13.5" and the depth will be 13.5". And you box wont be tapered. If you want to taper your box you can do that too. Just make the average depth 13.5" so say 12" at the top and 15" at the bottom. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/ask-gu...ox-design.html Last edited by navin : 9th August 2011 at 11:19.
	() Thanks

9th August 2011, 12:13	#12
low_bass_makker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Faridabad Posts: 6,815 Thanked: 305 Times View My Garage	Re: Type of Box for Alpine Type R Woofer If you need more low end extension go for the full size box, but if you need kick like you mentioned above go for the compact size one.. Digital Designs: Box Recommendations
	() Thanks

9th August 2011, 12:58	#14
low_bass_makker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Faridabad Posts: 6,815 Thanked: 305 Times View My Garage	Re: Type of Box for Alpine Type R Woofer Go with the compact box design.
	() Thanks