Subwoofer box options - Materials

[UNHCLL]

Besides MDF... what else can be used that is strong, and light weight?

[LINUS]

Fiberglass with a MDF frame & woofer ring. CF for a bling bling top layer.

[Mless5]

Birch.
Bavarian sound works use some light weight stuff.

[StereoInstaller1]

Many years ago Celestion made some speakers using a laminate of aluminum, balsa and styrofoam sheet. Very light, extremely rigid. I don't know what they used for an adhesive, but they were tough. 6 layers total, about 1" thick total.

Since durability and sound quality is of utmost importance to me ( I always have a lifetime unconditional warranty on my boxes) I build strong boxes.

My fiberglass boxes weigh more than the same airspace in 3/4" MDF.

Luke

[LINUS]

My fiberglass boxes weigh more than the same airspace in 3/4" MDF.

Luke

Really? I was planning to make a MDF frame and woofer rings, and fiberglass the skeleton - so do all fiberglass boxes weigh more than a sawdust box?
I was partly doing it for the cool factor, but I also though I'd save 10-15#'s. Guess maybe not???

-Ben

[StereoInstaller1]

Ben, how much airspace are you building? I run a single 10", ported. Box and woofer weigh about 35 pounds together. Next box will be beefier woof and smaller (2.2 cu.ft) box with plexi window. I expect under 40 pounds total on the box.

Luke

[808BMW]

Fiberglass can be light, but you need to use round edges, get nice even coverage, and watch your layers.

In the interest of sound, its better to overbuild and deal with the extra weight. I've seen guys make kickpods and park their truck on it.

Just don't go crazy like my 220lb.+ monstrosity (my speakerbox weighs more than me, I'm only 205)

[UNHCLL]

As Luke can tell you, I'm being a real pain in the ass about weight.
I want the following in order of preference:

-Stealth
-Low Weight
-Ease of removeability
-Small Size

Enclosure must house 2 individual chambers (6x9x9 interior dimensions). (8" woofers)

If this is going to be difficult to impliment, I will sell the 2 woofers and purchase a nice set of component speakers and amp.

I know there is no way to hide the woofers entirely, but the desire is to limit the "OH WOW STEREO SYSTEM TAKING UP THE MAD TRUNK WITH SWIMMING DOLPHINS AND NEKKID WOMEN FROM TRUCK MATS" effect.


Thanks,
Chris

[StereoInstaller1]

I just do not understand why all the concern over weight of your sub when you have a boulder sitting on your hood.

Luke

[UNHCLL]

I just do not understand why all the concern over weight of your sub when you have a boulder sitting on your hood.

Luke

The boulder is an aerodynamic downforce enhancing mod, which was finely tuned and crafted by millions of years of static and volitile compression. This is a specific art which nobody has been able to exactly replicate in the present day. ;)


My fear of weight is simply that I don't want to end up with 100lbs of stuff in my trunk, I don't want to have to "re-adjust" the suspension to keep it looking good... and I don't want to lose the all important 0-60 sprint times for when I'm racing against Civics, Hyundai's, and Scion's at the local street races!!!E@@!!!#@%!


Maybe the weight shouldn't be such a concern... and the greater issue is finding a way to make it stealthy.

[KangamangusDriver]

Street racing in bow FTW!!!!!
Hugh scene there!

Chris,
do you want it to be stealty for theft reasons?
Or for overall look?

For stealth build a false trunk wall

[UNHCLL]

Street racing in bow FTW!!!!!
Hugh scene there!

Chris,
do you want it to be stealty for theft reasons?
Or for overall look?

For stealth build a false trunk wall

Just for appearance... a false wall was/is a very viable option.

Maybe I'll just drop my car off for you to build/install the setup come spring time. ;)