Speaker Boxes

**Iain** · 25th June 2001, 08:54 AM

I have the pleasure of building speaker boxes fro a home theatre unit and whilst I have the internal dimensions for the boxes I want to know what material to use. I seem to recall that MDF is a good material and has good damping characteristics. Any thoughts out there as to what thickness although I would imagine at least 19mm and any other ideas on a suitable material.
I also have to build a sub woofer with an inbuilt amp and I imagine this would have to be a bit more solid with the heavy vibration.
The amp runs 100w RMS x 5 and the sub woofer will be about 150-200w RMS. All enclosures will more than likely be vented for better frequency response.
Other questions would be on joining of material, glue, what sort, any fasteners or is glue sufficient. Not worried about finish.

**RETIRED** · 25th June 2001, 09:04 AM

Gooday.

On most of the speaker boxes that I have had to build, the clients have specified 32mm MDF to dampen all case vibration and add resonance.

Glue and screw, drill pilot holes first.

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Ian () Robertson
"We do good turns every day"

**Shane Watson** · 25th June 2001, 10:06 AM

The speaker box's I have made were specified to be built using 19mm MDF.They were then packed out with a fine cotton wool type material and painted in 2-pac poly-u. Although I never heard the finished product. Still I like the idea of thicker material like 's comment, but ya can only please the client!

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Shane Watson..

Combine Love & Skill & You Can Expect A Masterpiece!

**Iain** · 25th June 2001, 05:58 PM

Thanks for the responses, I am currently checking out case designs for two and three way systems (front l+r 3 way centre 2 way and 2 rears two way) and I think I will use the 32mm MDF.
Someone suggested using a chipboard front for higher frequency response but I am not sure that this would make a lot of difference.
The boom box can wait and when I get around to it it will be a twin 12" bass unit with a 300watt driver, does a better job of dusting than the broom and the spiders literally fall out of the rafters.
The 'stuffing' is a dacron fibre a bit like using a tontine pillow in your box, in fact I recall years ago that is what we used to use.
Should be good when its hooked up and all I need now is a large rear projection TV but at $5K+ that can wait for a few weeks

[This message has been edited by Iain (edited 25 June 2001).]

**RETIRED** · 26th June 2001, 12:34 AM

Gooday.

Autobarn has the stuff Stoppers is talking about.

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Ian () Robertson
"We do good turns every day"

**Iain** · 26th June 2001, 07:49 AM

The damping is not a problem and Jaycay carry everything in that respect but I will have a look at Autobarn to see what it is all about. Jaycar have also offered me trade prices providing I use my Pty Ltd account to purchase the goods. Too good to pass up and it looks like the spekers are going to cost about $1000.00 plus the crossovers and cabinets. A similar quality set at a retail outlet would be closer to $4K. The sub woofer is going to cost about $700 with the amp and to buy one retail is over $2K. Well worth building yourself for anyone who is interested and all Jaycar speakers come with two sets of internal dimensions for boxes, sealed and vented. If anyone wants to build speakers for their own stereo system they are well worth a look and the staff seem to know what they are talking about.
The prices I am talking are for the premium speakers and there are cheaper around which would still do a good job, and, no, I do not have shares with Jaycar.

**John Saxton** · 26th June 2001, 08:17 PM

Iain,why the devil are you concerned about the material for speaker boxes?
They only have to support your weight don't they?

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Johnno

**Iain** · 26th June 2001, 09:07 PM

My weight is not an issue (Mrs would disagree) but the fact I intend mounting them high would require the use of several stepladders, more expense

**Shaughn** · 16th July 2001, 10:22 AM

Apparently the speaker boxes need very stiff sides to project sound vibrations forward out of the cone rather than just absorb them like a shock absorber. That's what helps get the crisper sounds. I know of a freakish "audiophile" - he built his enclosures out of timber and concrete! I seem to remember reading about "HDF" for speaker enclosures. Very high density, creating an average speaker box that weighs 70 kilos or something like it (could have been more).
Shaughn.

**Gordy Gonyo** · 23rd July 2001, 01:48 PM

lain, I am going to build some boxes for the first time. Does Jaycar have a site? Thank you very much. - Gordo.

**Shane Watson** · 23rd July 2001, 02:31 PM

www.jaycar.com.au

**Glen Bridger** · 25th July 2001, 11:40 PM

Hi guys,
a mate of mine builds speakers. I remember he used to sandwich 2 25mm sheets of MDF for most of his constuctions and some sections of his boxes were as thick as 60mm. You use special acoustic foam to line the boxes.
He used some computer program called "Boom box" to help design the boxes. He has since moved interstate but as it happens, I'll being seeing him next week. I'll ask him if there is a Web site that might help you.
Another guy I work with got a speaker box made for him. It weighs about 600 kg and is the size of a large coke machine. Some guys have far too much money to waste.

Have fun,

Glen

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