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Enclosure Talk
Right on! You got yourself a shiny new AudioControl subwoofer, or maybe
two. After you're done admiring the quality workmanship and attention to
detail, you need to get 'er in a proper enclosure. Enclosure is just a fancy
name for a speaker box. Below are some tips you should consider before
buying or building an enclosure. If you're not into math, or have trouble
plugging in power tools, your best bet is to seek out a qualied AudioControl
dealer. They have the skills, experience and specialized tools to get the bass
bumpin' and they usually smell alright, too.
Sealed vs. Ported Enclosure
Aaahh... the age old question: Which is better, a sealed or ported enclosure?
The answer usually boils down to a few things; available space in the vehicle,
music listening preference and the speaker manufacturer's recommendation
for enclosure type. Below are a few characteristics of sealed and ported
enclosures:
Sealed Enclosures
Smaller enclosure size
Excellent transient response
Less output per watt, but punchier, tighter sound
Lower dynamic output
Ported/Vented Enclosure
Larger enclosure size
Extended low frequency response
More bass output per watt
Better dynamic output
If you have the space, we recommend a slot vented enclosure for the best
all-around bass experience.
Enclosure Size... It Matters
Once you decide on a sealed or ported enclosure, you can ne-tune the size
of the enclosure to t your vehicle space and listening habits. For both sealed
and ported enclosures, we list recommended size ranges, (MIN - IDEAL - MAX)
for each subwoofer size in the following pages. Whether buying pre-made
or designing and building a custom enclosure, try to stay within these
parameters for the best overall performance. Below is the eect enclosure size
has on the overall sound.
The MIN value is the smallest recommended enclosure
size. It provides the most compact size, but sacrices
some low bass response. It generally provides punchy, tight bass that is great
for Rock and Country music.
The IDEAL value is recommended for most listeners.
Excellent blend of low bass, with accurate and strong
overall output. Suited well for Pop and R&B music.
The MAX value is the largest recommended enclosure
size. It's big, but provides exceptional bass output.
Perfect for all you Hip Hop and EDM fans.
MIN IDEAL MAX
MIN IDEAL MAX
MIN IDEAL MAX
Enclosure size recommendations do not include driver and / or port
displacement.
