View Full Version : New tC Subwoofer Enclosure Design


thelandon
08-28-2006, 12:27 AM
Ok... before you say I took Oneline Peter's design, well, the answere is yes and no.
You see, I thought people were on the right track with the various installations of E.D.'s eu-700. My problem lies in the fact that the speaker remains exposed (Am I the only one who buys groceries??? :doh:).

My solution was to mount any 6.5" sub(s) into a down-firing enclosure, modeled after the foam storage tray in all stock tC's. I used 5/8" mdf and built the enclosure in layers using a jig saw to create a wall thickness of approx 1/2-3/4". That left the speaker approximately 5/8" off the floor. The total depth of that foam tray is 5". Considering that I then had to subtract the ceiling of the enclosure so as not to bury the speaker's magnet against the back of the box. What this left me with was 3.75" of depth to mount the speaker(s).

After talking to Chris @ E.D., I knew I'd have problems squeezing the eu-700's into the enclosure. They're almost as deep as my enclosure = no bueno for me.

Next, I looked at JL's 6w0 subs, but they're hard to find, kinda pricey, and untested to most ears (I found no one who could vouch for their performance).

Lastly, I talked to Digital Designs. Although, customer service oriented, their sales dept couldn't help me much in terms of "will this speaker work with this enclosure?". That's where their tech dept saved the day. After describing my car, the enclusre, and size, tech told me how to port the enclosure to maximize performance. Steve at Digital Designs' tech dept stated that 1 W6.5LT ported with a 3 sq. in port x 16" in length would move more air than two of the same speakers in my sealed enclosure. That saved me some money and made for an interesting experiment as this would be my first attempt building a tuned-ported enclosure. BTW, the W6.5LT is only 3.25" deep, making it an ideal speaker for this application.

Here's some pics... let me know what you think! I'll be sure to update as the install progresses. As of now, I've got no amp to power this thing, so I can't vouch for sound! Once I find a small amp to flush-mount on the passenger side rear tire well, I'll post pics and leave my thoughts on the sound of Digital Designs hand-built woofer.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/landogoescommando/DSC00909.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/landogoescommando/DSC00908.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/landogoescommando/DSC00910.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/landogoescommando/CIMG1739.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/landogoescommando/CIMG1742.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/landogoescommando/CIMG1740.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/landogoescommando/CIMG1741.jpg
[/img]

xtigger
08-28-2006, 01:54 AM
wow, awsome, good job.

nd4spd_4_a_tc
08-28-2006, 01:56 AM
Looks alot like the RS2 tc sub box but Im sure yours will sound alot better.

Great idea.
I would like to dump the rs2 box and make my own in the same location. I guess it would look like yours.

Let me know how it sounds once it gets powered up

trialsindude
08-28-2006, 02:28 AM
very very very good move on the DD sub!

jetlounge
08-28-2006, 02:40 AM
Next, I looked at JL's 6w0 subs, but they're hard to find, kinda pricey, and untested to most ears (I found no one who could vouch for their performance).



i can vouch for them. and yes, they are hard to find...under my false floor. the rest of the pics are on my site in my profile.

http://www.scionxtc.com/images/subdetail.jpg

thelandon
08-28-2006, 03:41 AM
Nice job! That's a real clean install...
I guess I shoulda meantioned that another design objective of my down-firing enclosure was to avoid a false floor, which I've accomplished. Once again, I'll post pics when the amp is mounted.

Harmonic_tC
08-28-2006, 04:18 AM
have you thought of using the ed 700s completely enclosed in the box? sorta like a transmission line/bandpass box? that way you could fit 3-4 of them inside and they would be compltely enclosed except for a few ports.

but the one you made looks decent, good job

JLTD
08-28-2006, 12:55 PM
6 W0 untestsed? They have been on the market for 8 years and have been heralded as a greater engineering accomplishment than the W7 but that's here nor there.

Nice work.

You know what would be really cool?? If someone would do a 10" subwoofer enclosure that fit into the well and retained the spare allowing you to put all the groceries into the trunk without touching a woofer. Now that would be somethning.

Nice job.

jetlounge
08-28-2006, 01:15 PM
^^

he's taunting you all!! haha

it's coming by the end of this year! look out.

SCI_TC_GUY
08-28-2006, 03:04 PM
....After describing my car, the enclusre, and size, tech told me how to port the enclosure to maximize performance. Steve at Digital Designs' tech dept stated that 1 W6.5LT ported with a 3 sq. in port x 16" in length would move more air than two of the same speakers in my sealed enclosure....


Only one problem here, If the tech did indeed mean 3sq. in. port, it looks like you've got it built wrong. It may just be a picture illusion, but that port looks like a 3"x3" which would = a 9sq. in. port... not a 3sq. in. port...

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/landogoescommando/CIMG1740.jpg

thelandon
08-28-2006, 08:20 PM
sorry.. my bad. DD did state to go with 9 sq. in", not 3. And... although I seem to have aproblem communicating that, I did build it right, using a 3x3" square design. For those of you who might be quick to point out that there's no way to extend a 16" long port in that portion of the enclosure, you're right! I had to flip it around (180 degrees), all while retaining the 3x3" port area.

thelandon
08-28-2006, 08:32 PM
Harmonic TC's quote:
"have you thought of using the ed 700s completely enclosed in the box? sorta like a transmission line/bandpass box? that way you could fit 3-4 of them inside and they would be compltely enclosed except for a few ports."

Actually,
E.D. was my first choice due to their low cost and high preformance remarks. There's just no possible way to fit them in this enclosure. What you seem to be talking about would involve an enclosure much larger than the .5 cft I'm using. Also, due to the nature of their mounting depth and diamter, I don't think it's possible to use them in the stoarge compartment area of the tC w/o subjecting them to exposure in the truck compartment, ie: groceries, car seats, guitar amps, mdf, or whatever else we all might be utilizing our trunk space.

Harmonic_tC
08-28-2006, 08:37 PM
you didnt understand what i said. i think im going to make what il talking about, because i didnt come up with the idea until when i posted it.

But basically they would be unexposed, and totally sealed inside the box. so mounting depth isnt even an issue. the only thing you may see are the ports and thats it

tc913
08-29-2006, 02:42 AM
Next, I looked at JL's 6w0 subs, but they're hard to find, kinda pricey, and untested to most ears (I found no one who could vouch for their performance).



i can vouch for them. and yes, they are hard to find...under my false floor. the rest of the pics are on my site in my profile.

http://www.scionxtc.com/images/subdetail.jpg

How much did it cost for that enclosure to be made???

kdog_1981
08-30-2006, 07:41 PM
That looks great...I wish I could here it...where is the Amp?

ichibansf
08-31-2006, 05:52 AM
Next, I looked at JL's 6w0 subs, but they're hard to find, kinda pricey, and untested to most ears (I found no one who could vouch for their performance).



i can vouch for them. and yes, they are hard to find...under my false floor. the rest of the pics are on my site in my profile.

http://www.scionxtc.com/images/subdetail.jpg

I love my JL 6w0s! Look ma, i got room for groceries! Fire up that DD sub and let us know how it sounds.
http://f5.putfile.com/5/13323442387.jpg

BSP07tC
08-31-2006, 09:09 AM
I have to get to work. Anyone know how much airspace is in that compartment? I may have to try to build an enclosure for my pair of Image Dynamics ID8v.3 subs and see what I can come up with.

mandos
08-31-2006, 05:15 PM
10" drop in replacement for the foam tray....working on it.

And Landon and I talked a lot on this one :) Just wouldn't work in the space he was trying for...

thelandon
08-31-2006, 09:02 PM
10" drop-in?! Sweet! Can't wait to see it Chris!

As for the JL's, all of those enclosures look nice and probably sound even better... I guess it's just personal preference? I don't like my stuff exposed. I've been ripped off too many times to have my gear sitting out in the open exposed not only to groceries but thieves, too!

My zapco amp is still up for sale on Ebay. When it sells, I've got my eye on another that should fit in the location I've chosen. Anyhow, after shipping, pending sales, etc, it;ll be next weekend before I have any pics up of the amp/sub installed.

jetlounge
09-01-2006, 12:25 AM
^^
the jl's aren't exposed. they are under the false floor.