Build and verify a subwoofer
From the first driver specification to the final measurement. A practical sequence for a build you can trust.
6 min read / A practical starting point
01 / Check the driver data
Confirm units, coil configuration, effective radiating area, and whether Xmax is one-way. Start with the Thiele-Small parameter calculator to check the relationships.
02 / Choose a realistic net volume
Account for panels, braces, driver displacement, amplifier hardware, and any vent inside the box. The enclosure-volume calculator makes every subtraction visible.
03 / Simulate response and movement
Look at cone excursion below a port's tuning as well as output in its passband. A response curve alone does not tell you how hard the driver or radiator is working.
04 / Check the physical design
A mathematically correct port that will not fit, or a radiator with inadequate excursion, is not a finished design. Check port length, air velocity, or radiator excursion as appropriate.
05 / Build a rigid, well-sealed cabinet
Prevent unintended leaks while preserving the intended vent or radiator. Recheck internal displacement after the final bracing and hardware are in place.
06 / Measure the result
Compare the low-frequency impedance curve and acoustic response with the model. Adjust vent length or radiator mass in small steps.
07 / Set protection at the intended level
A high-pass filter, amplifier limits, and thermal limits should reflect actual measurements and listening use.
A calculator produces a starting design. Measurement closes the loop.
