This is an example on how to use AJ Sealed
Designer to build a sealed/closed enclosure. The following
will be discussed:
- Speaker/Driver Specifications
- Speaker/Driver Selection
- Input Parameters
- Box Results
- Box Designer
- Box Construction
The following speaker parameters were provided with the data sheet
that came with a 10 inch speaker.
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Qts = 0.46 |
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Qes = 0.49 |
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Fs = 27 Hz |
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Vas = 3.23 ft^3 |
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Vas = 91.5 liters (performed
a conversion to get Vas in liters) |
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Pmax = 140 watts |
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Diameter = 9 inches |
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Diameter = 21.9 cm |
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Xmax = 4.0 mm |
Note, the input for diameter is 9 inches not 10 inches. The diameter
is the measured diameter of the actual speaker cone. Do not include
the speaker frame diameter for this value.
Speaker parameters should have come in the packaging/literature with speaker. If they are not available contact the manufacture to obtain any missing speaker parameters. Also, most manufactures have their current driver data on their web sites
Sometimes, a speaker is designed or engineered for a specific enclosure.
On the other hand, a majority of woofers can be used in various
enclosure types.
As a rule of thumb, use the following equation to determine the
suitability of your speaker.
Suitability factor = fs / Qes
- Factor less than 50 the driver is best suited for a sealed enclosure
- Factor between 50 and 100 the driver can be used for both sealed
and vented enclosures
- Factor above 100 the driver is best suited for a vented enclosure.
Use these factors as an estimation. For example if you want to
build a sealed enclosure and the factor of the speaker is 55, the
speaker should do fine in a sealed enclosure. The speaker suitability
value is in the vicinity of the sealed factor.
The speaker being used has a Suitability factor of 55 which meets the criteria for a sealed enclosure.
This was determined by the following calculation:
Suitability factory = fs/Qes = 27/0.49 = 55
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The speaker parameters are entered into Sealed Box Designer Speaker
Parameters group box:
Qtc is a user defined parameter. Qtc is related to the amount of
dampening the enclosure will provide the back surface of the speaker
cone. As the box size increases, dampening decreases, because there
is more air space. Higher Qtc values increase the dampening effect
and decrease volume. There is no "perfect" value for Qtc.
Values between 0.4 and 1.2 should give good results. A value of
0.7 will give a flat response.
Note how the volume of the box (Vas) increases or decrease as the
value of Qtc is varied.
A Qtc of 0.9 was chosen, because the enclosure is going into the
trunk of a car and space is an issue. A higher Qtc results in a
smaller box.
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The following parameters were calculated after pressing the Calculate
button.
A Vb of 32.35 liters results in a relatively small
box with a F3 of 42.8 Hz. The F3 value will provide good bass extension,
because a sealed enclosure has a -12 dB/octave roll-off. A vented
enclosure have a -24 dB/octave roll-off. The Frequency Response
vs. Frequency plot is as follows:
Note how a hump or dip develops and how the F3 value
changes as you increase or decrease Qtc.
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Next, the Box Designer function is used to calculate the internal
dimensions of the box.
The box dimensions using the Golden Rule calculations are as follows:
Doing some conversions, the dimensions of the box
are determined in English units:
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Length (L) = 31.9 cm = 12.6 inches (approximately 12 1/2 inches) |
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Width (W) = 51.5 cm = 20.3 inches (approximately 20 1/4 inches) |
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Depth (D) = 19.7 cm = 7.76 inches (approximately 7 3/4 inches) |
After checking the dimensions of the speaker, it was
determined that constraining was not needed to make the speaker
to fit in the box. The constrain function is used when you are limited
by the speaker size or wish to set a dimension at a set value.
Remember, Box Designer determines the internal dimensions
of an enclosure. Building material thickness will have to
take into account when building the enclosure.
1 inch high density particle board was used for the
enclosure material. The boards dimensions used for construction
are as follows:
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2 boards 22 1/4
inches by 14 1/2 inches |
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2 boards 20 1/4
inches by 7 3/4 inches |
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2 boards 14 1/2
inches by 7 3/4 inches |
Note how the board dimensions are used to enclose
the internal dimensions.
For more information on Sealed Box Calculator, click
here.
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Note the following when building an enclosure:
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Needs to be strong enough to withstand
the energy produced by the driver |
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Needs to be airtight |
The following materials and parts are suggested for construction:
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1 inch high density particle board.
(3/4 inch particle board can be used for smaller drivers)
|
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1 1/2 inch screws. Do not use
nails. Nails will vibrate out of the wood |
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High quality wood glue (Elmer's
wood glue) |
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Silicon caulk |
1 inch or greater particle board should provide enough strength
for most applications. For larger boxes, an internal brace should
be installed to prevent excessive vibration.
Apply wood glue to all fastening joints. The glue provides additional
strength to the joints.
Apply silicon caulk to all internal joints. This will ensure any
leaks in the enclosure are sealed. A small leak can produce noticeable
noise and degraded sound output of the enclosure.
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