Mounting the subwoofer

[Dafaseles]

So, this might be a little bit of a noob question...
I have to mount 4 12" FI Q subs. I was looking at them today and I've come across something I've read very little about, but have no actual experience with.
If you look through the holes in the rubber gasket that covers the mounting holes from the top, the hole doesn't go all the way through. If you look at it from the bottom, you can see that there is a hole in the metal basket.
I'm guessing it's the surround being glued onto the basket?
I've read that if I use regular screws to mount the subs (which I've always used in the past.... probably wrong lol), I can damage the surround and it can rip. I don't know if that's true. Just something I've read.
I'm sure some of you OG's have come across this. What's the best way to mount these subs? And with what hardware?
Just want to make sure I do it right

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[winkychevelle 10+ year member]

So, this might be a little bit of a noob question...
I have to mount 4 12" FI Q subs. I was looking at them today and I've come across something I've read very little about, but have no actual experience with.
If you look through the holes in the rubber gasket that covers the mounting holes from the top, the hole doesn't go all the way through. If you look at it from the bottom, you can see that there is a hole in the metal basket.
I'm guessing it's the surround being glued onto the basket?
I've read that if I use regular screws to mount the subs (which I've always used in the past.... probably wrong lol), I can damage the surround and it can rip. I don't know if that's true. Just something I've read.
I'm sure some of you OG's have come across this. What's the best way to mount these subs? And with what hardware?
Just want to make sure I do it right

If your worried about the overhang of the surround that covers the hole. Just use a soldering iron to melt the surround covering the hole.

As far as normal screws damaging the surround, that's highly unlikely.

Many people prefer tnuts though since it's much harder to strip out the hole of a piece of aluminum than a piece of wood when you install and uninstall often.

 

[djdilliodon!]

I use 5mm pointed and threaded socket cap screws. About as strong as one would ever need for a sub and the surround isn’t going to tear from the screws. No need to worry about that.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Ive always had great experiences with these. they come in different colors also. they dont have a large finished head and grip really nice. The 2.50 and 3" are great for enclosures

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Deck-Plus-8-x-1-5-8-in-Ceramic-Deck-Screws-1-lb/1000765928?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-hdw-_-ggl-_-LIA_HDW_126_Fastening-_-1000765928-_-local-_-0-_-0&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0JiXBhCFARIsAOSAKqBy--hfdoEhVqt385-OQUm2XKrCHmnfPFwls6ZexEIcYeBqZotQOQoaAmaHEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

You can use an 1/8" drill bit to get them going the direction you want also

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

So, this might be a little bit of a noob question...
I have to mount 4 12" FI Q subs. I was looking at them today and I've come across something I've read very little about, but have no actual experience with.
If you look through the holes in the rubber gasket that covers the mounting holes from the top, the hole doesn't go all the way through. If you look at it from the bottom, you can see that there is a hole in the metal basket.
I'm guessing it's the surround being glued onto the basket?
I've read that if I use regular screws to mount the subs (which I've always used in the past.... probably wrong lol), I can damage the surround and it can rip. I don't know if that's true. Just something I've read.
I'm sure some of you OG's have come across this. What's the best way to mount these subs? And with what hardware?
Just want to make sure I do it right

Are you mounting them vertically or horizontally? If horizontally then these should do fine. I recommend the torx to prevent using Phillips head screws and slipping off of one and damaging the surround.

 

[Dafaseles]

Thanks everyone for the quick responses.
I was worried because I read a thread a while ago about some dude using regular screws on a Stereo Integrity subwoofer with, what I assume, is the same deal with the surround. SI recommends using, if I remember correctly, a screw with some kind of washer I think. I can't remember exactly.
I'll just pre drill a hole through the surround, and mount them. If you guys say it shouldn't be an issue, I'm good with that.
I did take some pictures, if anyone's curious

I don't know if you guys can even see it in these pictures though lol

 

[Firewalker]

My Fi Xv3's were the same way and I used screws at first then switched to allen held bolts with a insert in the box with some green loctite. You won't affect it at all.

 

[Dafaseles]

Are you mounting them vertically or horizontally? If horizontally then these should do fine. I recommend the torx to prevent using Phillips head screws and slipping off of one and damaging the surround.

View attachment 40897

Oh yeah. The smallest I can find is 1¼". But anything 1¼"and up, that's solely what I use. I hate phillips head screws.

 

[Dafaseles]

If your worried about the overhang of the surround that covers the hole. Just use a soldering iron to melt the surround covering the hole.

As far as normal screws damaging the surround, that's highly unlikely.

Many people prefer tnuts though since it's much harder to strip out the hole of a piece of aluminum than a piece of wood when you install and uninstall often.

That's a good idea. The soldering iron would probably put less stress on it than using a drill bit. I have one, so that's poetically what I'll do when the time comes

 

[ThxOne Premium Member]

A hole punch would work as well. Like these:

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Hole Punch Set

These work great for cutting precise holes in paper ball shells and cardboard disks. They make for a much cleaner finished product. Set includes:(1) 1/8" punch(1) 5/32" punch(1) 3/16" punch(1) 7/32" punch(1) 1/4" punch(1) 5/16" punch

cannonfuse.com

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Thanks everyone for the quick responses.
I was worried because I read a thread a while ago about some dude using regular screws on a Stereo Integrity subwoofer with, what I assume, is the same deal with the surround. SI recommends using, if I remember correctly, a screw with some kind of washer I think. I can't remember exactly.
I'll just pre drill a hole through the surround, and mount them. If you guys say it shouldn't be an issue, I'm good with that.
I did take some pictures, if anyone's curiousView attachment 40898View attachment 40899I don't know if you guys can even see it in these pictures though lol

You can always drill new mounting holes a bit more Center or to the edge if you want/worried at all. Ive done that in the past on some old SPL- 10"DVC 1 ohm subs

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Rotate the gasket so it seals up the existing holes and mark the new and drill out. Pretty easy

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

My Fi Xv3's were the same way and I used screws at first then switched to allen held bolts with a insert in the box with some green loctite. You won't affect it at all.

Nice!!

 

[deez283 10+ year member]

I read the same thread about the SQL's that's the only sub I've ever heard of this happening with.