3/4 vs 5/8 grade MDF boxes and L ports.

[Jaguar 10+ year member]

This is a very technical question, I don't think people just getting into car audio should necessarily be concerned with slight differentials in the quality of subwoofer enclosures (besides making sure it's MDF), but I'm curious so I'm posing this question to people who know and not necessarily people who don't know and will say ''it probably shouldn't make a difference".

 

My question is how much of a difference does an enclosure made out of 3/4 Mdf make vs an enclosure made out of 5/8 Mdf. Obviously the 3/4th is slightly stronger possibly greater quality, but, is it important enough that some of you out there look for 3/4's and pass up 5/8. I'm just trying to understand the difference, what exactly is the difference it can make.

 

Another question has to do with ''L'' ports. Is it a must for you car-audio enthusiasts? Why? If you were a car-audio salesman(an honest one) and trying to make the point over one type of port on enclosures over the other, what would you try and explain. Are ''L'' ports "superior" to enclosures "port flares" or "slot ports"? This is just something I'm curious about. The question goes out to experienced car-audio enthusiasts who know and not necessarily just giving an opinion on one over the other if they don't know the difference. In general, what is the technical advantage/disadvantage of each.

------------------------------------------

Edit: It's come to my attention (after my own research), that the 3/4 vs 5/8 differential has nothing to do with quality of Mdf but thickness. The

reason I originally has assumed it had to do with quality is because I read stories about fake Mdf or particle board mixed with Mdf.

Click to read more...

 

[bhsdriller 10+ year member]

an L-port is a slot port....to get the tuning low enough the port has to be long. It goes back in the box then turns 90 degrees making the L shape

 

[Jaguar 10+ year member]

an L-port is a slot port....to get the tuning low enough the port has to be long. It goes back in the box then turns 90 degrees making the L shape

Thanks for responding. I understand L-ports are slot ports, but they can be way more complex than standard slot ports as you know. What are your opinions on basic slot ports vs flared ports. Do you prefer one over the other, are flare ports mainly for the purpose of design, or is there really a noticeable difference in sound. If so, how so.

 

[goingdef 10+ year member]

This is a very technical question, I don't think people just getting into car audio should necessarily be concerned with slight differentials in the quality of subwoofer enclosures (besides making sure it's MDF), but I'm curious so I'm posing this question to people who know and not necessarily people who don't know and will say ''it probably shouldn't make a difference".  

My question is how much of a difference does an enclosure made out of 3/4 Mdf make vs an enclosure made out of 5/8 Mdf. Obviously the 5/8th is slightly stronger possibly greater quality, but, is it important enough that some of you out there look for 5/8's and pass up 3/4. I'm just trying to understand the difference, what exactly is the difference it can make.

 

Another question has to do with ''L'' ports. Is it a must for you car-audio enthusiasts? Why? If you were a car-audio salesman(an honest one) and trying to make the point over one type of port on enclosures over the other, what would you try and explain. Are ''L'' ports "superior" to enclosures "port flares" or "slot ports"? This is just something I'm curious about. The question goes out to experienced car-audio enthusiasts who know and not necessarily just giving an opinion on one over the other if they don't know the difference. In general, what is the technical advantage/disadvantage of each.

Um..... when did 5/8" become greater then 3/4"? From my exp 1" is the way to go and 5/8" is NOT stronger or better quality then 3/4" on any enclosures and slotted ports are less prone to port turbulence then round ports.

 

[goingdef 10+ year member]

This is a very technical question, I don't think people just getting into car audio should necessarily be concerned with slight differentials in the quality of subwoofer enclosures (besides making sure it's MDF), but I'm curious so I'm posing this question to people who know and not necessarily people who don't know and will say ''it probably shouldn't make a difference".  

My question is how much of a difference does an enclosure made out of 3/4 Mdf make vs an enclosure made out of 5/8 Mdf. Obviously the 5/8th is slightly stronger possibly greater quality, but, is it important enough that some of you out there look for 5/8's and pass up 3/4. I'm just trying to understand the difference, what exactly is the difference it can make.

 

Another question has to do with ''L'' ports. Is it a must for you car-audio enthusiasts? Why? If you were a car-audio salesman(an honest one) and trying to make the point over one type of port on enclosures over the other, what would you try and explain. Are ''L'' ports "superior" to enclosures "port flares" or "slot ports"? This is just something I'm curious about. The question goes out to experienced car-audio enthusiasts who know and not necessarily just giving an opinion on one over the other if they don't know the difference. In general, what is the technical advantage/disadvantage of each.

Um..... when did 5/8" become greater then 3/4"? From my exp 1" is the way to go and 5/8" is NOT stronger or better quality then 3/4" on any enclosures and slotted ports are less prone to port turbulence then round ports.

 

[bhsdriller 10+ year member]

Thanks for responding. I understand L-ports are slot ports, but they can be way more complex than standard slot ports as you know. What are your opinions on basic slot ports vs flared ports. Do you prefer on over the other, are flare ports mainly for the purpose of design, or is there really a noticeable difference in sound. If so, how so.

flared ports can cut down on turbulance...make the air flow smoother. Honestly I don't think there's going to be much difference to the ear if going from regular slot to a flared port. Maybe some tenths on a meter

Same concept with 45's in the port corners. It can smooth out airflow, can hurt or help on the meter.

 

[Jaguar 10+ year member]

While I'm at it, may I ask a question about the separation of subwoofers within enclosures. I see some boxes without separation(between subwoofers). Can this be bad, If so, how so?

 

[Jaguar 10+ year member]

Um..... when did 5/8" become greater then 3/4"? From my exp 1" is the way to go and 5/8" is NOT stronger or better quality then 3/4" on any enclosures and slotted ports are less prone to port turbulence then round ports.

Excuse me. Your right. In fact I was wrong thinking that 3/4 and 5/8 had to do with the quality of MDF, it's the thickness of the MDF used on the box(not the quality). Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[goingdef 10+ year member]

Excuse me. Your right. In fact I was wrong thinking that 3/4 and 5/8 had to do with the quality of MDF, it's the thickness of the MDF used on the box(not the quality). Correct me if I'm wrong.

It's all good, there all the same quality but you must remember these are building materials so it comes in several thickness depending on your building needs, I promise they where not thinking speakers when they started producing sheets of mdf, also I haven't personally used any other material I hear some are better for speaker box apps(birch ply) but mdf is the cheapest!

 

[dbjunior 10+ year member]

Sub position to port can be a problem. To close to port can cause unloading as well as subs to far away in extreme multi sub setups. Most of the time this will not be a problem but in extreme spl setups I have seen this happen

 

[J31Rob 5,000+ posts]

Uhh.. bro. 3/4" MDF is "stronger" because it's 3/4" thick. 5/8" is less than 3/4" last time I checked. It's not a measurement of quality.. it's of thickness. The "M" in MDF is what measures the "quality". Meaning "medium density fiberboard". If you're looking for higher quality than MDF you'd be looking for HDF (high density fiberboard) or a quality high ply plywood.

For having such a "technical question" you sure don't know WTF is going on.

 

---------- Post added at 02:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:01 PM ----------

 

I guess that's already been posted.. that's what I get for only reading the OP. :shrug:

 

[Jaguar 10+ year member]

Uhh.. bro. 3/4" MDF is "stronger" because it's 3/4" thick. 5/8" is less than 3/4" last time I checked. It's not a measurement of quality.. it's of thickness. The "M" in MDF is what measures the "quality". Meaning "medium density fiberboard". If you're looking for higher quality than MDF you'd be looking for HDF (high density fiberboard) or a quality high ply plywood.
For having such a "technical question" you sure don't know WTF is going on.

I've already corrected my error several posts ago. I'm just trying to learn all I can, that way I can go to bed and dream of being as smart as you. And as for the comment about it being a technical question, it's an advanced question I being a novice happen not to know much about, that's why I asked. Thanks for the response(criticisms). I need it, really want to learn all I can about car audio...

 

[shpatb 10+ year member]

I'm building a sealed box with double walled mdf so about 1.5 inch thick. I'll let you know how it turns out, I just wanted the box super ridget.

 

[jeepintn 10+ year member]

if you are looking for an alternative to mdf.. 13-ply birch is the best alternative i have used. lightweight, strong, far less sawdust during construction. the drawback is the cost is about double 3/4" mdf

 

[goingdef 10+ year member]

if you are looking for an alternative to mdf.. 13-ply birch is the best alternative i have used. lightweight, strong, far less sawdust during construction. the drawback is the cost is about double 3/4" mdf

But wouldn't you agree that it's a superior material as far as durability and longevity? I have had sheets of mdf de laminate on the way back to the shop!