Design Help Please: 15" TC 5200 in 4 Cubic Ft @ 28-32Hz

[Bwap]

Vehicle : 2001 Volvo s80

Location in the vehicle: Trunk (Possibly forward facing?)

Space available (Depth x Width x Height): 14.5"D x 39"W x 16"H (All measurements are MAX)

Subwoofer make and model: TC Sounds (TC-5200)

Subwoofer Size: 15"

Number of Subwoofers: 1

Type of Port (Kerfed, Slot, Aero, etc.): Slot (Will do Aero if needed)

What type of music do you like?: Dubstep, Electro, Classic rock, and Rap(for lows don't care for the music).

Is your goal SPL or Everyday Music?: Im looking for an in between, I love SPL but need definition between the sounds. So more like an SQL setup.

Tuning Freq (Hz): 28-32Hz is what I have been recommended for this sub. Although I am very open to opinions.

Volume: 4 Cubic Ft

Amp: Mmats 3500.05 at .3 or .6 ohms. (Input needed as well, adding 30% resistance for nominal would leave me at .4 or .8)

Questions: I have a few dilemmas with this build for the following reasons:

1a. The max depth I have to work with is 14.5", after accounting for the 1.5" of MDF, im left with 13" of mounting depth for the sub. The TC 5200 has a mounting depth of 11.5", leaving only 1.5" of clearance behind the sub. Would there be cooling issues with the sub because of this?

1b. Would adding a sheet of MDF to the front of the box where the sub is being mounted fix/help with the issue by adding .75" for a total of 2.25" of clearance?

2. Does anyone have any input on the tuning of the box?.. I have no experience with these drivers, I was recommended this range for tuning. TC recommends 21-34hz tuning.

3. I have built 5 boxes in the past, all slot ports, tuned 32-40. Because of my depth restriction I may have to do an aero port this time, any reason I should opt away from aero ports?

4. Also I have been having a hard time deciding whether I should aim the subs into the cab or not. If you have experience with both, what did you prefer?

Any input is very much appreciated, thanks in advance. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Click to read more...

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

I can design on for you. You need a significant amount more of space though.

 

[Bwap]

I can design on for you. You need a significant amount more of space though.

Its the absolute largest that can fit in the car.. I made a box the exact dimensions for 2 12s. I had to gut the trunk, floor mat, spare tire, battery, just to fit it in. It wasn't easy either, had to be rotated all over. :/

There isn't a way to make an adequate box for that sub with those dimensions? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Its the absolute largest that can fit in the car.. I made a box the exact dimensions for 2 12s. I had to gut the trunk, floor mat, spare tire, battery, just to fit it in. It wasn't easy either, had to be rotated all over. :/
There isn't a way to make an adequate box for that sub with those dimensions? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

You barely have 4 cubes without including sub or port displacement. You could go sealed if you wanted. You may only be able to get 3.5 cube with a 6" aero ported, but it'd have to side fire to fit without bending for proper tuning.

 

[T3mpest 10+ year member]

You barely have 4 cubes with sub or port displacement. You could go sealed if you wanted. You may only be able to get 3.5 cube with a 6" aero ported, but it'd have to side fire to fit without bending for proper tuning.

Side firing in some trunks isnt' too bad. I'd probably go small on a 5200 for daily, they have so much motor force it's kinda hard not to get a 1 note wonder sound out of them. Sealed would be great though in terms of space. Q is so low on those things you can basically build the box as small as you want without messing with the actual frequency response too much. 1.5-2 cubes sealed would be big enough and take up very little room. With his music preference, unless he really wants every db he can squeeze out of it I'd try a small sealed box and see how it goes.

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Side firing in some trunks isnt' too bad. I'd probably go small on a 5200 for daily, they have so much motor force it's kinda hard not to get a 1 note wonder sound out of them. Sealed would be great though in terms of space. Q is so low on those things you can basically build the box as small as you want without messing with the actual frequency response too much. 1.5-2 cubes sealed would be big enough and take up very little room.

Ya, these are different than a lot of woofers in sealed, they still reproduce nicely.

 

[Bwap]

Ya, these are different than a lot of woofers in sealed, they still reproduce nicely.

Hmm that's rough, I haven't heard a sealed sub that I have been impressed with. I know this sub is very different from those Ive heard tho. Idk what I want to do now, I am impressed with the stats of this sub but idk if I want to go the sealed route. What would be the ideal sealed size?.. would only having an inch and a half of space behind the sub be a problem for cooling?... and how much power will it take sealed? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[mazdakid 5,000+ posts]

My 5200 18 did very good for me in about 4.5 cubes.

The space you have might not be too bad for the 15.

 

[Bwap]

My 5200 18 did very good for me in about 4.5 cubes.The space you have might not be too bad for the 15.

Yay, a light at the end of the dark tunnel haha.. Can you tell me more info about your box?..

What was it tuned to?

Was it 4.5 cubes of air space after displacement and port area?.. (or 4.5 cubes total?)

Or was it a sealed box? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[Bwap]

bump any help appreciated.. any info/answers would be helpful

 

[Bwap]

7093= Total internal volume(port included) (4.09cubes) 39W x 16h x 14.5d

1218= Area of port (.70ft^3)

285= Displacement of MDF

260= Displacement of sub

5330=total air space for sub (3.08ft^3)

Tuned to 32hz

port dimensions - 26.5D x 3.5W x 14.5H

2nd Port option:

Tuned to 34.4hz

Port dimensions - 26.5d x 4W x 14.5h

Area of port = 1537inches^3 (.89ft^3)

Would either of these options work?.. would there be port noise?... am I better off sealed?

 

[Bassman999 10+ year member]

Tune as low as you can without losing too much internal space.

copy/paste from site you linked:

15TC-5200

Type Volume Tuning Fq Area Port/Pass Length / Mass

Sealed less than 1.0 ft3 NA NA NA

Ported 3.7 ft3 21Hz 25 in2 31 in

Passive 3.7 ft3 10Hz-25Hz Dual 15" PR Variable

And this is what Thilo called a 'Large" box

 

[Bwap]

7093= Total internal volume(port included) (4.09cubes) 39W x 16h x 14.5d1218= Area of port (.70ft^3)

285= Displacement of MDF

260= Displacement of sub

5330=total air space for sub (3.08ft^3)

Tuned to 32hz

port dimensions - 26.5D x 3.5W x 14.5H

2nd Port option:

Tuned to 34.4hz

Port dimensions - 26.5d x 4W x 14.5h

Area of port = 1537inches^3 (.89ft^3)

Would either of these options work?.. would there be port noise?... am I better off sealed?

Anyone have any idea how a box like this will sound or should I tune lower?.. also do I need even more port area?

 

[Bassman999 10+ year member]

Anyone have any idea how a box like this will sound or should I tune lower?.. also do I need even more port area?

I think its enough port, but have heard that lower tuning with this sub is better.

I am talking 28-30 hz for tuning

 

[Bwap]

im debating just getting a 15" psi passive radiator and trying that out... according to winisd id only be losing about 1.5db and would completely avoid port noise/turbulence... also it seems a 20-23hz tuning allows the flattest response with this driver.