Need help building a custom box for a boat!

[koryk]

I am trying to build a custom sub/speaker box for my boat.*

I have never built a custom box so I could use all the help I can get.* I'll post pictures of the existing box that I'm planning on replacing.*

It is going to be the base for the rear seats, so one of my major concerns will be moisture as wet people will be sitting on top of it.*

I am planning on 2 6" speakers on the ends and 4 10" subs in the center.*

I will be running a 2 channel amp for the subs.* Will the box need to be ported or is sealed better?* Does each sub need to be sealed or can 2 go on one side and 2 on the other?*

Next question, what kind of wood should I use and what is the best option to waterproof it?* I was thinking bed liner but I'm open to options.* I plan on having the box wrapped* in upholstry as I'm having the whole boat reupholstered, so looks aren't much of a concern.

Thanks for all the help!





temp image upload

Click to read more...

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

Seal off the 6.5 from the subs. 2 subs each side. Yes the bed liner would be good. Sealed or ported depends on what you want from the sub stage

 

[Silver-N-Black 10+ year member]

What dimension do you have? Birch wood would be a good choice and coat it with fiberglass.

 

[koryk]

What is "sub stage"?

Dimensions are 1' tall, 6' long, and 23.5" deep.

I'm not looking to coat it with fiberglass. Would treated ply wood be acceptable?

 

[koryk]

What is sub stage?

Dimensions are :

1' tall

6' long

23.5" deep

Can I use treated plywood or marine grade plywood?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

sub stage is subwoofer setup. their's front stage(front speakers), rear stage(rear speakers) and sub stage (subwoofers)

subwoofers and speakers need to be separate chambers or else you'll end up with a lot of cancellation(google speaker cancellation if you dont know)

You have space for 4 ported 10" subwoofers and around 0.4-0.5 cubic feet sealed for each 6.5 speaker.

marine grade ply would be fine but i would still get the edges covered up with something for longevity reasons.

 

[koryk]

I'll use marine grade wood and then seal it with bed liner For waterproofing.

Would a sealed box sound good or does it nerd to be ported? Being sealed would help with waterproofing.

My rough plan for ported.

http://postimage.org/

host image

sealed, which is better?





image hosting sitesupload pic

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

scrap your ported design. It will actually look like your sealed box with two 10s on each side and a single big port right in the middle of both.

Use this program to design a box based on the space you have. Tutorials on using the calculator are on the page along with download link.

Torres' Box Tuning Calculator - Updated 8/18 - Subwoofers / Enclosures - SMD Forum

Then plug the sub's parameters in this software and then plug the box specs in and see what kind of sound you will get, spl possibilities, port noise/rear air velocity etc...

LinearTeam

tutorial for WINISD

 

[koryk]

Thanks for all the help!

Build the box like this? Then use the program to determine the exact sizing corect?



picture share

 

[koryk]

I have another post trying to determine sub/amp set up if you have any input on that.

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/subwoofers/614419-need-help-sub-amp-setup-boat.html#post8675319

Lol nevermind, just realized your the same person replying in that thread too. Thanks a lot for all your input. As you can see I'm obviously new to this.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Thanks for all the help!
Build the box like this? Then use the program to determine the exact sizing corect?

more like this

 

[koryk]

Awesome! Thanks a ton, I'll build it this weekend and post pictures.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Awesome! Thanks a ton, I'll build it this weekend and post pictures.

do you know what tuning you want for the subs? because ports have to be tuned properly.

what music do you normally play?

also for the port design, lets say for example that big port in the middle is 7 inches wide, and when it starts to bend, since it splits up, each side will be 3.5 inches wide afterwards.

For the software, you'll want at least 1 cubic feet for each sub with 12 to 16 port area per cubic feet. Be sure to include common port walls and displacement of the subs which is .1 cubic feet per subwoofer. The tutorial for torres is on the download page which will show you what common port walls are.

Port length is not how long the wall needs to be, its a measurment straight down the middle of the port. for example its the red lines in the box designs on this page http://www.srtforums.com/forums/f40/official-free-ported-box-plans-56k-no-435910/ Use that to figure out how to do a proper port length.

Example of a design after I take away 15 inches for both side 6.5 speakers.

 

[koryk]

I listen to dub step and rap. Basically whatever the hot girl at party cove wants to put on Pandora to shake her booty to! Lol.

That screen shot helps out a lot, thanks!

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I listen to dub step and rap. Basically whatever the hot girl at party cove wants to put on Pandora to shake her booty to! Lol.

35-37hz tuning would be fine then. I included more info on my post.