Prefab vs. Custom...which is better??

[07ramjam 10+ year member]

Ive been having some sub and or amp problems and some of the advice I got was that my prefab box could be the problem.

Heres my question,whats the difference between a prefab and a custom made box?I mean, if I bought a box for my 2 12's that had 1.3 cu. airspace that was a prefab and then had a custom made with the same specs would the custom still be better and why?

Im alittle confused how a box could vary that much.

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[Toone 10+ year member]

Custom tuned. Better sealed if sealed

 

[JDBoogie 10+ year member]

the answer to your question lies with what you want out of your subs.

for a sealed enclosure. If the prefab box is to the specs of what you subs need to function efficiently, u can add something to the inside seams and ensure its properly sealed and not leaking, and u should be just fine.

When u get into tuning boxes, exact air space or limited space, custom is the way to go (fiber glass, MDF, and even plexi).

A lot of people will just slam subs into a prefab box and then wonder why is sounds like crap.

1 too little air space

2. too much air

3. leaks

4. port tuned to wrong freq

5. bandpass (nuff said)

I have used (sealed) Q-Logic boxes before and they have sounded on par with a custom built square or rectangular box. It all depends on what u want out of your subs and how much MDF or money u have to work with.

 

[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

it depends who built it and how it was built.

 

[Fiercetimbo17 10+ year member]

Sealed boxes are much more forgiving of design errors, so a sealed prefab would be a better choice than a prefab ported. Prefab ported boxes are typically tuned pretty high as well.

But an acutal custom built box for the sub will out preform a prefab any day unless you happen to find a prefab that is built for that sub.

I disagree with the better sealed, most all prefabs are cut from CNC machine and well they are perfect so there are not gaps miscuts anything.

 

[bonesninja 5,000+ posts]

depends if i'm making it or chase007 is making it.

 

[Fiercetimbo17 10+ year member]

depends if i'm making it or chase007 is making it.

Its not fair to yourself to keep comparing yourself to a fabrication master of his caliber he;s taked almost 3 years of shop class.....word on the street is that Steve Brown is out and Chase007 is taking over....

 

[bonesninja 5,000+ posts]

Its not fair to yourself to keep comparing yourself to a fabrication master of his caliber he;s taked almost 3 years of shop class.....word on the street is that Steve Brown is out and Chase007 is taking over....

Alpine's chief designer/builder?...**** chase007 is da man!

 

[dasinde91 10+ year member]

Custom by far is the way to go. I had 2 prefabs I bought @ Circuit city for my old premier 12's & it was ok then I made a custom ported enclosure & **** that shiznit wanged like no other.

 

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

Sealed boxes are much more forgiving of design errors, so a sealed prefab would be a better choice than a prefab ported. Prefab ported boxes are typically tuned pretty high as well.
But an acutal custom built box for the sub will out preform a prefab any day unless you happen to find a prefab that is built for that sub.

I disagree with the better sealed, most all prefabs are cut from CNC machine and well they are perfect so there are not gaps miscuts anything.

This.

Pre-fab boxes aren't really built as per sub's needs. I.E. You have a 1.5 CuFt box, and your sub calls for a 1 CuFt or something. A custom box helps your driver perform at it's peak.

The problem with pre-fabs is the lack of care. I mean, I personally haven't inspected one, but, I'd assume they don't use enough glue, silicone, or put adequate pressure on the joints as they're drying. And I'm not sure if they use 3/4" MDF or not. I mean, pre-fab box companies are quantity over quality, where as most box builders on this forum and others care what their boxes look like, and how they perform.

 

[bonesninja 5,000+ posts]

This.

Pre-fab boxes aren't really built as per sub's needs. I.E. You have a 1.5 CuFt box, and your sub calls for a 1 CuFt or something. A custom box helps your driver perform at it's peak.

The problem with pre-fabs is the lack of care. I mean, I personally haven't inspected one, but, I'd assume they don't use enough glue, silicone, or put adequate pressure on the joints as they're drying. And I'm not sure if they use 3/4" MDF or not. I mean, pre-fab box companies are quantity over quality, where as most box builders on this forum and others care what their boxes look like, and how they perform.

fixed

 

[07ramjam 10+ year member]

Cool thanks for the replies.

I have 2 12" Type R's and hopefully very soon Ill be getting a new box.I guess Ill go with a custom made one.

 

[SQChevy 10+ year member]

My opinion is that if it's a prefab box for your particular subs and configuration then yes it works well. If not then I would say custom. Very few prefab boxes do the subs justice. I would suggest with the Type-R's that custom would probably be best.

 

[Mike465 10+ year member]

depends if i'm making it or chase007 is making it.

Haha, I think chace007's boxes are the ****. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

 

[07ramjam 10+ year member]

My opinion is that if it's a prefab box for your particular subs and configuration then yes it works well. If not then I would say custom. Very few prefab boxes do the subs justice. I would suggest with the Type-R's that custom would probably be best.

Im not sure which way to go though.Should I stay sealed or go ported?I dont listen to rap at all.I like alot of the 80's type metal.The bass in this type of music seems to be a little on the weak side.However,I do like Staind,Seether and some more modern music where the bass is very dominate.