Subwoofer enclosure: air tight?

[Golitan11]

I just built my first enclosure (L-Slot ported, 2 cubic feet @ 35 hz) for my Sundown SA-12 and I have a few questions about air leaking:

1. Do I need to use some weather stripping or else to seal all around the subwoofer or it is not necessary?

2. For the upper-back part of the port, I am not able to caulk it because after I put the top panel (last one), the 90 degree part of the port block me access to it so I caulk it from the exterior. Is there any problem with that?

3. Should I caulk all the enclosure from the exteriror also before putting in carpet or it is not necessary?

4. How do you know if there is an air leak?

5. Does air leaks make a noticeable lost in performance? If yes how much?

As usual, thanks.

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[Side Show 10+ year member]

the only spot air should be moving out or into that box is through the port

 

[SounDrive Pro Seller]

I just built my first enclosure (L-Slot ported, 2 cubic feet @ 35 hz) for my Sundown SA-12 and I have a few questions about air leaking:
1. Do I need to use some weather stripping or else to seal all around the subwoofer or it is not necessary?

2. For the upper-back part of the port, I am not able to caulk it because after I put the top panel (last one), the 90 degree part of the port block me access to it so I caulk it from the exterior. Is there any problem with that?

3. Should I caulk all the enclosure from the exteriror also before putting in carpet or it is not necessary?

4. How do you know if there is an air leak?

5. Does air leaks make a noticeable lost in performance? If yes how much?

As usual, thanks.

1. Yes. Weatherstripping works but it's pretty thick and can be hard to work with. This stuff is what I use and it works great and stopped an air leak I had

Speaker Gasketing Tape 1/8" x 1/2" x 50 ft. Roll 260-542

2. Use your finger or something

3. It's not neccessary if it's already sealed good but it won't hurt anything.

4. You can usually hear and feel it when the subs are playing.

5. Depending on the size of the leak, you can lose a ton of performance.

 

[Nutdawg651]

Dude let it leak itll be louder lol

 

[Golitan11]

I just bought some rope caulk and find it a bit thick. Since the carpet will be between the enclosure and the subwoofer gasket, will it help to seal as well (do I really need that rope caulk with that carpet under)? Thanks.

 

[SounDrive Pro Seller]

I just bought some rope caulk and find it a bit thick. Since the carpet will be between the enclosure and the subwoofer gasket, will it help to seal as well (do I really need that rope caulk with that carpet under)? Thanks.

Like I said, weatherstripping... Carpet helps but won't completely stop a leak. Rope caulk + carpet = huge mess

 

[Golitan11]

Ok I bought some weatherstripping. Now should I remove the carpet to let it seal directly with the wood? Should I fix it on the box or on the subwoofer gasket? For the screws I can fix them straight it without damaging the weatherstripping? Thanks Tenacious, your help is always really appreciated.

 

[KevinEF7]

nice setup

 

---------- Post added at 06:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:42 PM ----------

 

air tight

 

[SounDrive Pro Seller]

Ok I bought some weatherstripping. Now should I remove the carpet to let it seal directly with the wood? Should I fix it on the box or on the subwoofer gasket? For the screws I can fix them straight it without damaging the weatherstripping? Thanks Tenacious, your help is always really appreciated.

Either way works just fine. If you don't want to pull up the carpet on your box, you can just affix the weatherstripping to the sub. And yes, it's fine to screw through the weatherstripping - it'll still seal up just fine.