Once you have purchased a subwoofer, you will need to place it in an enclosure for it to perform to its best. Two of the most popular materials that are used are MDF and Fibre glass in the automotive industry. Now technically, they are both as good as each other in their own ways and get the job done equally, which is to provide the sub with an box with internal volume. At our car audio shop, we supply customers with the choices depending on how they want to customise their install and the price range they have in mind. But most of all you got to remember that they both provide the same purpose which is to provide internal cubic volume to the speaker. Today you will learn about the different benefits between both to help you rule out which would be the best.
Fibre Glass
It weighs less. This is possible due to fibres that are constructed into a flexible resin that can be used to mould any kind of shape you want to develop. This is far more lighter in all ways compared to a box that is constructed from any kind of wood, which for speaker cabinets is MDF. Unless you are doing 0.60 times on a drag race strip or laps around a track circuit you are not going to notice this at all.
More expensive to create. Now due to dedication, time and effort alot of professional skills onboard are required in order to make a fiberglass subwoofer box. You got to be really crafty and the materials generally cost more to obtain to begin with the project. Not your usual person at home who is good with a screwdriver and hammer can build these which is one important drawback to consider if you are this type.
Harder to work with. You will have to use something to help you form and visualise the shape of the box you want to make. This can either go good or bad and also you will have to wait longer for it to dry. This might not be an issue if you have your own flexible dry condition workshop space in your garage.
Looks Better. If you are doing a boot build install and you have matching subs and amps, then you are probably thinking about make a fibre glass box. This will look cool when you open the trunk at car shows and get your more attention in magazines. You can also paint it to the exact color of your car and get really creative with the customization side of things if you want to be really unique.
MDFLooks Better. If you are doing a boot build install and you have matching subs and amps, then you are probably thinking about make a fibre glass box. This will look cool when you open the trunk at car shows and get your more attention in magazines. You can also paint it to the exact color of your car and get really creative with the customization side of things if you want to be really unique.
Cheaper and already cut to size. You can purchase 3/4 inches of MDF from your local wood works store such as B&Q if you are from the UK. What you can do is create your plans in a software called Google Sketch up and from there work out the dimensions of each piece, followed by printing it out. You can then show them to the person at the wood cutting service at the shop and for a small fee cut them all out for you exactly how you require them.
Flexibility. With this type of box constructed from wood, it means that its not secured down into the cars trunk and not built specially based on its shape. This means that with a MDF one you can easily transfer it from one car to another, as its not fixed down and its not formed for one particular trunk. This is only important if you want an temporary install and want to move it to your next car or if you are planning to sell it later on to somebody with a different vehicle.
Easy to put together. If you have put up a shelf or hammered in a few nails, then you will find it easier to work with MDF. To put a box together all is literally required is wood glue and screws. No real skills are required, although applying carpet or vinyl can be a tricky procedure to some.
Stronger. Now for most basic 1000 watt car audio systems fibre glass with be just fine to hold the weight in place. However, when it comes to this mega 20,000 watt subwoofers the mass created from the metal magnets and basket strains the fibre particles down. For powerful car audio systems, it is not recommend at all to use fibre glass. Fibre glass is only strong when the box is curved apart from that it can be weak for heavy duty use.
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