Small vs large woofer stresses on enclosures

[David Gatti]

We all know it's easier to make a small enclosure rigid, but does the greater cone movement of a small woofer impart more stress/resonance on the enclosure than a much larger woofer which only moves 1/2 to 1/3 as much?

[Moondog55]

Good question
How much overpressure are we talking about here??

And I would guess that only applies to airtight boxes

[David Gatti]

No, I'm not talking pressures, I mean the physical reaction of the enclosure to the driver movement.

I'd assume the larger driver has less reactionary force (by virtue of it's lesser cone movement) spread over a much larger mounting area, so it is maybe 4 times less stressful on the baffle. But on the other hand, a larger driver has a much larger hole, weakening the baffle.

[SaSi]

What I am thinking is that the excitement of the enclosure by the woofer isn't a function of cone size or excursion but of BI ("horsepower?").

If you take the driver's size compared to front baffle width into account, then the matter becomes much more complicated. Because you then need to take bracing into account.

[Moondog55]

Originally Posted by David Gatti

No, I'm not talking pressures, I mean the physical reaction of the enclosure to the driver movement.

I would have thought it was a matter of the different masses, heavy cone needs heavier box sort of thing; but I have not thought it through yet, still a very good question; looking forward to the answers you get

[infinia]

Originally Posted by David Gatti

No, I'm not talking pressures, I mean the physical reaction of the enclosure to the driver movement.

Ive heard of small sub enclosures walking across the floor. and what about using opposing woofer/passive rigs?