Newb Q: Avoiding damage to driver

[damo21]

I got the XLS 830500 12", I'm thinking I'll build an 88L sealed like the shiva design specs and see what it sounds like.

[paulspencer]

It's not a driver to be under-estimated. Colin Whatmough used it in his signature speakers going for ~$25k. They should very very accurate if done right.

Have a look at the wiki ... there is enough info in there to take some guess work out of it, integrate it properly and get a vent that doesn't chuff.

If you want to build a test sealed box, then start with a volume that gives a Q of 0.5 - critically damped. That's a good place to start. A quick WinISD sim will tell you what net volume you need.

[damo21]

Are Colins subs vented? I read the wiki, maybe I'll try vented 90mm pvc with huge port flares.

[paulspencer]

No they are sealed.
100mm PVC vents are a good starting point in a box large enough to fit them in ... perhaps 85L with some 36mm vents. I'd check with the flare chuffing calculator you can download from Collos site - there is a link on the wiki, and check with WinISD that you can get the vent velocity down enough.

a 100mm vent with 60mm flares should handle 34m/s,
and I'd say you should be able to get it down below that with the XLS