I'm doing my first diy speaker build, and admittedly a bit green to the process. I want to build a small speaker (approx 6 x 9 x 5) and have all the components. Using an online speaker box size tool, the ideal volume requires a box that is much larger than I want. Realizing I will loose sound quality by going smaller, is there anything I can do to mitigate my choice of smaller box size? Other than building the box to spec?
FYI I'll be using a 3" HiVi speaker in a sealed enclosure.
FYI I'll be using a 3" HiVi speaker in a sealed enclosure.
Yes. A sealed enclosure is forgiving in terms of volume. I believe the driver you are using already has a Qts of more than 1. If the dimensions you have stated are outside dimensions, you should use thin wood (1/2" or so) to maximize internal volume.
To those who point out there will be a bump in mid-bass, it should be only a db or two, well within the typical frequency response of a low to mid priced speaker.
To those who point out there will be a bump in mid-bass, it should be only a db or two, well within the typical frequency response of a low to mid priced speaker.
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Stuffing the cabinet will not only minimize panel reflections that might be heard thru the driver cone, but up to a point will increase the effective enclosure volume. If you fill the enclosure with gasses that are heavier or lighter than air it is the same as altering the effective enclosure volume. If that's difficult, you can use a gas-filled balloon or bladder. There are also 'leaky' alignments possible. You can connect the speaker enclosure volume to the area inside its stand or base. You can mount an acclerometer or other feedback device and make a closed-loop servo that will be flat within excursion limits. You can use an alignment which is meant to work with active or passive EQ.
But on a more practical level, it's all about trade-offs. You can generally exchange bandwidth for efficiency. For such a small system a 3" driver won't handle much power and your amp is probably not the limitation. You can consider buying a second identical driver and mount one in front of the other, wire them to move together (not opposed), and the box volume requirement is divided in half. Of course, you can also get one driver with the characteristics of such an 'isobaric pair', but you said you already have drivers.
Otherwise, sorry, there's no free lunch. But make sure you investigated other cabinet types and aligments. I've always preferred sealed, but lately have become more open-minded.
If it was me, I'd probably stick it in the undersized enclosure and add some active EQ.
Good luck.
But on a more practical level, it's all about trade-offs. You can generally exchange bandwidth for efficiency. For such a small system a 3" driver won't handle much power and your amp is probably not the limitation. You can consider buying a second identical driver and mount one in front of the other, wire them to move together (not opposed), and the box volume requirement is divided in half. Of course, you can also get one driver with the characteristics of such an 'isobaric pair', but you said you already have drivers.
Otherwise, sorry, there's no free lunch. But make sure you investigated other cabinet types and aligments. I've always preferred sealed, but lately have become more open-minded.
If it was me, I'd probably stick it in the undersized enclosure and add some active EQ.
Good luck.
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