PVC subwoofer enclosure?

chadh · « **on:** 5 Jul 2009, 04:57 pm »

Has anybody ever used something like 12" diameter PVC pipe to make a cylindrical subwoofer?

Are there obvious reasons why these big PVC pipes would make inappropriate enclosures? I don't have a good feeling for their resonance properties, for example.

In fact, I don't have a good feeling for how expensive pipe in 12" diameter would be. I'm really just looking for a cheap way to make a decent subwoofer enclosure without having any woodworking tools or ability.

Chad

mcgsxr · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 Jul 2009, 06:20 pm »

Sonotube is the answer - cheaper for sure, and since the end pieces are what would flex anyway, the cardboard works fine...

srb · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Jul 2009, 07:10 pm »

What I have always thought would be neat to try is to sleeve a 10" sonotube inside a 12" PVC, then fill the space with either expanding foam, or fill with sand and seal the last 1-1/2" or so with expanding foam.

Steve

chadh · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 Jul 2009, 10:05 pm »

Hmmm, sonotube. I don't really have any idea what this is, other than cardboard tubing...

If I was imagining attaching a wood baffle to hold the driver, how would I attach this securely to cardboard?

Chad

mcgsxr · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Jul 2009, 02:21 am »

Ask and ye shall receive my DIY friend!

http://www.subwoofer-builder.com/sonosub.htm

And Pat Sun's sonosub pages, with tons of insights and pics!

http://www.io.com/~patman/sunosub.html

chadh · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Jul 2009, 01:38 pm »

Quote from: mcgsxr on 6 Jul 2009, 02:21 am

Ask and ye shall receive my DIY friend!

http://www.subwoofer-builder.com/sonosub.htm

And Pat Sun's sonosub pages, with tons of insights and pics!

http://www.io.com/~patman/sunosub.html

Thanks very much!

The dumb questions keep coming, though....

All of the designs on those pages are ported subs. I had a hankering to do sealed subs. Is there any reason to think the sonotube approach would be inappropriate for a sealed sub?

Chad

andrewbee · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Jul 2009, 02:07 pm »

I did a 5 cubic foot sealed sub in an iirc 15" PVC tube many years ago using an ACI cast frame 12" woofer. I doubled 3/4" plywood to make the ends which were inserted into the PVC. The result was disappointing. Sound easily came from the PVC wall which seemed to be resonating at different frequencies. I don't remember how thick the PVC was but it was quite thick.

BPT · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Jul 2009, 02:08 pm »

Chad:
I built a pair of dual 12" sealed subs 7.5' tall from 14" schedule 40 PVC about 18 years ago (a 12" ACI subwoofer in each end). Had them standing up in each corner of the front of my listening room. Very solid, tons of output and sounded great crossed over to a pair of monitors at 60 Hz. using an active crossover. They were heavy. Schedule 80 would have been even better, but didn't have the funds at the time.
Chris H.