BA Pro Series Sub enclosure sizing?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,691
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From: Framingham MA
BA Pro Series Sub enclosure sizing?
I know what the specs are on the recommended sub enclosures, but have any of you tried slightly increasing the enclosure size? I was just wondering how the sub might respond with a slightly larger enclosure.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,178
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From: Windermere FL
Re: BA Pro Series Sub enclosure sizing? (dgoodhue)
Usually you want to keep the box as close as you can to the specified size. With a larger sealed box, you will loose the tightness of the bass.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 196
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From: Cary, NC
Re: BA Pro Series Sub enclosure sizing? (92TripleBlack)
What do you mean by 'tightness'? I could be wrong, but I've always thought a bigger box means the woofer is easier to move, and easier to stop. So, you get quicker transients (tighter, more accurate bass), but lose power handling because the woofer travels further for a given power input.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,148
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From: Chandler AZ
Re: BA Pro Series Sub enclosure sizing? (FarmerBob2001)
The smaller the box volume relative to the Vas of the speaker, the more controlled its movement becomes. A big box provides less damping and yes the transient rise times are faster- but the woofer oscillates (rings) at the ends of its travel- which is the cause of muddy bass. This is also what limits its power handling, as its movement is controlled solely by the amp, motor, and spider. A smaller box with appropriate air volume increases damping (resistance to movement) because we're now working against air pressure/vacuum. The woofer oscillations are damped and the bass sounds much more tight and punchy.
A good analogy is the air volume of a sealed box acts like your shock absorbers (even called dampers in UK). If its too loose the car just bounces around uncontrolled and can't handle very big bumps.
A good analogy is the air volume of a sealed box acts like your shock absorbers (even called dampers in UK). If its too loose the car just bounces around uncontrolled and can't handle very big bumps.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Cary, NC
Re: BA Pro Series Sub enclosure sizing? (gcrouse)
I had to go back and consult some speaker enclosure design books to be sure, but my thinking was correct.
For a sealed encosure, going with a bigger box actually increases damping, and gives you more accurate and tighter bass. The quicker transients are what make the bass 'tight'. The overall 'damping' and the 'spring-force' of the air in the enclosure are related but not the same.
A box that is too small is what will cause the 'ringing', and muddy bass you are referring to. The smaller box exerts more 'control' over the woofer only in that it limits the woofer's excursions better than a big box. It does not offer more control as in making the woofer's movements more closely follow the waveform of the input.
If you want 'loud' bass, go smaller (to a point) and use big amps. If you want 'tight, accurate' bass, go bigger (to a point), but realize that power handling will be reduced.
For a sealed encosure, going with a bigger box actually increases damping, and gives you more accurate and tighter bass. The quicker transients are what make the bass 'tight'. The overall 'damping' and the 'spring-force' of the air in the enclosure are related but not the same.
A box that is too small is what will cause the 'ringing', and muddy bass you are referring to. The smaller box exerts more 'control' over the woofer only in that it limits the woofer's excursions better than a big box. It does not offer more control as in making the woofer's movements more closely follow the waveform of the input.
If you want 'loud' bass, go smaller (to a point) and use big amps. If you want 'tight, accurate' bass, go bigger (to a point), but realize that power handling will be reduced.
