In the case of a sealed sub box, does it matter, as far as sub performance, if the box is made out of MDF, fiberglass, or metal? If the weight of the box didn't matter, would a sealed metal box perform the same as MDF and fiberglass?
Thanks.
i have never seen a metal box. but if the metal is to thin and it flexes or vibrates it will not sound good. so log as it is sealed and solid it might sound ok. but will prolly sound different from a wood or fiberglass box.
I was talking to a guy I met the other day who said he was thinking of cutting the bottem 8" off of a 55 gallon drum to make a enclosure to go into his spare tire well.
Wood or Fiberglass are the norm. I guess you could use medal and Dynomat all the sides and that would work.
If they are looking to drop a sub in the spare tire well, build a box that fits IN the well, or build a fiberglass box that fits the well, which is kind of easy. Strip the trunk, lay down a bunch of tinfoil or something similar all through the trunk and tire well. Start laying down layers of glass, let dry and repeat several times until its got some strength to it. Then you can use a MDF plate for the top, or mount a ring of wood that would hold the sub, and put fabric around the ring and attach to the box, then glass the hell out of that fabric. Bondo the top, smooth out, paint, mount sub and your are done. Oh, don't forget to drill a whole for spaker wire and SEAL ALL SEAMS!
I know some that lay some foam between the glass bottom of the box and the metal of the trunk then bolt down to make a tight fit.
Anything acoustically dead will work. Metal tends to "ring" at certain frequencies, but can certainly be used if it is thick enough and deadened. It'll be heavier at that point than adequate wood, though. I prefer to use ultralight MDF or Baltic Birch plywood depending on the size of the enclosure and the size/weight of the subs.