I have CDT 6.5" components and was wondering if putting a small enclosure around the speakers would improve sound.
If so, how would I go about making one?
Replies (6)
swez on 02/21/2004 09:40:17
Consider getting custom kick panels for these speakers in your truck. They are easy to install, no cutting of door panels and you can mount the crossovers under the dash system. Just remove the stock kicks... install your speakers in the new panels and then reinstall the kicks in the old location.
A well designed kick will provide very good imaging and an enclosure that will help bring out more of the midbass frequencies of your CDT's.
If you boxed them, they will sound better than "free air", but mounting them in a favorable location may prove a challenge. (out of the way of your feet)
Swez
cplkittle on 02/21/2004 09:54:49
Not sure about that one since midrange speakers differ some from subs. I would start by building a 8x8x8 box (inside space) and putting the CDT in it. Wire it up and listen to it. From there, add pieces of 1/2" wood in the box (1/2x6x6), keep filling it up until you get the sound you like. Then take that measurement and build the boxes that size.
It may turn out to be a little larger than you expected. These speakers are made for free air. I do not know how they respond to enclosures.
You could call the manufacturer and ask them what they recommend.
alanjlamore on 02/21/2004 12:14:45
Thanks,
I looked up the kick panels and they might not work with my speakers.
This is what was said on crutchfield:
"The midrange/midbass section of the Q-Forms is made to accept speaker sizes ranging from 3-1/2" to 5-1/4". The maximum frame width/diameter allowable for the midrange/bass driver is 6-1/8", so a few 6-1/2" units may fit."
The CDTs don't seem unusually large, so they might work, but I think I'll take them somewhere and see if they fit.
asplundher on 02/21/2004 19:11:55
Any mid can sound better if enclosed. The main thing will be needed is the parameters. Knowing how much volume will be needed will help you get close to the "ideal" box. Another thing to remember is that the vehicle's interior will boost the low end output of the woofer. So if you are trying to get more mid-bass, a slightly smaller enclosure can be tolerated, especially when lower bass is cutoff using a x-over. A "simple" enclosure is not that complicated. As I stated before, this could be anything from acoustical wool fixed across the back of the woofer up to a small fiber-glass box. Even one idea I've had is a xtc foam baffle with a very small portion of the back cut out. The cut out could be covered with some type of resistive material like acoustical wool, carpet, etc. This would allow it to "breathe" more if the baffle is too restricting. This idea would be similar to a aperiodic enclosure and I would imagine that it would work better with higher Q woofers. I haven't had a chance to test it yet (I'm lazy) but, If it works I want a patent on it.lol! Anyway, the main thing is to get more resonance than a plain free-air setup will give. Don't be afraid to experiment. You will only know if you try.
swez on 02/22/2004 16:29:22
I think that is a very good suggestion there ASPL. The woolen weave will help absorb rear waves yet give some degree of loose enclosure to a free air driver. Heck, I have even heard of guys using tupperware bowls as an enclosure. Just get a size that you can fit over the rear basket, close to the recommended cf (ci) and then add a little fiber fill to absorb bass rear waves.
Swez
asplundher on 02/29/2004 09:44:45
Speaking of XTC foam baffles; I'm not sure but, I think somewhere in an old thread someone mentioned they didn't work too good because they tended to flex a bit. Then it was mentioned that fiberglass was or could be used to stiffen the baffle.
Has anyone had any experience using XTC's? How much did they help?
If so, how would I go about making one?
Replies (6)
swez on 02/21/2004 09:40:17
Consider getting custom kick panels for these speakers in your truck. They are easy to install, no cutting of door panels and you can mount the crossovers under the dash system. Just remove the stock kicks... install your speakers in the new panels and then reinstall the kicks in the old location.
A well designed kick will provide very good imaging and an enclosure that will help bring out more of the midbass frequencies of your CDT's.
If you boxed them, they will sound better than "free air", but mounting them in a favorable location may prove a challenge. (out of the way of your feet)
Swez
cplkittle on 02/21/2004 09:54:49
Not sure about that one since midrange speakers differ some from subs. I would start by building a 8x8x8 box (inside space) and putting the CDT in it. Wire it up and listen to it. From there, add pieces of 1/2" wood in the box (1/2x6x6), keep filling it up until you get the sound you like. Then take that measurement and build the boxes that size.
It may turn out to be a little larger than you expected. These speakers are made for free air. I do not know how they respond to enclosures.
You could call the manufacturer and ask them what they recommend.
alanjlamore on 02/21/2004 12:14:45
Thanks,
I looked up the kick panels and they might not work with my speakers.
This is what was said on crutchfield:
"The midrange/midbass section of the Q-Forms is made to accept speaker sizes ranging from 3-1/2" to 5-1/4". The maximum frame width/diameter allowable for the midrange/bass driver is 6-1/8", so a few 6-1/2" units may fit."
The CDTs don't seem unusually large, so they might work, but I think I'll take them somewhere and see if they fit.
asplundher on 02/21/2004 19:11:55
Any mid can sound better if enclosed. The main thing will be needed is the parameters. Knowing how much volume will be needed will help you get close to the "ideal" box. Another thing to remember is that the vehicle's interior will boost the low end output of the woofer. So if you are trying to get more mid-bass, a slightly smaller enclosure can be tolerated, especially when lower bass is cutoff using a x-over. A "simple" enclosure is not that complicated. As I stated before, this could be anything from acoustical wool fixed across the back of the woofer up to a small fiber-glass box. Even one idea I've had is a xtc foam baffle with a very small portion of the back cut out. The cut out could be covered with some type of resistive material like acoustical wool, carpet, etc. This would allow it to "breathe" more if the baffle is too restricting. This idea would be similar to a aperiodic enclosure and I would imagine that it would work better with higher Q woofers. I haven't had a chance to test it yet (I'm lazy) but, If it works I want a patent on it.lol! Anyway, the main thing is to get more resonance than a plain free-air setup will give. Don't be afraid to experiment. You will only know if you try.
swez on 02/22/2004 16:29:22
I think that is a very good suggestion there ASPL. The woolen weave will help absorb rear waves yet give some degree of loose enclosure to a free air driver. Heck, I have even heard of guys using tupperware bowls as an enclosure. Just get a size that you can fit over the rear basket, close to the recommended cf (ci) and then add a little fiber fill to absorb bass rear waves.
Swez
asplundher on 02/29/2004 09:44:45
Speaking of XTC foam baffles; I'm not sure but, I think somewhere in an old thread someone mentioned they didn't work too good because they tended to flex a bit. Then it was mentioned that fiberglass was or could be used to stiffen the baffle.
Has anyone had any experience using XTC's? How much did they help?
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