Speaker Box Specifications for Optimum Performance

Different speakers need different boxes to sound right.

An important factor in the performance of a speaker is the box in which it is housed. The box's size, type and materials used for building it have a great impact on sound quality.

Size

Depending on the speaker type, its box size may greatly differ. Low-frequency speakers, such as woofers, require large cabinets to allow air pressure to build up, a requirement which does not apply to high-frequency speakers.

Types

There are two main types of speaker boxes: sealed and ported. Ported boxes have an opening which allows air to travel out of the box and are used for low-frequency speakers or speakers which need to cover a wide range of frequencies. Sealed boxes can be used for high-frequency and low-frequency speakers, but the low-frequency speakers that use sealed boxes usually require more powerful amplification.

Construction

The box's material also influences the sound. Every material has a frequency where it starts to vibrate, so it's important to choose a building material as massive as possible to minimize vibrations, keeping a clear sound.

References

• Speaker Building: Toccata Grande, Part 1 -- Cabinet Questions

Resources

• Speaker Enclosure Types: Designing a car audio woofer system