How to Make a Subwoofer for a Laptop
The audio quality provided by most laptop speakers is nothing to write home about. Even if you're using small desktop speakers to augment the laptop's sound, low frequencies are still largely missing. Building a subwoofer to help out the thin sound presented by these compact speakers can lend depth and muscle to your music, movies and games.
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Subwoofer driver
- 3/4 inch medium density fiberboard
- Table saw
- Plunge router
- Circle jig
- Subwoofer plate amplifier
- Reciprocating saw
- Drill with Philips bit attachment
- Philips wood screws
- Sandpaper block
- Wood filler putty
- Damp cloth
- Paint or stain
- 3.5 mm to RCA adapter cable
Instructions
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1
Consult the parameters supplied with the subwoofer driver, detailing the recommended enclosure size and panel dimensions.
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2
Cut the MDF sheet to accommodate the driver's enclosure requirements. You will have a front and back panel, base, top and two sides.
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3
Attach the circle jig to the post on the plunge router. Drive a single Philips screw exactly in the middle of the front panel. Turn on the router. Allow the jig to guide the tool, cutting a perfect circle for your driver.
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4
Cut out the square opening for the plate amp on the back panel, using the reciprocating saw. Follow the dimensions supplied with the amplifier to get the sizing correct.
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5
Screw the bottom and side panels together. Drive a screw every 2 inches along the meeting edges of the panels.
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6
Complete the enclosure by screwing the remainder of the panels together. Fill each screw hole and imperfect seam with the wood filler putty.
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Sand the entire enclosure smooth, using the sandpaper block. Wipe the enclosure with a damp cloth to remove residual dust.
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Paint or stain the enclosure as desired. Wait for the coating to completely cure, per the manufacturer's directions.
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9
Screw the plate amplifier to the back panel. Locate the red and black wires inside the enclosure, leading from the amp. Slide these onto the corresponding terminals on the subwoofer. Screw the subwoofer driver to the front panel.
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10
Connect the subwoofer to the laptop by sliding the 3.5 mmjack into the headphone or "Line" output on the laptop. Connect the RCA end to the red and white inputs on the woofer.
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Plug in the subwoofer to AC power and turn it on. Play music with which you are familiar. Adjust the crossover and level to taste on the amp.
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References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
