How to Build a Car Subwoofer

People build subwoofers because the factory ones in a car are too small. Too small means they cannot reproduce the lower bass frequencies cleanly at a large volume. A subwoofer relieves the pressure on the speakers and creates better sound at higher volumes. Most subwoofers are located in the trunk of a car for convenience.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• White wood glue
• Weights
• Tape
• Glue
• Clamps
• 1 mm lead sheet (.039 inch)
• Wiping clothes
• 82 mm diameter hole cut saw (3.228 inch)
• Power drill
• Sand paper
• Black spray paint

1. Cut the inner panels and then work outward—cut the outer panels last.

2. Move the panels in place and tape the subwoofer together. Make sure all pieces fit snuggly together before glue is applied.

3. Inject a screw in the back of the passive radiator. Extra weight prevents the cone shape of the passive radiator from obstruction.

4. Create discs from the lead sheet. Use a drill and saw to make the discs.

5. Rub sandpaper along the surface of the discs. It is important to have the discs smooth and flat.

6. Spray black paint on the discs. The weight of the discs combined must be 200 grams exactly (7.05479 oz.). The usual number is 3 discs.

7. Assemble the subwoofer with glue. Use an ample amount of white wood glue and wipe the surface of the wood clean once weights and clamps are in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Your first attempt at construct can be with tape instead of glue—this allows for mistakes to be made.
• It is important that more than enough glue is applied to eliminate any cracks.