How to Determine the Box Size for a Ported Speaker
The box size for a ported speaker primarily is determined by the size of the loudspeaker driver. The loudspeaker that will go in the cabinet is the biggest determinant of box size. The fact that the speaker has a port or two is the other determinant that makes a ported design slightly larger than a sealed speaker enclosure. Ported, vented and bass reflex speakers are different terms that refer to the same type of audio speaker.
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Instructions
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1
Consult the specifications sheet for your speaker for the Thiele/Small (T/S) parameters. Note the following data:
Electrical resistance (Re ) of voice coil
Resonant frequency (Fs) of loudspeaker
Electrical Q (Qes) of loudspeaker
Mechanical Q ( Qms) of loudspeaker
Total Q (Qts) of loudspeaker
Equivalent air volume (Vas) of moving mass suspension
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2
Download a software program for building speaker boxes. WinISD is a well-regarded choice that is Windows-based and free.
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3
Enter the figures derived from Step 1 into the software program to arrive at the box size for your speaker design.
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4
Birch plywood and MDF are the preferred woods to build speakers. Print the data, and take the measurements with you when you purchase the material for the speaker box.
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Tips & Warnings
The Thiele/Small database lists the T/S parameters for more than 5,000 speakers.
References
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