Enclosure Design

Most boxes do not sound as good as they look when they emerge from the woodshop. Box design is a complex subject and simple analytical formulas, (let alone intuition) are usually unreliable.

Amongst other things, we analyze the effect, on system response, of a multitude of factors including large signals, configuration of the listening domain, and diffraction effects - things that require extensive and complex number-crunching. It helps that we use the industry's #1 software -

A few sample outputs you get from our in-depth analysis:

• Comparative SPL curves at multiple distances from the enclosure, and for multiple listening domain types (your speaker can sound very different at 1m compared to 3m!)
• Recommendation on choice of enclosure type and alignment (such as BB4, C4, QB3, SC4 etc. for vented enclosures), based on the driver selection, budget and the expected listener audience
• System response curves - group delay, transient response, polar response, on-axis SPL and power SPL responses
• Analysis of the impact of moving from the small-signal realm to more realistic drive levels (you do not plan to listen to your speakers at 1mW do you?) This is something which very few packages can do at all.

What we need from you:

• The manufacturer part# and Thiele-Small parameters of the drivers you propose to use
• Free-air impedance curve of these drivers (desirable for more accurate simulation); if you do not have the T/S parameters or the impedance curve, we can measure them for you
• Free-air SPL curves of the drivers as specified by the manufacturer
• Your preference in terms of class of enclosure (sealed/vented/isobaric/bandpass etc.); we can, of course, analyze the possibilities for you and make a recommendation
• Some insight into (a) the kind of music that will be played on these speakers, and (b) expectations of the target audience

Our design process includes one round of iteration: we submit what we think is the most suitable design, you give us your feedback (maybe you would prefer a tighter transient response and sacrifice some bass), we redo the design and submit the final version.

Tell us about your project requirements and let us provide you with a quote! Small orders are welcome.