6 Materials for Building Subwoofer Boxes

When building subwoofer boxes, it is important to choose materials that enable the piece of equipment to work effectively. There are six main types of materials you can use to build subwoofer boxes.

1. MDF

MDF is the more common name for medium density fiberboard. This type of wood is a manufactured one. It is not created from a single piece of wood. It is widely available and ideal for use in making subwoofer boxes. Not only is this wood strong and durable, it is thick enough not to resonate with the sound which can cause distortion. MDF is usually available in a standard width, but can also be found up to an inch thick. MDF is a better option than standard wood as it can withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions without warping or expanding.

Though it looks similar, it should not be confused with particle board which is not as densely constructed.

2. Plywood

An effective subwoofer box can be made from plywood. It is a material that is lighter than MDF because it is not as dense, but is still sturdy enough to work well. If choosing a laminated variety, it is important to make sure that there are no defects present as this can affect the sound and cause a subwoofer box to rattle. Birch plywood is commonly used and has been found to work well. It is also easy to drill to create the air holes required.

3. Fiberglass

If you want subwoofer boxes which are strong yet light, fiberglass is a good option to choose. However, fiberglass is not suitable for larger single panels. Fiberglass is also easy to clean and will not react to temperature and weather.

4. Standard Wood

Though plain wood is cheap and readily available in varying thicknesses, this does not mean that it is always the best option for building a subwoofer box. Natural wood can resonate to the point where it distorts the sound and causes the fasteners to loosen. Wood can also split when screws are used to fasten one piece to another.

5. Fasteners

To construct subwoofer boxes, you should use glue, screws, and caulk. The glue should be a starting point to hold the box together before following it up with screws. Though nails can also be used, these can gradually become loose due to the number of vibrations that the subwoofer box can go through. The braces used are important to reduce vibration and must be fitted properly to enable them to be useful.

6. Sonotube

Where you are looking to build cylindrical subwoofer boxes, sonotube should be used. This is a thick and sturdy cardboard tube that is used when pouring concrete. Plywood or MDF discs can be used as the top and bottom of the cylinder. The shape can produce a better sound.