F/G vs MDF

[943184dr]

Has anyone gone from a fiberglass box to a MDF box or vice versa? If so i'm wondering if there was a big weight difference. the reason i ask is because i need a box for my sub (image dynamics IDMAX D4 v.2) but want to try to add as little weight as possible to the car. anyone have any ideas?

Thanks
Tom

[mydumpthatch]

ive heard fiber glass boxes are a lot heavier especially if youre putting a lot of power to your subs so the box needs to be thicker. another drawback is the cost, fiberglass boxes cost a lot. it all depends on what youre trying to do and what your budget is.

[BMW318isT]

This may be a little late response, but here goes.

For the sub that you are using both fiberglass and MDF will work fine. MDF is easier for the unexperienced to build and is relatively inexpensive. A small downside is its weight. On a box for your sub, the difference will be at a max of like 10 lbs... unless...

Like most car audio places (including the one where i work), MDF is actually used for the subframe of the fiber box. The fiber is just there for looks. The MDF is used for the structural support. On very power subwoofers, thick MDF or even HDF is used with 2x2 bracing and glue to make it airtight and very strong. Then, if the customer requests, a fiber enclosure is built around the box. This is extremely strong and heavy. This may be where you have heard of people complaining about the weight...

If you are goin to do this project by yourself, I would recommend the MDF. If you are a master fiber man, then by all means, go that way.

Hope this helps... even this late...

-Mike

[DaSaintly1]

Good points mike.
I have been thinking about making a small box for a 10" sub to go into my car (318Ti). I wanted to make it take up a little space of the hatch as possible so I was going to try to make it fit in one of the side pockets. I calculated the space and it will be enough.
I was thinking about carving a foam block to fit the space and then put a piece of MDF on the front to give a solid mounting point for the speaker. then I was going to fibreglass the remainder of the box to the shape of the foam plug to make it a custom fit. then I would use something like petrol to melt the foam out of the box.
Do you think that this method will be strong enough and how many layers (thickness) do you think the fibreglass should be? I was thinking 16mm MDF on the front.
any tips would be appreciated.

Ian

[carstereopro]

Originally Posted by DaSaintly1

I have been thinking about making a small box for a 10" sub to go into my car (318Ti).

Mine is for sale.

I built it last year as the New England Demo vehicle for MTX Audio, (I am the Manufacturer's Rep) and this year I am building a different system with Boston Acoustics product (I now am the Manufacturer's Rep for them as well)in my new ti, as soon as the M3 parts are swapped out of my totalled one.

Oh, btw, that is the MTX 9500 10" sub, and the box is slot ported 1.25 ft^3. The sub has been sold, but the enclosure will fit a standard 10" sub with a depth of 9 3/8" or less. The MTX sub weighed 56 lbs, so you know the box was really strong and well built.

Phil

\

[carstereopro]

oops, I didn't notice that you were from Australia. Shipping would be more than having one built locally for you.

[DaSaintly1]

Originally Posted by carstereopro

oops, I didn't notice that you were from Australia. Shipping would be more than having one built locally for you.

Yeah, and the people in the shops that i have been to don't seem to want to make a custom box so i'm trying to work out if i can make it myself and then get them to install the hardware.
How thick is the fiberglass parts of the box? how many layers of 'glass do you think i will need?
I'm planning a sealed box so the required space will be less. i want the sub to stick out into the hatch area as little as possible.
i'm not looking for any SPL records, just good allround sound with some base to get the pulse moving.
Thanks
Ian