general bracing rules

[RaTtLz 3]

HI everyone. I come with another question. I know there are probably many variables but I was wondering if there is a general guideline as to when bracing is required for a sub box. Lets say for instance my sub is a 12 that requires a sealed 1 ft.cu. box with 1 inch mdf. It will be fed 1500 watts rms. Would I need to brace this box? does it make a difference if the box is sealed or ported? Thanks!

[hondakilla98 29]

I would imagine it depends on panel size and thickness. If you building a box out of 1" mdf that's 1 cu ft and sealed bracing would be serious overkill. Because there's no way your going to get panel flex on a 12" x 12" piece of 1" mdf. Too add to your question. What constitutes bracing? Because i put 45 degree pieces in the corners of my box and glued and nailed them in. Which technically braces the corners. Is that bracing? Or are we talking about a big piece with holes in it in the middle of the box, or threaded rod?

[Kanaworm$ 292]

What subwoofers?

Ported will almost always yield higher output than sealed.

1^3ft sealed or ported box should not really need any extra bracing.

[stealth 113]

45s are not bracing. why brace a corner?? thats the strongest part of a box. if you double baffle it you should be fine with no bracing. the bigger the box the easier itll be to "flex" large panels.

[Randal Johnson 544]

My box called for 2 separate chambers ... no braces needed ... sorry. Hope you find the info youre looking for ...

[BanginGMC 23]

I think he is wanting to know the do's and donts of bracing, basic shape, and other important keys.

[aimone 4]

im interested in the bracing info too. i took my box apart to change the tuning on my port and had like 5 of the 20 screws ive taken out so far are snapped.

[RaTtLz 3]

What subwoofers?

Ported will almost always yield higher output than sealed.

1^3ft sealed or ported box should not really need any extra bracing.

1. the subs are my phoenix gold titanium elites.

2. I am having a hard time accepting that ported boxes are more than just 1 note wonders. Plus ported boxes take up so much room.

I think he is wanting to know the do's and donts of bracing, basic shape, and other important keys.

You are correct Bangin', If I were to brace a box, where would I place the bracing and would I need to look out for anything. (pics are a plus)

[Kanaworm$ 292]

Those are some beastly subs! Take a look at Pound That Sound on the forum here. Thumpper has bracing down to a science!

[thebiggmann12 14]

45s are not bracing. why brace a corner?? thats the strongest part of a box. if you double baffle it you should be fine with no bracing. the bigger the box the easier itll be to "flex" large panels.

i was always told that 45s were bracing...to the op: ported boxes are not 1 note wonders if u build them correctly. u dont wanna go to big or too small, and you dont want to tune to low or too high, u just have to find a happy medium and u will have a great sounding sub/box combo.

[RaTtLz 3]

Those are some beastly subs! Take a look at Pound That Sound on the forum here. Thumpper has bracing down to a science!

Thanks OldSkool, I can't wait to get them powered up! I'll check pound the sound.

[Kanaworm$ 292]

45s are not bracing. why brace a corner?? thats the strongest part of a box. if you double baffle it you should be fine with no bracing. the bigger the box the easier itll be to "flex" large panels.

i was always told that 45s were bracing...to the op: ported boxes are not 1 note wonders if u build them correctly. u dont wanna go to big or too small, and you dont want to tune to low or too high, u just have to find a happy medium and u will have a great sounding sub/box combo.

45 corners mainly help in directing the air flow to the port for a smoother flow along with roundover edges help with eliminating port noise.

[bigrank916 72]

Like the other guys have said, bracing is usually needed on the large panels of MDF that are susceptible to flex. You can use wood, metal, or whatever is dense. The larger the enclosure, the more bracing needed. 45s are for the air flow, period. The corner of an enclosure, if built properly, is extremely rigid.

[Julian 641]

I wouldn't say ported are one note enclosures. My 15 was very dynamic, it picked up the lows and the highs quite well.

They're much more efficient than sealed. I would always choose a ported box over a sealed.

"All thread" rods are fantastic for bracing, very tough (they're basically a long steel bolt but it's all thread) They take up minimal space, if i were you i'd do Double baffle and use All Thread for bracing. One from the baffle to the back of the box and one vertically.

I really hope you port those Titanium elites. They have a ton of Xmax and should excel in a ported enclosure.