Subwoofer Building

[jrod1050 5]

Im trying to learn more about subwoofer building. Specifically how different parts affect the sound of a woofer. Soft spiders vs Hard spiders, Aluminum coils vs Copper Coils, High roll surround vs Normal. Is there a thread that goes into detail about this sort of thing? Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Duran 387]

Nothing that I've seen, it's best to just ask. We have many speaker builders on here.

[edouble101 314]

It is actually fairly simple to build a speaker. But, to build a speaker that performs as you want is another story.

Start simple

Edited May 20, 2011 by edouble101

[jrod1050 5]

I believe I have the assembly part down. Im just not really sure what different parts do for sound and how certain parts will affect the specs of a woofer and the sound of a woofer. Right now Im actually working on putting together a low end monster. I currently have a silver top trf motor and im wondering how certain parts will affect my build

[edouble101 314]

Well, for the most part, alot has to do with mass: coill and cone and spider stiffness or lack of.

[jrod1050 5]

Softer spiders typically provide more excursion than stiffer spiders? I know that a heavier cone and coil will probably lower the fs. If thats not true please let me know. lol

[jrod1050 5]

Im probably going to let somebody who really knows what there doing build this woofer but Im going to start off on some subs I can mess up 1st.

[edouble101 314]

Xmech is affected by numerous items but in response to your question about spiders; manufactuer specifications will help you determine that. Spider stiffness has nothing to do with xmech.

[jrod1050 5]

What does spider stiffness affect? Also what affect does using a copper coil vs a aluminum coil? I know copper gives you less resistance but is there any other difference?

[jrod1050 5]

Also what is the advantage or disadvantage of using a flatwind coil? You have to excuse my noobness on the subject. lol. You never know until you ask

[edouble101 314]

Copper is heavier. Aluminum dissipates heat better, better thermal power handling.

Generically, copper hits lows, aluminum may peak higher.

It all depends on the design of the driver. Cone weight, spider thickness, number of spiders, coil size, copper/aluminum coil, coil layers, gap size...........

[jrod1050 5]

Thanks for the knowledge edouble. While I got you talking. I have heard alot of people say that a wider gap is better for a daily sub. Whats the reason for that? Also does the number of layers of a coil help increase power handling? I know that the more layers a coil has the more weight it would probably have but is that the only difference.

[jrod1050 5]

Bump. Any more woofer guru's have any more input??

[Duran 387]

Softer spiders typically provide more excursion than stiffer spiders? I know that a heavier cone and coil will probably lower the fs. If thats not true please let me know. lol

Yes, as they are more compliant than hard spiders. Heavier cone and coil lead to lower Fs due to increased Mms, or moving mass.

Xmech is affected by numerous items but in response to your question about spiders; manufactuer specifications will help you determine that. Spider stiffness has nothing to do with xmech.

Xmech is the mechanical limit's of the motor, normally.

What does spider stiffness affect? Also what affect does using a copper coil vs a aluminum coil? I know copper gives you less resistance but is there any other difference?

Cms, Fs. Copper is heavier, it does not necessarily have less resistance, that is impedance determined.

Also what is the advantage or disadvantage of using a flatwind coil? You have to excuse my noobness on the subject. lol. You never know until you ask

Flatwound coils have more surface area than a round coil, they can dissipate more heat, and have higher thermal ratings, as well as being lighter than copper.

Thanks for the knowledge edouble. While I got you talking. I have heard alot of people say that a wider gap is better for a daily sub. Whats the reason for that? Also does the number of layers of a coil help increase power handling? I know that the more layers a coil has the more weight it would probably have but is that the only difference.

Wider gap is used for daily driving so that the coil has wiggle room in the gap, wire hitting steel at 40 cycles per second is going to do some damage. The number of layers in the coil is used to get the impedance of the coil, primarily, but also play with mass a little bit.