How to make a subwoofer from a regular speaker?

A true music lover does not like to listen to music through standard computer speakers. A good speaker system is chosen based on personal preferences. Such a pleasure is not cheap, in addition, sometimes there are difficulties with the selection of columns of the necessary parameters. In this case, you can make a speaker system yourself. In our article, we will consider how to make a subwoofer from a regular speaker.

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What is a subwoofer?

A subwoofer is formed from two words - SUB and WOOFER, which is a literal translation of “subwoofer” and means an acoustic system capable of reproducing sounds at low frequencies, for example from 20 to 100 Hz. Many users prefer to call it “bass speaker”.

Subwoofers are divided into two types:

• Active subwoofer - the amplifier and power supply are located in the speaker housing.
• Passive subwoofer - it does not have an external amplifier.

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Speaker selection

In order to choose a speaker, you need to determine the size, you can make a drawing and use it to make a speaker. In today's market there are the following models:

1. Speakers with a 6-inch buffer usually serve as an additional source of mid-range bass. The use of such speakers in terms of sound depth creates a rather modest device that is suitable for a small cabin with an average speaker system.
2. Speakers using an 8-inch subwoofer are used for additional frontal bass.
3. Ideal speakers for the subwoofer in the car are speakers 10 or more inches. They really have high-quality sound and fill the space with a powerful and pleasant vibration of sound. The speakers are placed in a closed compact case or the so-called “closed box”, which is able to provide good sound pressure. The best option for the car is a 12-inch speaker, which can be used in boxes up to 35 liters.
4. 15-inch speakers are a real option for large car interiors. In this case, the box for the speaker having a given diameter should be about 90 liters and occupy the entire luggage compartment. In addition, with such dynamics, you can slightly deaf, so this option is not put into practice.

Important! It is necessary to determine the resistance, since a load of 1-2 ohms will greatly spoil the sound. The optimal impedance for a subwoofer speaker is 2 to 4 ohms.

As for the power of the speakers, it is definitely difficult to make a decision. There is only one rule, which is that the power of the speaker must be greater than the power of the amplifier. No speaker can operate for a long time at maximum power, so it should have a "margin of safety."

Important! Not always users have enough sound that comes from a home theater. This problem is easily solved with the help of additional columns. Click the link to find outhow to connect speakers from a home theater to a TV.

If you already have a speaker and an amplifier, then you need to determine this difference and mark on the amplifier controls the maximum allowable volume for the subwoofer.No speaker can maintain sound quality at maximum volume.

Important! After some time (sometimes such a situation can happen immediately), the disturbed balance will begin to terribly cut the ear.

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How to make a subwoofer for a computer?

Independent manufacture of a subwoofer is carried out in several stages:

1. selection of materials;
2. housing design;
3. subwoofer assembly.

Let us consider in more detail all these stages.

Important! To make it easier for you to decide on the choice of speakers, pay attention to our ready-madespeaker rating for computer. 

Selection of materials

How to make a subwoofer at home? Starting all the work, there should be a scheme and the necessary materials for the manufacture of the case should be selected. In order to make a subwoofer with your own hands, you need to purchase in advance:

• speaker - is selected based on your needs;
• plugs - facilitate connecting the speaker to the player, they should ideally match the connectors of your device;
• wires - are used to connect a subwoofer;
• plywood having a multilayer base;
• trimming plumbing pipes;
• wood screws, which can be from the smallest to a size of 50 mm in length;
• wooden bars having a different cross section, which can be from 20x20 mm or more;
• silicone sealant;
• hard foam or felt;
• PVA glue;
• paint.

Having prepared the necessary materials, it is necessary to collect the required tool:

1. a hacksaw for wood, which would have small teeth;
2. chisel;
3. electric drill;
4. file;
5. jigsaw;
6. compass;
7. a simple pencil;
8. iron ruler;
9. screwdriver;
10. screwdriver;
11. emery paper - from rough to “null”.

Housing design

We begin to design the case of the future subwoofer. To do this, we use a computer and speaker, which serves as the “heart” of the subwoofer.

Important! In this case, it is very important to have data on all the technical characteristics of the speaker. These include full Q, resonance frequency in open space, and equivalent volume. All these values ​​are present in the passport data.

Download a special program to the computer device. We bring all the speaker data into the software product. Based on the provided values, the program will calculate for you the optimal dimensions of the subwoofer box.

Important! WinISD 0.44 program is able to design 4 types of subwoofer. The most optimal box, which is able to work with maximum efficiency, is a bandpass. The speaker for such a device is attached to the jumper located inside the box. This subwoofer is equipped with two cameras and two phase inverters. For the manufacture of a bass reflex, trimming of a plumbing pipe can be used. The program is able to calculate the length on its own, but you must specify the diameter value.

Now we proceed directly to the design of the subwoofer box itself. All actions should be carried out slowly, since the slightest inaccuracy in measurements can cause inconvenience, and all work will have to be started anew.

Subwoofer Collection

Before you start collecting the subwoofer, you need to cut out the box. How to make a subwoofer for your home with your own hands:

• Applying a ruler and a pencil, on the plywood sheet we draw the contours of the future box.
• We cut the plywood sheet using a hacksaw or a jigsaw with a speed controller.

Important! Sawing should be done slowly, not in a hurry, as plywood can become stratified when in a hurry, which will subsequently negatively affect the sound quality of the subwoofer.

• In order to ensure that all edges are perfectly smooth and even, we carefully clean them with a file and sandpaper.
• The walls of the subwoofer are fastened together by bars, so you need to postpone the required length of the bars.
• We cut a hole under the speaker. The speaker will be located inside the subwoofer.
• In the jumper between the cameras, we draw a circle with a compass having a diameter slightly larger than the speaker diffuser.
• The edges should be perfectly even and smooth, for this we clean them with a file and sandpaper.

Important! When filed, it should be kept at a slight angle to avoid delamination of the plywood.

• With the help of the bars, the walls of the subwoofer will be attached, so we measure the corresponding length of the bars.

Important! The program indicates the places where two holes should be cut - they serve for bass reflexes.

• Solder the wires and necessary connectors to the speaker. The places for fastening the wires can be found in the instructions for the speaker itself.
• We apply a speaker to the resulting hole. Make a mark for attaching the speaker to the sheet, drill.

Important! It is best to attach the speaker with special double-sided nuts that are used in furniture production.

• Now we begin to assemble the subwoofer enclosure. How to make a subwoofer for a computer? We insert a drill into the drill, the diameter should be two times less than the diameter of the screws used.
• We start drilling at the points where the wall will be fixed to other walls and bars.
• Now use glue. At the junction of the bars and the walls, we apply glue in an abundant layer. It contributes to the performance of two functions - increasing the strength of the body and sealing joints.
• We connect the walls with screws. We screw them all the way, since the strength in the design of the subwoofer is critical. The angles should be even.
• Attach the speaker. At the junction of the speaker and the wall, it is necessary to lubricate with sealant.
• We drill the outlet through which the wires will pass.
• We pull through the hole of the wire, cover the hole with sealant.
• Next, we proceed to soundproofing. The inside of the enclosure needs to be pasted over with sound-absorbing material, which contributes to the “softness” of the subwoofer bass. The presence of such a material reduces pressure on the walls.
• We fasten the back wall.

Basically, the designed subwoofer is ready. The final touch is to check build quality. We turn on the music and check for extraneous sounds and noises.

Important! If you want to give your product a beautiful appearance, then plywood can be painted in the appropriate color or covered with fabric.

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How to make a subwoofer for a car?

Consider how to independently make a car subwoofer for your steel friend from ordinary speakers.

Materials and tools for work

For this, it is necessary to prepare the following materials in advance:

1. speaker - do not use a used device; it is best to purchase a quality product with all the documents in the store;
2. protective grill;
3. glue of good quality - best epoxy;
4. outlet that facilitates connection;
5. fiberglass;
6. a wire having a diameter of 3 mm;
7. brush;
8. plywood;
9. chipboard sheet, the thickness of which corresponds to 16 mm;
10. self-tapping screws and nuts, which are used in the woodworking industry;
11. bolts
12. polyethylene;
13. universal putty;
14. masking tape.

To work, we need the following tools:

• drill or screwdriver;
• jigsaw on wood.

Design

How to make a subwoofer from ordinary speakers with your own hands:

• We select a high-quality speaker. The more power he has, the louder the sound will be.
• We turn to the design of the subwoofer box - similarly, you can use special software. Since we are building a subwoofer for a car, we need a box with the highest efficiency, or it is also called a bandpass of the 6th level.

Important! The sixth-level bandpass looks like a cubic object of a rectangular shape, inside of which there is one jumper. Our speaker will be fixed on it. In addition, such a bandpass has two holes, due to which the installation of bass reflex chambers takes place.In the absence of cameras, various tubes can be used. For example, tubes made of metal, polyethylene or just paper are quite suitable.

• It is very important that the housing is completely sealed. To do this, we use felt, foam rubber or regular cotton wool. A layer of sealant inside should have about two centimeters.
• The roof of the subwoofer must have a removable structure and have high strength at the junction. Therefore, we use a layer of foam, we further strengthen the design.

Important! The computer utility WinlSD 0.44 helps to properly prepare all sizes. Based on the capabilities of the speaker, it will calculate the optimal values ​​for your case. At the same time, your task is to clearly and correctly translate the numbers provided into reality. The sound in this case will meet all expectations. It turns out clean and loud.

Place for subwoofer

Now you need to find a place for our subwoofer. The most ideal option is to install it in the wing, but right or left - you decide for yourself. Some cars have a special configuration in the right wing, and there is more space for installing a subwoofer.

Important! When choosing an average speaker for its normal functioning, a minimum of 28 liters of volume will be required. The configuration and volume of the box itself is large, but this is not so important.

How to make a subwoofer for a car at home:

• We lay the trunk with plastic wrap, then we glue the lining with masking tape in two layers.
• We cut fiberglass into pieces that correspond to sizes of 200 × 200.
• We breed epoxy glue. To do this, mix a can of resin and a can of hardener.

Important! If you take one of the proposed substances more than the norm, then the glue will become very thick very quickly and you will not be able to work with it in a quality manner. The ideal ratio is 1: 1.

• We lubricate the cut workpieces with epoxy glue, put an overlap on the adhesive tape.
• We glue the back wall of a self-made subwoofer with fiberglass. To do this, lay three or even four layers of material.
• During the day, let the product dry completely.
• The next day, remove the resulting shell. Its thickness will need to be increased outside the trunk.
• Now proceed to the bottom of the subwoofer, the top of which is made in the form of loops.
• We attach the front wall to the screws.
• Joints should be coated with epoxy glue.

Fine work

After the housing of the homemade subwoofer was designed, it is necessary to prepare it for an acoustic terminal, or the so-called speaker. On one of its walls, which are located on the side, it is necessary to outline the point of the future hole. This can be done by applying an ordinary school compass.

Important! Subwoofers for a car with powerful sound are obtained when it is shielded in a small box. This is no longer the field of self-made construction of subwoofers, but a real version of art. In this way, various overtones that may arise due to the rather flimsy design of the acoustic terminal are eliminated.

How to make a subwoofer for a car complete and perfect in appearance and sound:

• We process the previously made square box with PVA glue, fasten it with screws to the sidewall, where the hole was cut.
• Now we use a planer, which we cut off all the protruding edges of the body.

Important! In addition to the above skills, in this case you must have the skill of a carpenter, otherwise - you will not be able to cope with such a task.

• There is a jumper inside our box. Next, using an electric jigsaw, cut a hole on the front panel.
• In this place we install a speaker, which is fastened with screws and glue.

Important! If you decide to purchase high-quality speakers in your car, we recommend that you use the informationhow to choose speakers in a car.

Protective measures

When everything is ready, do not rush and immediately connect a home-made device. Creation must be protected from condensation and moisture. Moisture has a destructive effect on wood, and in our creation there is a thin sheet of chipboard.

To protect and protect the case, it should be impregnated with a special nitro-varnish, which is used in the furniture industry. In addition, it is mandatory to impregnate the inside of the front panel.

Important! This procedure must be carried out in an open space so that varnish poisoning does not occur.

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Stock footage

Making a subwoofer out of the ordinary speaker is not a task for the amateur. It will require a variety of knowledge and skills, but if you have them together with an irresistible desire to create the perfect speaker system, then - everything is only in your hands. We wish you success!