The material used in making subwoofer boxes is important for it to produce the best sound quality. There are many choices for material but you have to choose wisely as each has its own pros and cons. Our experts did the legwork to identify the most ideal materials for a subwoofer box for you that fits your preferences.
Top Subwoofer Box Materials
produce good quality low-frequency sounds. Hence, choosing the right material for the box is very important.
Subwoofer boxes are usually made from one of the seven common materials listed below. Our engineers listed the benefits of each for you to choose the best subwoofer box material according to your needs.
1. Medium Density Fiberboard
The medium density fiberboard, or MDF, is the gold standard for the subwoofer material. It is a durable material made of dense and thick manufactured wood. The thickness of the wood contributes to preventing resonance and sound distortion.
MDF is widely available and is usually available in standard width. There are instances that it is also available in an inch thick width. This is the go to material for a lot of DIYers since it does not expand or warp with varying temperatures.
One downside though is that it will make your sub very heavy so you’d need a lot of force when moving it around. This is sometimes confused with a particle board, a material that is not as dense as the MDF.
2. Plywood
You can also build your speaker boxes using plywood. This is not as dense as the MDF since it is light, but can still provide a good sound. When using this material, you have to make sure that there are no defects as it may interfere with the quality of the sound being produced.
Birch plywood is usually used as it provides a wood material for the box. It is also easy to drill holes into it which makes it good for a box. This will produce a better sound than that of pine material. Besides, you can seal your subwoofer box easily with this material.
3. Pine wood
A pine board is a good alternative for MDF. When using this material, you also have to make sure that there are no imperfections or knots that can affect the sound. Though this can also produce good quality sound, warping is a major issue just like other woods.
4. Fiberglass
Fiberglass [1] is another material that has its own pros. It is a strong and sturdy material but it is very light. You can shape it into almost anything so it’s highly customizable. It is very flexible so some people go for this for their car audio subwoofer.
However, with all the pros, this material is not suitable for large single panels. This will also need professionals for its high-end installations.
5. Standard Wood
This one is a cheap option for building the sub box’ enclosure. Sometimes, natural wood resonates so sound output is distorted. Strong sounds may cause the fasteners to be loose and sometimes break the wood itself.
6. Sonotube
Sonotube is best for cylindrical subwoofer boxes. It is usually used when pouring concrete so you are sure that this material is a thick and sturdy cardboard tube. You can also use MDF or plywood to be the top or bottom material for the tube.
The cylindrical shape helps it to produce a good quality sound.
7. Polycarbonate
This material can give a transparent look to your subs. This can provide an added aesthetic to your theater. It is solid so it can withstand the air force inside the subwoofer.
(If you want a seamless setup for your sound system devices, we have a guide on how you can connect a powered subwoofer to passive speakers right)
FAQ
How thick should a subwoofer box be?
A subwoofer box should be ¾” thick especially if you are using medium density fiberboard (MDF) as the subwoofer enclosure’s material. This is so it can withstand the air pressure circulating inside the subwoofer.
Sometimes, ½” thickness is acceptable for smaller subwoofers.
Does subwoofer box size matter?
Yes, the subwoofer box size matters. A big box may produce lower volumes but more accurate low-frequency sounds. However, going too big or too small may disrupt the overall sound output and low-frequency extension.
Is MDF good for subwoofer boxes?
Yes, MDF is good for subwoofer boxes since it is made of sturdy and strong wood. As it does not come from a single wood only, the combination allows it to be unaffected with changing temperature and climate. Hence, it does not warp.
Conclusion
When making your own subwoofer, it is very important to choose the correct best subwoofer box material. This will ensure the best sound quality output. To our team, MDF is still the best material for your sub’s box, but you can also use other wood materials, polycarbonate, or sonotube.
Looking for good subs to add to your home theater system? Then, you can check these products below:
