Subwoofer chambers sealed off or Combined?

Question

I am currently building a basic sealed subwoofer box for 2 MTX 8512 - 44's. I am wondering whether i should combine the two chambers or put an MDF barrier between the two. I do understand that if i split them and one fails the other one will still operate properly but is there any other advantages/disadvantages between the two concerning the sound?

KaeZoo · Accepted Answer

The other advantage to dividing the box is that the divider wall will help reinforce the box, so it's stronger and more rigid.  Beyond that (and the other advantage you mentioned) there's no sound quality advantage to a divided box over a shared chamber.

? · Answer

"but is there any other advantages/disadvantages between the two concerning the sound?
 
YES

This could come out a bit detailed....but helpfull at the same time

2 drivers sharing the same cabinet volume( space ) is known as acoustic coupled...this form of speaker system will yield a 6db increase in SPL at any given amplifier volume if wired in parallel and a 3db increase if wire in series.  apposed to a sealed and separated cabinet for your drivers

The formula  required to calculate the cabinet volume is that the VAS of the driver is entered as twice  the stated spec of the driver

Anonymous · Answer

with sealed enclosures you never want to have 2 subs in the same chamber you would want to make a seperate chamber for each sub

inktownlegend · Answer

you also run a much higher risk of destroying your subs if they are not playing "in phase" with one another, one could cause the other to blow, and if one blows the other will blow a short time later also

Subwoofer chambers sealed off or Combined?

4 Answers