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14/4/2019 DIY Audio Speaker Box Building Guide
dimensions, and to add the thickness of the MDF to get the outer dimensions. Also, remember when using butt
joints that only half of the time will the sides of the box be cut to the size of the outer dimension. Use the Speaker
Box Volume Calculator and most of these calculations will be done for you automatically. Also be sure to read the
Help for the Speaker Box Volume Calculator for more information.
You should have both a square drill bit for a drill and a screwdriver (probably size #2). You should always drill a
hole first before putting in the screw. The hole should be about the size of the screw without the threads. I also like
to put a little wood glue in the hole and on the screw before putting in the screw, but this is not necessary. But, you
should definitely put wood glue on the edges of the wood before putting pieces together. When the glue dries, it will
become as strong as the wood itself, to the point where you could remove all the screws and the box will still stay
together. You will probably want to counter sink the screws for a flat surface, and this will not be possible without
drilling a counter sink hole. MDF is too strong to counter sink a screw by strength alone. There are special counter
sink tools, or you can use a second drill bit the size of the head of the screw. Note: For a more finished look (without
gluing on veneers), some people will build speaker boxes with wood glue alone. This will work fine, but you will
need some long clamps to hold the wood in place until the wood dries.
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14/4/2019 DIY Audio Speaker Box Building Guide
When cutting holes in the bracing, leave at least 1" between the hole and the edge of the brace, and when
using multiple circular holes it is best to have the holes staggered for more strength. Also, don't create a brace so
big that it will restrict the airflow of the speaker. Basically, make the holes big enough, or use a lot of them. Finally,
notice the double layer of wood used for the baffle where the woofer will be mounted, for even more durability
where it is needed most.
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14/4/2019 DIY Audio Speaker Box Building Guide
Driver spacing?
Try to keep the dimensions of the mid and tweeter chambers less than the length of a wave at the crossover
point. The table below lists wavelengths at different frequencies. Obviously, if you do this, then you can't use same
depth for woofer and mid chambers. You should also keep the centers of 2 drivers within the length of a wave at the
crossover frequency. Also note that a speaker producing frequencies of a wavelength less than its effective
diameter will be very directional at those frequencies.
Frequency Wavelength
5000 Hz 2.7 in
3000 Hz 4.5 in
1500 Hz 9.0 in
750 Hz 18.1 in
500 Hz 27.1 in
300 Hz 45.2 in
200 Hz 67.8 in
100 Hz 135.6 in
https://www.diyaudioandvideo.com/Guide/BuildSpeakerBox/ 4/5
14/4/2019 DIY Audio Speaker Box Building Guide
When the woofer is located near the floor, there will be more bass due to reflection and vibration of the floor.
Sometimes, this extra bass is desired, but it is not accurate reproduction of the input signal. The easiest way to
eliminate the vibration is to put the speaker on something that will not vibrate at all, like a rock. A more realistic
solution is for the speaker to make direct contact with the floor by way of a spike. If a spike is used, then the
speaker will rest on the subfloor, not the rug, and the speaker will not be able to vibrate as much. This will eliminate
much of the extra bass.
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