Subwoofer Project FINISHED!!! (Enclosure Dimensions Included)

[Essam Khafagi]

Originally Posted by carlgo

I wonder if the 5.25 size would be more compatible, more the same frequency response as original.

The OEM speakers are 16cm. There is no need for you to make them smaller and this will cause loss in midbass.

[carlgo]

Originally Posted by X5-limo

Kudos to you and Essam!!!
What year is your X5?
When you built your subwoofer enclosure to Essam's using the 11cm dimension:
(1) Did it fit right into the compartment the first time?
(2) Did you attach (bolt it...) to anything?
(3) You mentioned turning the woofer so it's terminals are in the best position......would you better describe the optimum position for the terminals and, beginning with the letter 'P' and ending with 'R', would you describe the position of the word 'Pioneer', ie., P = 7 o'clock - R = 1 o'clock or whatever yours are now at.

Which speakers are you planning to choose and with what models?

Kudo

1. I put adhesive foam tape on the box and on the X where I thought there might be contact. Still, it just slid right in and a few fist bumps here and there seems to have lodged it in pretty securely. As mentioned, you do have to temporarily move the fuse holder to get the box in.

2. No brackets were used to bolt the box in. These could easily be added if your box flops around.

3. You are making the terminal clearance issue too hard. Just turn the woofer so that the terminals don't touch anything. That would be at about the 4 and 8 o'clock position, big-hand-wise. The alternative is to try different ways to build in clearance so the logo is level. I did that.

Essam has good ideas on the speakers. I think I will get the BSW tweeters and dash midranges and an aftermart front door mid-woofer (BSW does not now have those mid-basses for sale). The particular model of Pioneer that Essam uses are not available in the US, but all the speaker companies make similar speakers.

I have been looking at the Crutchfield web site and while they don't usually have the lowest price, they do have charts as to what fits and adapters to attach them properly. The Pioneers are amazingly cheap ($50/pair).

Most people should probably just get the BSW system and be done with it, and that includes the woofer, but my budget and immediate needs will be better served by the more home-brew methods outlined above. I also have a lot of power tools, etc for making things.

[carlgo]

Oh, and my X5 is an E53, 2005 to be exact. They should all be the same up to the new style.

[ravic]

I aquired a Pioneer TS-SW251 sub and a Alpine amp.
Will be going to home depot to get some MDF tonight.

[carlgo]

Originally Posted by ravic

I aquired a Pioneer TS-SW251 sub and a Alpine amp.
Will be going to home depot to get some MDF tonight.

Don't forget the specialized MDF screws. And some construction adhesive or Liquid Nails. Maybe some sound deadening for lining the box. I used rubber, but that cork sheeting with peel-off backing would work, I think.

Enough people do this and I will buy HD stock.

[ravic]

Thanks for the reminder. I wrote them down.

I was working on installing my pioneer NAV system last weeknd. I went to home depot at least two times a day. Good thing it is only 1/2 a mile from where i live.

[carlgo]

I live in a semi-rural area, but luckily there is a small family-owned lumber yard just a couple of miles away. HD is 15 miles away, so I try to be careful to makes lists, but there is no such thing as a perfect list...

[ravic]

I do have one other question before i cut. Are the dimension posted, the size of the pieces i need to cut? or are they including the thickness of the MDF?

I am assuming that those are the dimensions for the pieces i need to cut.

[carlgo]

Since I am here, I'll answer. They are the outside dimensions, so you have to subtract for the thicknesses you are using. I used a metric rule, so it was easier to follow Essam's instructions. "Measure twice, cut once", do a prelim fitting before you glue anything.

[ravic]

Thanks, Glad i asked before cutting.

I did pickup the stuff i need during lunch hour. Home depot had the Cork based shelf lining. I got that to use as sound deadening material for inside the box as you suggested. I cant wait to build it tonight.