Subwoofer Enclosures – Pre-manufactured Versus Custom Technologies
By Todd Ramsey
MECP Program Manager

There are plenty of choices for “factory fit,” pre-manufactured subwoofer enclosure solutions. Many of them are very good fitting and sounding solutions. What some installation technicians fail to consider when building their own enclosures is how they are charging for their services versus the cost (and profit margin) of a factory fit solution. Sometimes it takes much longer for a custom enclosure and, often, not enough is charged for the work.

There are several “contoured” factory enclosures that fit in the car like a puzzle piece. Away from the vehicle-specific contoured boxes come the quality constructed, well finished, “drop in” enclosures in more traditional shapes. These are available from a variety of manufacturers in models, both loaded and unloaded. With so many subwoofer enclosure choices out there, what does a specialist retailer want to sell? Here are some points to consider:

• How expensive is the landed cost of a cheap "raw" enclosure versus one that you can build at your shop? Many times the sheet price of a raw enclosure can be double with shipping and handling costs. If you are skilled at building customizable basic enclosures, then it adds significant value to your capabilities as a specialist.
• How much power will the enclosure be given? It is a proven fact that more power and larger, heavier, higher output woofers are only a good value when coupled with an enclosure that is well braced and has adequate stiffness to eliminate panel flex. For example, the 1/2" inexpensive chip board boxes are better suited for a 6” x 9" speaker than a pair of cast basket 12” woofers on 1000 watts each.
• What drop in (unloaded) enclosure sizes are suited for the woofers you sell in your store? Learn to clue into which woofers prefer which types and sizes of enclosures to help select your optimum mix.
• How is the enclosure actually constructed? With chipboard and air driven nails; glued and screwed MDF; or laser cut, dado fastened and glued, high density composite material? Material type and construction methods have a massive variance that's usually reflected in the cost of a finished product.
• How is the enclosure finished? While most enclosures come finished in a tolerable gray carpet type material, other finishes are available. Some come raw and unfinished allowing the dealer to spend a small amount of time and effort to customize for the customer. Still others offer bells and whistles like Plexiglas windows or neon tube channels. Don’t forget speaker grilles.

Many specialty retailers find that having pre-manufactured enclosures helps them sell and install an entire system in less than a day. This same result may not be possible with a custom constructed enclosure, but the custom enclosure has other advantages provided the installer is able design the enclosure accordingly. The ideal solution for many retailers has been the subwoofer enclosure that’s pre fabricated, yet unique enough to stand out as more valuable to a customer.

As a specialty retailer, consider where your strengths are and continue to focus there. Whether you choose pre-made or custom made, there is plenty of profit margin, longevity and reliability when the construction of a subwoofer enclosure is done well by a professional. In addition, you have the comfort of knowing that subwoofers are going into predictable enclosures where they stand a good chance of performing up to expectations. This ultimately makes for a happy customer. Think of this alternative next time you want to turn a “system” over in less than a day and need to cut time, not corners, to keep the work flowing through the install bay.