PowerBass 3XL-1501D Specifications download pdf (Page 8)

INSTALLATION EXPERIENCE

Installation of PowerBass Xtreme Speakers requires experience with a variety of mechanical and electrical

procedures. This manual provides only general installation and operation instructions. If you have any

reservations about your installation skills or lack of the proper tools, please contact your local PowerBass

Xtreme dealer for assistance.

CHOOSING A SPEAKER ENCLOSURE

The PowerBass Xtreme 3XL Subwoofers are engineered to perform at their optimum level in a Vented (aka

Ported) enclosure. However, these subwoofers offer the versatility of being used in either sealed, vented or

bandpass enclosures. For maximum performance we recommend you have your new PowerBass Xtreme

Subwoofer installed by an Authorized PowerBass Xtreme Dealer.

• SEALED BOX: A sealed or acoustic suspension enclosure is easy to build and typically offers a smaller

size enclosure and greater power handling. It has the most predictable frequency and phase response;

the bass response will roll off slower than that of a ported design. Sealed boxes typically provide the

best musical detail and deﬁnition. A well-designed sealed enclosure will exhibit smooth frequency

response with excellent sound quality and great low bass extension. They also exhibit relatively

accurate, punchy bass reproduction for most types of music. If a sealed enclosure is too large to

fit into a speciﬁc area of a vehicle, it is possible to decrease the recommended box volume by using

1.5 pounds per cubic feet of low density, high heat speciﬁc box stufﬁng material. PowerBass recommends

Fiberglass, Dacron, Poly-Fill or long ﬁber wool for stufﬁng the enclosure (decreasing the box enclosure

however should not exceed 20% of the recommended size). When using any type of box stufﬁng

material be sure that the subwoofer’s vented pole piece is clear from any obstructions, since covering

the pole piece will result in loss of bass and can possibly cause damage to your subwoofer. The most

important aspect of a sealed enclosure is to make sure that it is airtight and solid. If your enclosure

has any air leaks or if the panels vibrate or ﬂex, you will experience a loss of bass output. Using glue

and some type of sealant (caulk) on all seams will ensure a solid constructed box without any air leaks.

• VENTED BOX: Also known as a ported or bass reﬂex enclosure, this type of box is almost as easy to

construct as a sealed enclosure. This design however is more efﬁcient and results in an increase of bass

output at certain frequencies. Although a vented enclosure has an output advantage at some frequencies,

it also has a steeper rolloff, which will only affect bass frequencies below port tuning. Air inside the port will

move in phase with the subwoofer reinforcing frequencies above the F3 (-3dB point). The SPL advantage

of the vented enclosure comes from the fact that the effect of the vent tuning reduces the excursion

of the subwoofer near the tuning frequency allowing more SPL to be produced before the subwoofer

bottoms. Damping material should also be used to line the internal walls to reduce any sonic reﬂection.

Because of the characteristics of a vented enclosure, subwoofers typically will become unloaded (act as if

it is not in a box) at frequencies of ½ octave below the enclosure tuning frequency. Using a high pass

ﬁlter / subsonic ﬁlter will help prevent the subwoofer from unloading or exceeding its excursion capabilities.

It is important to stay within the recommended enclosure speciﬁcations. (PowerBass recommends port

placement to coincide on the same panel or bafﬂe that the subwoofer resides on.)

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PowerBass 3XL-1501D Specifications Page 8