If you would like to build this subwoofer, talk with GTuttle, either at club meeting or by email. He can provide a kit with all the needed parts or help you acquire the parts on your own.
It's a good idea to read through the subwoofer overview and the subwoofer projects for 2026 documents for some background info on sealed and vented subs and options for an amplifier to go with the subwoofer.
Club cost: $100
Project overview
SUB-1V is the club's medium-sized, vented subwoofer project. It is fairly easy to build:
- Assemble a simple rectangular enclosure with glue and screws.
- (Optional) Fill the screw holes and seal the edges with wood filler, sand everything smooth, and paint the exterior.
- Install two binding-post connectors in the back.
- Adjust the port to the desired length and attach it to the front panel.
- Attach a pair of wires between the binding post and the driver.
- Attach the driver to the front panel.
The driver used is the Dayton DCS-4 8-inch diameter subwoofer.
The enclosure is made with 3/4-inch medium-density fiberboard (MDF). The inner dimensions are 14.5" x 10" x 9" for a volume of 1,305 cubic inches ( = 0.76 cubic feet = 21.4 liters). The outer dimensions are 16" x 11.5" x 10.5". Since the MDF is a bit thicker, we can use screws and glue to hold everything together. Then we don't have to use clamps or weights and wait for the glue to dry.
Of course, to use the sub, you will need a mono amplifier with at least 50 W of power. You can build you own using the club sub amp project. Or you can buy one, with costs ranging from $50 for cheaper ones listed on Amazon to essentially infinity.
Bill of Materials
| item | manufacturer | vendor | quantity | item cost | total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driver | Dayton DCS205-4 | PE 297-429 | 1 | 72.98 | 72.98 | Port tube | Parts Express 2.5 in adjustable | PE 260-386 | 1 | 4.79 | 4.79 |
| MDF | 3/4" thick - 2' x 4' panel | Menards 1272036 | 1 | 14.99 | 14.99 |
| pair of binding posts | Parts Express | PE 091-340 | 1 pair | 8.29 | 8.29 |
| Misc screws, wire, glue | 5.00 | ||||
| Total | 106.05 | ||||
More to read
- Step-by-step build instructions.
- Test results.