Cabinet Dimensions

• A subwoofer cabinet requires a minimum amount of space to push the air required to deliver you bass tones. The depth of your subwoofer cabinet should be no less than two inches deeper than your speaker, according to Erin Blanton, writing on the Crutchfield website. If your speaker is eight inches from front to back, then your cabinet should be at least 10 inches. The width and height of your cabinet needs to be at least the diameter of your speaker. If your speaker came with a frame template, then use that. But if not, use the diameter of the speaker. Another guideline is the internal volume of your cabinet. Most speaker manufacturers indicate the minimum amount of cabinet volume required to get maximum performance from their speakers. To calculate the volume of your cabinet, multiply length by width by depth to get the cubic volume. Draw out your speaker cabinet plans and then do the math to see if the cabinet you are designing meets the speaker manufacturer's specifications or if you have to adjust your measurements.
  
  

Wood

• The best material to use to make your subwoofer cabinet is durable fiberboard, according to Wayne Harris of Termpro. Fiberboard is traditionally made from a strong wood like maple, and should not be confused with the much less stable particle board. If fiberboard is unavailable, then standard plywood at least 1/2 inch in thickness will suffice.
  
  

Assembly

• The best material to assemble your subwoofer enclosure with is wood glue, as opposed to nails or screws. Wood glue can create a strong, continuous seal in your enclosure that prevents air from escaping out of the sides of your enclosure, which can affect the sound it produces. Run a bead of silicone caulk along the inside areas where all your panels meet to reinforce the ability of the cabinet to retain air.
  
  

Tools

• Building an effective subwoofer cabinet requires you to do some mathematical calculations. But building the cabinet requires only basic tools such as a table saw, drill press, reciprocating saw, a hammer and a screwdriver. The reciprocating saw has a blade that pulsates back and forth and is used to cut the hole in the front of your cabinet to mount your speaker.