Fixing Subwoofer Chuff with Custom 3D Printed Ports

This is the final prototype design for the Retro PC Subwoofer project and is by far the best design in the series. Unfortunately, I ran into massive port noise or "chuffing" at extremely low frequencies and decided to 3D Print a custom port to see if that resolves the issue. Towards the end of the video I dive into why this was a problem to begin with.
Hardware Asylum
www.hardwareas...

[@namegoesherenone6449]

Love the 3d printing for ports! Make them screw into the flare for easy removal during testing! I also had the 3d printer print length measurements on the outside of the port so i can cut it shorter if needed!

[@Hardwareasylum]

I did print a version that I used to dynamically tune the box, just to see what happened. Worked well but, for the effort its more efficient to trust the math.

[@TimpBizkit]

To be honest I've been quite happy with tunings in the upper 30s unless I need to recreate those subwoofer testing songs. It can sound "powerful" just from the improved sensitivity. In that configuration of box you could probably fit a gentle port curve, up and around the back. Sharp bends in ports reduce their efficiency. Or you could use passive radiators.

[@Hardwareasylum]

Agreed, I had intended to do a folded port but, discovered it would be this long snake that was only a quarter of an inch tall. Would have been neat to see but ugly IMO. The box sounds amazing and looks pretty good too though I'll be diving into a new revision later this year. I'm thinking either a single driver or something of a bandpass variety. The intention will be that custom desktop monitors will pick up the slack and be the primary sound source. I figure I can then work on making the sub loud over smooth and equal.

[@sportbikeguy9875]

Bro out here 3D printing in 2024, still hsing a PC from 1993 with a floppy drive

[@Hardwareasylum]

I also have a '92 ZX7 and MV Agusta SPR but, whatever.

[@matilija]

woofer cooker, still the best woofer test out there imo.

[@Hardwareasylum]

Thanks, I like to find new ways to test hardware (computer and otherwise) and then find simple ways to explain the results.

[@schnecks2180]

Great video! I was playing with bigger flares on the inside for my box as well. (JBL had the inner part of the flare twice the diameter) Worked well. Downside; No convenient way to mount the port....

[@user_ZLYJE6EM7yHhulp]

a great video!! but please have more sound test. gameplay, more sounds tracks for subwoofers. 🙂

[@Hardwareasylum]

The next video will be the final build. This will get the "show car finish" maybe some RGB lights, different amplifiers and some acrylic panels to show of the internals. Of course, now that I have dialed in exactly what I want it is just a matter of making it look good.

[@mikebass2700]

Read somewhere one can put polyfill inside the sub enclosure to slow the air being expelled thru the port(s) causing the chuffing? Enjoyed the vlog!

[@Hardwareasylum]

I'm glad you liked the video, I actually have one final one to upload to finish out this series and then, I'll start working on a satellite speaker build. Might be awhile though. :) To your comment, Adding polyfill to a speaker box changes the Q value and will slow down the subs slightly. Normally this is done for "woofers" that are acting as mid-range speakers so to dampen stray harmonics. When used in a pure subwoofer box the polyfill will change the port turning so, while the chuff might go away, it is doing so at the expense of low end frequency. However, with that being said, I have not tested it so cannot back any of this up with anything aside from my own personal research. btw. @hexibase has an interesting video on the subject kzbin.info/www/bejne/haXZdYSPbpJpack

[@jonfoss3437]

Need a flare on both ends

[@Hardwareasylum]

possibly, I have used "dual" flares in some of my previous designs and they didn't make much of a difference. For this project the only reason I added the flare was to dress up the exterior in preparation for the final design. I still have a few configurations I'd like to test out but, that will have to wait a few months.

[@Lindynj]

have you still got the stl file for that port you made?

[@Hardwareasylum]

Yes, though I won't be sharing it at this time. The intention is to offer this project with blueprints and make it something my Patreon subscribers can have access to.

[@Lindynj]

@@Hardwareasylum all good i ended up making a port in blender and printing it

[@CoreMaster111]

So technically you didn't fix chuffing but instead lowered it.

[@Hardwareasylum]

Correct. I made it less prevalent by slowing down the velocity of air leaving the enclosure. I would need a much larger (and longer (that's what she said)) port to remove the chuff completely making the enclosure somewhat impractical

[@clr4811]

great videos, but I need help, I have this subwoofer in my hand but I don't know how to make it sound good, I don't have measuring instruments, and I should go by ear, can you give me liters and port measurements? thank you

[@Hardwareasylum]

That is not what I do. These videos are for those who want to learn and might need a little guidance along the way.

[@francisdaoust5862]

I was searching for a project like this, can you share the spect of this enclosure? I may try to 3d print a complet setup if you can give me the complet parameters inyernal volume and port size😋. Thank you

[@Hardwareasylum]

My intention was to share the specs for the box when I build the final version. It will be basically the same thing but with several dress up components and plenty of 3D Printed parts. In terms of overall dimensions the enclosure is too large for a standard 3D Printer with a print bed of 300x300. I do have plans to build Left and Right separates out of PLA however, that part of the project won't be until sometime next year. BTW, Details on "this" project will be posted on my website including some back story information related to how this particular design came to be.

[@francisdaoust5862]

@@Hardwareasylum thank you, I was searching for a setup like yours with the same driver.