Thread: Keeping an in wall sub from shaking?

Originally Posted by The Tate

Well I am going to say that fixed the problem. It has alot more bass now also, probably because its more stable. Today is the first day I have really got to test it and it blew the grill off the front.

Is your sheetrock still singing along?

Originally Posted by Paul Wozniak

Is your sheetrock still singing along?

does not seem to be.

Glad you solved your problem.

BTW, I'm fairly impressed with your solution. Nice job of figuring out the vibration modes and eliminating them without having to do any cutting. I especially liked the plywood backing you added.

I know this is an old thread but I just came across it and noticed your pics. Is that an exterior wall of your house?

yes

I don't think I would have mounted a subwoofer in an exterior wall for a couple of reasons. First, you've compromised your vapor barrier so now your subwoofer (and home interior) is subject to moisture infiltration from outside. The subwoofer itself will be subject to temperature changes which it's not really designed for. You've also removed a valuable piece of insulation from your home which will of course decrease your heating and cooling systems efficiency. Perhaps you've put insulation around the sub in which case you've eliminated that problem and even improved your bass somewhat. Many speaker manufacturers "stuff" their speaker boxes to improve the sound.
Lastly, because a subwoofer works by moving as much air as possible, any air movement you lose to a surface vibration is lost bass. The more rigid you make the enclosure, the less vibration and the more bass you will get. Sounds like you've taken care of the vibration so that's good. Just thought I'd mention the other facts so you don't run into future moisture/mold problems or possibly even rotten wood.

Originally Posted by Inno

I don't think I would have mounted a subwoofer in an exterior wall for a couple of reasons. First, you've compromised your vapor barrier so now your subwoofer (and home interior) is subject to moisture infiltration from outside. The subwoofer itself will be subject to temperature changes which it's not really designed for. You've also removed a valuable piece of insulation from your home which will of course decrease your heating and cooling systems efficiency. Perhaps you've put insulation around the sub in which case you've eliminated that problem and even improved your bass somewhat. Many speaker manufacturers "stuff" their speaker boxes to improve the sound.
Lastly, because a subwoofer works by moving as much air as possible, any air movement you lose to a surface vibration is lost bass. The more rigid you make the enclosure, the less vibration and the more bass you will get. Sounds like you've taken care of the vibration so that's good. Just thought I'd mention the other facts so you don't run into future moisture/mold problems or possibly even rotten wood.

My vapor barrier is on the other side of the wall. Also the way my living room is designed I only have 3 walls. 2 of them are outside walls and the other is a baby's room which my wife would have shoot me if I put it in that one. My living room is open to my dining room and kitchen which is separated only by a column, then a half wall is separating my kitchen and dining room.

I figured there must be a good reason for it. There is a layer of house wrap on the outside of most houses but there is also a vapor barrier between the drywall and the wall studs, I can see it in one of your pictures. It probably won't make that much difference but it's something to keep an eye on. Gotta love the space saving that you get from in wall speakers though!