Dayton 18″ HO Slot Port

Dayton 18″ HO Slot Port




Designer: Brandon Boyl

Project Time: 20+ hours
Project Complexity: Intermediate
Project Cost: $500-$1000

Project Description

Slot Ported subwoofer using the Dayton Audio RSS460-HO-4 Driver in a large cabinet tuned to around 19Hz. Cabinet was designed to be very strong and very heavy. The entire construction features 1″ MDF throughout.

Design Goals
Ultra rigid enclosure to eliminate as much cabinet resonance, vibration and flexing possible. Large slot port eliminates port noise even at high volume. This subwoofer design is meant to be used for clean, powerful and efficient bass output well below 20Hz room.

Driver Selection
Dayton RSS460HO-4 was chosen for its optimal performance with both music and movies as well as the reasonable price tag.

Enclosure Design
The enclosure was designed in 3D CAD using sketchup software. Each part was calculated for volume taken up and dimensioned for overall fitment before fabrication started. All parts were accounted for in the volume calculations with the exception of the 3/4″ round over placed on all items. Designed for 1″ MDF sheet goods, a completely self contained port assembly that does not utilize a cabinet wall for any section. Internal bracing throughout that interlocks all 6 sides of the enclosure together. Flush mounted driver for a very clean look. Cabinet contains Roxul rockboard 60 covered in burlap fabric in the area around the driver and in the bottom corners near the port to help diminish any internal reflections.

Enclosure Assembly
With over 40 individual parts per enclosure this is not a weekend project. I spent nearly 2 months to complete two of these fitting in time to work on them when I could.

Crossover Design
Behringer DCX2496

Conclusion
Overall an excellent subwoofer. The musicality and speed of the gigantic 18″ driver continues to amaze me. With two of these subwoofers I can easily shake the room while the drivers hardly seem to be moving. I previously built a different pair of subwoofers in the past featuring another large slot ported box and a 12 inch driver. These are better in every way.

Tips & Tricks

There are several photos and a build follow along online. As well as the sketchup file available for download so any perspective builder can see the design and dimension their parts as needed.

About the Designer
Been into HiFi Audio for about 15 years. I enjoy working on DIY audio projects or DIY in general. One of the great hobby’s that I can use my woodworking, and electronics skills to create something useful!

26 Comments

Add yours
  1. 1
    DanielS

    And you needed 2?!!?
    Kidding, this is a great looking enclosure! If I had the room for one of these I’d have to build it!
    Great job, they look loud just from the picture!

    • 5
      Brandon

      The cabinet overall dimensions are as follows:
      24.5″ Wide
      27.5″ Tall
      34.5″ Deep

      There is no amplifier in the cabinet. I am using one QSC RMX1450a amplifier per subwoofer.

  2. 9
    Richard Anderson

    Where do you find the dimensional drawings of each part of this project. I would like to build a pair for myself, but can’t find the files to download

    • 10
      Brandon

      You need to get the cad file and then you can take apart the cabinet and dimension each piece. I can email you the file. I stopped paying for server hosting where the files were previously located.

      • 11
        Richard Anderson

        I am now attempting to build one to start with at this time, not knowing the actual dimensions of each part, I am just guessing, I have already messed up the 2 baffles/bracing by not making Port clearance tall enough, I thought it was 3 inches, then discovered it was 4 inches, cutting into the baffle holes.
        I could not find any 1 inch MDF, so I purchased 1/2 inch and glued 2 together to get the 1 inch thickness, man are those sheets heavy. Any help, drawings with measurements you can provide would be truly appreciated

      • 13
        Shawn

        Hi can I get the CAD or sketch up files for you box design and dimensions… been looking for something like this for awhile. nice looking build… how do you like them for sound quality for music and movies. I currently use paradigm servo 15v2s but find them to be lacking for movies.

        thanks
        shawn

  3. 14
    Rich

    Beautiful subs!! Would you mind emailing the file to me as well? I’m roadkingrich at yahoo. Sure would appreciate it and can’t wait to hear a pair!!

  4. 16
    Doug Wilson

    Brandon – Would love to have the CAD file if you don’t mind sending – this is exactly what I was looking for. One question – how did you paint this beast?

  5. 17
    Mario

    Can i have the drawings and the woodlist with all the messuerements for building a 18inch slotport,please????
    Greetings from Mario from Holland.

  6. 24
    Brandon

    For anyone who wants the 3D Cad file and the build plans I have email me directly and I can help you out. All of the information you need is in the sketchup file because you can take apart the enclosure and dimension the parts in the software. boyl.brandon@gmail.com

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