Infinite Baffle Subs mounted in doors? (home audio not car)

[goryu]

I have a walk out basement with dimensions of 23'x47'. There is a concrete wall structure that splits the space lengthwise into two smaller rooms with passage ways between the two small spaces on each side of the concrete wall. There is a door leading to the outside on the right wall, a door leading to another part of the basement on the left wall, and a stairway leading upstairs in the upper right corner. There are 4 concrete piers, each 2'x3' that support structural posts. There are also 1'x1' concrete piers along the concrete walls which support beams on which the 1st floor joists rest. The house has a timber frame construction.The concrete wall structure mentioned earlier is actual a foundation for a masonry heater located on the 1st floor above.The upper space is where the audio and tv are located. I currently have a pair of Acoustat 6600 speakers and two 12" sealed CSS subs.

I would like to try IB bass however, there isn't any way to use a space below (it's a basement) or above to vent the backs of the drivers. The lower space would be perfect as it is just used for storage and is plenty large enough volume-wise. The issue is that the only way to vent the drivers into the space would be through the passage ways on either side of the concrete wall structure. Currently these passage ways are open but I would like to seal them with doors. One that is done, I am wondering if it would be feasible to mount one 18" driver in each door? Of course I would make the doors extremely stiff, rigid, and strong. I would also put some sort of seal around the entire outside edge of the doors and jambs.

Drawing to make it easier to visualize. Thanks for any suggestions, advice, etc.

 

[levimax]

I have a walk out basement with dimensions of 23'x47'. There is a concrete wall structure that splits the space lengthwise into two smaller rooms with passage ways between the two small spaces on each side of the concrete wall. There is a door leading to the outside on the right wall, a door leading to another part of the basement on the left wall, and a stairway leading upstairs in the upper right corner. There are 4 concrete piers, each 2'x3' that support structural posts. There are also 1'x1' concrete piers along the concrete walls which support beams on which the 1st floor joists rest. The house has a timber frame construction.The concrete wall structure mentioned earlier is actual a foundation for a masonry heater located on the 1st floor above.The upper space is where the audio and tv are located. I currently have a pair of Acoustat 6600 speakers and two 12" sealed CSS subs.

I would like to try IB bass however, there isn't any way to use a space below (it's a basement) or above to vent the backs of the drivers. The lower space would be perfect as it is just used for storage and is plenty large enough volume-wise. The issue is that the only way to vent the drivers into the space would be through the passage ways on either side of the concrete wall structure. Currently these passage ways are open but I would like to seal them with doors. One that is done, I am wondering if it would be feasible to mount one 18" driver in each door? Of course I would make the doors extremely stiff, rigid, and strong. I would also put some sort of seal around the entire outside edge of the doors and jambs.

Drawing at the link to make it easier to visualize as I was unable to uploaded to this site due to the site having reached its limits. Thanks for any suggestions, advice, etc.

Cool idea, theoretically I don't see any issues but as you say the doors are going to have to be well designed and executed in order to work. I would worry about "rattling" sounds from the door as an 18" sub driver is heavy and powerful. I am sure some door expert would know what kind and how many hinges to use and how best to seal it and how best to securely latch it but if you have to figure it out yourself there is going to be a lot of trial and error. Good luck and hopefully a door expert will chime in.

 

[Speedskater]

I remember 60 some years ago, a friend had a 30 inch ElectroVoice woofer mounted on a closet door in his parents attic.

 

[kemmler3D]

If I understand correctly, you want to mount the subs in doors downstairs and listen to them upstairs?

 

[DVDdoug]

It should be OK as long as everything is strong enough. But I wouldn't want to use it as an everyday door! You might want to use some special latches rather than a door knob just so it doesn't get opened casually or frequently.

The seal on an infinite baffle isn't as important as with a smaller sealed or ported speaker. But of course you don't want anything rattling or vibrating.

I recommend modeling the performance for the particular driver before you buy it. WinISD is free. It doesn't seem to have an infinite baffle modeling option but you should be able to enter a very large sealed box volume.

 

[goryu]

If I understand correctly, you want to mount the subs in doors downstairs and listen to them upstairs?

No, I want to mount them in doors in the basement to shut off the back part of the room (bottom in the drawing) from the listening area, which is the top part of the room in the drawing.

 

[goryu]

It should be OK as long as everything is strong enough. But I wouldn't want to use it as an everyday door! You might want to use some special latches rather than a door knob just so it doesn't get opened casually or frequently.

The seal on an infinite baffle isn't as important as with a smaller sealed or ported speaker. But of course you don't want anything rattling or vibrating.

I recommend modeling the performance for the particular driver before you buy it. WinISD is free. It doesn't seem to have an infinite baffle modeling option but you should be able to enter a very large sealed box volume.

Yes, would definitely use some sort of heavy duty hinges and multiple latches, no standard door knobs. I have some experience with building stout, unconventional doors for my Japanese farm house...


I am planning on using these drivers: https://www.oneaudiousa.com/product-page/ib3

There aren't many good candidates for IB. These check all the boxes and have gotten a lot of great reviews.