how bad would it be to flush mount a large sub?

[scott911]

I have a forward firing large sub - axiom v2-350.

My wife is redesigning our living room and wants to hide the sub: putting it into a cabinet (with front doors removed or something) or perhaps building an alcove into the garage (entire front wall) where the front of the sub would be frlush with wall, or exposed by a few inches.

Obvious disagvantages - With the alcove approach, I won't be able to fully test the position, until the saws are already cutting through walls. And adjusting sub volume will require some interesting remote wiring with maybe a wall mounted volume control...

But my main question is... will having the bass' acoustic waves being generated near-flush with a wall cause some issues? Unlike some surface mounted wall speakers, I know this sub was never designed for this type of placement and am worried something wierd will happen.

thanks.

 

[adk highlander]

I have been corresponding with Snell about doing the same thing with my sub. They have indicated to me that I should not have any problem doing what you are also thinking. Their main concern is giving enough air flow so the amp does not overheat in an enclosed space. I am going to put mine horizontally in the center of my soundstage and hang my center channel over it.

Here are the comments from Snell:

I don't see a problem with loading your subwoofer up front, behind the main stage.

I would build the cabinet tight (1-2") around the sub, but make allowances for access and cable strain. If you decide to line the cabinet with foam, I would use a closed cell, fire rated foam on the cabinet wrap, but please keep the back panel clear of any material for thermal issues (and provide some air and/or cooling if you are constraining the heatsink's ability to disperse heat.

The finish quality (flat black) of the Snell's also suggests this is a common occurrence for their subs. In the manual there is a comment about how it can be mounted vertically or horizontally to fit in custom millwork.

You may want to contact the manufacturer and ask if they have any specific requirements.

 

[TLS Guy]

I have a forward firing large sub - axiom v2-350.

My wife is redesigning our living room and wants to hide the sub: putting it into a cabinet (with front doors removed or something) or perhaps building an alcove into the garage (entire front wall) where the front of the sub would be frlush with wall, or exposed by a few inches.

Obvious disagvantages - With the alcove approach, I won't be able to fully test the position, until the saws are already cutting through walls. And adjusting sub volume will require some interesting remote wiring with maybe a wall mounted volume control...

But my main question is... will having the bass' acoustic waves being generated near-flush with a wall cause some issues? Unlike some surface mounted wall speakers, I know this sub was never designed for this type of placement and am worried something wierd will happen.

thanks.

An alcove into the garage, would be a problem with fire codes. The alcove would have to sheet rocked around, with no ventilation holes. Garages are a common place for home fires to start, so you don't want to compromise what
fire walls there are in place. You certainly don't want to create a direct conduit for smoke and flame into your living space. So if you take that approach, you will have to vent the heat from the sub back into the house.

Cabinets are highly problematic, as unless design quality and build structure is very high, you will have rattles and vibrations.

As far as having the sub flush with the wall I don't see a big problem, you will quite likely get a little gain and not have to drive the sub quite as hard.

By the way, it would not be at all unusual for the custom cabinet to end up uglier than the sub!