I think it was you
@swatski who was thinking about using a box on a IB sub....remind me again why you prefer this route vs just installing it as IB, I think you mentioned it would narrow the range of the sub or something?
Do you have a sub now?
Yes Sir, we are talking about an IB sub inside a small enclosure!
Yes - an IB sub will sound louder, and can be perceived as stronger - when mounted inside a sealed enclosure.
Here are some supporting statements (albeit somewhat out of context):
David Analog said:
↑
"This is fact. When you place a true high 'Q' infinite baffle subwoofer driver in a box that is small enough that it serves to raise the 'Qtc' (system 'Q'), you lose deep bass and you add a midbass hump...in other words, you get more of a domed response curve. The smaller the box the more profound the change. So it is definitely adding a midbass peak, but not at the deeper registers. If you want to go acoustic suspension, which does have some advantages, simply select the right subwoofer driver for the right application. JL Audio makes such a driver, the M10W5."
And here is an interesting read and another David quote from
a different forum:
"Sure, an IB sub in a small enclosure can give you a pronounced peak in the upper bass and sound very 'live' at the cost of no low bass. Technically that IS more output even though it's over a narrower bandwidth. But it sounds terribly unnatural to me. And because you have narrowed the sub's bandwidth considerably, to compensate many would be tempted to push the sub harder with more low frequency equalization, thus blow the woofer."
In my boat - I currently use BassLInk by Infinity, a powered sub. I have had it for a while now with zero issues. Survived the Bimini trip, too. There are some of those that suddenly stop working (something goes toast on the inside but can be replaced for like $5 if you know what you are doing). I figured I can take the risk for the price of admission.
For the price, it is amazing. It does seem to "wake up" at higher volumes and will shake the helm (where I have it mounted).
I posted pictures somewhere else, mine is installed inside the helm compartment.