Auto/truck tuba designs

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

The plans state a minimum xmax as anything less won't give the output we're looking for. There is a point where too much isn't worthwhile, that being around four times the minimum. Pro sound drivers don't have huge xmax because they have far higher sensitivity than auto sound, and they don't get stuffed into small enclosures. Horses for courses.

[Seth]

I'm guilty of wanting to maximize my builds beyond the scope of the plans too. So, I get it.

After having done so, so many times, here's my advice: use the least expensive recommended driver and build the cab to spec, as WIDE as possible. You'll gain more in cab width than you will with drivers. In the unlikely event you need/want more at that point, upgrade. But, there won't be much to gain. So far, I've not felt the need to upgrade from the double MCM 8's in either my TrT or TAT. Sure, it would always be nice to have more output. But, that will always be the case, no matter what driver or what the SPL is already. When the bass is so clean, it seems there's never enough.

With sealed or ported enclosures, the driver does the work. With horns, the horn does the work. The wider you build (within the recommended limit) the better it will work. Driver selection is far less important, assuming recommended T/S parameters are within spec.