Vented Specialist

PHL Audio 3861-8

Best box: 5.8 L bass reflex tuned to 120.1 Hz · F3 128.3 Hz

Predicted SPL response of the PHL Audio 3861-8 in the recommended 5.8 L bass reflex box versus the alternative — open it in the simulator Open and tweak this box live ↗

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⚠️ Engineering Notice for Builders

  • Limited linear excursion (Xmax: 2.5 mm); set a high-pass subsonic filter at 25–30 Hz when driven with high power.

Recommended Bass Reflex (Vented)

PORT BUILDABLE
Net Box Volume (Vb) 5.8 Liters
Tuning Frequency (Fb) 120.1 Hz
F3 (-3 dB Cutoff) 128.3 Hz
F6 / F10 Extension 111.5 Hz / 96.2 Hz
Port Inner Diameter Ø 7.5 cm
Port Physical Length 10.5 cm
First Pipe Resonance 1643.0 Hz
Estimated MOL @ F3 117.5 dB SPL
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Recommended Sealed (Acoustic Suspension)

MAX TRANSIENT DAMPING
Net Box Volume (Vb) 2.8 Liters
System Q (Qtc) 0.707 (Butterworth)
System Resonance (Fc) 220.4 Hz
F3 (-3 dB Cutoff) 207.4 Hz
F6 / F10 Extension 160.0 Hz / 121.6 Hz
Air Spring Linearity High (Zero port compression)
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Thiele/Small Parameters

Resonance (Fs) 88.0 Hz
Total Q (Qts) 0.27
Electrical Q (Qes) 0.296
Mechanical Q (Qms) 3.07
Equivalent Volume (Vas) 16.5 Liters
Diaphragm Area (Sd) 377.0 cm²
DC Resistance (Re) 5.7 Ω
Efficiency Bandwidth Product (EBP) 297.3
Linear Excursion (Xmax) 2.5 mm
Thermal Power (Pe) 250.0 W
Nominal Diameter 10.0"
Catalog Source Load Forge catalog (manufacturer datasheets and retailer listings)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the recommended ported (bass reflex) box volume for PHL Audio 3861-8?

Load Forge's calculated alignment puts PHL Audio 3861-8 in a 5.8 liter vented enclosure tuned to 120.1 Hz, reaching an F3 cutoff of approximately 128.3 Hz.

Can PHL Audio 3861-8 be used in a sealed box?

Yes. In a sealed (acoustic suspension) enclosure of 2.8 liters with a Qtc of 0.707 (Butterworth), the system exhibits an F3 of 207.4 Hz.

What port dimensions should be used for PHL Audio 3861-8 to avoid port chuffing?

Sized from cone displacement (Sd × Xmax), a minimum port diameter of 7.5 cm with a length of 10.5 cm is suggested; check the port air velocity at your drive level in the Load Forge Studio.

Shareable Acoustic Card for Forums & Social Media

Embed this design card on DIYAudio, AVSForum, Reddit, or Facebook. It shows the calculated F3, MOL (when the power rating is published) and box parameters.

PHL Audio 3861-8 Enclosure Card
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