In this article, we will be taking a closer look at an old school MTX Thunder bandpass subwoofer box. This particular speaker box was sold at Circuit City back in the day and features two 10-inch drivers inside. We will examine the construction of the box, clean the interior, and explore the woofers. Additionally, we will discuss the specifications of the MTX Thunder subwoofer box and its compatibility with the MTX Blue Thunder Pro amplifier.
Introduction to the MTX Thunder Bandpass Subwoofer Box
I recently had the opportunity to acquire a unique speaker box, the MTX Thunder bandpass subwoofer box. A generous individual contacted me and offered this cool speaker box, and I couldn't resist. So, let's dive in and take a closer look at this vintage piece of audio equipment.
The MTX Thunder Bandpass Subwoofer Box
The MTX Thunder bandpass subwoofer box is a single reflex bandpass box that houses two 10-inch drivers. The box features ports on both sides and has a single terminal. Upon initial inspection, the box appears to be a little dirty on the inside, so I decided to remove the Plexi panel to get a better look at its construction.
Inside the MTX Thunder Bandpass Subwoofer Box
After removing the screws, I lifted the Plexi panel and was pleasantly surprised by its thickness. The panel is approximately a third of an inch thick and has a gasket seal all the way around, ensuring a snug fit. However, the inside of the box did require some cleaning, as it was a bit dirty.
Examining the Woofers
Next, I proceeded to take a closer look at the woofers inside the MTX Thunder bandpass subwoofer box. I carefully pulled out one of the 10-inch drivers and noticed that the wires connecting it were surprisingly small. The woofer itself appeared to be a standard model from that era, with a foam surround that had not deteriorated. However, the wiring was inefficient and insufficient, with wires that seemed to be around 20 or 22 gauge.
Upon further inspection, I disconnected the driver and observed some bugs and spiders on the back. It's a good thing there wasn't any spider activity inside the box. The wiring definitely needed an upgrade, so I decided to replace it with larger gauge wire for better performance.
Cleaning the Box and Reassembling
Before vacuuming out the box, I took a moment to examine the inside and noticed a date stamped on the interior. The box also had two and a half inch ports and a terminal cut with small speaker wires. After vacuuming out the box to remove dirt and dust, I reassembled it, using the original small gauge wires to keep it as close to its original design as possible.
Cleaning the Acrylic Panel
The Plexi panel of the MTX Thunder bandpass subwoo fer box had some scratches and dirt on it. To clean it, I used a product called Novus Plastic Clean and a microfiber towel. I applied the cleaner to the panel and gently wiped away the dirt and scratches. While some of the deeper scratches remained, the panel looked much shinier and cleaner than before.
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Testing the Speakers and Amplifier
With the box cleaned and reassembled, it was time to test the speakers and amplifier. I used an MTX Blue Thunder Pro 1502 amplifier to match the vintage style of the subwoofer box. The amplifier was wired up with eight gauge wire and bridged for optimal performance. I used 16 gauge wire to connect the amplifier to the subwoofer box.
The sound produced by the MTX Thunder bandpass subwoofer box was impressive. The deep bass tones were best experienced with headphones or quality speakers, as computer or iPad speakers may not do justice to the audio quality.
Conclusion
In this article, we explored the MTX Thunder bandpass subwoofer box, a vintage audio equipment sold at Circuit City. We examined the construction of the box, cleaned the interior, and discussed the woofers. Additionally, we tested the subwoofer box with the MTX Blue Thunder Pro amplifier, resulting in a satisfying audio experience.
If you're interested in learning more about the MTX Blue Thunder Pro amplifier, be sure to check out willistonaudio.com, where a full video of the amplifier's dyno will be released. Thank you for reading, and until next time, keep enjoying the music!
Sources:
- 1999 Car Audio and Electronics Directory
- *Amazon - Novus Plastic Polish is an affiliate link