Elemental Designs E15a
15″ subwoofer · DVC · 500 W RMS
| Source | web.archive.org · manufacturer data |
|---|---|
| Checked against source | October 2026 |
| Thiele/Small parameters | complete |
| Mounting dimensions | 1 of 4 — missing: mounting depth, frame outer diameter, magnet diameter; the designer will use an estimate |
Recommended box
For a sedan, one sub, 500 W. It’s the same math as the designer’s step-by-step mode, where you can fit the box to your space, vehicle and amp and get plans, a cut sheet and DXF.
Sealed
smaller, tighter| Bass character (Qtc) | Boomy, with a bump · 1.00 |
|---|---|
| Fc | 54 Hz |
| F3 (−3 dB, no cabin gain) | 45 Hz |
| Example box (outside) | 31 1/2″ × 18 1/8″ × 12 3/4″ |
Ported
deeper, louder| Tuning (Fb) | 34 Hz |
|---|---|
| Port | slot 1 9/16 × 16 11/16″, 21 7/16″ long |
| Port velocity at 500 W | 51 ft/s |
| F3 (−3 dB, no cabin gain) | 40 Hz |
| Example box (outside) | 31 1/2″ × 18 1/8″ × 11 11/16″ |
Deeper: 5.30 ft³ (150 L) tuned to 38 Hz, 31 1/2″ × 18 1/8″ × 21 3/16″ outside — a bigger box with flatter deep bass. Open in the calculator
Projects with this subwoofer
Boxes that users designed and published: plans, cut sheet and response graph.
Thiele/Small parameters
| Size | 15″ |
|---|---|
| Voice coils | DVC |
| RMS power | 500 W |
| Fs | 39 Hz |
| Qts | 0.72 |
| Qes | 0.815 |
| Qms | 5.83 |
| Vas | 2.94 ft³ |
| Re (one coil) | 3.3 Ω |
|---|---|
| Sd | 136.6 in² |
| Xmax | 0.59″ |
| Vd | 80.7 in³ calc. |
| Mms | 220 g calc. |
| BL | 14.8 T·m calc. |
| EBP | 48 — suits sealed calc. |
| Sensitivity, 1 W / 1 m | 89.8 dB calc. |
Mounting dimensions
| Cutout diameter | 14″ |
|---|---|
| Mounting depth | ≈ 7 1/16″ |
Cone area (Sd) calculated from Fs, Vas and Mms: 136.6 in².
“≈” means the value isn’t in the spec sheet and a typical value for the size is used; “calc.” means it’s calculated from the published parameters. Check the manufacturer’s spec sheet before you build.
Data sources
Other Elemental Designs 15″ models
- Elemental Designs 15A.22 15″ · dual 2 Ω
- Elemental Designs 16Ov.2 15″ · dual 2 Ω
- Elemental Designs e15K (2003) 15″ · DVC
- Elemental Designs e15kd4 15″ · DVC
- Elemental Designs E15o 15″ · DVC
- Elemental Designs e15SP4 15″
Similar 15″ subwoofers from other brands
Close in Fs, Qts and Vas — a box of similar volume will suit them.
- Swat REV-15 2.93 ft³ sealed · 2.26 ft³ ported
- CT Sounds TROPO-15 D4 2.83 ft³ sealed · 2.33 ft³ ported
- Quantum Audio QWX4000/15D4 2.83 ft³ sealed · 1.98 ft³ ported
- Machete MF-15 D2 2.83 ft³ sealed · 2.01 ft³ ported
- Machete M15 D4 2.83 ft³ sealed · 2.19 ft³ ported
- Massive Audio GTX154 2.86 ft³ sealed · 2.01 ft³ ported
FAQ
What box does the Elemental Designs E15a need?
Recommended net volume: 3.11 ft³ sealed, 2.37 ft³ ported tuned to 34 Hz — for one sub in a sedan at 500 W. Fit the box to your space and amp in the free calculator, with plans and a cut sheet.
What are the Elemental Designs E15a Thiele/Small specs?
Fs 39 Hz, Qts 0.72, Vas 2.94 ft³, Xmax 0.59″, Sd 136.6 in².
How much power does the Elemental Designs E15a handle and how do I wire it?
RMS power rating: 500 W. Wiring for several subs and amp power — in the wiring calculator.