Audio Systems: Subwoofer Enclosure, ohm subs, toyota 4runner

Question
Well i listen to mostly rock and alternative music, a little rap but not very much. I want my sub to have quality in the sound but i also want it loud. I do have a table saw but i have bever built one, so i was thinking i was thinking of buying one. Would it be easier, cheaper, what to build my own?
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Followup To

Question -
Hi,
I recently purchased two 10" MTX 5500 Single coil 4 ohm subs and i want to put them into one dual box but i can not decide what type of box i want. I drive a 1997 Toyota 4Runner, and the box will be going in the back where there is plenty of space. So I ask you what type of box do i need and what size or size range does it need to fall in to make my subs work at an optimum level?
thanks,
John

Answer -
well there's a few different box types and a few considerations of each type.  I'll try to briefily explain the differences.  there are also music types that basically are better in one type than another within reason

Sealed: metal, rock, punk, techno
 PROS - easy to build, small, tight accurate punchy sound
 CONS - less efficient, less loud

Ported: Rap, alternative
 PROS - powerfull louder bass, more efficient, can sound deeper if built right.
 CONS - more difficult to build, larger, less "punch" in the beat.

Bandpass: nothing (I hate bandpass)
 PROS - very very loud and efficient
 CONS - sound horrible, very large and very complicated to build

There are a few others but they are uncommon in the car audio world.
Let me know what type of music you listen too and what you are looking for in the sound as far as your prefrence between how loud and how clear the system sounds.  also let me know if you are building the box yourself and if so do you have box building experience and access to a tablesaw.

Look forward to hearing from you again.

Answer
a properly buit ported box would probably sound best for your application,  however if you've never built a box before you should try sealed first.  I would NOT recomend buying a Pre-fab ported box since you need to get the tuning of the port right.  I would recomend either building you own with some help and guidance or go to a local car audio shop and give them the specs of what you want.  I can help you with either.  I would suspect a local shop would charge about 150 or so to custom build a ported box for 2 10s.  The box is alot more than just a box, it shapes the sound and in a way has more to do with how the sub sounds than the sub itself. so it needs to be done right.

to do it yourself you will need about $12 in wood, $4 in glue, $4 in screws for a sealed box. to port it you will need to add to that about $30 for 2 good flared ports and another $10 for the glue to put the ports together.
if you want to carpet the box to make it look finished you will need an additional $10 in glue and $15 in carpet.
you will also need a jigsaw or something that can cut nice circles for the sub and port cutouts.
I would be happy to plot out how the different options would sound so we can either built it or submit the plans to a local sound shop.
If you want I can email the specs and plans,  just send a private question on this site with your email address.