Rockford Fosgate RP9316, RP9314, RP9317 User Manual

the connecting

AERO

RP9314 / RP9316 / RP9317

PORT

INSTALLA TION & OPERATION MANUAL

®®

Dear Customer,
Congratulations on your purchase of the world's finest brand of car audio speakers. At

Rockford Fosgate we are fanatics about musical reproduction at its best, and we are
pleased you chose our product. Through years of engineering expertise, hand craftsman­ship and critical testing procedures, we have created a wide range of products that
reproduce music with all the clarity and richness you deserve.

For maximum performance we recommend you have your new Rockford Fosgate
product installed by an Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer, as we provide specialized
training through Rockford Technical Training Institute (RTTI). Please read your
warranty and retain your receipt and original carton for possible future use.

Great product and competent installations are only a piece of the puzzle when it comes
to your system. Make sure that your installer is using 100% authentic installation
accessories from Connecting Punch in your installation. Connecting Punch has
everything from RCA cables and speaker wire to Power line and battery connectors.
Insist on it! After all, your new system deserves nothing but the best.

To add the finishing touch to your new Rockford Fosgate image order your Rockford
wearables, which include everything from T-shirts and jackets to hats and sunglasses.

To get a free brochure on Rockford Fosgate products and Rockford wearables, in the U.S.
call 602-967-3565 or FAX [phone]. For all other countries, call +001-602­967-3565 or FAX [phone].

PRACTICE SAFE SOUND™

CONTINUOUS EXPOSURE TO SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS OVER

100dB MAY CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING LOSS. HIGH

POWERED
PRESSURE
AND

If, after reading your manual, you still have questions regarding this product,
we recommend that you see your Rockford Fosgate dealer. If you need further
assistance, you can call us direct at 1-800-795-2385. Be sure to have your serial
number, model number and date of purchase available when you call.

The serial number can be found on the outside of the box. Please record it in
the space provided below as your permanent record. This will serve as
verification of your factory warranty and may become useful in recovering your
speakers if they are ever stolen.

Serial Number: ________________________________
Model Number:________________________________

AUTOSOUND SYSTEMS MAY PRODUCE SOUND

LEVELS WELL OVER 130dB. USE COMMON SENSE

PRACTICE SAFE SOUND.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Aeroport Contents ....................................................................................1

Introduction ............................................................................................. 1

Operating Features................................................................................... 1

Calculating Port Length ............................................................................2

Installation Considerations ....................................................................... 3

Mounting The Aeroport............................................................................ 3

Warranty Information............................................................................... 4

AEROPORT CONTENTS

RP9314 RP9317

One tube 16" long One tube 16" long
Two Aeroport end flanges Two Aeroport end flanges

(no tube, use standard 6" PVC pipe)

RP9316

One tube 16" long
Two Aeroport end flanges

INTRODUCTION

This manual provides information on the features, installation and
operation of the Aeroport. We recommend you keep this manual for
future reference.

We strongly recommend you have your Authorized Rockford Fosgate
Dealer install your new Aeroport; however, if you choose to do the
installation yourself, please be sure to read the entire manual before
beginning. When installing this product, please use the proper safety
precautions while using power tools or flammable materials.

OPERATING / FEATURES

A major design challenge when building a vented speaker enclosure is the
turbulence generated by the air moving through the port. The air move­ment causes harmonic distortion as well as a whistling noise from the port.
The Aeroport was designed to reduce this effect. Inspired by the bell on a
brass instrument, the flanges on the ends of the Aeroport reduce the air
friction and distortion inherent in the operation of a conventional tube.

0.20%

0.15%

0.10%

0.05%

50 watt

20 watt

10 watt

Fifth harmonics distortion

5 watt

1

Standard Tube

Aeroport

2 watt

The Harmonics graph illustrates the advantage of using the Aeroport over
a conventional tube. The human ear can sense .1% distortion. A standard
tube can reach that amount with only 10 watts of input where as the
Aeroport reaches only .05% distortion with 50 Watts of input. The end
result? You can apply more input power with less distortion or use a
smaller diameter Aeroport in place of a standard tube.

If using a computer aided speaker design program such as Term-Pro, port
velocities of up to 15% can be alleviated.

CALCULATING PORT LENGTH

After the enclosure has been designed, the following formula may be
useful when calculating the port length:

Lv =

8466.4R
(Vb)Fb

2

2

RP9314

–1.463R

Radius

RP9316

>

Radius

>

Lv = port length in inches
Vb = volume of box in cubic feet

R=1.34

R=2.03

Fb = tuning frequency
R = radius of port

When cutting the Aeroport center tube, the length should be cut 3"
shorter than calculated. When the end flanges are affixed, each end

extends the tube one and a half inches. If the determined port length is 10"
then the fully assembled Aeroport (center tube with flanges attached)
should measure 11" (the extra 1/2" on each end contributes to harmonics
and not the length of the tube).

11" Overall Length

10"

Standard Tube Aeroport Tube

7" Cut Length

2

INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS

Before cutting any holes in the enclosure first determine the placement of
the Aeroport. Best results will be derived by placing the woofer and port
on the same side of the enclosure. To maintain proper tuning and noise
free operation, the Aeroport should be positioned to allow the flange at
least one port diameter clearance from the back and side walls. For
instance, if you were using a 4" diameter port, keep it 4" from the bottom
of the enclosure and 4" from the enclosure walls.

4" Dia. Port

4" Minimum

MOUNTING THE AEROPORT

When gluing the end flanges to the main tube, use a good, quick drying
epoxy cement. Carefully apply a 1/2" bead on the end of the port then twist
the end piece on until seated properly.

To flush mount the 3" Aeroport, cut out a 4-5/16"
diameter hole and a 5-9/16" diameter hole for
the 4" Aeroport and cut a 9" diameter hole of the
6" Aeroport. After the holes have been cut, use a
1/2" roundover router bit to accommodate the
curve needed for the end flange.

When mounting the Aeroport to the enclosure,
apply the quick drying epoxy cement to the
mounting surface and use silicone caulk or fiber­glass compound on the inside of the enclosure to
secure the port to the wood.

3

Roundover Bit

WARRANTY INFORMATION

The Aeroport is nearly indestructible and will provide years of service if
installed and used in accordance with the instructions in this manual. If
this product should prove to be defective due to a manufacturing defect
within a period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase, contact your
Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer or Rockford Corporation Customer
Service Department at 1-800-669-9899 for replacement instructions.

4

8/96

Rockford Fosgate

Rockford Corporation

546 South Rockford Drive

Tempe, Arizona 85281 U.S.A.

In U.S.A., [phone]

In Europe, Fax [phone]

In Japan, Fax [phone]