Hey and great site, lots of strong opinions to sort the chaff from the grain!!
I found this while surfing for things to think about while planning my sub build, I had a real good idea of what I needed to acheive and it is the final part of a project to build a full 2 ch system + sub for under $1200NZD ($920USD) as that is the price (here anyway) of a decent (no they aren't but thats what the customers think) stereo with sub. These are the awful things I'm sure you guys hate too. Harsh raw treble to give the impression of clarity. Mids focussed on reproducing over engineered pop music and not much else and a compact but one or two note boomy sub that sounds boosted to the max and electronically controlled to get the SPL required.
I have build a few different systems over the last few years, mainly for friends who are DJ's and needed something to practice with at home. This is a bit annoying cos they aren't so interested in low linear excursion but do need big upper bass (45 - 70Hz) SPL.
My budget (and box size) have been the biggest restraints but it is fun too cos I could crack into a project tomorrow that would be amazing if unlimited funds were available. With this tho even without the subs I have had several people including Audio techs and musicians make approving comments and my son and I can listen to detailed orchestral pieces and play "pick the instrument" (he has just turned four) which my wifes singer/songwiter and musician best friend loves joining in on.
I use the stereo as HT too but am only cos it's better than the TV speakers, I'm only really into music systems and a whole range of stuff including lo-fi like old punk and "the go team" etc. I really appriciate good recording tho and there are lots of good NZ bands / Muso's out there to compliment the international cd's available.
My sub needs to be reasonably flat and be -3Db as close to 20Hz as possible. Under 120L external volume and serve as a coffee table too so the space isn't wasted. It also must integrate well with the mains that I built a while ago now and would do differently if I did them over but thats life I guess. You learn on your own stuff and other people get the good ones! hahahaha.
I have a Technics tuner, Sony DVD player as CD player also and Jaycar/Digitech 2 x 100 w amp which I chose for price, god power supplies and it has a line level EQ out/in put so I can have that off and just run the Mains or on and the Panel amp will take what it wants and give the rest of the signal back to the Stereo amp. My mains (60w/ch) are a 1.5" Piezo horn and 2 8" paper cone woofers / channel in 45L double 18mm MDF boxes.
I have pics of the mains somewhere and will post them when I find them!
Here they are, they look all wonky but aren't and are 1270mm high
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u.../IMG_62551.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u.../IMG_62541.jpg