CSS SDX10 Ported Build Thread

**Owen Bartley** · **03-02-09, 09:12 PM**

I did, however, finish up a side project I was working on... my RCA splitter, going from 1 male to 4 female, so I can split the sub out to my 2 subs and buttkicker, and one for expansion if I need it later.

I tested it with a meter, and all the connections seem right, but I haven't tried it in my system yet. I'm thinking I will probably have to boost the sub level from the receiver, but I guess we'll see. Frankly, I'll be happy if it works properly and doesn't introduce any hum.

**jmuir** · **03-03-09, 11:00 AM**

Looks great Owen.

What primer and paint did you use on the finish and how did you apply it?

**Owen Bartley** · **03-03-09, 01:38 PM**

Thanks John, I started out with some basic filler putty, and went along all the joints then sanded with an orbital palm sander to try to smooth them out as much as possible.

I can't remember what primer I used, but MDF will take pretty much anything, although it soaks up a lot, especially the end cuts. A few coats of primer, lightly sanded in between, and you're ready for your finish. * The primer was Sico GoPrime acrylic latex

Mine was just plain old flat black from a can, with the first few coats rolled on and sanded. The roller will leave a bit of the "orange peel" texture, which I don't mind in this case. * Armor Coat flat black rust paint

After sanding lightly again (mostly just to get rid of any dust or specs) I used flat black spraypaint and gave each face 2 coats, with time to fully dry in between. It just gave a little more coverage, and smoothed things out a little. * Tremclad flat black rust paint (spray can)

Once that had dried for a day or so, I used Para Woodcare varnish in satin (I think) finish, because I wanted to give a little depth to the final look of the sub, but still not have it too shiny or reflective. 2 coats all over, sanding with 220 grit lightly in between, and then I gave each of the front, top, and sides a final thicker coat. To do this, I had to lie the sub flat with the face horizontal, or else the varnish would start to sheet and drip. * Para Woodcare satin polyurethane (but my dad would have preferred the Minwax polyacrylic clear satin for a bit smoother and less glossy finish)

I should be all finished that last step this week, and then I'll give it a day or two to fully dry, and pop in the driver and amp!

(I'll try to update this post with specifics on the products used when I'm home tomorrow night)
EDIT: * Updated with details in italic

**Owen Bartley** · **03-04-09, 07:28 PM**

Tonight I just managed to get to the feet, and put the last coat of poly on the front. Now it will have till Friday to dry, and I'll get to the final assembly!

**Mike P.** · **03-04-09, 07:52 PM**

Sounds good. Can't wait for the final pics!

**Owen Bartley** · **03-08-09, 10:51 PM**

OK, all finished!

We got the feet put on

...the amp mounted

...and the driver and port mounted. Also set the cups that will hold the grille on

The grille is almost done, I'll get more into that this week. I did fire it up for a test, and it works, that's for sure. It was in a poor location, and still using the BFD settings for the Tempest, so it didn't sound great, but for a quick test run, it wasn't bad at all. I won't really fire it up until I've had a chance to break it in a bit, but I'll work on the setup this week.

**ISLAND1000** · **03-09-09, 12:15 AM**

Now THAT"S what I call a DIY project!! Boy I'm proud of THAT ONE.

**Owen Bartley** · **03-09-09, 07:16 AM**

Thanks a lot Phil! There are a few places where I'll know I screwed up, like the little part on the front where the clear didn't quite cover properly, or the corner that I bumped moving it around and had to go over with a sharpie, but overall I am very happy with the results here.

**jmuir** · **03-09-09, 01:33 PM**

Owen – the sub really turned out great. Congrats on a job well done.

Unless you point them out, no one will ever know about the blemishes.

**Owen Bartley** · **03-11-09, 06:46 PM**

Thanks John! I really am pretty happy with it.

I got it hooked up this evening, and had a chance to run some very brief test scenes (Balrog in LOTR, ambient "space" effects in Sunshine, and some WOTW). I'm quite impressed. This is a hard pumping little 10 incher. I turned off my usual Tempest for a bit to set the levels, and although it does give up a noticable amount to the Tempest in the low bass impact, it is still a very capable sub, and still adds some tactile shake to the room. I have a feeling that in a less compromised (read: larger) enclosure, this driver would do very well, and would satisfy most average HT enthusiasts. Even my small box would be great for most people who wanted a good solid sub, better than a boomy HTiaB kit sub, or the low end ones available at most big box stores. I'd say it quite easily outpaces many of the commercial 12" subs I've heard, although it's been a while since I've listened to many.

Unfortunately, I do have some port noise at certain frequencies and at high volume. I don't think it will be loud enough to be noticeable during regular playback, but when I was testing and sitting on the floor next to it, it was easy to hear. Thankfully, this sub won't have to be played at max volume, since it will be used with my big EBS Tempest. It does do a fantastic job of evening out the soundstage, and where I could always localize the sub in the front left corner before, adding this sub to the front right has evened it out considerably. I'll need to do some test tone tinkering, and play a bit with phase and levels, but I will probably just leave the Tempest at its already optimized settings and fit the SDX in as well as I can. In July we'll be moving into our new house, so I'm not far from a completely new HT setup to calibrate, and it is more than adequate for that time.

Thanks again to everyone for all the help with the design, and to Sonnie and Bob for the awesome contests and the driver. I'll try to do some more critical listening of just the SDX and post some impressions. For now...

PS, Rodny, I have a very good feeling about yours!

Here it is in its new home (for the next 4 months at least)

**Creative Sound** · **03-11-09, 06:54 PM**

Looks, great Owen.

It would be of interest to compare it to the Quartet10 with the APR10s that Mike will be building soon. Too bad we don't all live closer together.

Bob

**Mike P.** · **03-11-09, 07:59 PM**

It turned out excellent! Will you still be putting a grill on it?

**Owen Bartley** · **03-11-09, 09:19 PM**

Thanks Bob! I'd love to sample some more subs, but you're right, I think we might be a little too spread out, especially to lug some of these projects around.

Mike, I am putting a grille on, it's about 80% finished, I just have to tidy up the cloth around the curve and the corners and pop the connectors on. Maybe Friday or Saturday I'll get it finished off and post some pics.

**Bent** · **03-11-09, 10:16 PM**

Bob - Canada Post Expedited makes us all neighbors.

(from the ADA 1200 guy)

**Ricci** · **03-12-09, 01:47 PM**

Way to go Owen. That is a very proffessional looking package and a great use of the SDX10.

**Owen Bartley** · **04-01-09, 07:13 PM**

Oops, forgot to post... I finished off the grille. It isn't as nice as Rodny's fancypants one, but it does the job.

Also, I figured out that some air was leaking out around the port, because I somehow didn't silicone around it when I mounted it. Since I couldn't reach all the way in to do it now, I used some expanding spray foam insulation around the cavity where the flare enters the box, and it tightened and sealed things up perfectly. I trimmed the excess off the next day, closed everything back up... and no more port noise! Well, maybe a tiny little bit, but only noticeable when I was lying on the floor a foot from the sub listening for it.

Project: Complete.
Reaction: Satisfaction.

**Rodny Alvarez** · **04-01-09, 07:28 PM**

nice Owen!!

Now its Mike's turn to finish his box!!

**Owen Bartley** · **04-01-09, 07:42 PM**

Thanks Rodny... hurry up Mike!

**Rodny Alvarez** · **04-01-09, 07:47 PM**

Quote:

Owen Bartley wrote:

Thanks Rodny... hurry up Mike!

**Mike P.** · **04-02-09, 07:43 AM**

Looking good, Owen! I'll have mine done soon.

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