Cheap IB still rocks

[drumdude]

After reading for quite a while over at "the Cult" and doing some figures I decided IB was an interesting choice for me. However after adding on to the house and building a shared room for recording music and a dance studio for my wife to teach dance class. I didn't have the funds to buy the sugggested 4-15's and a pro amp to drive it. Project put on hold.

Fast forward a few months and I was browsing at a yard sale. I found a pair of Jensen "monkey coffin" speakers and an integreted amp, $25 for both. The speakers didn't sound like much, what with them being built out of 1/2" particle board with no bracing. but they had 15's in them.

I removed the speakers and threw those cabs away. then built my own baffles out of 2 layers of 3/4" plywood. put the pair of 15's in the attic wall, hooked up the amp and crossover and wow!! Those cheap speakers play louder and lower than most of the box subwoofers I've heard. I am converted. Since the room is used as a music rehearsal space and dance studio, taking up no floor space is a big bonus.

[Sonnie]

That's pretty impressive Bruce K... welcome to the Shack ...

[drumdude]

If you can't build your perfect IB, build what you can. It still kills the average box subwoofer. and the lack of a box adds excellent WAF.

[Mike P.]

Nothing better then a cheap solution! I'm curious what model Jensen woofers you have. Do you remember what they are?

[drumdude]

The cabs were Jensen CS315 Don't know much about the actual drivers.

[Tiny]

Glad this sounds good. I have been playing around with the notion of doing the same thing with 2 pair of 15" optimus speakers I picked up for free on (freecycle.org) along with a 200 watt sansui amp that had been powering for years.

[drumdude]

I'm pushing mine with a 200w Sony integrated amp I got for free at a yardsale because the LCD display doesn't work.
I haven't had the privledge of hearing a correctly designed IB with 4 or more speakers and 1000+ watts. I'm sure they are mindblowing, but I am completely happy with this for the price.
and of course the mains are more clear being relieved of bass duty.
I have rattles in the room that I never had with just my mains. Now I have to chase them down and silence them before I can even push it hard with just 200w.

[htnut12]

It is well worth trying an IB. I started with two elcheapo 15 inch speakers from some box subs. Used the elcheapo plate amps with them. I was IMPRESSED.

I now have moved up to a larger 4 x 18 inch system.

Pro amps can be found on eBay for very reasonable prices. I like the Nady XA-900 particularly.

[Scuba Diver]

Kool. Do you have a picture of your finished project?

[drumdude]

It's my avatar but here's a bigger copy.