4 18" 5400's and 8 passives "WOW!"

**paulspencer** · **06-14-09, 09:34 PM**

Wow is right. They will take some power. So if there is a blackout, we'll know where to look first! lol

**sub_junkie** · **06-16-09, 12:09 AM**

Man, this setup is too cool. I wish it was mine...lol. Good job on it. Anxious to see some graphs

**Fabricator** · **06-16-09, 08:38 PM**

those are BAD ARS ! i would love "experience" those !!!!!!!!!!

**robertcharles123** · **06-16-09, 10:12 PM**

I just read your thread at the AVS. How do the drivers perform otherwise?

Will have some new pictures soon

**sub_junkie** · **06-17-09, 04:31 PM**

I would be happy if I could get just one of those TC Sounds 18" driver, and you have 4!!!! Wow. Why didn't you just get 4 Mal-X's, and 8 of DiyCable's passives? Would they just not perform as well as the ones that you already have??

**Jugix** · **06-17-09, 04:54 PM**

Quote:

sub_junkie wrote:

I would be happy if I could get just one of those TC Sounds 18" driver, and you have 4!!!! Wow. Why didn't you just get 4 Mal-X's, and 8 of DiyCable's passives? Would they just not perform as well as the ones that you already have??

Project has begun over an year ago. We did not even know of Maelstrom-X back then.

**sub_crazy** · **06-17-09, 05:56 PM**

Quote:

sub_junkie wrote:

I would be happy if I could get just one of those TC Sounds 18" driver, and you have 4!!!! Wow. Why didn't you just get 4 Mal-X's, and 8 of DiyCable's passives? Would they just not perform as well as the ones that you already have??

The Mal-x's are great (I have a pair) but the LMS 18 he is using is one of the best drivers ever made. I regret not picking up an LMS 18 when I had the chance.

I have about 4 other TC Sounds drivers and am impressed with each, unfortunately none of them are the LMS but there still great none the less.

If price was not a concern and the LMS 18 was readily available then I would venture to think most if not all into DIY subs would pick the LMS over the Mal-x. Not because the Mal-x is bad, the LMS is just better and meaner looking.

**sub_junkie** · **06-17-09, 09:21 PM**

Ya they definitely look mean looking

What is the price tag on the TC LMS 18"?

**robertcharles123** · **06-29-09, 08:01 PM**

Gentleman!

I give you "POTENTIA MAXIMUS".

POTENTIA MAXIMUS is a dual cabinet, opposed driver configuration LFE system. Each cabinet is 18.10

cubic feet internal volume with a system tuning of 14.4 Hz. This project was an evolution of LFE

design and implementation. It started as a small build utilizing existing drivers and amps and evolved

into The grandest system that I personally or physically could assemble. Each cabinet consists

of approximately 8.5 sheets of MDF and Oak Ply. I feel that the melding of these materials gives extremely

good build qualities. The ply adds strength and durability, while the MDF allows for superior machining and

it is extremely consistant and nondirectional in structure. Each cabinet including the grills weighs in at

approximately 1000 pounds. The drivers and PR's alone in each cabinet weigh roughly 225 pounds- a true heavyweight.

All of the panels are minimally 1.5" thick and the 2 baffles are each 2.25" thick. The granite was applied in the

same fashion as each panel. The entire surface was epoxied and the entire granite slab was bolted to the cabinet and

became part of the system. Thus, adding 1.25" of thickness to the top plate and the base. It also added over 245 pounds

to the system. With the drivers configured as they are, the cabinets take up the bare minimum of floor space,

and results in a cabinet that neither vibrates or rocks due to the movement of the PR's in the system.

Newton really had something with those laws of motion.

The system consists of:

1. 4- 18" TC Sounds LMS 5400 Active Drivers capable of delivering 32 liters of displacement
at 38 mm xmax.

2. 8- 18" TC Sounds Variable Mass Passive Radiators (VMP's) capable of delivering 76 liters
of displacement at 45 mm xmax.

3. 2- Crown ITech 8000 power amplifiers. Each amp is capable of delivering 8000 watts into an 8 ohm
bridged load on a 220 volt service.

4. 1- MIC2200

Special thanks is in order to the following people.

1. NEO Dan. Dan has been instrumental in the development and ultimate production of this system.

2. Michael Hurd. Mike's knowledge of paint helped transform this behemoth into something special.

3. My parents. My parents gave me an unobstructed place to assemble this project which would have not been
possible otherwise.

4. My Nephew Mike helped me in varying aspects of assembly and final assembly of both units. Helped greatly
Mike in mounting drivers and PR's.

5. My brother Mike helped me in assembly and moving. He also supplied many of the clamps used in assembly.
Mike

6. My brother Helped in assemblly of grills. Also responsible for designing and manufacturing the badges for
Barry each cabinet.

7. My friend Helped in many aspects of assembly and also responsible for helping move cabinets to my home.
Keith

8. My friend Helped in many aspects of assembly and moving cabinets to my home. Also helped apply granite to
Joe the cabinets.

9. Big Rob He is bigger than me! Helped to move cabinets to my home.

10.Bossobass Supplied magnets to me for grill application. Thanks!

11.Kyle Keating Helped with various technical aspects of design and assembly.

12. Ilkka Risannen Tested the LMS 5400's and shared his thoughts of the drivers with me and offered design assistance.

Thanks also goes to all at the AVS forum and the Home Theater Shack. Thanks for all the suggestions and assistance!!

I have been asked many times about how much did this system cost. I have gathered all of the numbers that I have and

here is the list to the best of my knowledge.

Total cost of build.

1. 4 - 18" LMS drivers $ 3600.00

2. 8 - 18" VMP's $ 2400.00

3. 2 - Crown ITech 8000's $ 6000.00

4. 1 - MIC2200 $ 100.00

5. 4 - granite slabs + finishing $ 1100.00

6. 2 - custom designed logos $ 3600.00

7. 12- sheets Oak Ply $ 540.00

8. 5 - sheets MDF $ 100.00

9. Paint, primer & supplies $ 500.00

10. Bolts, cap screws & washers $ 185.00

11. Grill cloth and materials $ 85.00

12. Tung oil finish and stain $ 110.00

13. 36 Pillows @ $4.50 $ 175.00

14. Internal wiring and connectors $ 15.00

15. Epoxy for granite application $ 32.00

16. Electrical upgrade $ 575.00

17. Inwall Speaker wire runs& Neutriks $ 225.00
and wall plates

--------------------------------------------------

Total material cost $19337.00

The big question seems to be, "Is the total system worth what I paid, let alone the time invested in it."

To this statement, I say, "Absolutely!"

Of course I could have gone with much cheaper drivers or sealed or ported and

eliminated the PR's, and, I did not need the Itech amplifiers at all. I could have used MDF for the top and

the base instead of granite, I could have not had the badges made, I could have used canned spray paint, I

could have used cheap spandex for the grills-as a matter of fact, I could have eliminated all the grills entirely.

Instead of all of the I could haves, I can say "I did." I actually did this project as planned from beginning to

end with no compromises. I took my time and waited for the things to come together. I am very pleased with the results.

I have absolutely no regrets and the outcome was exactly as planned. Could I have achieved the same level of performance

using a different system that was more cost effective? I am sure I could have gotten a lot more drivers and a lot more amps

for less money, but on an apples to apples comparison, I would be hardpressed to beat this setup. I definitely think

I made the right choice as far as drivers goes. These things are absolutely phenomenal.

For me, the project was totally worth the effort. It has gained me many new friends, allowed me to utilize skills that I was

not sure I possessed, taught me many valuable lessons for later projects and allowed me to spend over 2 years working on a

hobby that I completely enjoy. The actual building process was as much fun as the listening and tweaking process.

Now, as far as "How does it sound?" All I can say to that is it has exceeded all of my expectations. The sound and

overall feel is phenomenal.

The total output is extreme to say the least. Overkill? I say to this, "No!" I just consider

it as headroom. I like my system to sound powerful as it is cruising along. As a matter of fact, before this addition, I

was running things at 5 channels with no LFE. I loved the sound, and now it is just that much better for me. As far as bass

goes, I got what I was looking for. It is visceral- to say the least. Movies that we have seen many times before are now

even better. With test tones, I feel that the house is actually undulating back in forth- just like when you see the videos

of earthquakes.

It feels like I am riding a boat in a real bad sea.

My plans are to get the system as complete as possible before having some sort of GTG, so that people more knowledgable

than me can give a totally non biased opinion of the LFE setup.

I thank all of you guys for the support and help in the last few years, and I hope to see and hear from any and all who wish

to know anything I can offer about this build.

Thanks,

Robert Pizzolato

**sub_crazy** · **06-29-09, 09:29 PM**

Truly phenomenal system!

I thought there were recent small quakes here in California

but since they coincide with your testing I am now beginning to wonder

You have the patience of a saint Robert, but it has paid off in spades.

Congrats!!!!!

**Mike P.** · **06-29-09, 10:38 PM**

Simply awesome!

**Jugix** · **06-30-09, 04:07 AM**

I bow... in front of BASS god!

There's nothing much to say but awesome and truely epic.

**cochinada** · **06-30-09, 05:29 AM**

Indeed this is just to show that dreams can come true. My sincerest congratulations for this incredible achievement! And by the away I just loved the name

Now, when can we get those charts?

**Jason Schultz** · **06-30-09, 06:11 AM**

Congratuulations. The finished product must be immensely satisfying!

**Vasyachkin** · **07-01-09, 03:48 AM**

great subs.

pics.

**ISLAND1000** · **07-01-09, 08:30 AM**

I dunno Robert . . . . . your story, your POTENTIA MAXIMAE, is one for the ages.
Thanks for all the questions answered, thanks for your hard work, thanks for your example of how to persevere, thanks for your success against all odds. I've learned from you and this site about subs and the human spirit.

**Ricci** · **07-01-09, 01:06 PM**

Looks like stage one of the journey is over Robert. Congratulations. Time to sit back and enjoy the view for a bit before diving into the rest of the system and REW again.

Let me know if you collect anything good out of the trash that I might be interested in.

**Fabricator** · **07-03-09, 10:41 PM**

$20,000. that is just crazy

!!!.
i would expect nothing less than knocking airplanes out of the sky.
and able to make anyone loose bodily functions, really.

1000# each, again

you must have one solid floor to be able to withstand their weight.

the only thing i can see wrong = pics.

**Sonnie** · **07-03-09, 11:24 PM**

I am in awe... total awe! Actually awe-inspiring!

I am really not sure there are words worthy of describing the praise this build deserves... I did see phenomenal earlier... astonishing, astounding and extraordinary...

Definitely all of the above.

If there is a flaw here, it is the pictures. You should get some professional pictures made of these.

AND... over 26,000 views of this thread at the Shack. Amazing!

**Fabricator** · **07-03-09, 11:36 PM**

a regular dig camera will take plenty fine pics. he must have used a phone cam.

lets do some speculating.

140db flat to 15hz. ?

**robertcharles123** · **07-03-09, 11:38 PM**

Some better pictures. A friend of mine took these. Any better?

**robertcharles123** · **07-03-09, 11:44 PM**

Quote:

Fabricator wrote:

a regular dig camera will take plenty fine pics. he must have used a phone cam.

lets do some speculating.

140db flat to 15hz. ?

No phone cam. Mine was just a small kodak. Her camera was a Nikon something or other and had some major lens on it. The pictures seem to be coming out blurred.

I pegged the galaxy cm140 a couple of weeks ago with the tunnel scene in Live Free or Die Hard. I am trying to get REW to function again since the glitch. Soon, I hope.

By the way, thanks for all the compliments. I am very happy with the outcome and the performance of these cabinets.

Thanks,

Robert

**Fabricator** · **07-03-09, 11:55 PM**

yep, better pics.

do you have them "in place" ?

**Mike P.** · **07-03-09, 11:56 PM**

What's the maximum SPL on a cm140?

**robertcharles123** · **07-04-09, 12:06 AM**

Quote:

Mike P. wrote:

What's the maximum SPL on a cm140?

It went past the 130 level on the meter when it was on the 80-130 db level. I do not know max levels but it was around 131 for that instant. They say 140 db, but I do not think it will go that deep to get a measurement. It is plenty powerful though. I do not need more. When I did sine wave testing, it felt like the house was undulating-like when you see video of an earthquake, but not quite as exagerated. The pressure in the room is intense. I went to the GTG in Tennessee and saw how much an LMS 5400 can move and I have not even come remotely close to that level yet. I might not be able to do that without breaking something-glass, pictures, crystal etc. I want to see what it can do, but for normal listening I got what I needed and then some.

Thanks,

Robert

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