first subwoofer

[foamfan]

Hello everybody,

I've been lurking here for the past few days and other sites over the past few weeks reading about DIY subwoofers. It seems like DIY has the best bang for the buck and if engineered right they could surpass anything commercially available.

These some of the things relative to my situation:

1. I have a HT which is approx 4500 cubic feet but since I have an open-house plan it has multiple large openings to approx 12-13,000 cubic feet (LR, DR, Kitchen, bedroom and bathroom hallways, etc.). HT is used for 90% DVD/movies & 10% music using only moderate levels.

2. Budget $1000 If possible spend less but using quality components so I dont end-up doing it again for at least 5 years. I've heard the DD18 & JL F113 & am thinking that it would be cool to approach the sound quality of these subs but their prices make me lose bowel control.

3. I would like a small footprint, nothing more than 6.75 cubic feet on external dimensions. I've been communicating with SteveCallas (who has been extremely, extremely generous in helping me) since the LLT probably is the most elegant engineering solution in my mind but it would require a 50" length X 22" diameter according to him and this is just too big for me. Thanks again Steve.

4. I am considering the 15" rythmic kit but am open to suggestions if there is a proven build out there.
I dont have the technical know-how to tune a sub so i'd like something simple where there is NO or very minimal tuning. Carpentry skills are almost non-existent but I'm willing to give it a shot.

5. A twin SoundSplinter RL-p15 D2s w/a Behringer EP2500 amp and a Behringer Feedback destroyer was mentioned by Steve but he suggested seeking other opinions too.

I am looking for a KISS solution to my problem and emphasize sound quality. Please tell me if I am out of my mind since this is not possible for a newb like me to accomplish or fire away with your suggestions.

Thanks

[WillyD]

Hey -

5 reminds me of this: http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthr...5&page=1&pp=35

And this is a neat build too: http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthr...ghlight=rl-p15

[foamfan]

Thanks for those links Willy.

Those were really cool builds and very pretty finish specially on the piano black subs. I'm a newb so i'd like to keep it as simple as possible. The tuning after the build is pretty intimidating for me and "modeling" subs is like a foreign language. I'm doing a search on successful builds, single or dual drivers and reading everything I can about them hopefully gain some insight.

[SteveCallas]

By "tuning" I believe you mean EQing?

[foamfan]

Yes.
That and making sure that what I build is sonically of good quality

[Sonnie]

Generally required eq'ing is going to be due to your room boundaries and acoustics. I don't think there is a lot you can expect to do in order for the sub to help you a tremendous amount in that area. It might not hurt to take some measurements of your room though, if you have a sub to measure with.

[foamfan]

Sonnie wrote:

Generally required eq'ing is going to be due to your room boundaries and acoustics. I don't think there is a lot you can expect to do in order for the sub to help you a tremendous amount in that area. It might not hurt to take some measurements of your room though, if you have a sub to measure with.

I'm willing to do this but need some guidance on what to buy (due to the rapid development of technology and constant turnover and update of equipment) and how to do it correctly.

Is this the same as using REW and then using BFD to compensate for both the room and sonic characteristics of the sub?

Isn't this usually done AFTER you build the sub or can the sub be designed to compensate for the characteristics of the room?

BTW, I have an old 8" sub (really, really old ).

Thanks

[Brian Bunge]

So far I've built 2 of the quad RS 15" HO subs which are pictured in the second link WillyD posted. Both customers are extremely happy with the results.

[Sonnie]

foamfan wrote:

I'm willing to do this but need some guidance on what to buy (due to the rapid development of technology and constant turnover and update of equipment) and how to do it correctly.

Is this the same as using REW and then using BFD to compensate for both the room and sonic characteristics of the sub?

Isn't this usually done AFTER you build the sub or can the sub be designed to compensate for the characteristics of the room?

BTW, I have an old 8" sub (really, really old ).

Thanks

You will have lots of friends over in the BFD | REW Forum to help you with using REW and setting up the BFD, if it is even needed. It probably will be, but I've seen a few that don't have to have it, so I'd build the sub and then measure and make sure before spending the money.

It may be hard to tell a lot about the room with respect to frequencies below 25Hz or so with the 8" sub, but it might help some and definitely worth a try. It really just depends on how much it will output in the lower octave.

To start with you will need an SPL meter... do you have one? If not, consider the Galaxy CM-140. I believe Musicians Friend is still selling them for $99 shipped, which is a good price. You can use the GALAXY140.cal file from the Downloads page.

You will also need to download REW and read the Help files thoroughly to learn how to use it. Again, the BFD | REW Forum is your friend...