Which sub...Almost time to buy.

[brandonnash]

Between these subs, which to buy?? Keep in mind that I do almost exclusively home theater. 95% HT/5% music on this system. Don't mind going as large as 9 cubic feet on the enclosure and would rather the lowest tune possible. Would like something that sounds good while keeping the ability to shake room really good with high impact LFE explosions. Will use an existing small amp (120 watts) for a very short time then upgrade to either the PE 250 or rythmik 350.

TC Sounds DB 500 12"
Dayton DVC 15"
Mach5 MJ 18"
Mach5 MAW 15"
2 of the Elemental Designs EHQS 12"


I do like the looks, build and specs of the DB 500, but doesn't model that well with the smaller amp to start. Looks like only around 103 dB at 20 hz with the 120 amp. With the 350 amp, which is spec'd at 380 watts at 4 ohms looks like 108 dB at 20 hz with xmax reached at about 25 hz. Also a plus is that it can be in a much smaller box.

The Dayton I like the price, size and that is looks pretty efficient. With the 120 amp and low tune it looks like it hits 106-107 dB at 20 hz and . 109 dB with the 250 amp and that would max out the xmax.

The Mach5 18" looks ok, but seems very very efficient. Don't like the higher Fs of the speaker and lower xmax. Looks like with the smaller amp about 107 dB at 20 hz and with the largest amp around 112 dB. All without exceeding xmax though. There would be no more I could add on with this as far as amps go. ~350 max.

The Mach5 15" looks are also just ok, but it also seems efficient. With the smaller amp looks like around 105 dB at 20 hz and 110 dB with the larger amp.

The ED subs look like they're very efficient, they're ultra cheap , and may be a good bet for a first run at DIY. They actually model really well. I would like to see someone who has experience with these in a ported box tuned lower than ~28 hz. Seems like everyone that has them has them tuned that high.

Don't like that the Mach5's are shipped from canada, and the shipping charges show it.

Kinda leaning toward the Dayton for the cost, free shipping, and that I can get all the rest of my various parts with free shipping all at once.

I know this is all a lot, but it looks like I'll actually bite the bullet this time and get it started. Want to get this going about the same time as my wife's painting the living room and kitchen project.

Oh, forgot to add that I used WinISD pro for all these models.

Posted this on another forum and haven't any response yet.

Thanks a bunch.

[mgboy]

Well I have two EHQS 12"s in a ~7ft^3 ported enclosure tuned to 20 Hz, and it's fairly decent. But I would rather have the TC DB500 or One of the Mach5's. Don't have the funds at the moment though, nor do I have any response graphs of my subs. (Although I'll tell you right now, they are pretty **** loud in my small room (11*11*8))

[WillyD]

The Dayton DVC is still $99 with free shipping right? I'd probably go with that.

Edit: Actually just modeled the Mach5 MJ-18 and it looks alright. You can get it for $106 shipped from soundsolutions.

http://www.soundsolutionsaudio.com/s...d&productId=52

In 9-10ft^3, tuned 18-20Hz, with an 8" port. You'd have zero port noise, ever.

[aceinc]

What is your room size?

If you like the Rythmik Amp, why not their Direct Servo systems? I like my sealed DS15 in a ~3,400 cubic foot room. If you want to do something non-standard like an LLT, I believe Brian would help out with the design, and tweaking his audio processor board.

BTW I have a 12" Dayton DVC in a 2 cubic ft. ported cabinet and get decent bass to about 30 Hz. It works quite well for the Family room HT.

Paul

[kano32]

I have an MJ-18 in an 8.8cu ft with 6" port and a Bash 300 amp. It's pretty awesome. My kids llove to lie down on the upstairs floor while the sub is playing downstairs because the upstairs floor vibrates. Its so loud and powerful that mife wife is constantly asking me to turn it off. I got it delivered to Alaska for $105, totally worth it in my book. Just my 2 cents.

[brandonnash]

My room is a smaller living room for now. about 17x15. It opens to a kitchen and hallway and stairwell though. Within the next 2 years I'll have a 22x20 room for dedicated HT. It'll have to work their till I win the lottery and pick up about 15 of the TC sounds lms 18" subs. That'll be nice.

Can't do the servo system from rythmik. A little too expensive. Would love to though. Trying to keep it around $100 for the driver. Wanting to make the enclosure a bit like the Wilson watch dog sub. Love the way that sub looks. Any tips would be appreciated. I've made dozens of subs enclosures for cars, never for HT.

[aceinc]

If the DVC 15" is as good as the DVC 12", I would say go with that.

Paul

[brandonnash]

I think I will. good looks. can upgrade the amp later, and still fits within my size requirements for enclosure.

[brandonnash]

Ok, I'm thinking a bit differently now, being my situation may have just changed a bit. I'm seriously thinking of going with the 2 ED subs. We (the wife and I) have just bought a new mattress and it took a good chunk of change. Can get just about the same response from both them and the single DVC dayton. The only difference is I'll be able to make both the ED subs in 2 separate enclosures for about the same price as just the DVC.

Thoughts?

[BoomieMCT]

Given that you have a lot of space and want output for HT with moderate power, I'd go with the DVC or the MJ18. I'm partial to Daytons personally but both model well.

[kano32]

BoomieMCT wrote:

Given that you have a lot of space and want output for HT with moderate power, I'd go with the DVC or the MJ18. I'm partial to Daytons personally but both model well.

I only have experience with smaller Dayton drivers (which I love). The MJ-18 is awesome, I think no matter what you choose you'll be fairly happy. You have more choices now concerning budget subs then a few years back. Just pick one and go for it.