Looking for Good sub design software-FREE?

**gacole2000** · **06-04-06, 07:07 PM**

I have the 12.3 driver on order and thought I would try my DIY skills on a sub with my old SVS driver. Any ideas where I can find a tool to figure out what size box I can use (looking for a free tool)? Thanks- Greg

**Bent** · **06-04-06, 09:30 PM**

I'd suggest a quick google for WinISD, or preferably a version of UNIBOX.

**Exocer** · **06-04-06, 09:42 PM**

Yes, I'd google unibox. Very straightforward interface.

**Danny** · **06-04-06, 10:12 PM**

I use Ported as a box design program. Is really easy to use and understand. I'll attach it to the bottom of the post or you can download it from http://www.diysubwoofers.org/prt/

Dan

**Jack Gilvey** · **06-05-06, 08:43 AM**

Unibox is great, but to use it (or any design program), you'll need to plug in various parameters on the driver which are not publicly available as far as I know.

**Tom Vodhanel** · **06-05-06, 09:34 AM**

Hi Gacole,

Do you have a 12.1 or a 12.2?(was the subwoofer shipped before/after January-2005?)

1)room size
2)will the DIY be used in the same room/system as the existing subwoofer
3)how much power will be available for the DIY?

Tom V.
SVS

**gacole2000** · **06-05-06, 12:37 PM**

Hey Tom.

It is a 12.1, In a large room (28'x16'x8'+) with an opening into a mini-kitchen and another into a stairwell/landing. I have not selected the amp, but cost is a major issue (my wife thinks I'm insane with all the gear I have throughout the house). Was thinking about the PE 240W amp. I was wanting to use it with my upgraded Plus and was hoping for a box design that would fit in an area underneath a bass trap I build in the corner. Thanks for your help and any suggestions (port size)!

Regards- Greg

**Tom Vodhanel** · **06-05-06, 12:52 PM**

Hi Greg,

How large could you make the box(and still fit it where you want)...and are there specific dimensional restrictions?

240-250w will be fine.

How close will this location be to the 20-39PC+?

Tom V.
SVS

**Jack Gilvey** · **06-05-06, 01:38 PM**

Then again, I'll take TV on the back of a napkin over Jack and Unibox any day.

**JCD** · **06-05-06, 03:22 PM**

Quote:

Jack Gilvey wrote:

Then again, I'll take TV on the back of a napkin over Jack and Unibox any day.

Seriously!

Gacole, you just hit a homerun..

JCD

**bobgpsr** · **06-05-06, 06:48 PM**

Absolutely incredible SVS support

You don't need the T/S parms and a modeling program if TV is going to help you design a custom fit PB+. A very impressive way to preserve competitive proprietary info Tom

.

Bob

**Tom Vodhanel** · **06-05-06, 07:41 PM**

Hi guys,
Appreciate the props!

We have been designing DIY stuff for folks since SVS started 6-7 years ago(and me personally for the last 10 years or so now). We can just do it a little quicker/better now because of experience and better tools(like LEAP). On average I'd say we go thru about one design a week. That will probably ramp up a little once the new drivers start shipping though..

We won't have time to do 25/week( dictating every detail) but I think we should be able to help everyone a enough for a lot of people to get really good bass "on the cheap"..

Tom V.
SVS

**gacole2000** · **06-05-06, 09:39 PM**

Yes, I wear my SVS t-shirt with pride and Tom and Ron have always been awesome. I was thinking that SVS used to sell ports on their web site? Am I correct?

Answers:

9' from center of SVS to corner (proposed DIY sub location)
18"Wx18"Dx22"H

Also, I have attached a graph of my SVS/mains (no BFD)

Thanks again Tom!!!

**Tom Vodhanel** · **06-08-06, 08:05 AM**

Hi Gacole,

You can try two things here...

1)tuning the DIY box a little higher...say 23-25hz. This, once combined with the output from the 20-39PC+ should help flatten the overall bass response(pre-EQing).

2)go for a "tune" as close as possible to the extension setting you use most often with the 20-39PC+.

Option one may allow you to get away with a little less EQing, option two will probably give a little more "tactile" feel to the bass...although in the size you are limited too...you may hear a little port noise from the DIY becuase you won't be able to use a whole lot of port area to hit 16/20hz tunes.

any specific preference here?

Tom V.
SVS

**gacole2000** · **06-08-06, 10:56 AM**

Tom,

I'm flexible and would go with whatever option you think would be best. I have purchased a BFD, but I'm waiting on a MIDI cable to hook of REW. I'll be curious how the 12.3 changes things as well?

Thanks- Greg

**Tom Vodhanel** · **06-08-06, 03:22 PM**

You are going to be limited to about 3.23 gross(enclosure volume), even if you only use 3/4 walls. I'm not even sure if you would be able to tune something that small down to 16hz unless you used a very small slot port.(which would probably "chuff" like crazy at louder volume. Let me run a few sims on leap over the weekend and get back to you.

Also, please email me directly for further discussion on this. (tomv@svsound.com)

Tom V.
SVS

**gacole2000** · **06-13-06, 08:57 PM**

WOW!!!!! I can't say enough about the help that Tom at SVS has given my on my 12.1 DIY sub. You just don't see that kind of service anymore folks! Thanks Tom!!!!

**Tom Vodhanel** · **06-14-06, 02:02 PM**

No problem at all Greg...I'm glad we can find the time to help. The only reason I asked you to email me directly was so I was able to answer faster. I can check the forums a few times a day...but I can check my emails every 15-30 minutes or so..

Tom V.
SVS

**gacole2000** · **06-25-06, 02:52 PM**

Well I finally got some time this weekend to build my sub. Thanks to Tom at SVS and his incredible assistance, I felt pretty good that what I was putting together would "work". It worked out to be 18"W x 19"D x 23 1/4"H. I went with the PE 300W BASH and a 4" flared precision port (for some odd reason, (that really bummed me out) they sent it to my old address and my amp to my new address? Hence, not able to install with everything else!). My driver will be the SVS 12.1, as soon as my 12.3 arrives (very soon, I hope)! It is overbuilt like a tank and braced well. I used the grill fom my original 20-39+ that was VERY slightly dammaged in shipping, which SVS insisted on replacing when I happen to mentioned it looked bent in slightly. I thought it would be an inexpensive and easy finish , so I went with some stone looking speckled paint (it turned out I needed 3 cans @ $7.50 each, so not so cheap and I ended up painting the bottom black!). I'm looking forward to adding it to my theater soon and if I can ever get my REW to work I'll post some graphs and thoughts.

Thanks for looking!

[ATTACH]P1020184.JPG[/ATTACH]

**bobgpsr** · **06-25-06, 06:41 PM**

Nice job! Looks very good --- much better than my unfinished on the outside DIY

All ready for the driver and port to be installed and that's it?

Bob

**gacole2000** · **06-25-06, 06:48 PM**

Thanks Bob. Port will be here tomorrow and the 12.3s are supposed to start shipping this upcoming week! Once I actually got started it went fairly quickly. For what I spent on that paint, I wish I would have sanded a little more and went with a nice veneer and stain. Live and learn... any pictures of your sub?

**Sonnie** · **06-25-06, 10:33 PM**

Nice job Greg...

Can't wait to hear how you like it and how well it performs for you.

**gacole2000** · **06-25-06, 11:39 PM**

Thanks Sonnie. Me too!

**Jack Gilvey** · **06-26-06, 01:16 PM**

Very cool!

**Sonnie** · **06-26-06, 09:13 PM**

Just looking at that box finish again... that looks like granite and like it weighs a ton. Somewhat authoritative!

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