Discuss Build thread! Unknown 12" Sony driver... in the DIY Subwoofers forum.
BuddahX wrote: Looks good man. I like the bright red. and good coverage on the paint. that MDF soaks up ...

**favelle** · **04-10-10, 11:33 AM**

Quote:

BuddahX wrote:

Looks good man. I like the bright red. and good coverage on the paint. that MDF soaks up paint like a sponge.

Yeah, 3 coats! LOL!

Re-painting the port endcap right now. All that's left is for that and to roll on the black felt for the tube covering. Done in 2-3 hours!

**favelle** · **04-10-10, 04:26 PM**

Port endcap is painted. Done. Its SILKY smooth. Just waiting for it to dry. Its 2pm now. By 5pm, this thing will be done and together. I'll leave it for 24 hours to fully dry some more, then we haul it to the theater room for some testing goodness!!!!!!!

**favelle** · **04-11-10, 06:36 PM**

Well folks, done and done. Here's the final build pics! Some minor stuff to be done, but as I am probably passing this sub along, I'll let the next owner do the final cosmetic stuff.

Securing the port tube. Yes it fits tight, like a glove, but I always get paranoid that eventually over time it'll fall and hit the driver, LOL!

The sub, all secured, sealed and together waiting for the port covering:

Material lined up to cover the sonotube:

All done!! Going to let the caulking dry for 3 hours.......then its time to fire it up and let the action fly!!!

**favelle** · **04-12-10, 08:31 PM**

Ok, ran some real-world tests on this bad boy. SPL meter in hand, I played the following Blu-ray test scenes:

1) Kung Fu Panda: Tai Long escape scene. Slo-mo crossbow had my eyes opening WIDE. I had to replay it twice to see if it was actually sounding this way. Fast-forwarded to the slow motion climb up the falling rocks....WOW! Finally, I skipped to the end to the "skiddoosh" scene. 104dB.....and this was running -6 from reference with the old 150W amp that likely has a 30-40hz HP filter on it!!

2) Transformers Revenge of the Fallen: Opening scene with the Primes. The bass sweep when they show the seeker being built. WOW.

3) Terminator Salvation: Gas station scene. BOOM....BOOM!

4) Transformers: IronHide flip. Hit 108dB.....I couldn't believe it. From this sub? What would it sound like if I swapped the amp for a BASH300 with the HP disabled? Amazing.

**favelle** · **04-12-10, 08:59 PM**

Just ran a 20hz test tone. The previous sub had NOTHING coming out of it. This is definitely moving air now! SPL meter read 85dB. Need to hook up the 500W BASH to confirm output though.

**Mike P.** · **04-12-10, 09:22 PM**

Quote:

Need to hook up the 500W BASH to confirm output though.

Don't you have the 300 watt amp? What is the HPF set at?

**favelle** · **04-12-10, 09:32 PM**

Quote:

Mike P. wrote:

Don't you have the 300 watt amp? What is the HPF set at?

No. I have a 500W BASH with the HP filter set to 17hz. I plan to hook it up sometime this week to do some more tests to see of purchasing a 300W BASH is worth the trouble.

**Mike P.** · **04-13-10, 06:02 AM**

Got it. It will be interesting to see what kind of SPL numbers you get in the 20 hz range.

**Moonfly** · **04-13-10, 06:35 AM**

Just make sure you keep an eye on the driver, the extra power could push it too hard of fry the VC if your not careful. Will be very interesting to see how it works out, given the good results so far.

**favelle** · **04-13-10, 08:40 PM**

Well, hooked it up to the 500W BASH. It definitely surprised again. Dialed it in to -9 from reference to play it safe. WOW. Played all the same scenes again. Everything hit the same or just below in terms of dB and this was playing at -3 less than before! I also ran a 20hz test tone....96dB @ -9 from reference and 100.4 @ -6 from reference. Didn't want to push it, but wow, what a difference! Nothing clipped or bottomed out....but likely wouldn't take much more do it.

I would say, without a doubt, it is worth it to purchase the $110 300W BASH amp for this build. No question.