Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too! - Page 4 - Home Theater Systems - Electronics and Forum - HomeTheaterShack
 
Home Theater Shack SVSound: The Sound Authority in speaker and subwoofers!  The new PB13-Ultra and PC-Ultra subwoofers are astonishingly awesome! Ultimate Home Entertainment: Providing home theater seating and accessories such as popcorn machines and signage... at very affordable prices! Parts Express: The #1 Internet source for all your DIY and electronics needs! Axiom Home Theaters: Award winning Internet direct speakers and subwoofers! Creative Sound Solutions: Loudspeaker kits and components for subwoofers, midwoofers, woofers and full range speakers! Mach 5 Audio: Affordable Drivers: Australian supplier of car and home audio subwoofer drivers of exceptional value! Fi Audio: Infinitely amazing balanced high end musicality designed drivers! SoundSplinter: A purveyor of exceptionally high quality subwoofers with a price tag that isn't heavier than their subs! Sony Style: Sony Audio and Video products! Ascend Acoustics: Award-Winning Audiophile Quality Loudspeakers Made Affordable Via Direct Sales! Funky Waves: A great source for custom subwoofers and speakers at incredibly low prices! HomeTheaterReview.com: Home theater equipment review publication that features av preamp, receiver, speaker, blu-ray player and more reviews. Musicians Friend: Find products for your REW and BFD setup... microphones, mic amps, Galaxy CM-140 SPL meter and more! GIK Acoustics: Home audio acoustics at its best... especially when you have help from the owners right here at the Shack!  Check out their very affordable acoustic panels! Discount Merchant:  If you need a replacement bulb for your video device... look no further... save big! Home Theater Shack Electronics Store: An Amazon store front specializing in audio and video electronics... and generally offering the lowest prices on the net!


    Home Register               Shack Shopping Glossary         FAQ            
Go Back   Home Theater Systems - Electronics and Forum - HomeTheaterShack > DIY Speakers and Subwoofers > SoundSplinter
Room EQ WizardBFD Guide
Forgot Password?
    Home Theater Links Donations         Image Gallery        

SoundSplinter

Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!

Discuss Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too! in the DIY Speakers and Subwoofers forum; Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too! Here it is... the fruits of my labor. Almost everything I need to build these two 17 ft^3 (net volume) ...

SoundSplinter

 Reply     Post New Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 10-22-07, 11:02 AM   #76 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: Bradley
Loc: Seattleland
User: #10624
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 146
Bradley is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Here it is... the fruits of my labor. Almost everything I need to build these two 17 ft^3 (net volume) subs:





May not look like much, but was it a lot of work! I can't help thinking about how much easier a sonotube would have been. But I'm finally ready to start gluing things together.

On a side note, my flush trim bit isn't looking so hot! To think it was sparkly fresh and new just a week and a half ago.





Sure do have a LOT of scraps left over. Already thinking about what I can make out of these leftovers. Hmmm...



Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Alt Advertisement
Old 10-23-07, 05:31 PM   #77 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: Bradley
Loc: Seattleland
User: #10624
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 146
Bradley is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


The gluing has begun!



Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-07, 07:09 PM   #78 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Platinum Supporter
Alias: thxgoon
Loc: colorado
thxgoon's Avatar
User: #6924
Since: Feb 2007
Posts: 645
thxgoon is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


So ah, how many router bits did you go through? Lol!


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-07, 12:45 PM   #79 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: Bradley
Loc: Seattleland
User: #10624
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 146
Bradley is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Well, this past weekend the bearing fell right off my flush trim bit! Luckily I realized there is a small screw that holds it on and was able to put it back together. My 1/4" cutting bit is getting pretty dull, that's for sure.


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-07, 12:52 PM   #80 (Link)
 
Shackster
Alias: tgoode
Loc: nampa, idaho
User: #7751
Since: Mar 2007
Posts: 14
tgoode is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Man I need to buy some extra router bits. Isn't mdf dust great.

Question for you are you using wood glue or liquid nails for glue up.


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-07, 02:41 AM   #81 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: Bradley
Loc: Seattleland
User: #10624
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 146
Bradley is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


So far I've only used wood glue... Titebond III "Ultimate". I'll probably use some kind of construction adhesive or liquid nails for the port tube as there will be some small gaps to fill. For whatever reason I couldn't seem to cut a circle to the exact outer diamter of the port tube.

Progress is slow but tonight I managed to do 10 more circle cuts and glue the port tube support rings to their respective panels. After the glue dries on these, I can make the flare with the big ol' 1.5" radius rounding bit.



Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-07, 06:43 PM   #82 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: Bradley
Loc: Seattleland
User: #10624
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 146
Bradley is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


I was just out in the garage test fitting panels in preparation for gluing them together. It's pretty exciting to see it all starting to come together and starting to look like a real subwoofer enclosure, so I gotta post a few "teaser" pics!







Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-07, 07:54 PM   #83 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: Steve
SteveCallas's Avatar
User: #263
Since: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,412
SteveCallas is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Looks great


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-07, 10:46 AM   #84 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: Bradley
Loc: Seattleland
User: #10624
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 146
Bradley is offline
Got flare? :D








Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-07, 12:18 PM   #85 (Link)
 
Shackster
Alias: tgoode
Loc: nampa, idaho
User: #7751
Since: Mar 2007
Posts: 14
tgoode is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Nice job on the flares.

Todd


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-07, 04:48 PM   #86 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Platinum Supporter
Alias: thxgoon
Loc: colorado
thxgoon's Avatar
User: #6924
Since: Feb 2007
Posts: 645
thxgoon is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Looking really nice! It's neat to compare those shots with your sketchup models.


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-07, 03:34 AM   #87 (Link)
 
Pharaoh Moderator
Platinum Supporter
Alias: Ahmed
Loc: Cairo-Egypt
Blaser's Avatar
User: #2269
Since: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,396
Blaser is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


WOW....Great Job


Yamaha RX-V2500, Wharfedale Diamond 9.6 Fronts, Wharfedale Diamond CM Center, Diamond DFS Surround and rear, Behringer FBQ 2496, Dual RL-P18s 625L LLTs, Dual TA-2400 Pro (2 * 2000 W Amp), Samsung HD870 DVD player, Carada BW 16:9 106" screen, Epson TW-2000, 60 Gb PS3
Important HT proverbs:
- "You can never have too much headroom" (talking about bass)
- "you can never have too big a screen" (talking about still pictures)

Projector selection basics
Epson TW 2000 review

Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-07, 05:05 PM   #88 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: Bradley
Loc: Seattleland
User: #10624
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 146
Bradley is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Thanks, blaser. Finished gluing the first box together. Going to sand and corner round and mount the driver tonight!





Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-07, 05:14 PM   #89 (Link)
 
Pharaoh Moderator
Platinum Supporter
Alias: Ahmed
Loc: Cairo-Egypt
Blaser's Avatar
User: #2269
Since: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,396
Blaser is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


I am waiting to see some REW graphs man!!!


Yamaha RX-V2500, Wharfedale Diamond 9.6 Fronts, Wharfedale Diamond CM Center, Diamond DFS Surround and rear, Behringer FBQ 2496, Dual RL-P18s 625L LLTs, Dual TA-2400 Pro (2 * 2000 W Amp), Samsung HD870 DVD player, Carada BW 16:9 106" screen, Epson TW-2000, 60 Gb PS3
Important HT proverbs:
- "You can never have too much headroom" (talking about bass)
- "you can never have too big a screen" (talking about still pictures)

Projector selection basics
Epson TW 2000 review

Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-07, 10:10 PM   #90 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: Mongrel
Loc: Cape Coral,Florida
Mongrel714's Avatar
User: #9120
Since: May 2007
Posts: 249
Mongrel714 is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Wow Bradley, that is a very beautiful job, you dont see attention to woodworking that good very often, I hope it sounds as good as it looks.


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-07, 02:21 PM   #91 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: OJ
Loc: Toronto, Ontario
Owen Bartley's Avatar
User: #3144
Since: Oct 2006
Posts: 495
Owen Bartley is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Bradley, wow. Really really great work on that sub! I hate when I come in late to good build threads because I love watching them step by step. Yours is coming along very nicely! First of all, a dual RL-p18 is a great project in any case, but when someone puts in the attention to detail that you are, it makes it really fun to watch. I love the rounded internal edges (I did the same in my Tempest, but not nearly as nicely as you have) and the port flares. I'll be watching closely from now on for sure!

P.S. Is that an S4? - Nevermind, I just read the last page and it is. Very nice... but keep the MDF dust off it!



Last edited by Owen Bartley; 11-05-07 at 02:33 PM.

Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-07, 03:26 PM   #92 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: Bradley
Loc: Seattleland
User: #10624
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 146
Bradley is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Thanks, Owen! I must confess that I haven't update this build thread in a while. The first subwoofer is actually done now. The only thing left is paint which I plan to do later when the second cabinet is completed.

Here are some recent pics:



Subwoofer's view of the room:


Another view of the toys:


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-07, 03:55 PM   #93 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: Bradley
Loc: Seattleland
User: #10624
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 146
Bradley is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Quote:
blaser wrote: View Post
I am waiting to see some REW graphs man!!!
That is definitely on my "to do" list! I did take some preliminary measurements with the Radio Shack digital SPL meter with C weighting. Here are some of the uncorrected readings I got at 2 meters from the sub in-room:

99 dB @ 12.5 Hz (near clipping)
100 dB @ 13.0 Hz (near clipping)
108 dB @ 20.0 Hz (no sign of clipping on amp)

The amp is a QSC RMX 2450, rated at 750 watts into into 4 ohms stereo at 1 kHz. I'm just running the sub off one channel in stereo mode for now. A bit nervous about slamming the cone at frequencies below tune, so I am very hesitant to run it bridged.

Playing around with the signal generator, I observed cone excursion to reach a minimum right around 13 Hz, so that would appear to be the effective tune of the system. I was shooting for 14.5 Hz but I don't mind it being lower.


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-07, 03:59 PM   #94 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: Ben
Loc: Manitoba
User: #739
Since: May 2006
Posts: 209
Bent is online now
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Tuning frequency would show almost zero cone excursion - not peak cone excursion


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-07, 04:03 PM   #95 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: Bradley
Loc: Seattleland
User: #10624
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 146
Bradley is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Right. That's why I said it reached a minimum.


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-07, 04:44 PM   #96 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: Steve
SteveCallas's Avatar
User: #263
Since: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,412
SteveCallas is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Do be careful with high output sine waves below tuning, that is just asking for trouble. When it comes to real material, you have nothing to fear, go ahead and bridge the amp.

How are you liking it so far? I'll wait to see your in room FR, but I've noticed a trend that orientations with the driver front firing often don't have as smooth a natural FR at the seat as those with it downfiring.


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-07, 06:06 PM   #97 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: Bradley
Loc: Seattleland
User: #10624
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 146
Bradley is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Quote:
SteveCallas wrote: View Post
Do be careful with high output sine waves below tuning, that is just asking for trouble. When it comes to real material, you have nothing to fear, go ahead and bridge the amp.
I am being VERY careful with the test tones. That's why I didn't go lower than 12.5 Hz with the high SPL measurement. By the time you get down to 12 Hz the cone really starts moving. Oddly enough, the 20 Hz test spooked me more than the 12.5 Hz test did with the high SPL and cone movement.

Quote:
SteveCallas wrote: View Post
How are you liking it so far? I'll wait to see your in room FR, but I've noticed a trend that orientations with the driver front firing often don't have as smooth a natural FR at the seat as those with it downfiring.
Interesting. This sub could be converted to down firing pretty easily, with the only real issue being the location of the speaker terminals.

To answer your question... I'm liking it a lot! I went out and bought a copy of War of the Worlds yesterday and I have to say the LFE output was just totally insane. Good lord... I feared the cone of the RL-P18 might jump right out of the basket. I had to leap up from my seat and lower the gain on the amp about 3 times as the clipping light was going NUTS! That movie easily has more LFE output than anything I've ever seen/heard. And yes, the RL-P18 delivered the goods with great big gooey gobs of infrasonic goodness. Getting the second sub completed will be nice so there's a little more headroom and low end extension.

Getting this sub done and putting it to the test has really enabled me to appreciate the low tune/high displacement combo. After hearing this beast reproduce test tones all the way down to 12.5 Hz and belch out all of the LFE material on WoTW, I can say unequivocably that building a sub capable of going well below 20 Hz was a worthwhile venture! Seriously... the pair of Def Tech PF15TL+ subs I had before simply DID NOT EXIST below 20 Hz. So I am now hearing and feeling things never heard & felt before. The difference in output is truly staggering.

Thanks again to everyone here on the Shack that helped to inspire me and guide me along the way during my build.


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-07, 07:04 PM   #98 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Alias: Steve
SteveCallas's Avatar
User: #263
Since: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,412
SteveCallas is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Bridging the amp should eliminate the clipping


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-07, 08:33 PM   #99 (Link)
 
Senior Shackster
Platinum Supporter
Alias: Rodny
Loc: Millbrook AL
Rodny Alvarez's Avatar
User: #158
Since: Apr 2006
Posts: 599
Rodny Alvarez is offline
Re: Monkey see, monkey do... two RL-P18s for me too!


Nice work Bradley!!!

What finish are you going with?


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-07, 08:33 PM   #100 (Link)
Senior Shackster
Alias: Ben