[WillyD]

I'd like to thank NEO-Dan (AVS) for his cutsheet and design and Sherv for the motivation to get this project rolling.

Here is the design I used (courtesy of Dan):

I had the worker at Lowes cut the sheet into three sections (the two sides off the end, and then down the middle) to make it easier to handle at home. He made accurate cuts. My dad and I cut the rest with a circular saw and guide.

Today we began the assembly.

The top of the middle brace is a bit fubar, but the other sides are good. The blade on the circular saw was bending a bit.

We countersunk all visible screws and then filled the holes with putty and sanded plenty. I wanted to go for a different color than the usual black and decided on a red wine color.

In the pictures below only the red primer has been applied. One can was enough for about 1 coat. We noticed the putty filled holes don't look perfect, so we're gonna work on those tomorrow before we put anymore primer on.

At first I will power this with my XS900 bridged...until I have put it through its paces. I might just buy another amp for my TC-2000 sub, like a used Ep2500.

 

[Mike P.]

Looking good, Will! What's the net volume of the box?

 

[WillyD]

Around 6.2ft^3.

 

[thxgoon]

Nice Will! I can't wait to hear your listening impressions compared to your TC2000

 

[WillyD]

Thanks. Me too...should be fun.

 

[WillyD]

All done!

That 27" CRT is soon to be replaced by a 96"-100" projection screen. That is the next project (already have the Mitsu HC1500).

 

[thxgoon]

Looks great Will! Did you build the speakers too?

 

[WillyD]

Thanks.

Sure did. It is this design here: http://www.zaphaudio.com/ZDT3.5.html

 

[Ricci]

I like the wine red finish. It looks good. What's the brand on that 5 string?

 

[WillyD]

I like the wine red finish. It looks good. What's the brand on that 5 string?

Ibanez, SR505.

 

[Guest]

Like it.:hail:
How much total did it cost?

 

[WillyD]

Driver was $350 shipped (preorder, even less on sale).

MDF + paint + primer + glue + wood filler = $50.

Binding post+ plate= $20.

So...~$420 without amp. An EP2500 would be a fine match (on a budget). I can tell it likes power....

 

[InterestedUser]

Any listening impressions?

How much power does the XS900 bridged provide? I guess the subwoofer is amp limited at the moment, waiting for the EP2500.

Any particular reason for the sealed design? Size?

Cheers.

 

[mike c]

did you apply any EQ? how low does it go f3?

do you have some charts of "expected" max output at the low end before xmax?

 

[WillyD]

Any listening impressions?

Not much at the moment. So far it seems deep enough for music. But as of now, it isn't significantly "quicker' than my LLT.

How much power does the XS900 bridged provide?

Rated for 2400W. Put out a solid 2250 @ 20hz @ 4ohms bridged. This is a good bit superior to the EP2500. However, trying to run both subs of the XS900 isn't enough because then each one is only getting about 750W RMS.

I guess the subwoofer is amp limited at the moment, waiting for the EP2500.

If any sub will be amp limited, it'll be my LLT cause I'd rather run my XS900 bridged to my Maelstrom than severely underpower both.

Any particular reason for the sealed design? Size?

Just kind of felt like it. A change of pace. The only piece of sonotube I had left was 24" diameter 48" long...I don't feel like that is quite enough for a ported Maelstrom (IMO...I like LLTs).

did you apply any EQ? how low does it go f3?

No EQ yet. I might pick up a DEQ in the future.

It's in-room F6 is about 20Hz. This is driver that is not broken in and without EQ. Its f3 I would put at 25Hz. This is coming from a quick REW sweep I did last night.

do you have some charts of "expected" max output at the low end before xmax?

100dB at 10Hz just at xmax. 107dB at 15Hz. 112dB at 20Hz.

 

[thxgoon]

100dB at 10Hz just at xmax. 107dB at 15Hz. 112dB at 20Hz.

Wow! Are those measured numbers or theoretical?

 

[WillyD]

Wow! Are those measured numbers or theoretical?

Theoretical, using WinISD. With room gain, that'd be more.

 

[mike c]

thank you very much for the info ... if i do DIY, it will be something like this as well

 

[WillyD]

Here are some impressions from movies: AMAZING.

With my bridged XS900 (over 2000W) hooked up, calibrated...this sub is reallllly great. The effects sound so tight, deep, percussive. This is with Master&Commander, Incredibles, Titan AE...all of them.

Seriously, two of these + two EP2500s (or better) + DEQ would set almost anyone up.

 

[thxgoon]

How's it compare to your LLT? I'm thinking of going back to a sealed design myself so I'm really interested in what you think...