[toyotafan]

I was the winner of the Shiva-X giveaway and just received the driver. Thanks Kevin! I also ordered 2 15" PR's and want to build the NeoDan end table design below. I have an EP-2500 for power and an SMS-1 for hpf and eq. This is my first build. I do have quite a bit of previous wood working experience but could use some help.

First off I need to gather all the tools and materials. I already picked up some 3/4" MDF for the cabinet and will be using a circular saw with clamped guide to make the straight cuts. I also picked up a Jasper 200 for cutting the circles for the driver and pr's. This design only has a single layer baffle for the driver and pr's. Should I consider using 2 layers to flush mount them?

Should I use screws or hurricane nuts for attaching hardware?
What speaker terminals work the best? speakons?
I need to buy a bunch of clamps. Any recommendations?
What else do I need?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Lonely Raven]

I highly recommend the Jet Brand Parallel Clamps Jet Brand Parallel Clamps. That is assuming you plan on doing any woodworking in the future as they are a little expensive...these will last you a lifetime, are easy to engage and disengage, pull very parallel, and are very solid and stay square. I used them on my 41" X 37" X 23" box, and I only wish I had more!

Tightbond 2 for adhesive, and a good silicon adhesive/sealant to seal it up once the wood glue is cured. Gorilla glue (or similar) for locking in whatever T-nuts or Hurricane nuts you pick. I went with regular T-nuts because that's what was easy for me to get.

 

[Kevin Haskins]

If this is a one-time project, you can screw and glue it and get away without buying clamps.

Standard wood glue is fine. I use Titebond and it works fine. I would flush up all the drivers, which means a 2nd layer of MDF.

Kevin Haskins
Exodus Audio

 

[Mike P.]

If you use screws then you'll have to pre drill the holes first or the MDF will split.

 

[mjg100]

If you use screws then you'll have to pre drill the holes first or the MDF will split.

You can buy some trim head tek screws. Self drilling, so you do not have to drill a hole first and they have a small head that will recess into the panel. www.grkfasteners.com/en/TRIM_0_information.htm. You can assemble a box using glue and these screws and after you have built the box you can still route (round-off) the corners. Just be sure to use a depth guide when installing the screws. A simple depth guide can be be tape on the driver so that you visually see the depth needed.

 

[toyotafan]

I'm going to build more subs so I bought some bar and pipe clamps from harbor freight. Also picked up some speakon connectors and barbed inserts for mounting the drivers.

Made some progress today and got all the pieces cut. Should I cut the holes for the driver and PR's before gluing the box together? Is there any particluar order the pieces of the box should be assembled in?

 

[Lonely Raven]

Well lets see some photos then!

 

[toyotafan]

Here's what I have so far....

 

[toyotafan]

I decided not to flushmount the drivers on this one. It's going behind my screen wall and won't be visible.

 

[toyotafan]

Kevin, how much mass should I put on the PR's and how much polyfill should I stuff it with?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Kevin Haskins]

Kevin, how much mass should I put on the PR's and how much polyfill should I stuff it with?

Thanks,
Steve

What is your final internal volume and which amp are you using?

Kevin Haskins
Exodus Audio

 

[toyotafan]

Box volume is 3.5 cubic feet. I'm using an EP2500 in non-bridge mode (there will be 2 of these subs). Also have an SMS-1.

 

[toyotafan]

Does 800g per PR and 15% fill sound about right?

 

[toyotafan]

Just finished installing the barbed inserts, speakon chassis connector, stuffing, driver, and PR's. Should be able to give it a test drive tonight.

 

[Kevin Haskins]

Does 800g per PR and 15% fill sound about right?

I think I'd aim for about 1100g per PR-15 (add nine 100g washers) and I'd use 50% fill as a starting point. That is assuming you are using the 500W amp that I sell with a 18Hz subsonic filter.

It gives you this:

Kevin Haskins
Exodus Audio

 

[toyotafan]

I'm using an ep2500 and sms-1.

 

[slow.junk]

I think you might have installed your T nuts backwards...

 

[toyotafan]

Those are barbed inserts not t-nuts. I agree it would be better to have the collar on the inside. It was too hard to pound them in from the inside with the box assembled. So I used urethane adhesive and pounded them in from the outside. They aren't going anywhere.

 

[toyotafan]

Here it is in my theater. Got it hooked up yesterday. Not sure what to think of it yet. Still trying to figure out how to properly calibrate it with the sms-1 and Audyssey Multeq-XT. I ordered some Duratex to paint the cabinet.

 

[Lonely Raven]

Wow that's going to look great with the Duratex! It's so small and nicely rounded....completely unlike my behemoth that I'm not sure what to do with!

Have you used Duratex before? It is something I'm considering for my sub.