So looks like you custom made your paint. Can you describe how you did that, specifically how you made it metallic. I wanted a metallic paint for a recent project but didn't like any of the premade colors. Would love to know how to make my own. I would have never thought to do that.
Single SI HT 18 build
Hey. Thought I'd make a build thread of my new sub beings that I like reading them and maybe others do too. This is my second DIY speaker project, but I'm far from being much good at it. Im still learning woodworking and about as far from an engineer as you can get. I've been reading threads here and elsewhere for quite awhile now and have learned a lot. This is a great forum.
So I picked up an SI HT 18 on preorder, seemed like a good deal. I've modeled all of the 15's and 18's in my price range and decided on a single 18 in a sealed box. I know I lose some SPL down low compared to ported, but the simplicity of the build as well as knowing how a sealed box in this room sounds steered me in this direction. Im replacing an old Velodyne F-1200 which did surprisingly well. I think I'm fortunate to have some nice room gain here.
I went with a box with outside dimensions of 34"h X 24"w X 21.75"d. Using .75" thick mdf sandwiched to .75" plywood for sides and back. Double .75" mdf for top and bottom. Baffle is 2 layers of .75" ply plus a .75" layer of mdf for the front. All bracing is double .75" mdf. After calculating the bracing volume I end up with about 5.75 cubic feet inside. I know its probably overkill and will be heavy, but my design philosophy is if its worth building, its worth overbuilding.:T
Now for some pics.
Beer and power tools.
![Tool Machine Toolroom Wood shaper Table saw]()
Gluing the baffle
![Workbench Wood Table woodworking Tool accessory]()
ply from home depot. Had to squeeze a bunch of glue in and clamp up.
![Wood Plywood Table Furniture Hardwood]()
![Workbench Wood Machine Table Tool]()
Gluing in bracing
![Workbench Wood Table Plywood Furniture]()
![White Architecture Black-and-white Line Monochrome]()
![Machine Machine tool Photography]()
![Machine]()
![Metalworking hand tool]()
![Black-and-white Monochrome Machine Monochrome photography Photography]()
![White Black Black-and-white Monochrome photography Monochrome]()
More pics to come.
So I picked up an SI HT 18 on preorder, seemed like a good deal. I've modeled all of the 15's and 18's in my price range and decided on a single 18 in a sealed box. I know I lose some SPL down low compared to ported, but the simplicity of the build as well as knowing how a sealed box in this room sounds steered me in this direction. Im replacing an old Velodyne F-1200 which did surprisingly well. I think I'm fortunate to have some nice room gain here.
I went with a box with outside dimensions of 34"h X 24"w X 21.75"d. Using .75" thick mdf sandwiched to .75" plywood for sides and back. Double .75" mdf for top and bottom. Baffle is 2 layers of .75" ply plus a .75" layer of mdf for the front. All bracing is double .75" mdf. After calculating the bracing volume I end up with about 5.75 cubic feet inside. I know its probably overkill and will be heavy, but my design philosophy is if its worth building, its worth overbuilding.:T
Now for some pics.
Beer and power tools.
Gluing the baffle
ply from home depot. Had to squeeze a bunch of glue in and clamp up.
Gluing in bracing
More pics to come.
61 - 73 of 73 Posts
I also love brown, certain browns anyway. I wanted a neutral color that would allow the sub to hide behind my mains. As for the paint I used Golden fluid acrylics; raw umber and carbon black mixed with Modern Masters metallic paint, champagne color. Modern Masters makes a color called English Brown which is metallic and is very close to the color I mixed but my local art supply store didnt have it in stock and I didnt want to wait for shipping ordering online. I already had the acrylics so I just mixed my own. I usually mix a decent sized pool of it on my palette, use that then mix more as needed. I like the subtle variations you get doing it that way. Plus then I dont mix more than I need. If you want more consistent color you could mix up a bunch of it at once, you just then have to put in a jar or something to keep it from drying out. Practice a bit first on something to get the hang of the way it applies.
Got a bunch done today.
Binding posts. I used the kind that uses a 1/4" hole tap in then secure with nuts on the inside. I like the clean look, which I would show you if I had remembered to take a pic.
![Rim Wheel]()
Poly fill from walmart.
![Cuisine]()
I then used my hand truck to wheel it inside. It was much easier that I thought it would be. I then applied a speaker gasket to the cut out, wired it up and popped the driver in. After setting it upright again this is what it looks like.
![Subwoofer Sound box Loudspeaker Audio equipment Studio monitor]()
![Subwoofer Loudspeaker Audio equipment Sound box Studio monitor]()
This is shot of it in place, lurking ominously in the corner.
![Loudspeaker Electronics Audio equipment Subwoofer Room]()
This is a shot of my man cave. Im already deep in the planning of the new mains. They will be floorstanding so the stands will go. I also plan on replacing the cheap Polk center.
I fired it up for a brief test with U-571. Man, this thing is insane. Im using one channel of a Beringer EP 4000, and I will definitely have to to go around the house and fix all of the things that are rattling now.
I cant imagine the output of 2 or even 4 of these things that some builders are using. I do think I am going to pick up a MiniDSP to get a highpass filter on it down low just in case. Right now I am just using the crossover output from my Yamaha RXV1065 receiver, crossed at 80hz. I will probably buy a mic at some point to run REW just to see what it looks like. For now though Im pretty happy with the way it came out.
![Room Living room Property Furniture Interior design]()
Got a bunch done today.
Binding posts. I used the kind that uses a 1/4" hole tap in then secure with nuts on the inside. I like the clean look, which I would show you if I had remembered to take a pic.
Poly fill from walmart.
I then used my hand truck to wheel it inside. It was much easier that I thought it would be. I then applied a speaker gasket to the cut out, wired it up and popped the driver in. After setting it upright again this is what it looks like.
This is shot of it in place, lurking ominously in the corner.
This is a shot of my man cave. Im already deep in the planning of the new mains. They will be floorstanding so the stands will go. I also plan on replacing the cheap Polk center.
I fired it up for a brief test with U-571. Man, this thing is insane. Im using one channel of a Beringer EP 4000, and I will definitely have to to go around the house and fix all of the things that are rattling now.
I cant imagine the output of 2 or even 4 of these things that some builders are using. I do think I am going to pick up a MiniDSP to get a highpass filter on it down low just in case. Right now I am just using the crossover output from my Yamaha RXV1065 receiver, crossed at 80hz. I will probably buy a mic at some point to run REW just to see what it looks like. For now though Im pretty happy with the way it came out.
61 - 73 of 73 Posts
