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help upgrading older sub

#1
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12/21/07 at 7:15am
  • Joined: October 2007
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I currnetly own a Cerwin Vega LW-15 400w sub that has served me well for many years but isn't tight enough for music. .I was considering replacing it with 2 subs in alignment with my fronts or possibly upgrading the driver and amp in my CV. My budget is 500.00 and i was considering 2 velo 1200's or 2 Infinity PS212's. Any thoughts ? I was thinking this setup would cover both movies and music very well.
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#2
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12/21/07 at 11:02am
  • Joined: August 2000
  • Location: Southaven, MS
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Re: help upgrading older sub

Have you plotted the frequency response of your sub to see if you may have a problem with room modes? A $40 SPL meter, some test tones and this spreadsheet can give you a lot of information. I thought my subs were extremely boomy and weak on the bottom end. I was right after taking an hour to measure my response. A $100 EQ fixed everything. I have a pretty flat response down to about 17hz.

-Robert
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#3
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12/21/07 at 1:08pm
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Re: help upgrading older sub

this is a generalization but sealed subs are much more likely to be tight than ported subs. i suggest listening to a few before you buy anything.

HT: Marantz SR8000, PSB Alpha B fronts, Alpha C center, CSW Newton S200 surrounds, Martin Logan Dynamo Sub, Marantz DVD, Sony CRT TV

Stereos include vintage Sony receivers/amps into vintage AR and KEF speakers.

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#4
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12/21/07 at 3:00pm
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Re: help upgrading older sub

Quote:
Originally Posted by MaxL
this is a generalization but sealed subs are much more likely to be tight than ported subs. i suggest listening to a few before you buy anything.
That is a huge generalization. A properly designed ported sub can sound just as tight as a sealed sub and it has better extension down low. The only drawback is the size. There are few ported subs on the retail market that are large enough and tuned low enough to provide a tight response. That's why the DIY sub builders are going with monster sized enclosures that can hold a grown man.

-Robert
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#5
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12/22/07 at 2:44pm
  • Joined: October 2007
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Re: help upgrading older sub

ok-so how about replacing the driver with a faster say an aluminum cone driver and upgrading the amp to 1000 watts or so-i should be able to tune it by trying different port diameters or better yet,sealing it off ?
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#6
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12/23/07 at 4:24am
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  • Location: Charlotte, NC
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Re: help upgrading older sub

With your budget I would recommend just buying the best single sub you can for that price. At that price point dual subs just doesn't make a whole lot of sense, IMO.

For instance, if you can stretch an other $50-$100 look at the SVS 25-31PCi or the SVS PB12NSD. If you cannot stretch at all, look at the Hsu VTF2.
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#7
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12/24/07 at 9:33am
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Re: help upgrading older sub

Quote:
Originally Posted by mayhem13
ok-so how about replacing the driver with a faster say an aluminum cone driver
Subs are not "fast" or "slow". Subwoofer myth #3

Quote:
Originally Posted by mayhem13
upgrading the amp to 1000 watts
Does your replacment driver need that much power?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mayhem13
i should be able to tune it by trying different port diameters or better yet,sealing it off ?
Yes, you can try different tuning and sealed. But that depends on the driver that you purchase.

You should model some replacement drivers using WinISD or Unibox (my favorite) using the your current box as the enclosure volume. Remember, if you adjust the ports, you have to adjust the enclosure volume since the software uses net volume. You should also look closely at the port air speed and driver excursion. Smaller ports have higher air speeds and make chuffing noises. Drivers will execeed maximum excursion at much less than their RMS rating in larger boxes. That's why I questioned your use of a 1,000w amp.

-Robert
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#8
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12/24/07 at 10:54am
  • Joined: October 2007
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Re: help upgrading older sub

i am considering using a jl audio w713 driver-a friend of mine is a jl audio dealer and told me this is the same driver used in the gotham sub. thanx for the tip on the program!
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#9
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12/24/07 at 12:36pm
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Re: help upgrading older sub

That is a very capable sub but unless you are getting it for a steal, there are a lot better values out there. Also your JL Audio dealer friend is wrong. The Gotham does not use the W7 13" sub. The driver in the Gotham may look like a W7 but the parts are optimized for home theater use. Just because two subs look alike, doesn't mean they are or will perform the same.

-Robert
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