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Travis-J · 07-09-2003, 07:50 PM

I was planning on building a pair of surrounds, but accidentally bought a pair of paradigm titans, oops.

So the next project on the list is a powered sub.
I'd like to try to build one, as price is an issue, I can do woodworking have the tools etc. I use my system for about 60/40 Music/Movies. I don't need thundering base, I just want to fill in the low end. So what do you suggest for drivers and amplifiers?

Ryan Schnacke · 07-09-2003, 10:42 PM

What dimensions would you prefer?
How much do you want to spend?
Without knowing that stuff this is the best that I can do:

There's a number of high-value, reasonably-priced components that are always recommended around here. Here's my list. Prices listed are off the top of my head so they may be +/- $10 and you might find them on sale.

From www.adireaudio.com

Adire Shiva ($120)
Adire Tempest ($140)
Adire Maelstrom ($250?)
Adire Tumult ($500)

From www.partsexpress.com
Dayton 12" DVC ($125)
Dayton 15" DVC ($140)
Dayton 12" Titanic Mk2 ($150)
120 watt plate amp ($100)
250 watt plate amp ($120)

From www.stryke.com
AV12 ($175)
AV15 ($205)

From Rhythmic Audio
350 watt plate amp ($140)

Sealed 12" subs generally range from 1.2 cu ft to 2.5 cu ft.
Vented 12" subs from 3 cu ft to 5 cu ft.
Sealed 15" subs from 2.5 cu ft to 6 cu ft.
Vented 15" subs from 6 cu ft to 12 cu ft.

These are net internal volume numbers. Once you narrow down the size and budget then we can get specific. Be sure to check out the tech papers on the Adire website. They have complete plans for 3 sealed alignments and 3 vented alignments for both the Shiva and the Tempest.

Travis-J · 07-10-2003, 05:40 AM

Size isn't a huge issue, if I can build a better sub cheaper by using a larger enclosure then I'm all for it.

The tumult and the maelstrom are a bit pricey, what would you suggest from the others u listed. It seems to me go with a rythmic amp most wattage, makes sense right?
I will post the measurements of my room. The tempest seems good for the price.

Travis-J · 07-10-2003, 05:46 AM

My room is approximately 15X15 it but it has two extra 6x2.5
too make it kindof like a T with a fat stem. If that makes sense. Oh and where is a good place to order the Rythmic amp from? I live in BC Canada.

Ryan Schnacke · 07-10-2003, 10:29 PM

Here's the Rythmik audio page. It's a heck of an amp. Has the most power AND features for your dollar. Some of the woofers I mentioned will max out at about 250 - 300watts in some alignments but its always nice to have extra amp power to spare. And the switch-controlled rumble filter is just way cool. I wish my plate amp had it, but I can't compain too bad since I got the Parts Express 250watt plate amp on sale for $100.

http://www.rythmikaudio.com/nonservo_product.htm

With your room you've got about 2000 to 2500 cu ft to fill. Should be pretty easy to fill that with quality bass from a decent sub. For comparison my open floorplan has a 20x30x10 living room/kitchen that opens into a number of other areas and I can still rattle the windows even when I only run one of my subs. For your reference one of them is a Dayton 12" DVC with in 3.5 cu ft tuned to 22Hz and powered with the 250 watt plate amp. The other is an SVS 25-31PC (the original PC).

You can definately get more bang for your buck if you're willing to live with a bigger enclosure. The value champion is probably a 15" woofer like the Adire Tempest or the Dayton 15" DVC in a big ported enclosure. The Adire tech papers have all the details you'll need. But we're talking about a BIG,BIG enclosure here. 10 cu ft is just freaking huge. I'm pretty sure Adire has got a Canadian distributor so you won't have to worry about duties.

The AV15 can move quite a bit more air than the Tempest, but its also a bit more expensive and you'll need about 750 watts to really take advantage of it whereas the Tempest will reach its full capabilities with around 300 watts. Of course this all depends on the enclosure as well, but it seems to be the case in most applications.

Adire also sells plate amps but their prices are not competitive here in the US. For instance, their AVA250 is a virtual twin of the Parts Express 250 watt plate amp but they charge $180 vs $120 from PE. Still, I have no idea how much duties run so it might actually be cheaper for you to buy everything from Adire's Canadian distributor.

BTW, all the prices I've been listing are US$.

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Travis-J · 07-11-2003, 01:23 AM

Thanks Ya I know where I can order the tempest from in BC so that's good. How is rythmic audio to deal with? I'm kinda new to this whole internet buying thing.

Ryan Schnacke · 07-11-2003, 11:58 PM

Never actually dealt with Rythmik. Like I said, my amp is the PE 250 watter from Parts Express and they are absolutely great to work with - they did more than their part to help me out when I did something kinda dumb with the amp. They really took care of me and I learned a valuable lesson - the power caps on many amps can stay "hot" for DAYS after being unplugged. I'm not exaggerating at all here. Even though the pre-amp's power supply is sucked dry you could easily have over +/- 50 volts on the amp's power supply rails.

JesseSilver · 07-12-2003, 02:34 AM

I have been dealing with Rythmik, and can tell you that Brian Ding is a class-act. I had many questions regarding their 350-se amp and the new Linkwitz transform available for it, and Brian has been nothing but a wealth of information and a great help. His time and efforts go beyond what could possibly be expected for such a great product offered at such a reasonable price.

No, I don't work for Rythmik, and no he didn't tell me to say this, but that's the kind of service I have thus-far gotten!

Allen Ross · 07-12-2003, 03:01 AM

Quote:

the power caps on many amps can stay "hot" for DAYS after being unplugged. I'm not exaggerating at all here. Even though the pre-amp's power supply is sucked dry you could easily have over +/- 50 volts on the amp's power supply rails.

haha no bleeders, those can be a bitch, i remember i got a tickle from my PE 250 amp when it was in its natural sate when i tried my tempest for the first time, it took me by surprise

BTW if you can afford it, i think pro amps kick all eternal ass when it comes to utter power. plus you got your first rack mounted hardware, which will just lead to more. (BFD anyone)

i think the AV15 is kick ass for sexiness, to bad i am to cheap to buy one

i would love to put one in a sealed box and put my DC 300 A II to the test

Jack Gilvey · 07-12-2003, 10:07 AM

Quote:

I have been dealing with Rythmik, and can tell you that Brian Ding is a class-act. I had many questions regarding their 350-se amp and the new Linkwitz transform available for it, and Brian has been nothing but a wealth of information and a great help. His time and efforts go beyond what could possibly be expected for such a great product offered at such a reasonable price.

I've found the same thing, now if only ordering were easier.

Quote:

the power caps on many amps can stay "hot" for DAYS after being unplugged. I'm not exaggerating at all here. Even though the pre-amp's power supply is sucked dry you could easily have over +/- 50 volts on the amp's power supply rails.

Would it help at all to unplug the amp while it's still playing (possibly draining the caps)?

Allen Ross · 07-12-2003, 10:42 AM

i think it does nothing cause you are cutting power to the circuitry which shuts off the out put, you know that click when it first comes on, Its differnt then power amps, my DC 300A II will play for about a min or two at moderate levels before it peters out.

At least thats what i think i could be wrong i have been in the past a lot