JohnA

I have been living with my Maelstrom in a sealed 22" cube and like it. So far, it performs very well as far as I can tell.

I have yet to finish the enclosure (veneer, etc) and have come to conclusion that cosmetically, the enclosure would look better if I had a downward firing driver. It is currently a front firing driver configuration.

The enclosure could be up to 30" tall. I am using a 250 watt plate amp. I primarily use it for HT and like the hard hitting bass.

Should I keep the 22" square and just add another 8" to the height or would I better off with a bigger or ported (or bigger and ported) enclosure? Will any of these changes give me "better bass" or a better performing subwoofer? Should I keep a 22" cube?

Any comments or specific recomendations are appreciated.

Thanks.

Thrilled to be actively back into hometheater after a few years absence.

Geoff L

I have not run the numbers, but if you add volume, (interior volume) to the current sealed cabinet the, Q is going to change and this will affect it's Sealed Sound (if the interior volume change is large enough).

The adding of a base plate or down firing postion will have little or no effect on performace assuming the interior volume and power stay the same.

Going ported or PR'ed now thats a different store...Until you run some programs/sims, or get some user feedback, all I can say is,,,,properly ported is going to get you more spl per watt & should provide better spl deep extension.

Never have used the Driver so have no suggestions on cab design or size. Others might be able to address that for you much better (with some actual user info), which obviously is what your looking for.

Regards
Geoff

Mike Keith

I like the Maelstrom in a larger box, about 200l to 250L, this works well for both sealed or ported. I have 2 in a 245L sono and they sound great for both music and movies.

http://www.geocities.com/kingdaddyke...s.html?1078331

TrentT

I have two Maelstrom's, each one in a ported box, each with a volume measuring just over 11 cubit feet. Ports are dual 4" in each (from Adire). Power is supplied by a QSC EX2500, providing each voice coil with 375 watts RMS (1500 watts total)
I have spoken to the designer / builder of this driver, and I was told that it was designed to be used in a ported design. Also, it is designed as a downfiring driver.
I tried the subs my boxes before they were ported, and they were OK, but nothing compared to the ported design. The bass I get in my 13x23 room is scary. Not only high SPL, but the detail is great, and so is the response. Impact is amazing. Low end extension is very good. They will crush your chest at 20hz.
I would highly recommend going to a ported, downfiring design, and put it in a corner.
My use is 99.9% home theater. In my setup, some music can get a little boomy, but that can be solved with a lower x-over point. Not a problem for movies at all.
Overall, I am very happy with the Adire product in the ported boxes.
Oh, and even with all that power, I have never bottomed the drivers. And I run them pretty hard.
Good luck.

JohnA

Thank you for the suggestions and comments. I am considering using one of the ported reference designs.

When I originally planned and began the Maelstrom build, these where not available.

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Thrilled to be actively back into hometheater after a few years absence.

Kyle Richardson

Ported Maelstroms are great and with 250 watts you'll be surprised at how loud it will get.

Kyle Richardson
Acoustic Visions

AOL Instant Messenger Name: kyler70
MSN IM: acousticvisions@hotmail.com

dave alan

Quote:

I like the Maelstrom in a larger box, about 200l to 250L, this works well for both sealed or ported. I have 2 in a 245L sono and they sound great for both music and movies.
______________________________

I'm not familiar with the Maelstrom driver, but I've found all of the Adire drivers I've used to date (6 drivers and counting) to be as good as low frequency transducers get.

MK...I have to say that this sub you've designed and built is easily one of the most original and beautifully executed DIY subs I've ever seen.

Congratulations on a superb job!

I've seen the sub and mains posted before, but I never tire of seeing that sub. It should be a permanent post in the DIY section as an example of what can be achieved with a plan, patience and determination...really.

Dave

Mike Keith

Wow Dave, I might have to frame your post so I can look at it any time I need an ego boost, thanks for the compliment. I was pleasantly surprised how well the closed port valve worked for music, these drivers can pump out incredible bass well down below 15 Hz in room. Since I upgraded my Pre/Pro I can reach considerably louder levels without any of the drivers bottoming out like they would before, and it’s so clean and smooth, I’m a Adire fan for life now.

Cheers
Mike

Greg Monfort

Out of curiosity I ran the numbers for an 18Hz pipe and got reasonable gain/impulse response with 10.83ft^3 which equates to 53.5" i.d. high, vent = 6" dia x 12" long. When I recalc it at 30" i.d. this pushes the pipe's tuning up to 32.1Hz so the vent length increases to 28", acoustic gain falls ~4dB by 20Hz, and the impulse response degrades considerably.

If you can't tolerate the length, then a golden or acoustic ratio cab and PRs is your best option for vented since the vent will be even longer.

GM

Loud Is Beautiful, If It's Clean

Mike Keith

I wouldn’t get over 9ft3 for a vented enclosure with the Maelstrom. I tried several test enclosures (2 different sizes at a time) and found that a box over this amount didn’t sound as good, the bass had no punch at all, possibly a bit too over dampened. At least that was my listening impressions.