building a sub (1 Viewer)

[Barry II]

Anyone here have experience building a subwoofer? I heard of people who have do it and I'm wondering if I could get some pointers on what to do. First maybe picking out the woofer I want. I know I want at least an 10" sub. I can handle the other aspects later.


--Barry II

 

[Brett DiMichele]

Barry,

We have a DIY Section here on the HTF where lots of people
build thier own speakers and subwoofers and we would be
more than glad to help you out. Have a Moderator move this
to DIY or post one on DIY and we can go from there.

 

[Joe Ku]

There are many good options available but first a few questions for you to narrow things down a little:

1)What is your budget?

2)What are your size limits?

3)Do you have a wife(she probibly will have size limits even if you don't)?

4)Is it for music or home theater?

5)Are you trying to crack drywall or just add bass at a moderate level?

6)what kind of speakers will you be using it with? This one is not really important, I am just curious.

 

[Barry II]

Thanks for the response.

1) I'd like to keep it under under $300 if its possible. If I really should spend more I'll try to prepare myself.

2) As I'm looking at my monitor I'd say about its size or bigger. So: 19x19x19.

3) No I don't

4) 99% home theater use.

5) I'd prefer not to annoy other people in the building. Just add some nice bass to the movies I like.


6) Not big ones or good ones for that matter. Look at my equipment list. http://www.geocities.com/bjackson567/index.html

 

[MichaelAngelo]

"3)Do you have a wife(she probibly will have size limits even if you don't)? "


there's a sig in there somewhere....

 

[Andrew Pratt]

I'd look at a DPL12 in a 75 liter box with a AVA250 amp for that budget and size limitations. You can get prices from several online vendors but here's one I deal with Creative Sound

More specifically...The amp

the driver

That's a little over budget but it would give you a very nice little subwoofer. From there just build a 75 liter bow with some solid internal bracing and stuff it a little and you'll be good to go.

 

[TimForman]

The DPL 12 driver recommendation confuses me. Why would you want to use a driver that is designed for dipole use in a box? You're not really going to gain much for the extra money, especially in a small enclosure. I think the Shiva would be more appropriate. Might also want to reconsider the amp. With a Shiva for $125, a 120 watt amp for $100 and the rest for the enclosure and finishes it's going to chew up almost the entire $300 budget. Being in an apartment and not wanting high volume levels that should suit you well. There's a lot of information on the Internet on building Sonotube subwoofers. That'll save you lots of time, money and later, if you're in a house, you can move the Shiva into a larger enclosure with more power if you want. Check Adire's website for specific enclosure sizes. Adire Audio
Whoa! Hold on. Parts Express has the 250W amp on sale for $99. Hard to beat that.

 

[Joe Ku]

If you act fast parts express has their 250 watt plate amp on sale for $99.00 untill 6pm tonight. I guarentee you will not find a better deal, and they stand behind their products 100%. If you go to www.partsexpress.com it is at the top of the page, can't miss it.

 

[Joe Ku]

You should be able to build a box in the 3 to 3.5 cuft (internal) range.

I would suggest a sealed sub if you don't want to wake the neighbors (as often anyway). But for HT ported is the way to go. If you plan to get a house anytime in the near future go ported, you will be happier in the long run. Passive radiator is out due to budget.

I would recommend the 12" dayton titanic MK-II available from parts express or the AV-12 from stryke audio for your sub. You can go sealed or ported with either of these in that size of box. The dayton does carry a 5 year warrenty if you are prone to blowing things up. The shiva is also nice I have heard, but can bottom out in ported HT applications; As will the titanic MK-I. If you go sealed you will be happy with any of the subs I listed. These will also all mate well with the PE 250 watt amp I posted above.

Amother good amp deal can be found at www.Rythmikaudio.com 350 watt plate amp with variable rumble filter and bass boost for $140

 

[Andrew Pratt]

The DPL12 actually plots out nicer in smaller sealed box's then the shiva does and its better built. The fact it was intended for dipole use really doesn't matter.

 

[Brett DiMichele]

I personaly would be inclined to jump in on the current
Pre Order for the Stryke AV-12 (If the PreOrder is still on)
and go with the Rhythmic Plate amp or the Plate Amps that
John Janowitz (Stryke Audio) offers. The PE Plate amp at 99
is a hell of a deal but it's not going to sufficiently
power an AV12 (I guess in a ported enclosure it would but
not sealed).

If you went with a Shiva then the PE amp would be more than
sufficient.

 

[TimForman]

If you can get a DPL-12 for $125 and a 250W plate amp for $99 why wouldn't you? That would be the best

 

[Jack Gilvey]

The DPL 12 driver recommendation confuses me. Why would you want to use a driver that is designed for dipole use in a box? You're not really going to gain much for the extra money, especially in a small enclosure.

Sure you will, did you look at/model the specs? My favorite sealed box woofer, regardless of what Adire calls it.
I'd certainly second Andrew's recommendation, stick one in ~75l and get a nice little plate amp (I use a 150w model I got on closeout from PE years ago) and you'll be world-class. Try to get an amp with no boost/filter, let the driver roll-off on its own.

http://www.htguide.com/CFBoards/inde...artRow=1&CFB=1

 

[Barry II]

It seems like the argument here is over either the Shiva or the DPL12. There both the same price so which one should I get? I'm still not clear on what amp to buy.


--Barry II

 

[TimForman]

Since the DPL-12 has the better specs all the way around (despite the weight issue) and is the same price as the Shiva go for the DPL-12. In the same vein, the 250 watt plate amp from Parts Express on sale for $99 is an incredible value. With these two pieces I can't see how you could go wrong.

 

[Barry II]

I don't see that amp for that price. I see a 120w for $99 Part Number: 300-792, and 250watt for $120. Part number: 300-794

 

[TimForman]

Well, guess that didn't last long. Any of these amps would work fine. Depends on your budget. Sub amps at PE

 

[Joe Ku]

The $99 250 watt amp at PE was the deal of the day, it expired at 6pm the day it was posted. Just to let you know.