Building a subwoofer enclosure, need help (1 Viewer)

[Robahr24]

I want to make my own sub enclosure and everything instead of spending $500 at least on a 15 inch sub, I'm not sure what sub to pick, but also the building is new to me, just need some tips on what to do and what parts are better than others. I have experience with car audio stuff but not home audio (meaning brands and such).

 

[Robert_J]

First we need a budget for the sub driver and amp. What can you spend? Second we need size constaints. How big can the enclosure be. Finally we need goals. What will the sub be used for? Music? Movies? Both? Action/adventure cranked to ear bleeding levels? Be realistic. A $100 budget won't get you 120db at 15hz in a 1 cubic foot enclosure.

Car and home audio are just labels. Fi Car Audio makes GREAT subs that just happen to work in both cars and home theaters. Adire Audio made GREAT home theater subs that also worked in cars. Learn what the Theile/Small parameters mean and ignore the marketing department.

-Robert

 

[Robahr24]

I want my budget to be $400 at the most if that is possible. Its going to be used for 50% music 50% movies. I was thinking a FI Q because they are just awesome, what to power it though, and the box at the most I would like maybe 5sq ft.

 

[Robert_J]

What size box in L x W x H in inches. 5 square feet is only two dimensional.

$400 is great but Fi Q's are expensive. That leaves you with very little to power it with. A Q 12" is $244 so that only leaves you with $156 for an amp. You aren't going to get enough amp to take advantage of the capabilities of the Q. That's like putting racing tires on your Pinto. The SSD series is cheaper and leaves you with more money for an amp.

-Robert

 

[Robahr24]

Now since I have been looking at the prices of sub, its either going to be a svs sub or build my own, I would have to bump up my spending to about $600. Thats a little more reasonable. What can I do with that, not sure what amp to pick, and your right about the fi q, in this case, it is quite expensive.

 

[Robert_J]

For DIY, look at the Shiva-X by Exodus Audio. It has an XBL^2, low distortion motor and was designed by XBL^2's inventor Dan Wiggins. On the Shiva page, check out the application notes. The small and large ported designs will provide the best output in the low end.

For amps, I was going to suggest O Audio but the PDF above recommends against it. That being said, I would look at the larger plate amps from Parts Express or Elemental Designs.

If you want to go with a larger driver and sealed, then this design isn't bad if you need a 100L box. Unfortunately that driver is very rare and priced accordingly on the used market. I'm glad I have 4.

This design can use many different drivers from Soundsplinter, AE Speakers or even Elemental Designs. It's more of a compromise between size and low bass extension.

-Robert

 

[Robahr24]

I want to keep this build under five hundred, also think I want to go with a 15'' or 18'' driver. I have lots of room so really I can go pretty big. Are there going to be much difference using a 15 rather than a 18? Also what are some budget amps brands?

 

[Robert_J]

Pretty big means different things to different people. Some people think the NSD-10 from SVS is massive. There are some DIY subs that are as large as a commercial refrigerator. A six foot tall man can crawl in and stand up inside of them. We need the maximum height, width and depth that you can use.

Most 18's can move more air than a similarly constructed 15. Other than that, there isn't much difference. Some people might say that large subs are "slow". That was disproven years ago by Dan Wiggins (see link above) and Dr. David Hyre in their white paper "Woofer Speed".

A budget pro amp for me would be a Behringer EP-2500. Again, 'budget' means different things to different people.

Based on your information, I'd go with the 16Ov.2 from eD and the Dan Marx ported enclosure above. Use the 500w BASH amp from Parts Express. You will have to adjust the SSF but that will require replacing a couple of resistors. While at PE, pick up the flarted PSP ports. Instead of 4" ports, get the 3" models and some 3" pvc elbows from your local plumbing supply store. Making longer ports will allow you to tune the sub lower. If you want a better driver than the eD, I can help some with that if you allow me. I have some TC-9 motors and all they need is a 15" recone kit from Fi Car Audio.

-Robert

-Robert

 

[Robahr24]

I have 2 15'' MA Audio MA1500XL subs, I could just use thoughs. Maybe powered by a behringer 2500 amp? there 600rms, 1200 max for each, I don't like them in my car. If I build a box for both and don't like them, I can buy a better sub and than atleast I will have a little experience with making a new box.

 

[Robert_J]

Can you get the T/S parameters for the subs? If you go in with low expectations at least you won't be disappointed. If you go the Behringer route will the amp be located in the same room as you when you watch TV? The fan is LOUD. Like a small airplane loud. You will need to spend $15 to replace it.

-Robert

 

[Robahr24]

* 600W Rms
* 1200W Max
* Dual 4-Ohm Voice Coils
* 260oz. Double Stacked Magnets
* Mounting Depth: 7.8"
* Mounting Diameter: 14.1"
* Optimum Vented Box: 4 Cu/Ft
* Round Port Diameter: (3) 4"
* Square Port Area: 37 Sq/In
* Port Length: 15.5"
* Optimum Sealed Box: 1.5 - 2.25 Cu/Ft
* Reinforced Ribbed High Foam Surround Technology
* Patented Thermo-Cooling Motor Structure
* Copper Clad Aluminum Voice Coil Wire
* Heavy Duty Non-Pressed Paper Cone
* Ultra Strong Polypropylene Dust Cap
* New Patented Black Die-Cast Basket
* Hi-Temp Kapton Voice Coil Former
* Double Stacked Strontium Magnets
* Dual Progressive Dupont Spiders
* Platinum Plated Block Terminals
* Rubber Sealant Gasket
* Priced per speaker


There that loud? I planned on having it right next to my tv, is it hard to replace it? I'm pretty sure I could replace it myself, but what are some other amps for around the same price that are also good, I'm trying to decide if I should buy a better amp for more so in the future I won't have to upgrade for quite a while if I change the subs, and in that case, it will be a 15'' that will be much better than my cheap ma audio's.

 

[Robert_J]

Those are features not the Theile/Small parameters.

Yes, the stock Behringer fan is that loud. It took me about 15 minutes to replace the fan with a low noise one. The EP-2500 is the best value amp out there. Anything better will cost you $700 and up.

-Robert

 

[Robahr24]

I can't find any place to get those parameters, not sure where the manual for the subs are but I'll try to find it later. What fan did you replace it with?

 

[Robert_J]

I followed the steps in this thread. I used the Digi-Key fan mentioned on the first page.

-Robert