Say you want it all in sub performance . . . (1 Viewer)

[CodyL]

As a total newbie that has decided to build speakers, do I have to settle between audiophile bass in a cabinet design verses home theater rumble? Can I build two subs with different cabinet designs and set the crossovers to keep the music clean and crisp and kick in the big rumble only in the lower frequencies? like a low Q sealed 12" with a big vented 15" ? I really want crisp and clear audio but I don't want to short my home theater.

 

[Dustin B]

Sound quality and massive output. You can have both, not difficult to do.

The problem comes when you try and break Hoffman's Iron law.

Out of extension, efficiency and enclosure size you can pick any two and the third is dictated to you. So it depends on which of the three you are willing to compromise on for what kind of performance you can expect. DIY allows you to make the trade offs (of varing degree) that best fit your needs and budget (just don't try for tiny boxes, that compromise shoots power requirements up to unmanageable levels in order to get extension and output back).

An EBS Tempest will match or beat most any commercial sealed 12" sub out there for sound quality. A similar Maelstrom will be even better.

Throw a couple of Adire's new 15" drivers (Sept release) in low Q sealed enclosures with enough power and you'll have great sound and lots of output. Same should be for true of the passive radiator allignments being tossed around.

Bottom line is once you get the basics of sub design figured out you realise that subs only being able to do one of HT or music well is a myth that has come about by commercial manufactures making compromises for practicality and profit reasons.