[JoshK]

While I am brainstorming how I want to design an ottoman sub I thought I would kick out some interesting things I came across in case someone else thought this was an interesting endeavor.

http://www.bestfootstools.com/product_ott.asp?Item_ID=4
Their storage ottomans are screaming to be made into a sub.  They don't look exactly like they are the highest quality but it might be an easy first attempt without shelling out too much money and having it go sour.  Looks like one could buy one of these storage ottomans, built up an MDF box of appropriate size, cut a holes in the bottom for the driver and ports and then put the lid on it.  

Like Marbles said, this would give you a nice foot massage while watching a movie.  

I had invisioned, myself, something more along the lines of the Thunder Table that I had run across before but modifying it to be an ottoman instead of a coffee table.  

I have never liked the idea of having a hard reflective surface right in front of the listening position and I have always thought that large ottomans were cool and practical.  So these are my thoughts so far...

[pjchappy]

I've always wondered how things like that work, being so close to the listening position and the speakers being so far away. . .

p

[Carlman]

There's different theories on the sub's ability to integrate in that position... I read you'd have to put the sub out of phase if it were that close but then read more... and that was all hooey.  It all depends and there's no way to know how it's going to sound without building it.  

So, give it a shot... maybe cut a hole and put a built sub into and see how it sounds.  I think something that cheap and light will cause problems, though.  Maybe mass-load it to the max of its capabilities... rocks, lead, etc.  You may need additional bracing/support... nothing major, but you'll have to try it and be the judge on the sound quality.

I think it's a good thought but may be tough to integrate.  Let us know... BTW, how'd the balance power/power conditioner thing go?  Any improvements?

-C

[JoshK]

I imagine you could delay the signal somehow, either in the processor, via time alignment, or via some xo feature.  I doubt it makes much of a difference though for movies, which is all I had intended to use this for.

[JoshK]

Carl,

I'll probably go balls out when I do build it so I'll probably skip over the first idea.  I just thought I'd throw it out there.  If the legs were affixed to the MDF box and not the ottoman outer then that would be a big plus, almost neccesary.  If the ottoman outer is sufficiently padded and tight against the MDR inner box then I don't think it will rattle much.

My balanced power conditioner worked out great!  Gives me extra needed outlets (2 unfiltered), lowers noise floor and enhances imaging.  That is the short of it.  It also does dramactically isolate my system from my computer and other noise makers, like the paper shredder.   That was a good test.

[pjchappy]

Well, for movies, that probably would be fine. . .

p

[JoshK]

One good thing is your not likely to be sitting in a bass null!  

[rosconey]

when i was a kid my father bought a stereo at sears that was 2 ottomans-
each had a bottom firing speaker, and one had a top that opened and inside was the am/fm -8track.

[John Casler]

I have set up HT in bedrooms before with the subs "under the bed".

Get lots of compliments on these.  

So an Ottoman or Coffee Table sub could add some spice.

[doug s.]

ottoman subs should work great.  the best mono-sub integration i have heard was an old hsu sub in the nearfield.  the old hsu's were short fat cylindrical things that could be used as tables or footstools.  

nearfield should be ideal w/sub(s) that are used w/a standard linkwitz-riley 24db/octave x-over.  tho this x-over configuration keeps the sub(s) in phase w/the monitors, it's one cycle behind.  having the sub in the nearfield should improve upon this situation...  another alternative to ottomans would be two end-table subs, at either end of a big sofa.

doug s.

[Russtafarian]

I've used a Hsu VTF-2 sub sitting next to my listening couch for years per Dr. Hsu's recommendation.  Blends very well.  When other 'philes listen to my system the comment is usually "Damn! Those Gallos have great bass!", never "where's the sub?"