Anyone built their own subwoofer?

bikes and beats · « **on:** 22 Feb 2006, 09:58 pm »

I'm looking for suggestions on a DIY subwoofer design that is equally good with music and movies. I have a 20 x 17 x 8 room and the sub wood be used to fill in the bass for a pair of 2-way floorstanders.
Thanks!

Stercom · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 10:30 pm »

Check out the DIY subs at www.partsexpress.com I have heard the 12" sub playing music (not video sound effects) and thought it was a very nice sub for the money.

JoshK · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 10:31 pm »

check out mission possible forum on htguide.com. Those guys are serious about building subs. Take a look at DIY Sub Gallery.

warnerwh · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 10:56 pm »

Madisound.com and Partsexpress.com have forums for diyer's. These guys can tell you how and what you'll need to do it right. It's not as simple as just putting a woofer in a box. Great help on both sites and these people will steer you straight. Good Luck. Been thinking of trying one myself if I ever get enough room in my garage.

JLM · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 11:16 pm »

Decware has a number of sub plans and kits, including car subs, horn loaded stereo subs, and the huge imperial (horn) sub.

mjosef · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Feb 2006, 08:59 pm »

Does VMPS still offer their subs as kits???? I got my sub as a kit from them, first kit I bought came with everything inc. cab...next kit I bought was just the drivers and crossovers, I built my own box. Been a couple years, not sure if they still offer kits. Hard to beat VMPS subs for the music realm.

RichardS · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 12:26 am »

The Linkwitz Phoenix dipoles are fantastic, using the Peerless XLS series model 830500. I use a double-stacked pair, but the singles work great too.

Dipole bass is easy on room nodes and fills the room without sounding boomy. Only caveat is they need to be out somewhat into the room, but you'll need to do this any way for realistic music integration in the time domain, unless you have a Tact or DEQX, etc.

see:

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/woofer.htm

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/woofer3.htm

BradJudy · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 12:33 am »

Many of the good sub driver companies provide recommended configurations (some even give box blueprints). Take a look at the websites for TC Sounds, Adire (not sure about their driver in-stock situation), GR-Research (just one option, but it has been well received), etc.

Oh yeah, this site has some good info: http://www.diysubwoofers.org/

F-100 · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 12:41 am »

How about this sub?

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=25633

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 01:08 am »

Don't forget GR's sub/pr combo. Gives me plenty of satisfaction.

http://www.gr-research.com/drivers/sub_pr.htm

JoshK · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 01:25 am »

My recommendation that I cannot state enough is download Unibox and play around with it using the potential driver and amp specs you plan to use. Very simply, the smaller the box while trying to stay loud and low means a lot more watts. There is always that trade off. Hoffman's laws and what not.

robertwb · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 02:15 am »

I always recommend IB to anyone that can possibly make it work in their situation

it's by far the best bang for the buck

3beanlimit · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 04:15 am »

I've built two so far.

My first was a ported Adaire Tempest with a 350 watt plate amp. Awesome sound for the money.

My second was an IB. The IB was a lot harder to plan and to build but hey....it sounds great!

WildWest · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 Feb 2006, 01:17 am »

I'll admit, sure haven't heard the whole world of sub woofers out there but I've heard some here and at audio events and have owned a few too. I've never been able to get one sub to "do it all" H/T and music. It's two different sound needs to my ears. The bass tracks in 5.1 sound formats is nothing like music and a big ported sub really hits the mark here. Having said that, I've never cared for ported sub woofers for music and I've tried a few of them. Right now I have a big SVS Pci that works well for 5.1 H/T and my dual acoustic suspension subs based on the Parts express Titanic driver should have the finish applied and grills done very soon. With these stereo subs bi-amped from an active crossover I have music reproduction in my room that more emulates what I think its supposed to sound like.
Sorry no help here. I couldn't begin to give you a suggestion that works equally well for both formats. But that's just me...

JoshK · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 Feb 2006, 02:08 am »

I got the ok for the IB myself. It is pushed down the list of things to do but its on the list! Right now I only have two Avalanche 15"s, but I intend to up the ante for the IB.

MarkM · « **Reply #15 on:** 28 Feb 2006, 03:04 am »

I am building the WHOMP sub kit from Selah Audio. 12" Peerless sub with a 500W plate amp. Design calls for a relatively small box 14" cube. Knowing Ricks designs, the sub should be musical.

Just another option.