DIY Subwoofers

Sonny · « **on:** 7 Jul 2008, 05:18 pm »

Hi there, been trying to determine what's the best value for DIY subwoofers out there.
I know there are several options, including Rythmik Audio Direct Servo subs, PE Titanic Mkiii and others.
What would one recommend???

Trying to stay under $600 per sub, I'll want 2 subs at 12" drivers.

Thanks!

KS · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Jul 2008, 06:04 pm »

Also consider the GR-Research version of the Rythmik servo subs with the GR-Research servo driver and Rythmik-modified servo amp.
http://gr-research.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=139
http://www.rythmikaudio.com/gr-amplifiers.html

Drivers are available in 4 ohm for a 1.5 cu ft. sealed box, 8 ohm for two drivers off one amp, or the 16 ohm free-air open-baffle arrangement with one, two, or three drivers powered by modified amps of 16, 8, or 4 ohms respectively.

More:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=47310.0
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=56491.0

I'm building a 12" sealed Rythmik/GR sub.

Sonny · « **Reply #2 on:** 7 Jul 2008, 06:13 pm »

Thanks for the links...

KS
I'll take a look, but what's really the difference in the GR/Rythmik vs the straight Rythmik?
what are the costs??? and are you building the cabinets yourself?
Thanks

nodiak · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 Jul 2008, 08:33 pm »

Hi Sonny, I've had a sealed Rythmik 4 ohm sub with a single 12" for several months. At first I used the aluminium cone woofer then tried the GR paper cone. I feel the paper is a little more lively and "musical", that is it better matches the sonics of the high eff. paper cone main drivers I use. The servo system is for real as far as being "tight, clean and quick". The aluminum might have a touch more power handling. My understanding from reading comments is that the paper cone sounds cleaner higher in frequency, so you can cross to mains as high as 200 hz. This opens up the possibility of less bass strain from main drivers.
If I was to start over I would use 2 woofers per sub/amp, either sealed or the new OB woofers. Either way is ~ $600 for 2 woofers and one amp. Boxes are simple and cheap to build if that's your plan.
I just think they're a great product and ended my sub search.
Don

jackman · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Jul 2008, 08:56 pm »

These aren't DIY but they look kind've cool and they meet your price guidelines:

Epiksubwoofers.com

This model is sealed and uses very high quality components and has very high output. I haven't heard them yet but will check out their facility in Chrystal Lake IL, as soon as possible. The drivers are made in USA, the cabinets are all CNC's and made on the site in Illinois and the amps are BASH. I don't think you could DIY them for this price.

Good luck,

J

Sonny · « **Reply #5 on:** 7 Jul 2008, 09:47 pm »

Thanks Jackman and Don...

The Epik Sub seems like a very good deal, but not having any experience or heard of this company, i am hesitant, also, the specs doesn't say much as well as other info on the drivers, etc...

The Rythmik sounds like the way to go...however, I read that it does tend to "clip" a bit, is this true?

Has anyone heard about the Parts Express Titanic Mkiii 12 " version?

Thanks

jackman · « **Reply #6 on:** 7 Jul 2008, 11:14 pm »

Quote from: Sonny on 7 Jul 2008, 09:47 pm

Thanks Jackman and Don...

The Epik Sub seems like a very good deal, but not having any experience or heard of this company, i am hesitant, also, the specs doesn't say much as well as other info on the drivers, etc...

The Rythmik sounds like the way to go...however, I read that it does tend to "clip" a bit, is this true?

Has anyone heard about the Parts Express Titanic Mkiii 12 " version?

Thanks

I haven't heard the new PE Titanic but I owned a sub with a Titanic driver and the old flat kit they used to sell. It was very solid and sounded very good. Too big and heavy for my old house but it was tight and musical. Wish I kept it!

The Epik subs seem to have more excitement on AVS forums and the review on their site (from Tom N) is very impressive. They still seem hard to beat for the$$$.

J

nodiak · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 Jul 2008, 01:52 am »

Sonny, I did very lightly clip my sub playing a Battlestar Galactica dvd. If you plan on such behavior I would go to a 2 woofer version, especially sealed for power handling. A stereo pair of 2 woofer servo subs in a normal room (300-400+ ft2 I'd say, mine is 300) would be pretty bullet proof imo.
Don

TerryO · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Jul 2008, 02:24 am »

Quote from: Sonny on 7 Jul 2008, 05:18 pm

Hi there, been trying to determine what's the best value for DIY subwoofers out there.
I know there are several options, including Rythmik Audio Direct Servo subs, PE Titanic Mkiii and others.
What would one recommend???

Trying to stay under $600 per sub, I'll want 2 subs at 12" drivers.

Thanks!

Sonny,

Wish I'd seen this sooner, as diycable/Exodus Audio had their new Tempest for sale over the 4th of July weekend for $325 each (with free shipping in the lower 48!). That's a major savings depending on where you live as 15 inch Subwoofers of this calibre are HEAVY!
It's what I'd get if I was in the market for Subs, even if Kevin Haskins and I weren't friends...BTW: It's the real thing, not a knock-off of someone else's design.
Maybe the sale extends until current supplies run out, but you should check it out. He has a forum here on AC so it should be pretty easy to find out.

Best Regards,
TerryO

jackman · « **Reply #9 on:** 8 Jul 2008, 02:33 am »

Quote from: TerryO on 8 Jul 2008, 02:24 am

Quote from: Sonny on 7 Jul 2008, 05:18 pm
Hi there, been trying to determine what's the best value for DIY subwoofers out there.
I know there are several options, including Rythmik Audio Direct Servo subs, PE Titanic Mkiii and others.
What would one recommend???

Trying to stay under $600 per sub, I'll want 2 subs at 12" drivers.

Thanks!

Sonny,

Wish I'd seen this sooner, as diycable/Exodus Audio had their new Tempest for sale over the 4th of July weekend for $325 each (with free shipping in the lower 48!). That's a major savings depending on where you live as 15 inch Subwoofers of this calibre are HEAVY!
It's what I'd get if I was in the market for Subs, even if Kevin Haskins and I weren't friends...BTW: It's the real thing, not a knock-off of someone else's design.
Maybe the sale extends until current supplies run out, but you should check it out. He has a forum here on AC so it should be pretty easy to find out.

Best Regards,
TerryO

Great suggestion. Plus, Kevin is a great guy and a real pleasure to deal with. He sold me an upgrade for a Foreplay preamp a long time ago and it's really cool to see how his company has evolved through the years. That driver looks like a MONSTER. You could get a BASH amp, driver and some MDF to make a killer sub. Don't know if you could meet the budget but it would be a great value.

TerryO · « **Reply #10 on:** 8 Jul 2008, 08:24 pm »

I'm embarrassed to say that I goofed, the 15 inch Tempest isn't on sale at Exodus Audio.

It's the Maelstrom-X that Kevin has (had?) for sale. It's an 18 inch Sub driver designed to be used in a relatively small sealed cabinet (4 cu. ft. ?). The $325 price and free shipping were correct however. Good specs and excellent build quality, and it does output
lots bass with lots of displacement. A pair of these in sealed cabinets may realistically be a better match for most rooms and speakers. There are lot of choices out there and this may be one of the better ones. Even most 12 inch Subs in a ported enclosure are going to need 3.3 - 3.5 cubic foot enclosures to be optimum, I've built a "few" myself. Sealed enclosures, IMHO, are better sounding and the "room gain" almost matches a sealed sub's roll-off exactly. It certainly took me long enough to realize that for music reproduction anyway, this is the way to go although most plate amps can be turned up for HT effects if your subs are dual purpose.

Again, sorry for the misinformation.
Best Regards,
TerryO

sbrtoy · « **Reply #11 on:** 9 Jul 2008, 04:09 pm »

Just weighing in on the Daytons, I have used the Titanics in the past but I find the newer Reference subs to be of better construction and have better overall sound. The HO is definitely more at home with theater use while the HF will hold it's own on HT and sounds great with music. A pair of 15" HF would probaly be the best of both worlds IMHO though they need big boxes.

warnerwh · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Jul 2008, 01:28 am »

Before you make any decisions you want to go here: http://www.htguide.com/forum/forumdisplay.php4?f=6

These guys know tons and tons about subs. One thing I'm sure you will hear and it's true: Get a 15". They cost little more money and move twice the air. Personally I'd not use the Titanic drivers, your much better off with the RS series subs which are a true bargain.

The drivers available for subs and worthy of sub building have been measured by diyers so actual performance is known. Also

For diy sub/speaker building the above site is a wealth of help. Here's more for you: http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/diy-speakers-subwoofers/

Whatever you do hold off until you get expert advice (like Kevin), you'll be very glad you did. I should add that Kevin has some excellent drivers for the money and is very helpful with design with excellent service.

Sonny · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 Jul 2008, 02:31 am »

Quote from: sbrtoy on 9 Jul 2008, 04:09 pm

Just weighing in on the Daytons, I have used the Titanics in the past but I find the newer Reference subs to be of better construction and have better overall sound. The HO is definitely more at home with theater use while the HF will hold it's own on HT and sounds great with music. A pair of 15" HF would probaly be the best of both worlds IMHO though they need big boxes.

I've been looking at that too! The HF 15" would be great, too bad they don't have a pre-kit for them...they do have it for the ref HF12 though.

Have anyone actually bought the kits? Either the 12 or 15 inch Titanic or the Ref 12"?
I guess one can go with the Ref HF15 and the bash 500wpc amps, right?
buy the box, or build one.

Thanks
T

Sonny · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 04:32 am »

hi there, so has anyone any experience with the Epik Subwoofer, in particular the Valor???
Thanks

jtwrace · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 11:56 am »

Sonny · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 02:37 pm »

Quote from: jtwrace on 24 Jul 2008, 11:56 am

Hi, the picture or link did not appear...

mclsound · « **Reply #17 on:** 26 Jul 2008, 01:20 pm »

hi Sonny
just built 2-15" CSS subs and they sound great in both HT and 2-ch.
they are in sealed boxes,18w x 20h x 26d.
the best part is they cost me $500 for both
the 12" will be about the same delivered to your door
Solen in canada and Creative Sound Solutions in B.C. check them out,well worth it.
i use a Anthem D2,Classe ca-400,Bryston 14bsst,4bsst,10blr,pmc cb6, just to name a few items
john

jtwrace · « **Reply #18 on:** 26 Jul 2008, 02:00 pm »

Quote from: Sonny on 24 Jul 2008, 02:37 pm

Quote from: jtwrace on 24 Jul 2008, 11:56 am

Hi, the picture or link did not appear...

How do I do it? I can't seem to figure it out. err.

I was going to post my custom sub in process. I think you all might enjoy the pic.

Sonny · « **Reply #19 on:** 5 Aug 2008, 09:40 pm »

So, the latest is that I think I will build a set of 15" DIY Subs using the PartExpress Dayton Reference HF15" drivers along with either the Dayton 500 or 1000 watt amps.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=295-468&scqty=2

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-806&scqty=2

My only delima is trying to find a good Sub cabinet design for front firing 4 cubic feet subs...

Does anyone have or know of a comparable design???

Thanks
T