SW12-16 OB Servo subs in H-frame

TomS · « **on:** 10 Mar 2010, 02:54 am »

I'm just starting 2 dual SW12-16 OB subs, but instead of the W-frame, I'm using them in the H-frame configuration from the bottom half of the Super-V and V-1. The cabinets are sort of "mules" for now to see how they work with my Abbeys and the single sealed GR Servo I already have. I'm hoping to do something similar to, but much less crafty than SL_1800's very cool sub shown here http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=70370.msg659197#msg659197

For those building V-1's, did you just clamp and glue the whole side panel to the inner cabinet sides or are they somehow fastened from the inside or both? I'm assuming to get the benefits of double thick walls without nasty vibration you'd need to glue them up.

Work in process here, test driver fit, etc.

Tom

drphoto · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Mar 2010, 03:42 am »

That looks more complicated than the kit I have. Mine is just sides, top and bottom, baffle and two braces in the center section. Yours appears to have an inner structure.

I haven't built mine yet as I'm waiting on replacement baffles, as the guy cut the holes incorrectly.

Are you going to run a plate amp per side? I've got all of them on one, which actually works, though I don't think it's recommended.

Think you're gonna be really happy w/ this setup.

TomS · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Mar 2010, 03:47 am »

This is just the bottom half of the V-1, not the W-frame that most people built. I'll be using 4 drivers and 2 plate amps.

drphoto · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Mar 2010, 04:21 am »

No mine is the H frame, lower half of the V also, but it doesn't have that inner structure.

sl_1800 · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Mar 2010, 10:49 pm »

TomS,

Thanks for the kind words about my sub. To answer your question about glueing or not, mine are just crewed to the sides in several places so the sides could be removed and changed to a different wood in the future sometime. And I have no issues with bad vibes from not glueing.

TomS · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Mar 2010, 01:02 am »

Quote from: sl_1800 on 10 Mar 2010, 10:49 pm

TomS,

Thanks for the kind words about my sub. To answer your question about glueing or not, mine are just crewed to the sides in several places so the sides could be removed and changed to a different wood in the future sometime. And I have no issues with bad vibes from not glueing.

Thanks! That's exactly what I had in mind too. I just didn't know if it worked in practice with side slabs that big.

zybar · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Mar 2010, 01:08 am »

Good luck Tom.

George

sl_1800 · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Mar 2010, 04:35 pm »

TomS

Another thought if you don't like the results with the sides only screwed into place you could then remove add glue and put the screws back in.

TomS · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 Mar 2010, 04:38 pm »

Quote from: sl_1800 on 12 Mar 2010, 04:35 pm

TomS

Another thought if you don't like the results with the sides only screwed into place you could then remove add glue and put the screws back in.

Yes, common sense should prevail there.

I'm still scheming on exactly how I want to do it. Definitely not a talented woodworker or finisher so I'll have to be creative. Hopefully making some progress this weekend.

sl_1800 · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Mar 2010, 11:35 pm »

Hey TomS, I just noticed whats in the background in your sub pic, the grey and green are great. Festool rules.

TomS · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 Mar 2010, 03:22 am »

Quote from: sl_1800 on 12 Mar 2010, 11:35 pm

Hey TomS, I just noticed whats in the background in your sub pic, the grey and green are great. Festool rules.

Oh yeah, they rock. Once they set the hook you're in trouble for sure...

TomS · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Mar 2010, 02:48 am »

More progress this week... Side walls are a sandwich of 2 x 3/4" MDF plus 5/8" bamboo hardwood, and no-rez, so they're pretty stout. I was really surprised that once all assembled and loaded with drivers they were about 95 lbs each. I made the tops and bottoms MDF so they could be stacked if I choose to do it. Or, I could add a Super V top end and crossover at some point. In the end I just glued the sides since it looked decent enough for my needs. I'm still working out how to do some grills, though they're kinda cool this way.

As you can see, I'm playing with the Abbeys being on top but I think they're a bit too much above ear level. Brief listening with no measuring or tuning yet confirms they definitely have plenty of output. Tomorrow will be one of those long days tuning with the DCX2496 and I still need to build some boxes for the plate amps. Then the last step is to bring the sealed servo in the corner back into the picture. It should be fun.

drphoto · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Mar 2010, 03:21 am »

Nice job Tom. I was hoping to get mine glued up this weekend, but I've got to write a training manual for work.

I'm guessing that moulding on the front is glued on? I'm thinking of using quarter round to make a grill frame.

I'm guessing you'll be able to give Rob a run for his money now in the Ft. Wayne sub throwdown!

TomS · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Mar 2010, 03:29 am »

Quote from: drphoto on 20 Mar 2010, 03:21 am

Nice job Tom. I was hoping to get mine glued up this weekend, but I've got to write a training manual for work.

I'm guessing that moulding on the front is glued on? I'm thinking of using quarter round to make a grill frame.

I'm guessing you'll be able to give Rob a run for his money now in the Ft. Wayne sub throwdown!

Yes, I just bought some matching bamboo quarter moldings at Lowes in the flooring section, brad tacked them, and glued them on the front. The joints aren't so great, but I don't have the skills to demand perfection in that department.

I suspect Marbles' 4 sealed servo's in dymaxion cabinets probably trumps this setup, but I'm hoping this is going to be very nice.

corndog71 · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 Mar 2010, 03:39 am »

Excellent subs! I was planning on doing something similar but even in my newer and larger apartment I still don't have enough room to pull them out 3' from the back walls. At least not without disturbing the flow of our living room.

That's ok. I'll just build a nice tube amp instead.

TRADERXFAN · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 Mar 2010, 03:48 am »

Tom, have you tried toe'ing in the subs? They are directional as dipoles... just a thought.

Looks great.

TomS · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Mar 2010, 03:55 am »

Quote from: TRADERXFAN on 20 Mar 2010, 03:48 am

Tom, have you tried toe'ing in the subs? They are directional as dipoles... just a thought.

Looks great.

No not yet. I just got them up and running tonight so lots more experimentation ahead. So far so good.

ebag4 · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Mar 2010, 04:34 am »

Quote from: TomS on 20 Mar 2010, 02:48 am

As you can see, I'm playing with the Abbeys being on top but I think they're a bit too much above ear level.

Beautiful job Tom. You could place the subs on their side and see if that puts the Abbeys at the right level.

Best,
Ed

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 Mar 2010, 04:53 am »

WOW !!....a wall of sound Tom....looking good !!

Happy listening....

zybar · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 Mar 2010, 12:35 pm »

Tom,

Don't downplay your skills, those look very nice.

Have fun playing around with them.

George