Which driver for subwoofer ?

[Buzzy]

Hi ! I would like to build a subwoofer for Hometheater. I want to be able to get the low frequency down to 20Hz. Most importantly be able to get performance that is similar or better than the sub on this website http://www.hometheatermag.com/hometh...90/index2.html
Currently i was looking at NHT 1259 driver from madisound. Would this be a good choice ? Or do i need something better arnd the same price as the NHT driver ? Cabinet size can be up to 3.5 ft^3. But i am very corncerned abt bottoming out the driver. I modeled the driver with 3.5ft^3 box and 180watt amp into 4ohm and the it exceeded excursion limit.

[liasom]

I'm building a new subwoofer (primarily for music though), but I've been looking at many designs and different drivers for a while. I may be able to help and at least can pass on some of what I've found. What is your budget?

[Buzzy]

My budget for the driver is USD$200. For now i am eyeing the NHT 1259. But i have doubts as to whether it will bottom out when watching movies.

[tinitus]

I have no experience with subs what so ever, but I have been looking fore a driver that goes very low without much "help"

I found this new IXL 18" from Mach5 to be the best I have seen yet, if specs are accurate - and it suits your budget perfectly


http://www.mach5audio.com/index-2.html

[liasom]

I tried to get the specs for that Onkyo sub to see what you're referencing, but the review has no information and even the Onkyo website is impossible to decipher.

So---going with your budget and taking the 3.5 ft^3 size into consideration---there are many drivers in the < $200 price range, including the NHT 1259, that will work in that size enclosure or smaller. If you like things on the loud side, in general a ported design is going to have more output, and there are drivers that are designed to work well with a ported alignment. (PLEASE take care of your ears! My father blew his out shooting artillery for the US Army and life is different for him.)

OK. I'm just trying to get you pointed in the right direction, so look up specific model numbers and prices at Madisound and Parts Express. Each of those sites have a whole page of 12" drivers and Parts Express even has a page of 15" drivers in your price range. Another I've seen discussed is the Rythmik 12" driver which is $210.

As you look at the drivers you can model them and see which ones you like. Then do a search for those using manufacturer/model number on the subwoofer forum and read about projects that other folks have done.

I think that is the best way to learn and ultimately build what will make you happy.

[tINY]

Remember that to get bass response at higher levels, you have to move air!

To get the same loudness, you have to move 4 times the air for every octave you go down. Small signal measurements aren't too meaningful if you like it loud (or even just more than a whisper).

That 1259 is pretty good, but will be limited to about 96dB at 20Hz.

Better use two.




-tINY

[liasom]

Consider 96dB relative to the rest of a playback system. Sustained exposure over a long period (days, months) to that level of sound will almost certainly cause permanent damage to your hearing. Some say 8 hours a day. Man, I'd hedge on the safe side and say never. 96dB sound in everyday terms is what a person with normal hearing would call very annoying. Like standing in the middle of a busy freeway with continuous 70 mph heavy truck traffic.

Crank it up a notch from that and if you're exposed to 100dB sound every day the guidelines I've seen say your hearing will be toast in a very short period of time. 100dB is like standing 1/4 mile from the runway and listening to a jet taking off. I've done that and it was loud enough to vibrate my eyeballs.

[skittles15]

either one of these little guys work great.
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/index.php?cPath=92

thats the response the 8 had in these funky lookin towers made by a friend of eD.
http://www.icixsound.com/vb/showthread.php?t=38815

we killed one of these at the ICIX meet and it took 1250 watts before thermalling with no mechanical failure. impressive little speakers, can't beat the price either.

Chris