Is it worth it?

[jacbri]

Is it worth it to use my acoustic elegance AV12 for home theater or should I just buy an aftermarket sub???

Thoughts

I have a facility I can fabricate at with all sorts of glues, laminates, grinders, saws etc

I dont know much about tuning subs, but I think 22hz would be good, again this is for home theater.

Want an all around performer doesn't have to be the bass queen

I have no idea what type of box, measurements.. what I would need etc

Is this going to be affordable?

Can someone point me in the right direction?

[simon5]

It is worth it for sure.

If you build a good box, that subwoofer can fight with any commercial offering under 1000$.

Once the amplifier and other parts are factored in, it's still about half price.

You just need to put the time to do it.

[idaho]

first download WINISD here
http://www.linearteam.dk/default.aspx?download=winisd
Then go here
http://www.partsexpress.com/speakers.cfm
Pick a 12 inch or 15 inch sub that you want.
The Dayton RS line are recommended

Use WINISD and input your preffered sub using the menu database maintenance and then to play with the subwoofer's tuning and box size. Let sawdusts fly! Fun Fun Fun! Its DIY

Or the easier route, just build an existing design
such as this:
http://www.partsexpress.com/projects...1200/index.cfm
or this:
http://www.partsexpress.com/projects...eman/index.cfm
and this.
http://www.partsexpress.com/projects...rake/index.cfm


Have fun and good luck!

[jacbri]

How much time, like a couple saturdays, I will check out the designs, I am looking for a beginner build. If I could get the same performance as the VTF-2 I think I would be happy

[jacbri]

idaho,
I have an AV12 this has I believe 23mm Xmax (someone correct me if im wrong). I am also told this can handle 600rms no problem. The optionial kits above looked ok, but still is a bit pricey. I was hoping to do this project in under $250.... is this unreasonable.

My preferences would be sound quality over total headroom. Doesnt have to be extreme spl, but would like it to go low without being overly boomy.

[idaho]

This one:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=295-464
This is one of the best HIFI subs they have
Pair it with this amp:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=300-805

With FREE shipping it would be a good deal and under $250. Just play with WinIsd to get you desired box size and frequency and or tuning frequency for a ported box and you should be a happy camper.

With your other sub..I dont know anything about it.

[GM]

Greets!

The AV12 in a ~3 ft^3 low Q sealed cab should meet your stated needs, so spending your $$ on plenty of power seems the smart thing to do for now and if it turns out you want more SPL you can add a Dayton/whatever to it as the budget permits.

GM

[jacbri]

Thanks for all the advice guys!

GM, with a sealed 3 foot cubed box I can obtain 23hz? If this is the case then I could spend the money on a very powerful clean amp and build it very simply.... thoughts?

[GM]

You're welcome!

It's a high excursion driver in what is an acoustically fairly large box for its specs, so it will play down to the 10 Hz cut-off of a typical sub duty amp without reaching Xmax. Also, since it has a 500 W continuous rating it should have no trouble with 1+ kW bursts, so between some room gain down low and EQ to flatten it in-room, it should pound pretty good.

If you have the space and want more output, then spending more on wood and building a large corner loaded pipe horn will net you 6 - 12 dB more acoustic efficiency so you don't have to spend as much on an amp.

GM

[jacbri]

sweet, thanks
Where do you guys buy your MDF at?