Air leak in ss15 TH severely affect output?

[m R g S r]

I just got my 3015lf for the ss15 i built and i fired it up. I wasn't that impressed with it. I cut the hole in the wood to 14" diameter, and as it is now where each bolt hole is, around the mating surface there appears to be a tiny tiny gap. So I don't think that the sub is completely sealed against the baffle.
Any way to fix this? I was thinking cut out a smaller diameter hole on a new board (13.5"?) and glue and screw that to the old one, but I don't know how much that would change the design of the ss15. Any other opinions? Hot glue? I don't want to use a permanent glue on there and get it all over the speaker!

[nigelwright7557]

Make a new baffle to the correct size.

[m R g S r]

But the new baffle can't just replace the old one, its gunna have to mount on top of it....

[jbell]

What I do is use 3/8" window and door foam (sticky one side) that you can buy at home depot for about $2. I run a ring all the way around the 3015lf, and cut 45 degree angles so the points overlap. I then mount the driver and run my screws through the foam into the baffle board.

In your case, maybe some 1/2" or 3/4" wide would be appropriate, so that you can make sure your screws go through it, and the foam can make your seal.

Also -- just one of those things you MUST do with 3015lf's is break them in. The spider is really stiff and if you don't, you'll be underwhelmed on first fire up.

[m R g S r]

Okay thanks a bunch jbell, i mean the gaps are maybe 1-2mm max, so i don't think that i will need more than the 3/8" foam. I will try that out and I will play the speaker for a while to help it break in!

[m R g S r]

when running the foam around the circumference you don't have any problem with it folding/wrinkling up?

[jbell]

If you try to stretch the foam, it'll not stay in place -- that's the only problem I have. I put the roll in the middle of the cone, and pull off the backing a few inches at a time and just guide it around the 3015lf, making sure I lay it down without pulling or pushing. (the adhesive is pretty terrible) And once in place - it stays. When you pull your driver down tight it compresses to only a paper thickness at most, but always gives a nice tight seal.

[Brian Steele]

Originally Posted by jbell

If you try to stretch the foam, it'll not stay in place -- that's the only problem I have. I put the roll in the middle of the cone, and pull off the backing a few inches at a time and just guide it around the 3015lf, making sure I lay it down without pulling or pushing. (the adhesive is pretty terrible) And once in place - it stays. When you pull your driver down tight it compresses to only a paper thickness at most, but always gives a nice tight seal.

IMO, instead of putting the foam on the driver, lay it around the hole in the baffle. Place it so that it's overhanging the edge by about 1~2mm.

[m R g S r]

I sealed it all off with the foam that worked well but i still feel like something is wrong.... If I sit right in front of the mouth of the horn i get that nice punch and feel in my chest/stomach but stand up and a few feet back and i feel like there is no bass. i'm not testing it outside, i'm inside in a smaller room, so maybe it's reflecting off the walls etc, but still i do not feel like the output is where it should be on this?

[Dr.EM]

Yes, it's most likely room cancellations in that case. Might take quite some effort to fix though