If space is not an issue, SIX subwoofer options

[noviygera]

Ok, I will be moving and a new 500sq ft. listening room will have space for TWO big, 24"x36"x90" shape sub boxes.

The question is how to get the most out this space in terms of performance and bang for buck $$$.

The requirement is 25-100Hz output with emphasis on low distortion, lots of headroom, and articulate bass without any nastiness.

The options are:
1. 2x21" B&C woofers, per side, ported boxes, custom made to fit.
2. Cinema type subs, TWO per side stacked, along the lines of pre-made EV, JBL, EAW, etc cinema 2x18" ported subs.
3. 4x15" cubes with transmission line vertical tube, using concrete form sonotube. One of these per side.
4. Tapped horns, like Danley DTS-20, one per side.
5. A bunch of sealed 12" or 15" servo drive, like the Rhythmic audio stuff.
6. Pair of Edgar seismic subs or other vertically shaped folded horns.

Again, permanent install, lots of space available, need good performance/value. Have a Peavey 700w/ch @4ohms amp, to power these babies.

Your opinions please on the above options!

Thank you,
Herman

[TerryO]

You've listed some good choices, however you fail to consider that you'll get less than what you bargined for.
I'm a big fan of what Earl Geddes has labeled "Distributed Bass" and believe that it's the only real way to achieve SOTA bass without problematic Eigenmodes, which can be a factor in "any" room.

BTW: It doesn't have to be even as expensive as what you're looking at right now and it will almost certainly sound better.

Best Regards,
TerryO

[NEO Dan]

Danley has a DIY sub kit available now, the DTS-10.

[littlemike]

I recently designed, built, and tested a front-loaded horn that uses an inexpensive 15" driver, will easily fit in that space, meets those response requirements, and is an easy build. There is no bracing, and there are only 11 rectangular pieces of wood in total. Mitering the edges on two of them (the smallest ones) is a good idea though.

Really - as far as horns go - this is easy. This is what it looked like before I buttoned it up. No deflectors or reflectors in there. I built it in two evenings.



An inexpensive 15" driver and a 300 watt amp yielded this:



Bottom sweep is 2.00V/1M, I added 5 dB for each subsequent sweep, the mic was still at 1M. We ran out of amp at +25 dB from our initial level (316 watts), and I limited that sweep to 20 Hz out of concern for the driver.

Details are posted here.

If you have the room, as far as bang for the buck goes, this is a pretty capable sub for ~$200.

[NEO Dan]

Hi Mike,
I took a look at this just now and I must say am impressed with how the 70Hz mode got gobbled up, the phase and group delay show it to be well diffused. A THT competitor/killer

[littlemike]

Originally Posted by NEO Dan

Hi Mike,
I took a look at this just now and I must say am impressed with how the 70Hz mode got gobbled up, the phase and group delay show it to be well diffused. A THT competitor/killer

Thanks.

I'll be totally honest, this one turned out a little better than I had expected. I picked up a few dB below 30 Hz, and lost a few above 40 Hz, so I have a sub that's essentially flat from 20 to 100, without sitting in a corner, and makes 94 dB at a watt in.

I like it.

[Don Snyder]

Verrrrry nice, littlemike ... an alternative to Tony & Chris's build of my Tapped Horn using the Lab12.

[chris661]

Isn't the Lab15 also designed for horn loading?

I've not seen any projects here with it, but I'd expect a couple of those to be very impressive.

[TerryO]

Originally Posted by chris661

Isn't the Lab15 also designed for horn loading?

I've not seen any projects here with it, but I'd expect a couple of those to be very impressive.

I think it was developed specifically with a tapped horn in mind. I may be mistaken, but I believe that's how it came into being.

Best Regards,
TerryO

[noviygera]

Originally Posted by TerryO

You've listed some good choices, however you fail to consider that you'll get less than what you bargined for.
I'm a big fan of what Earl Geddes has labeled "Distributed Bass" and believe that it's the only real way to achieve SOTA bass without problematic Eigenmodes, which can be a factor in "any" room.

BTW: It doesn't have to be even as expensive as what you're looking at right now and it will almost certainly sound better.

Best Regards,
TerryO

TerryO,

Does this optimize the bass response for one location in the room? I have a semi-PA requirement for even (more or less) bass throughout 2/3 of the room, rather than flat response in one listening spot.

Herman