HTIB upgrade with 55-2421

[jbell]

Ok... so normally I'm interested in PA levels, but then there are times that I'm sane, and realize that 130db isn't 'always' needed. To that end, I've installed small HTIB systems in church basements. These things are flat out remarkable. (well some of them are anyway... I'm specifically referring to the $150 philips HTS3371D) 6 channels of TI digital amp rated at about 150watts into 4ohms. Woo Hoo !! It's the usb port... and divx, and harddrive, and... well, you get the picture... (epson 705hd... that is...)

The problem -- the stock speakers suck... and not in a good way. However if you can find one that has reasonable crossover points, and all amps inboard (no powered sub) then things become workable real fast. This particular one has a 150hz cross, and 20hz high pass... that's right boys and girls... 20hz is possible with this thing.

I've put in several subs, all bigger than the original ported box.. but I understand, sometimes the small little crappy sub is all there is room for... so what's a guy to do?

Spend $30 bucks at mcm electronics for a 55-2421, and get yourself about 8" long piece of 2" pvc, and have some time on your hands. (total 10" is about the best compromise I've found, you can go longer or shorter...)

The biggest hassle is removing the stock grill, as it's glued in place. Careful flat blade screw driver work can remove the stock grill without damaging it, as everything was put together with hot glue. Once the grill is removed, the little stock driver that makes very bad noises can be removed. Once removed, you can work the port out (it's just hot glued in) and then you can fit 2" pvc over the existing port and glue in place. Then it's just a matter of cutting a 7" hole for the 55-2421, and reassemble.

Do yourself a favor with ANY HTIB -- it needs to be in a corner, this is no exception. Put it in a corner, with the driver a few inches away from a wall, and the port facing the room. You'll want to go into the settings and re-balance the sub to the tops, especially if you use any of the inbuilt eq... like the rock setting.

Now, once you have the sub taken care of... please replace the little tops... It's remarkable how good these HTIB things sound with real speakers, instead of 3" full rangers... Do what you have to, but at minimum replace front L/R's with something better... and enjoy.

[littlemike]

Originally Posted by jbell

Ok... so normally I'm interested in PA levels, but then there are times that I'm sane, and realize that 130db isn't 'always' needed. .........

Who are you and what have you done to jbell?????

Cool little project.

[salzburgsoundsystem]

Clear indicator - output is good down to 40 Hz

Just wondering, one of these can do 120 dB corner loaded.
2 = 123 dB
4 = 126 dB
8 = 129 dB

8 MCM 55-2421 in dinky little boxes will give us PA levels (indoors). Excellent!

Regards, Ben

[Djim]

The Philips was... well different...

We even forgive you using a driver with a foamy surround since accidents happens to even the best....

And like Ben already commented 40Hz limit was clearly showing your Jbell trademark

But when I noticed you left that that particle board alone even without any comment or contempt, I knew it gotcha!

Maybe sane but you have been secretly drinking in that basement of that church-wine, didn't you ?!

[jbell]

Originally Posted by Djim

The Philips was... well different...

We even forgive you using a driver with a foamy surround since accidents happens to even the best....

And like Ben already commented 40Hz limit was clearly showing your Jbell trademark

But when I noticed you left that that particle board alone even without any comment or contempt, I knew it gotcha!

Maybe sane but you have been secretly drinking in that basement of that church-wine, didn't you ?!

DJIM:

thanks for your concern... but rest assured -- I'm still ok... and Dr.Pepper is my drink.. I even took a moment to set the grill back on just for you.

I thought it was important to post this as sometimes I get caught up in bigger, better, louder, lower, etc.... and for many folks that's just not where they live. I have been amazed at what I could accomplish with such a limited budget. A $600 HD projector, a $150 HTIB with a $30 sub upgrade, a pair of blown 'free' boston cr8's with new tweeters/crossovers, a 13' wide x 8' tall $80 rubberized canvas screen from ebay and built a frame... and ended up with a complete HUGE screen theater for under a grand.

Took some itunes music video's, converted to divx and added subtitles, so I could play them back from a usb stick, and have the words on the screen so kids could sing along. I have about 300 movies or so on a USB hard drive, that this thing will just play no media center pc required. Bass has been loud enough the kids told me to turn it down.

Now... who's been hittin' the church wine?

[Djim]

Thank you for putting that grill back up! In that case I'll forgive you didn't put in some cheap acoustic foam