Need Advice: What to do with this plate amp?

[MMeche]

I have been thinking I need a sub to fill in the bottoms of one of several pairs of small speakers I have (B&W, Sonus Faber and North Creek).

I managed to pick up a 300W plate amp for about $15 recently and think it is time to build. The question is, what driver to buy? I was looking at a handful of options in the $150 range but really haven't been able to narrow my selections. I would be willing to try a couple of different drivers at lower prices just for the fun of it. Also willing to spend a bit more but since none of this gear sits in the prime listening area, I am not inclined indulge and select for the highest end solution (thus the $15 amp).

[audiosteve]

So let's see. You have an amplifier and want to know what kind of speaker to buy. That certainly helps narrow the choices! I'm not sure what we would be recommended if you had no amplifier. :-)

[MMeche]

Exactly! That's what I love about this forum, no one else understands me as well.

I am envisioning a project like George Washington's ax, a Shinto temple or rock soup. If the plate amp proves inadequate, I will buy a better one. If after the upgrade, the driver and amp begin to shame the box, it will be replaced, iterate.

Iteration may in fact be the point. The finished product will probably stay in my cozy shop where I spend so much time iterating.

[m R g S r]

Eminence Lab 12 is right around that price and it's a pretty versatile driver.
Size restrictions? (Max size you're willing to live with)

[MMeche]

Interesting choice. It never occurred to me to consider pro audio options.I have sampled some of the debate regarding home use of pro gear but don't really have an opinion, at least not yet.

I have completed a handful of successful DIY projects but still I'm still a newbie and an amateur. All of my projects to date were designed by others, the latest being a pair of 2-way Zaph ZRTs which are marvelous.

This subwoofer project should be pretty simple and may be the one where I step out and try my hand at design and while I am at it why not try a pro driver as well.

[m R g S r]

Well I suggested that because of the low power amp you have available. It will pair better than say a dedicated "HT" subwoofer with an efficiency rating of mid 80db/w/m.

Horn loading may be even more beneficial to you, but with deep extension and higher SPL comes a pretty large horn size. That's why I asked about size.

You should come up with a set of realistic goals first. Then we can go from there. (be it a tapped horn, BR, sealed, T-TQWT etc)

So:
Max external volume (or maximum space you have available)
Target extension (or what you intend to use it for, what type of music, home theater, etc)
Target SPL
Cost (already mentioned around $150 for a single driver, or multiple cheaper drivers)
Is portability and issue?
Power available (already mentioned 300w rms...but into what impedance?)

[sreten]

Hi,

The LAB12 is not a pro driver, its specs are completely different to a typical
Pro 12" PA driver. It is is an excellent domestic driver and can make an
excellent home subwoofer tuned low in a vented cabinet.

rgds, sreten.

[m R g S r]

If size allows...
Lab12 - Tapped Horn -

Or the cabinet that has gained popularity recently...
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/subwo...n-2x12-th.html

[tb46]

Hi MMeche,

Or, if you are concerned about the size of the enclosure, maybe this one (Post #38):20-30hz tapped horn for studio with ande drivers

Regards,

[MMeche]

Originally Posted by m R g S r

Well I suggested that because of the low power amp you have available. It will pair better than say a dedicated "HT" subwoofer with an efficiency rating of mid 80db/w/m.

Horn loading may be even more beneficial to you, but with deep extension and higher SPL comes a pretty large horn size. That's why I asked about size.

You should come up with a set of realistic goals first. Then we can go from there. (be it a tapped horn, BR, sealed, T-TQWT etc)

So:
Max external volume (or maximum space you have available)
Target extension (or what you intend to use it for, what type of music, home theater, etc)
Target SPL
Cost (already mentioned around $150 for a single driver, or multiple cheaper drivers)
Is portability and issue?
Power available (already mentioned 300w rms...but into what impedance?)

OK, lets see if I can narrow the requirement a bit. The SW is intended for stereo music only, my ambition is to extend the bass of some very nice pairs of small speakers with limited bass extension. I characterize it as filling out the bottom. I listen to a wide range of music styles and my small speakers satisfy unaided for acoustic performances and many mid voiced instrumental tracks but there are many tracks that need more at the bottom of the spectrum.

I don't need high SPL, intending to match them up with the small speakers but I wouldn't want them to strain to do the job. I intend to set them at a level that fills out the sound without making the SW an apparent source.

I don't have any particular space limitations but all other things being equal smaller is better. As a placeholder, I was thinking a sealed box but I am not committed to anything yet. I tend to like complicated solutions and building the box itself in any form is not a limitation.

My primary source is digital delivered through a variety of gear that changes regularly (currently PS Audio and Rotel preamps, a couple of different DACs. My library is increasingly HD audio but I still have a lot of red book CDs ripped to an audio server. No compression allowed!

Thanks for the interest.