Adire Audio Shiva Mark IV 12"

[NorthNarra]

Wow, what an awesome sub for the price!

I'm virtually certain that this is what I'm going for to give me my low frequencies. It was a near thing between the Shiva and the Peerless 12", but the Shiva won out marginally. Looking to go for a vented 85ltr application because it gives the best blend for Home Theatre and Audio performance. Excellent performance well below 20Hz and massive SPL for a 12".

But here's my quick question: I can get the Mark IV in Aus for about the same price as the Mark III (A$250). All the rave reviews I have read are for the Mark III, but the Mark IV is supposed to just be its big brother, but I thought I'd check whether anyone had experienced problems or issues with the Mark IV before I commit.

With a 100W plate amp and the rest this thing will total around $500 Aus and be better than something pre-fab that I'd pay over $1,500 retail for. And its a half day job to put it all together. Makes you wonder why anyone would ever buy a pre-fab SW...

Cheers,

[Evan Shultz]

Narra,

yes, the Shiva is an incredible sub. I own the tempest but have heard the Shiva on many occasions. it is mind boggling! it is a beautiful sound. i have read/heard that you cant tell subs apart very easily, and i know it to be true in many occasions, but the Shiva/Tempest have this warm, beautiful, musical sound unlike most any other sub. even when powered from an amp that i a bit harsh.

Anyway, the only changes between MkIII and MkIV were just tweaks to make the sub more manufacturable. they aren't anything that will affect SQ in any way. really, the MkIV is 98% the same as the MkI.

enjoy your sub!

[Steven Kephart]

The performance characteristics of the Mark IV should be identical to the Mark III. The changes we impliment are in making the driver better from a mechanical standpoint, while keeping the parameters the same. We strive to provide the best performing driver we can by implimenting small improvements along the way. I think you would be happy with either one.

Steven Kephart
Adire Audio

[jleaman]

Don't these drivers have massive excersion ?

[Evan Shultz]

http://www.adireaudio.com/TextPages/...eFrameText.htm

16.6mm one way. so yes, there's quite a lot there but not extreme. plenty to make nearly anyone happy

[spa317]

Narra,
Am also in Oz, and thinking of adding a sub to my diy "Basszilla" open baffle speakers (Dick Olsher design). They incorporate a 15" Audax woofer already, but figure a sub might benefit in adding just a little more low end weight/punch.

I am not really a diy'er, I cheated and got a cabinetmaker to build the cabs for me. Is the Shiva sub you are building available in a kit, including cabinet drawings, amp, etc. or are you designing it yourself? If buying as a kit, could you tell me where from?

I am looking for a sub solely for music, so quality is more important to me than quantity. I previously owned a REL Strata sub which was very nice, but figure I might be able to build or have built something as good or better, plus a lot cheaper.

Thanks,
Mark

[deandob]

I'm interested in making a couple of these subs. Maybe a group buy is in order to save shipping costs to Oz?

What design are you using?

Regards,
Dean

[Dave Bullet]

Narra,

I've old had / built one sub and it is a Shiva, powered by 300 watts (into 4 ohms into a 142L EBS enclosure). Sorry I can't objectively compare the Peerless with the Shiva, but I have been most impressed with it for both music (port plugged) and HT (port free). It has plenty of xmax. I suspect the xsus (xpeak) is much higher as I've had the cone moving violently without any sign of bottoming (accidentally proven at a loud party when I had +10dB set on my main amp with the shiva running off mains inputs!!!)

All I can suggest is you provide a little more power to your Shiva if you truly want a great experience (100 watts is ok - but 300 watts made a difference when tried). Redgum do a good local plate amp (but have put their prices up considerably since I bought).

I have no wish to replace / upgrade my Shiva... but maybe a Tumult might beckon once my new mains are built.... :-)

All the best.

Dave.

[NorthNarra]

spa317,

I downloaded the "SealedShivaApplications" PDF file from a website (I think it was Adire's) which has detailed drawings of three different box designs. Its a simple case of buying the 18mm MDF, copying the design, cutting and gluing. If you want a really easy design go for the 54ltr Sealed application, then you don't have to worry about tuning with a port. I got the SealedApplications PDF from the same website with drawings, here's the links:

http://www.adireaudio.com/Files/Seal...plications.PDF
http://www.adireaudio.com/Files/Vent...plications.PDF

Dean,

I'm sourcing the Shiva Driver from the Australian Distributor. If we go in for a group buy John might offer more than a 10% discount which is his standard discount at present off his list price of $272.50 plus GST. Here's the link to his website:

http://www.acousticconcepts.com.au/

Spa317, Check out the website because John also makes boxes if you don't feel up to working the MDF yourself.

I'll be ordering my Shiva in the next month or two, just have to get over a little speedbump with expenses then somehow achieve permission from the better half...

Steven, thanks for the confirmation on Mark IV charcateristics. Looks like Mark IV is the way I'll be going!!

Cheers,

[NorthNarra]

Dave,

Thanks for the advice on the 300 watt amp. I was vascilating between going low at 100 watts or putting in a little extra and stepping up to around 300 watts.

Would this 350 watt one for $379 do the trick?

http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productVie...=&SUBCATID=443

Seems the same one as Advance Audio in Melbourne, but about $50 cheaper.

Or I could go this 240W one for $216:

http://www.advanceae.com.au/catalog/...oducts_id=2332

I've already got the MDF as I'm the Supply Chain Manager for an MDF company Pretty lucky huh!!

Thanks heaps,