Cheap sub project

The Guardian · 25th November 2004, 06:35 AM

Hi there... I'm totally new to DIY, but I have a subwoofer I got for free at Radio Shack because it was a damaged display model... it seems to be fine, I replaced the crappy feet with spikes, and i need to replace the woofer as there is a scuff mark on it.

The sub is a powered 8" downward firing Merak, which is made by Axiom. I just wanted some advice on an inexpensive driver to replace the existing one with. Links to places I can buy them online would be helpfull.

Keep in mind the whole sub was worth $120 brand new so no sense in putting anything expensive in it at all.

The sub will be mainly used for music but some HT work as well. I'm using PSB Image 2B mains.

Thanks

keyser · 25th November 2004, 11:32 AM

hmmz...
what to say.
i advise you to either repair the driver, or, if that is no possible,get rid of the sub and try something new. Finding a driver that would suit to the box can be very hard. unless ofcourse the original driver is still available and you are willing to pay its price (replacement units are usually more expensive than they have to be).
for about $250 you can make yourself a pretty good sub!
for example: you should be able to buy an Adire Shiva at a little over $100. The shiva doesn't need a big amp persé. Some small submodule for about $100, and then just add the wood and glue!
Sealed would be good, and easiest to build...

richie00boy · 25th November 2004, 01:30 PM

Whilst I can see a valid argument from your side, at the end of the day the sub is only a cheapo one and will probably not have been optimised anyway. So he could just substitute a driver providing he examines a few models and T/S parameters and I'm sure it would work out (relatively) OK.

keyser · 25th November 2004, 03:03 PM

you're right ofcourse richie.
however, i do think The Guardian should think hard if he really wants to do it. What is he expecting the sound would become like? What is he willing to spend for something that will definitely not be musical-sounding bass. And as he sais music is the main purpose of the sub, i suggest he builds something else.
the chance is very small that the sub would improve the musicality of the system.
For movies i think its a different story. bass quality is a bit less important here. Even a small mis-aligned sub can pump some one-note bass into your room, and make explotions more credible...

Bill Fitzpatrick · 25th November 2004, 03:16 PM

If it's downfiring and the woofer has only a scuff mark, why replace it at all?

The Guardian · 25th November 2004, 07:50 PM

eventually I might build a better box for it and stuff, at this point money is a little limited...

Only a scuff mark is showing however the sub was demonstrated WITHOUT the feet on meaning it was sitting right on the surround which can't have been good for the driver at all?

Perhaps a driver that would improve the sound a little bit at this point but that would be good to build a better sub around in the future?

Thanks.

keyser · 25th November 2004, 11:57 PM

if the thing still works, keep it. don't change it.
if it doesnt work, save a few bucks and get something nice! like the shiva i mentioned. maybe you could even get some 2nd hand stuff, and build someting out of that, for little money!
Dont keep ****ing around with this one

richie00boy · 26th November 2004, 08:01 AM

I second Keyser's suggestion. If it's working then don't bother trying to fix something that aint broke!

You can't polish a turd, save your money for a better parts for a whole new sub.

EWorkshop1708 · 28th November 2004, 11:09 PM

What about something like this?

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=290-042

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=295-100

jjdche · 29th November 2004, 01:26 PM

give us some idea of the box/amp specs. Maybe we can suggest something if you just want to give it a try.

25th November 2004, 06:35 AM	#1
The Guardian diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Brantford, ON	Cheap sub project Hi there... I'm totally new to DIY, but I have a subwoofer I got for free at Radio Shack because it was a damaged display model... it seems to be fine, I replaced the crappy feet with spikes, and i need to replace the woofer as there is a scuff mark on it. The sub is a powered 8" downward firing Merak, which is made by Axiom. I just wanted some advice on an inexpensive driver to replace the existing one with. Links to places I can buy them online would be helpfull. Keep in mind the whole sub was worth $120 brand new so no sense in putting anything expensive in it at all. The sub will be mainly used for music but some HT work as well. I'm using PSB Image 2B mains. Thanks

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25th November 2004, 11:32 AM	#2
keyser diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: The Netherlands	hmmz... what to say. i advise you to either repair the driver, or, if that is no possible,get rid of the sub and try something new. Finding a driver that would suit to the box can be very hard. unless ofcourse the original driver is still available and you are willing to pay its price (replacement units are usually more expensive than they have to be). for about $250 you can make yourself a pretty good sub! for example: you should be able to buy an Adire Shiva at a little over $100. The shiva doesn't need a big amp persé. Some small submodule for about $100, and then just add the wood and glue! Sealed would be good, and easiest to build...

25th November 2004, 01:30 PM	#3
richie00boy Did it Himself diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gloucestershire, England, UK	Whilst I can see a valid argument from your side, at the end of the day the sub is only a cheapo one and will probably not have been optimised anyway. So he could just substitute a driver providing he examines a few models and T/S parameters and I'm sure it would work out (relatively) OK.

25th November 2004, 03:03 PM	#4
keyser diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: The Netherlands	you're right ofcourse richie. however, i do think The Guardian should think hard if he really wants to do it. What is he expecting the sound would become like? What is he willing to spend for something that will definitely not be musical-sounding bass. And as he sais music is the main purpose of the sub, i suggest he builds something else. the chance is very small that the sub would improve the musicality of the system. For movies i think its a different story. bass quality is a bit less important here. Even a small mis-aligned sub can pump some one-note bass into your room, and make explotions more credible...

25th November 2004, 03:16 PM	#5
Bill Fitzpatrick diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Eugene, OR	If it's downfiring and the woofer has only a scuff mark, why replace it at all?

25th November 2004, 07:50 PM	#6
The Guardian diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Brantford, ON	eventually I might build a better box for it and stuff, at this point money is a little limited... Only a scuff mark is showing however the sub was demonstrated WITHOUT the feet on meaning it was sitting right on the surround which can't have been good for the driver at all? Perhaps a driver that would improve the sound a little bit at this point but that would be good to build a better sub around in the future? Thanks.

25th November 2004, 11:57 PM	#7
keyser diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: The Netherlands	if the thing still works, keep it. don't change it. if it doesnt work, save a few bucks and get something nice! like the shiva i mentioned. maybe you could even get some 2nd hand stuff, and build someting out of that, for little money! Dont keep ****ing around with this one

26th November 2004, 08:01 AM	#8
richie00boy Did it Himself diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gloucestershire, England, UK	I second Keyser's suggestion. If it's working then don't bother trying to fix something that aint broke! You can't polish a turd, save your money for a better parts for a whole new sub.

28th November 2004, 11:09 PM	#9
EWorkshop1708 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Florida	What about something like this? http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=290-042 http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=295-100

29th November 2004, 01:26 PM	#10
jjdche diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: MA	give us some idea of the box/amp specs. Maybe we can suggest something if you just want to give it a try.