LOUD Subwoofer

CARTRulz · 8th July 2006, 09:17 PM

Hi guys,

Ok now I know I've been a pain to you guys with all my questions, but I've learned a bunch now and Im ready to give this whole subwoofer thing a shot again. I think I have a project that most of you will have fun with. I need something That is gonna be LOUD. As you know I have 4 Technics floorstanding speakers which have 15 inch woofers in them and are very loud. I obviously want low distortion and high quality, but I think I'm willing to trade some of that for SPL. Even my old sub was putting out 100db at my listening position about 12 feet away, and once the floorstanding speakers were turned up, the sub completely dissapeared. You could crank the hell out of it or turn it off and it didnt make a bit of difference. So in order to preserve some sound quality, I've been thinking about going with smaller drivers, but more of them. Since I need SPL I'll probaby stick with a vented design. I've been thinking about 4 of the Peerless XLS 12" model 830500 drivers in a vented design. They have a sensitivity of 90.6db and an Fs of 18.1Hz. Do you guys have any better options? Should I go with maybe something like six or eight 12 inch or 15 inch drivers that are of lesser quality but a higher sensitivity since I need SPL? I watch movies occasionally so I want something that will kick, but I mainly listen to music so tuning to 20Hz or anywhere below that is really unnecessary for me. Id rather keep it tuned a bit higher so I can get better output. Im thinking I need something like 115 or 120db at 12 feet away for under $1200. Is this project even possible? I know horns are capable of this but I dont have the space/resources/patience for something that complicated. Then I need to worry about amplification. But I figure I'll wire the drivers in series and run an ep2500 amp in bridged mono mode at about 2100 watts, so that shouldnt be a problem.

Ok guys go to work! I'm open to any and all suggestions, so start throwing them at me!

CARTRulz · 8th July 2006, 09:31 PM

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=295-555

MAN thats cheap. Any thoughts on that? Fs only 27 Hz and 10mm xmax but sensitivity of 93.6db at 2.831v/1m. Also its inductance seems kinda high but its a 2.5" VC and can handle 250wrms. and 8 of them would only run me $512. Hell Id even buy 12 of em!

Just an idea, let me know what you think. Maybe it makes more sense to stick with a lower number of drivers that are higher quality.

CARTRulz · 8th July 2006, 09:40 PM

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=295-560

Theres also these, just the 15 inch version of the previously posted drivers. Fs of 21 Hz, seems a bit better, but its got the same 2.5" VC which seems kinda small for a 15" driver.

What do ya think?

RobWells · 8th July 2006, 11:01 PM

How about 1 of these?

131.5dB continuous should allow you to eq flat to 25Hz for home use easily.

http://www.speakerplans.com/index.php?id=x1

6 or 8 15's in sealed boxes should do you fine btw.

Rob.

Take care of your ears. Thats some pretty high listening levels.

454Casull · 9th July 2006, 02:21 AM

How about a LABhorn?

Coldamp · 9th July 2006, 02:28 AM

I really don't want to threadcrap, but listening at 120db for any length of time is pretty destructive to your hearing. If you want to still be able to hear conversations 10 years from now, turning it down a bit goes a long way!

Take Care,
Coldamp

CARTRulz · 9th July 2006, 03:42 AM

Ok well maybe 120db is a bit extreme. However, my 4 Technics can get to 110db in my 25'x25'basement and sound pretty solid. Even when I had the single 18" sub at 105db it didnt have any impact whatsoever. So I just threw 120db out there, bit I guess its not. I guess I just need a few drivers putting out 110 to match the system so they can compete with the Technics. I'm not saying 110db is any better, but its not like I listen to music at 110db consistently. Maybe for one song or two and then I turn it back down to 90 or 95 for continuous listening. Once again, all these measurements are done on the Radioshack digital spl meter, and I dont know the accuracy of them, theyre simply a reference. Besides, all I tend to see on these forums that discuss audio are guys bragging about their new subwoofer/speaker with graphs of spl vs frequency.

And hey, I'm a dumb college kid who drives too fast, listens to music way too loud, and does stupid things. Go find me one who doesnt

.

needtubes · 9th July 2006, 04:59 AM

Quote:

And hey, I'm a dumb college kid who drives too fast, listens to music way too loud, and does stupid things. Go find me one who doesnt .

I don't.

I drive the speed limit (or under it a little), listen at moderate levels, and don't do anything risky or stupid. I take pride in being an exception to that statement.

owdi · 9th July 2006, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CARTRulz
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=295-555

MAN thats cheap. Any thoughts on that? Fs only 27 Hz and 10mm xmax but sensitivity of 93.6db at 2.831v/1m. Also its inductance seems kinda high but its a 2.5" VC and can handle 250wrms. and 8 of them would only run me $512. Hell Id even buy 12 of em!

Just an idea, let me know what you think. Maybe it makes more sense to stick with a lower number of drivers that are higher quality.

That sensitivity is misleading, because a 4 ohm woofer is getting 4 watts at 2.83v. The whole point of measuring at 2.83v is to aproximate 1 watt with an 8ohm woofer. The 1w/m sensitivity is 6db less, or 87.6db, which is not impressive.

How about 4 of these?

http://www.ascendantaudio.com/assassin12specs.html

Dan

RobWells · 9th July 2006, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CARTRulz

-snip-

Even when I had the single 18" sub at 105db it didnt have any impact whatsoever.

-snip-

What do you mean by impact ? To me that usually comes in the 60 - 120Hz region. What model are your technics?

Rob

8th July 2006, 09:17 PM	#1
CARTRulz diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2006	LOUD Subwoofer Hi guys, Ok now I know I've been a pain to you guys with all my questions, but I've learned a bunch now and Im ready to give this whole subwoofer thing a shot again. I think I have a project that most of you will have fun with. I need something That is gonna be LOUD. As you know I have 4 Technics floorstanding speakers which have 15 inch woofers in them and are very loud. I obviously want low distortion and high quality, but I think I'm willing to trade some of that for SPL. Even my old sub was putting out 100db at my listening position about 12 feet away, and once the floorstanding speakers were turned up, the sub completely dissapeared. You could crank the hell out of it or turn it off and it didnt make a bit of difference. So in order to preserve some sound quality, I've been thinking about going with smaller drivers, but more of them. Since I need SPL I'll probaby stick with a vented design. I've been thinking about 4 of the Peerless XLS 12" model 830500 drivers in a vented design. They have a sensitivity of 90.6db and an Fs of 18.1Hz. Do you guys have any better options? Should I go with maybe something like six or eight 12 inch or 15 inch drivers that are of lesser quality but a higher sensitivity since I need SPL? I watch movies occasionally so I want something that will kick, but I mainly listen to music so tuning to 20Hz or anywhere below that is really unnecessary for me. Id rather keep it tuned a bit higher so I can get better output. Im thinking I need something like 115 or 120db at 12 feet away for under $1200. Is this project even possible? I know horns are capable of this but I dont have the space/resources/patience for something that complicated. Then I need to worry about amplification. But I figure I'll wire the drivers in series and run an ep2500 amp in bridged mono mode at about 2100 watts, so that shouldnt be a problem. Ok guys go to work! I'm open to any and all suggestions, so start throwing them at me!

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8th July 2006, 09:31 PM	#2
CARTRulz diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2006	http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=295-555 MAN thats cheap. Any thoughts on that? Fs only 27 Hz and 10mm xmax but sensitivity of 93.6db at 2.831v/1m. Also its inductance seems kinda high but its a 2.5" VC and can handle 250wrms. and 8 of them would only run me $512. Hell Id even buy 12 of em! Just an idea, let me know what you think. Maybe it makes more sense to stick with a lower number of drivers that are higher quality.

8th July 2006, 09:40 PM	#3
CARTRulz diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2006	http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=295-560 Theres also these, just the 15 inch version of the previously posted drivers. Fs of 21 Hz, seems a bit better, but its got the same 2.5" VC which seems kinda small for a 15" driver. What do ya think?

8th July 2006, 11:01 PM	#4
RobWells diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: UK	How about 1 of these? 131.5dB continuous should allow you to eq flat to 25Hz for home use easily. http://www.speakerplans.com/index.php?id=x1 6 or 8 15's in sealed boxes should do you fine btw. Rob. Take care of your ears. Thats some pretty high listening levels.

9th July 2006, 02:21 AM	#5
454Casull diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada	How about a LABhorn?

9th July 2006, 02:28 AM	#6
Coldamp diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: N/A	I really don't want to threadcrap, but listening at 120db for any length of time is pretty destructive to your hearing. If you want to still be able to hear conversations 10 years from now, turning it down a bit goes a long way! Take Care, Coldamp

9th July 2006, 03:42 AM	#7
CARTRulz diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2006	Ok well maybe 120db is a bit extreme. However, my 4 Technics can get to 110db in my 25'x25'basement and sound pretty solid. Even when I had the single 18" sub at 105db it didnt have any impact whatsoever. So I just threw 120db out there, bit I guess its not. I guess I just need a few drivers putting out 110 to match the system so they can compete with the Technics. I'm not saying 110db is any better, but its not like I listen to music at 110db consistently. Maybe for one song or two and then I turn it back down to 90 or 95 for continuous listening. Once again, all these measurements are done on the Radioshack digital spl meter, and I dont know the accuracy of them, theyre simply a reference. Besides, all I tend to see on these forums that discuss audio are guys bragging about their new subwoofer/speaker with graphs of spl vs frequency. And hey, I'm a dumb college kid who drives too fast, listens to music way too loud, and does stupid things. Go find me one who doesnt .

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