Design Check - Dayton Sonosub

[mp3z24]

Im looking at using the Dayton Reference 12" Hi-Fi driver (Part number 295-464) for a Sonosub. Can someone double check my numbers? I used WinISD to model it...

Arrangement: Vented
Volume: 113 to 120 liters. 113 liters is 4 cu ft, but the curves look good up to 120 liters.
Tuning Freq: 21 Hz
Port Quantity: One
Port Size: 4in
Port Length: 15in
-3db @ ~19.5 Hz

I modeled the Shiva driver as a comparison, and the Dayton looked to be a lot flatter and etend a bit lower.

Also, does anyone know the displacement volume for the driver? I couldn't locate it. I used the Shiva displacement volume (3 liters) to determine my sonotube height.

Finally, I'm undecided between the 240W Dayton Amp (PE part 300-804) and the 300W Bash Amp (PE part 300-750). Right now I'm leaning towads the Bash. Anyone have any suggestions.

Thanks,
~mike

edit... I forgot to mention, this is mainly a home theater sub, but it will see some music use (mostly rock or electronic). The room is pretty large and open with a vaulted ceiling.

[ThomasW]

A single 12" with modest Xmax and a 21Hz tuning will be problematic for DVD soundtracks in a large room.

Look for a bigger driver with higher Xmax and tune it lower.

Unless you plan on using a subsonic filter, a design with a 21Hz Fb, the driver will unload given all the subsonic information recorded on modern soundtracks.

[mp3z24]

got a suggested alternative?

i'd like to stay under $150 for the driver.

~mike

[ThomasW]

Big open rooms call for a bit more manly driver than can be pruchased for $150

[nunayafb]

Originally posted by mp3z24
got a suggested alternative?

i'd like to stay under $150 for the driver.

Look at some of the Dayton 15's, getting two of the ~$80 dollar range woofers or one $140 RS woofer (bigger version of yours) would do alot better job than a single twelve. What you are looking for is swept volume, the larger the woofer the less excursion you need, the more woofers you use the less power handling, excursion and area per driver is needed.

[mp3z24]

the $150 limit is arbitrary. it can be changed if need be. but i would like to maintain some sort of budget. i dont want to build a $1500 sub.

i have attached a crappy MS paint file showing my room arrangement. the sub will sit in the corner behind the TV.

im not an audiophile. my driving force is that i like to build things, and my current main speakers are physically too wide for the allowable space (cerwin vega re-30). i want to build some smaller floorstanders to replace them, and i will need to supplement the bass with a sub.

ceilings are ~13 ft at the peak.

should i consider a titanic 15"? AV15? etc?

~mike

[joe carrow]

The Reference Series 15 should work just fine. Also, if you don't listen too loudly the 12" might do alright.

The problem that ThomasW pointed out is that DVDs often contain bass notes below 20hz, and it wouldn't take much power to bottom out your woofer below the tuning frequency. If this is mostly for music and you HONESTLY don't listen to movies loudly (and be honest, if you build a big sub then the temptation will be there, even if you don't currently do that), then your design would be alright.

Most music doesn't have much going on below 40hz. Only pipe organs, certain electronic music, and movie soundtracks get down to and below 20 hz.

[mp3z24]

well, i think i have removed my head from my... well... you know. i did a lot of reading on sub design, and i think i have a better design:

Dayton Titanic MKIII 15"
volume = 325 liter
tuning freq = 17.5 Hz
500 watt BASH amp
8" port at 32.5 inches long

better?

~mike

[moro]

Unless your going for every last ounce of max SPL at cost of sound quality, I would change the titanic mk3 for a Dayton RSS390HF-4.
It has less distortion then the titanic and needs less power. To really open up the 15" titanic you need 1000+ watts. Even the titanic 12" sounds kinda limited on only 500 watts. The ref 15 is fine on 500 watts. Either way the Titanic's higher Xmax only gives it 1 maybe 2 db more max spl.

[tade]

I have two dayton RS 12" in sealed cabs of two cubic feet and 200 watts per channel and they are really something. And no worry about bottoming them out because they are sealed. This is the route that I recommend!