I have a set of very musical monitors that I'd like to build a sub for and I face the classic question. Sealed or ported?
Some of the details.
My monitors have an F3 of 70Hz so the sub would probably run up to 150Hz
I'm very partial to TC Sounds so I've already decided on an Epic 12.
I have a 1000w external amp left over from another project so I have lots of power available.
I ran the basics through WinISD and got a 2cu.ft. sealed or a 3 cu.ft ported.
Thoughts anyone?
Some of the details.
My monitors have an F3 of 70Hz so the sub would probably run up to 150Hz
I'm very partial to TC Sounds so I've already decided on an Epic 12.
I have a 1000w external amp left over from another project so I have lots of power available.
I ran the basics through WinISD and got a 2cu.ft. sealed or a 3 cu.ft ported.
Thoughts anyone?

Why such a large overlap between sub and satellites?
Next up, the usual questions - how loud, how low, how big?
If you want to go really low, sealed + eq is the way to do it, but ported will go louder.
To get loud and low (lots of both), forget about conventional cabinets and go with a tapped horn or similar - you can model these using Hornresp (free to download), but there's a fair learning curve to it.
Chris
Next up, the usual questions - how loud, how low, how big?
If you want to go really low, sealed + eq is the way to do it, but ported will go louder.
To get loud and low (lots of both), forget about conventional cabinets and go with a tapped horn or similar - you can model these using Hornresp (free to download), but there's a fair learning curve to it.
Chris
Why such a large overlap between sub and satellites?
Next up, the usual questions - how loud, how low, how big?
If you want to go really low, sealed + eq is the way to do it, but ported will go louder.
To get loud and low (lots of both), forget about conventional cabinets and go with a tapped horn or similar - you can model these using Hornresp (free to download), but there's a fair learning curve to it.
Chris
Not too loud. Not too big. 2 Cu. Ft. (57 liters) would be fine. Musicality and articulate bass are my priorities.
Regards,
Dan 🙂
If you have EQ available, go sealed. You have the power available, and the epic 12 has the xmax available. EQ away!
If you have EQ available, go sealed. You have the power available, and the epic 12 has the xmax available. EQ away!
Actually, adding Linkwitz Transform (if necessary) externally would be my next question.
Regards,
Dan
Not too loud. Not too big. 2 Cu. Ft. (57 liters) would be fine. Musicality and articulate bass are my priorities.
Regards,
Dan 🙂
I would go ported with a low tune.
If your monitors are ported, seal up the ports and run them without a high pass crossover. Put the sub on a simple line level 1st order crossover, and physically position it so that it is time aligned with your mains at the crossover frequency, there are guides on how to do this. This will make a much bigger difference than sealed vs. low tune ported.
Actually, adding Linkwitz Transform (if necessary) externally would be my next question.
Regards,
Dan
This is only a good strategy if you have limited space and lots of driver excursion and power. Otherwise, ported.
As a side note, the dayton Mk3 titanic is virtually the same woofer at $40 less. Looks like it comes out of the same factory and models the same.
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May I also suggest a JBL W12GTi. Great excursion and very low distortion due to the push-pull differential drive topology.
If you're not after a ton of loud bass why not go with a smaller sub like a ten or maybe even an eight?
Assuming this is intended for some small monitors in a medium sized room I would probably go with a ten and some dual-opposing passive radiators for the optimum mix of response and compactness.
Whatever you decide to do though I would certainly not recommend crossing over the sub that high- keep it below 100 Hz as long as your monitors don't mind.
Assuming this is intended for some small monitors in a medium sized room I would probably go with a ten and some dual-opposing passive radiators for the optimum mix of response and compactness.
Whatever you decide to do though I would certainly not recommend crossing over the sub that high- keep it below 100 Hz as long as your monitors don't mind.
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