I picked up a JBL Control SB-1 subwoofer today. I want to use this to complement my KEF Q10 bookshelf speakers which have a frequency response down to 60Hz. I may choose to use it withy my KEF C10 speakers instead.
http://www.jblpro.com/pub/obsolete/Control_sb-1.pdf
http://www.jblproservice.com/pdf/control series/control sb-1.pdf
I tested the sub with my main amp (YJ V2 modified for 6 ohms and 20dB gain) but it doesn't sound very good. Very little bass even at full volume (13V, but will be 5S Li-Ion soon) unless playing a "bass boosted" track. I can hear a lot of the higher frequencies as sub's passive crossover is set at 125Hz according to the datasheet.
I never have my speakers very loud so I don't think I need a lot of power.
My plan is to use this board: 2X100W TPA3116 D2 Dual Channel Digital Amplifier Board 12V 24V Arduino BN | eBay and modify it for better LF response (bigger decoupling caps, big low esr power caps, different output caps/inductors?). The input would be paralleled with the input of the main amp.
The Control 1-SB is stereo with two sets of 4Ω woofers in series (see the datasheet). I think I should change the speakers from series to parallel so they can use the full power of the dual PBTL amp. I will either modify the crossovers into an appropriate low pass filter or remove the crossovers and incorporate the low pass filter in the amp's output stage or on the amp's input.
Edit: I put the speakers in parallel and the sub sounds more like it should but a bit muffled and still with not much extra low frequencies (maybe because of my current amps decoupling caps?). I think changing the load impedance has reduced the crossover frequency.
Any comments or suggestions?
http://www.jblpro.com/pub/obsolete/Control_sb-1.pdf
http://www.jblproservice.com/pdf/control series/control sb-1.pdf
I tested the sub with my main amp (YJ V2 modified for 6 ohms and 20dB gain) but it doesn't sound very good. Very little bass even at full volume (13V, but will be 5S Li-Ion soon) unless playing a "bass boosted" track. I can hear a lot of the higher frequencies as sub's passive crossover is set at 125Hz according to the datasheet.
I never have my speakers very loud so I don't think I need a lot of power.
My plan is to use this board: 2X100W TPA3116 D2 Dual Channel Digital Amplifier Board 12V 24V Arduino BN | eBay and modify it for better LF response (bigger decoupling caps, big low esr power caps, different output caps/inductors?). The input would be paralleled with the input of the main amp.
The Control 1-SB is stereo with two sets of 4Ω woofers in series (see the datasheet). I think I should change the speakers from series to parallel so they can use the full power of the dual PBTL amp. I will either modify the crossovers into an appropriate low pass filter or remove the crossovers and incorporate the low pass filter in the amp's output stage or on the amp's input.
Edit: I put the speakers in parallel and the sub sounds more like it should but a bit muffled and still with not much extra low frequencies (maybe because of my current amps decoupling caps?). I think changing the load impedance has reduced the crossover frequency.
Any comments or suggestions?
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SB1 has response down to 50Hz @ -10dB and 2x135mm bass drivers per side.
Q10 has response down to 60 Hz @ -3dB with 160mm driver.
Probably both have similar bass response and not really a sub-woofer.
I had Q30 and tried a sub - forget what but it was 12" downward firing.
Couldn't get it to integrate well, sold it & built better (IPL transmission line) speakers (without sub). Of course, all depends what space you have to accommodate your speakers.
Q10 has response down to 60 Hz @ -3dB with 160mm driver.
Probably both have similar bass response and not really a sub-woofer.
I had Q30 and tried a sub - forget what but it was 12" downward firing.
Couldn't get it to integrate well, sold it & built better (IPL transmission line) speakers (without sub). Of course, all depends what space you have to accommodate your speakers.
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