Patrick, you may know this already, but re-mention from studio designs I've done, I know empirically that the problem with any sub in your situation is not going to be directivity, its going to be mutual coupling. LF energy once airborne has to be dissipated, and thats probably going to be an adjacent ceiling floor wall. The apartment design is going to made more difference than the sub design. Seems simple but this is often overlooked. I used to use a 4 x 8 sheet of paneling hung on eye hooks with thin carpet padding on side to catch it, not pretty but it kept the "bass guitarists" and "drummers" auditioning gear they could not hope to play from leaking into my room in a music store and killing a take from guys who could play. (-:
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Flash! Sodo-tube moves from long to short wall!
...mainly to free up some space and not have to use a cardboard tube and a dozen pillows for a head board for the bed.
Instead of an unsightly tube on the long wall, now it is at the front just behind a book case and full time unsightly 🙂
I knew there was a reason to cut the 12' tube to 10 1/2 or whatever it was, a few weeks ago...it just fits on an 11' wall (and why is my "yard stick" a meter stick! And made in USA!!!)
Everything sounds ok at first; I will probably have to (?) re-eq my 901s (they are a foot further from the rear wall.) Amazingly there are no worse buzzes (LF sweep) even though the tube is not snug to anything (except floor). I have established that the wireless door chime, that hangs from the bedroom door knob, has a resonance at 15 Hz.
Sound-quality wise, it should be more "logical" to have "left and right" sub (even though one is 90 deg. out of phase, if I understand this?).
I have yet to surprise the cat when he's in the tube. Damn! I wish I had "1812 overture."
...mainly to free up some space and not have to use a cardboard tube and a dozen pillows for a head board for the bed.
Instead of an unsightly tube on the long wall, now it is at the front just behind a book case and full time unsightly 🙂
I knew there was a reason to cut the 12' tube to 10 1/2 or whatever it was, a few weeks ago...it just fits on an 11' wall (and why is my "yard stick" a meter stick! And made in USA!!!)
Everything sounds ok at first; I will probably have to (?) re-eq my 901s (they are a foot further from the rear wall.) Amazingly there are no worse buzzes (LF sweep) even though the tube is not snug to anything (except floor). I have established that the wireless door chime, that hangs from the bedroom door knob, has a resonance at 15 Hz.
Sound-quality wise, it should be more "logical" to have "left and right" sub (even though one is 90 deg. out of phase, if I understand this?).
I have yet to surprise the cat when he's in the tube. Damn! I wish I had "1812 overture."
Feeling silly lately; don't worry, I won't do this, but if I were eighteen and/or still a drinker I would be tempted to 
Probably you shouldn't do this at all because it's potentially harmful and/or illegal. But if you did, hypothetically --
Do the following outside for reasons soon to become obvious! Take a huge long tube like a sonotube. drill a small hole near center of it. put a spark plug in there and seal hole. Place a SMALL amount of gasoline in a cup or some how in an open container and push it to center of tube. have a length of wire running from sparker to a battery and your "bunker" position (behind a tree maybe?) Send a spark to the sparker. If you've guessed the amount of fuel: BOOM! As stunts go, this one would likely be relatively safe (assuming only very small amount of gas, no flammables nearby, keep outside away from people and property, etc.) Likely would just make a loud noise, no property destruction (leave end(s) of tube open.) If both ends were capped, and you could precisely calculate the explosive vapor however, it would probably be a quite potent explosive. The only difficulty I foresee would be computing the correct charge (of fuel). Also, the other kind of charge: In my area, this would probably be "reckless endangerment" and "disturbing the peace."
Probably you shouldn't do this at all because it's potentially harmful and/or illegal. But if you did, hypothetically --
Do the following outside for reasons soon to become obvious! Take a huge long tube like a sonotube. drill a small hole near center of it. put a spark plug in there and seal hole. Place a SMALL amount of gasoline in a cup or some how in an open container and push it to center of tube. have a length of wire running from sparker to a battery and your "bunker" position (behind a tree maybe?) Send a spark to the sparker. If you've guessed the amount of fuel: BOOM! As stunts go, this one would likely be relatively safe (assuming only very small amount of gas, no flammables nearby, keep outside away from people and property, etc.) Likely would just make a loud noise, no property destruction (leave end(s) of tube open.) If both ends were capped, and you could precisely calculate the explosive vapor however, it would probably be a quite potent explosive. The only difficulty I foresee would be computing the correct charge (of fuel). Also, the other kind of charge: In my area, this would probably be "reckless endangerment" and "disturbing the peace."
Once again, Mr. Solder, I like your style of mechanically seperating the men from the *new* style "not so men" who are now seething and itching to begin mewling about the horrible (and duh, obvious) "saftey" issues of this nice manly little experiment in sonics. Poor dears now have one hand an inch from the keyboard and the other hand subconcientsly stopping it in a futile attempt by nature of preserving the last remaining stores of testorerone in the world. But not here on DIY of course because we are not that kind of people.
Feeling silly lately; don't worry, I won't do this, but if I were eighteen and/or still a drinker I would be tempted to
Probably you shouldn't do this at all because it's potentially harmful and/or illegal. But if you did, hypothetically --
Do the following outside for reasons soon to become obvious! Take a huge long tube like a sonotube. drill a small hole near center of it. put a spark plug in there and seal hole. Place a SMALL amount of gasoline in a cup or some how in an open container and push it to center of tube. have a length of wire running from sparker to a battery and your "bunker" position (behind a tree maybe?) Send a spark to the sparker. If you've guessed the amount of fuel: BOOM! As stunts go, this one would likely be relatively safe (assuming only very small amount of gas, no flammables nearby, keep outside away from people and property, etc.) Likely would just make a loud noise, no property destruction (leave end(s) of tube open.) If both ends were capped, and you could precisely calculate the explosive vapor however, it would probably be a quite potent explosive. The only difficulty I foresee would be computing the correct charge (of fuel). Also, the other kind of charge: In my area, this would probably be "reckless endangerment" and "disturbing the peace."
Sounds like like tennis ball cannon. It's a 2 1/2" pvc pipe and a can of coke at one end. Small squirt of naptha (lighter fuel) and either spark or Zippo. Shoots a good 150'. Learned this from back in the 60's when we used beer cans
The cannon was Bond, James Bond.
First question Greebster, are you perchance a relative of the subject of the old T. Rex song "Jeepster"? 🙂
I've heard of (but not seen) of the tennis ball cannon. Reminds me of one of the old Bond films (there are a lot!) in which Bond is practicing tennis and one of those mechanical ball lauchers turns into a tennis ball "machine gun". Humorous, and of course 007 survives some how. It's not all fat chinese guys with a hat that beheads people!
The 12" sonotube woofer is back in action, this time in my living room, up on a ledge. Other than looking like crap, it works fine. Lamps in kitchen rattle, this will be a chore to silence them. Or: I am sold on the "pure" TL sub, for ease and sound. I can make 12 Hz if I need to (but rarely will). The sub has always been used with Bose 901s and integrates OK, I guess. Latest experiment is to cross the sub fairly high -- around 200 Hz, experimenting for the best sound.
Why not 2 subs? Then I'll have stereo. My thinking, if you can call the random electrical impulses in my brain that, is to make a 2nd sub that will compliment (or complement, who can tell) the first, in filling out dips in the response. Perhaps a smaller and cheaper one? I still am enamored with the idea of hiding a 21" monster in the attic somehow, but this is too ambitious. Most men should be happy with one twelve incher but beyond this my mind is sliding into the gutter. Sorry
First question Greebster, are you perchance a relative of the subject of the old T. Rex song "Jeepster"? 🙂
I've heard of (but not seen) of the tennis ball cannon. Reminds me of one of the old Bond films (there are a lot!) in which Bond is practicing tennis and one of those mechanical ball lauchers turns into a tennis ball "machine gun". Humorous, and of course 007 survives some how. It's not all fat chinese guys with a hat that beheads people!
The 12" sonotube woofer is back in action, this time in my living room, up on a ledge. Other than looking like crap, it works fine. Lamps in kitchen rattle, this will be a chore to silence them. Or: I am sold on the "pure" TL sub, for ease and sound. I can make 12 Hz if I need to (but rarely will). The sub has always been used with Bose 901s and integrates OK, I guess. Latest experiment is to cross the sub fairly high -- around 200 Hz, experimenting for the best sound.
Why not 2 subs? Then I'll have stereo. My thinking, if you can call the random electrical impulses in my brain that, is to make a 2nd sub that will compliment (or complement, who can tell) the first, in filling out dips in the response. Perhaps a smaller and cheaper one? I still am enamored with the idea of hiding a 21" monster in the attic somehow, but this is too ambitious. Most men should be happy with one twelve incher but beyond this my mind is sliding into the gutter. Sorry
Nope, my nick was slightly modified by a friend in Germany. Do know the song tho 😉 "Greebe" (like Grebe) was a whole family thing growing up and everyone had their own version. There was Dado Greebe, Mamo Greebe, Sissy Greebe, mini Greebe and Greebe (me). Now from the stories I heard my father loved his Jeepster (read:girls), never saw it, long before my time.
These were called polish cannons back in 1969 when I discovered them. Thanks Rudy 🙂 (I was 7)
I have one in the closet made of 2.5"ID PVC and a soda can, painted red like a big Ol firecracker. Lauches tennis balls quite well.
Smaller, cheaper is what I'm working on. Actually I need to stop there, it is not small, but does use smaller cheaper 6.5" 8 total for bass. Enclosures are around 52"H x 23"W x 9"DThe 12" sonotube woofer is back in action, this time in my living room, up on a ledge. Other than looking like crap, it works fine. Lamps in kitchen rattle, this will be a chore to silence them. Or: I am sold on the "pure" TL sub, for ease and sound. I can make 12 Hz if I need to (but rarely will). The sub has always been used with Bose 901s and integrates OK, I guess. Latest experiment is to cross the sub fairly high -- around 200 Hz, experimenting for the best sound.
Why not 2 subs? Then I'll have stereo. My thinking, if you can call the random electrical impulses in my brain that, is to make a 2nd sub that will compliment (or complement, who can tell) the first, in filling out dips in the response. Perhaps a smaller and cheaper one? I still am enamored with the idea of hiding a 21" monster in the attic somehow, but this is too ambitious. Most men should be happy with one twelve incher but beyond this my mind is sliding into the gutter. Sorry
Finished making the last part yesterday for the test MLTL sub for this and get to measuring. Each speaker have 2 (similar) floor loaded. Two more are acoustic suspension but handle low mids (<200), all high passed @27 minDSP.
Enclosure material for this test? 8" sonotube, internally folded with a 76" line length, tuned to 35Hz. It's about 45" long and about 1 cubic foot, 29.5 litres
I have 2 more 12" sonotubes intact and two more that have been split in two lengthwise eg 4 halves. Need more, maybe...
Oh who heck am I kidding LOL
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I wonder why they call them polish cannons. PHHWOOOOOOOOOOP off it goes...they launch a pretty good distance. I wouldn't want to be hit with one that's for sure 
After a few weeks up on a high ledge, I've moved my Sonotube down on to the floor. Also, the original ***/2 job of epoxying the woofer to the end has come (literally) unglued. Taking a suggestion probably from earlier in this thread, I simply pushed the woofer a few inches into the tube and poked it into position and caulked. Less mess, no high ladder and spectacle for the neighbors. 🙂
Decor of my living room was never great, but has really gone to hell since I broke up with the girlfriend two months ago. 🙂
Decor of my living room was never great, but has really gone to hell since I broke up with the girlfriend two months ago. 🙂
Do you know if Service Partners in Tampa has Bonded Logic UltraTouch?
Bit of a drive to find out, tho not far from other shopping we do off of Adamo
Bit of a drive to find out, tho not far from other shopping we do off of Adamo
I do not know. I have never shopped there. At first I thought it was an "adult novelty" like you would buy at The Todd. For those unfamiliar with Tampa FL, this is a store that sells vibrators, sex toys, outfits and various things for, well, servicing your partner (or yourself!) Just the kind of place to buy candies shaped like the male reproductive organ, to give to a female friend who works professionally in Sex. Ed. Yes really.
I had to look up the product to find out what it is. For the record I actually live about 30 miles N of Tampa but it is the closest major metro area (and I'm a student at USF so it is sort of a 2nd home.)
I had to look up the product to find out what it is. For the record I actually live about 30 miles N of Tampa but it is the closest major metro area (and I'm a student at USF so it is sort of a 2nd home.)
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I've been defiling myself with foreign gods (Home Theatre Shack.com). In normal language, I have a similar thread there too. To no one's dismay, my "carpentry-free" sub has failed its second mounting test. #1 was epoxy on the end (worked for many weeks); #2 was wede the driver inside the tube, caulk well, and play for a few weeks until sub tilted out. #3 = ? I am therefore soliciting suggestions. I want to keep to the "no carpentry" theme if possible (lacking the tools). "Build a tapped horn" is not an acceptable answer 🙂
My ideas: (1) Easiest (?) is to again try the internal mounting, but this time with perhaps small blocks of wood fore and aft of driver to act as (proper word...?) braces for driver (and caulk to make it airtight).
(2) The champagne cork method. Driver is mounted on end, facing in. Several wires are then used to secure it on end. Would require some kind of guy wires and mounts somewhere along the length of the tube. Maybe I can use strings for an electric bass and have them as resonators 🙂
My ideas: (1) Easiest (?) is to again try the internal mounting, but this time with perhaps small blocks of wood fore and aft of driver to act as (proper word...?) braces for driver (and caulk to make it airtight).
(2) The champagne cork method. Driver is mounted on end, facing in. Several wires are then used to secure it on end. Would require some kind of guy wires and mounts somewhere along the length of the tube. Maybe I can use strings for an electric bass and have them as resonators 🙂
Drive some screws through the sono tube, you can rest the woofer on them, then drive a set of screws right above the other side of the speaker flange. That way the epoxy has something solid to stick to. Your measurements would have to be exact and you want at least 8 screws per side.
Have you tried stuffing your pipe? (speaker pipe that is)
Have you tried stuffing your pipe? (speaker pipe that is)
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/subwoofers/250902-interpretation-results.html
Only 5 screws hold the two half round ends to the divider, the rest is clamped and glued.
Only 5 screws hold the two half round ends to the divider, the rest is clamped and glued.
Help the Ijit...turn it into a Tapped Horn (maybe)
Ok guys, lately I have been reading up on tapped horns. I recall it was Bateman's "Tapped Horn for Dummies" where he used a (you guessed it!) Sonotube to make a type of TH. I want to continue my "carpentry-free" theme, just to be obstinate if for no other reason, and even to put a long board in the tube seems too problem prone. I got an idea however. I want to run it by the judges to see if it's a workable idea:
Ladies and gentlemen I present you with:
The Carpentry-Free* Soldermizer Sonotube Psuedo-Tapped Horn!
The 100% Sonotube tapped horn. OK, I already have a 10 1/2 foot 12" tube with a 12" subwoofer in it, that works pretty well (when the driver doesn't rattle loose). Why can't I get a larger diameter tube (say 18" or 24", whatever is avaiable) that would be at least 12' long. Cap one end with an old dinner plate glued on the end or (God forbid!) a piece of wood cut to size. Then all I have to do is slide the existing (12" ID) QW pipe in/out to tune it. This inside tube can be supported by any manner of holders, or perhaps not need any at all. Of course, it is not a true tapered horn but does that matter, especially at low frequencies?
My backwave will be coming out "around" the rear wave of the driver itself...is it required that the driver be 90 degrees and still inside the mouth?
Seems to me this would quality as a tapped horn "test bed" if naught else... total line length would be up to 24', surely a half-wave length and quarter-wave (12') appropriate for a driver having a Fs of if I recall, 27 Hz.
Another advantage would be the cats could not get inside this one.
Is this a tapped horn? A bass reflex with a really, really long port? What?
*Subject to availability of large dinner plate to glue on end of larger tube.
Ok guys, lately I have been reading up on tapped horns. I recall it was Bateman's "Tapped Horn for Dummies" where he used a (you guessed it!) Sonotube to make a type of TH. I want to continue my "carpentry-free" theme, just to be obstinate if for no other reason, and even to put a long board in the tube seems too problem prone. I got an idea however. I want to run it by the judges to see if it's a workable idea:
Ladies and gentlemen I present you with:
The Carpentry-Free* Soldermizer Sonotube Psuedo-Tapped Horn!
The 100% Sonotube tapped horn. OK, I already have a 10 1/2 foot 12" tube with a 12" subwoofer in it, that works pretty well (when the driver doesn't rattle loose). Why can't I get a larger diameter tube (say 18" or 24", whatever is avaiable) that would be at least 12' long. Cap one end with an old dinner plate glued on the end or (God forbid!) a piece of wood cut to size. Then all I have to do is slide the existing (12" ID) QW pipe in/out to tune it. This inside tube can be supported by any manner of holders, or perhaps not need any at all. Of course, it is not a true tapered horn but does that matter, especially at low frequencies?
My backwave will be coming out "around" the rear wave of the driver itself...is it required that the driver be 90 degrees and still inside the mouth?
Seems to me this would quality as a tapped horn "test bed" if naught else... total line length would be up to 24', surely a half-wave length and quarter-wave (12') appropriate for a driver having a Fs of if I recall, 27 Hz.
Another advantage would be the cats could not get inside this one.
Is this a tapped horn? A bass reflex with a really, really long port? What?
*Subject to availability of large dinner plate to glue on end of larger tube.
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