Hello All,
I need some help here. I hope I'm in the right place. I found this forum on a web search and have a home theater issue that I would like to address. My home theater speakers consist of all Klipsch brand speakers. I love the system, however, my dated KSW-10 powered subwoofer recently went South. It started by making loud "popping" or "cracking" noises during exposion and loud, action packed movie sequences until one day, I turned the sub on and all it does is "hum" or "crackle" when powered on. I haven't the slightest idea what is wrong with it but when its powered on with no volume, it will hum and crackle at idle and if I physically push in on the sub, there is alot of static. I know the speaker itself is not blown and I have suspicions that the amplifier went South yet I haven't a clue.
Anywho, my question is this: I'm in the market for a new subwoofer and I'm torn as to which one to choose and why. The two that I have been considering are the Sunfire True Sub and the Velodyne, particularly the SPL servo series. Does anyone have any input as to which you think would be the better quality and sounding sub and why? Any input, advice, or information would be appreciated and if anyone knows what's wrong with my current Klipsch sub, please let me know! Either way, based upon my research, previous knowledge, and personal preference, I am leaning towards the Sunfire, however, both have awesome reputations and if any of you can respond intelligently, fire away! Thanks, Mike.
I need some help here. I hope I'm in the right place. I found this forum on a web search and have a home theater issue that I would like to address. My home theater speakers consist of all Klipsch brand speakers. I love the system, however, my dated KSW-10 powered subwoofer recently went South. It started by making loud "popping" or "cracking" noises during exposion and loud, action packed movie sequences until one day, I turned the sub on and all it does is "hum" or "crackle" when powered on. I haven't the slightest idea what is wrong with it but when its powered on with no volume, it will hum and crackle at idle and if I physically push in on the sub, there is alot of static. I know the speaker itself is not blown and I have suspicions that the amplifier went South yet I haven't a clue.
Anywho, my question is this: I'm in the market for a new subwoofer and I'm torn as to which one to choose and why. The two that I have been considering are the Sunfire True Sub and the Velodyne, particularly the SPL servo series. Does anyone have any input as to which you think would be the better quality and sounding sub and why? Any input, advice, or information would be appreciated and if anyone knows what's wrong with my current Klipsch sub, please let me know! Either way, based upon my research, previous knowledge, and personal preference, I am leaning towards the Sunfire, however, both have awesome reputations and if any of you can respond intelligently, fire away! Thanks, Mike.
skip the sunfire
This is really more of a DIYer place (hence the name diyaudio). The sunfire is not a very good sub.
Perhaps the better route to take is: what do you want from your sub? How much do you want to spend? How big an enclosure can you accept (bass is better when the enclosure is bigger)? Can you build one from a kit, or from scratch with help on the design?
Subs are fairly straightforward to build, a big heavy sealed box with a good driver and amp.
This is really more of a DIYer place (hence the name diyaudio). The sunfire is not a very good sub.
Perhaps the better route to take is: what do you want from your sub? How much do you want to spend? How big an enclosure can you accept (bass is better when the enclosure is bigger)? Can you build one from a kit, or from scratch with help on the design?
Subs are fairly straightforward to build, a big heavy sealed box with a good driver and amp.
You can easily build a subwoofer that will outperform those choices. Do a little reading here as well as:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=155
http://www.htguide.com/forum/forumdisplay.php4?f=39
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=155
http://www.htguide.com/forum/forumdisplay.php4?f=39
If I may add my two cents, Even with no tools many places will sell you kits that can be assembled with nothing more than a screw driver and some time. Every subwoofer I have built has outperformed anything I could have bought at retail for anywhere near its price. My last subwoofer project cost me around 1000 dollars and gave me a flat response into the 20hz range, a minus 10 db point of around 20hz, and vanishingly low distortion. Rythmik Audio sells Servo kits to give you the type of low distortion that Velodyne offers. However, Parts Express offers its own line of Refrence Series subwoofers which measure with very low distortion, and in a sealed box will give you very low distortion, and a more affordable price.
If small size is important to you, I recomend having a custom box built for you and isobaricly mounting two 10" SPL series Dayton Refrence 10" subs. These will allow for a very small sealed box, and with a powerful, say 1000 watt RMS amplifier, will give you performance on par with the Carver designed sub. It will however offer lower distortion, higher output, and cost less money. I can say this because I used to own a Sunfire subwoofer which I was very unhappy with, basicly most of its specs lie.
If small size is important to you, I recomend having a custom box built for you and isobaricly mounting two 10" SPL series Dayton Refrence 10" subs. These will allow for a very small sealed box, and with a powerful, say 1000 watt RMS amplifier, will give you performance on par with the Carver designed sub. It will however offer lower distortion, higher output, and cost less money. I can say this because I used to own a Sunfire subwoofer which I was very unhappy with, basicly most of its specs lie.
Thank you for all of your information. I apologize for posting on the DIY site, however, I'm new to this DIY stuff and didn't know that was the case. I found the website via key words on a search engine and here I am. Likewise, I'm not real versed in all of the terms and specs regarding the subwoofers. I had no idea that the mass marketed subs were exaggerated and likewise, I didn't know I could make one that would compete. I am very interested in either making one now or putting one together as opposed to purchasing a mass marketed sub and I'm particularly interested in the Dayton Titanic Subs mentioned in one of the replies. Unfortunately, I don't have alot of tools nor do I have the time to conduct extensive research or build my own sub from scratch, therefore, I'm gonna pick your brains again. I was thinking of spending around 600-700 but would like to get it cheaper if I can. My room is about 20X20 and I'm not too concerned with the overall size of the enclosure, however, to appease the wife, I better keep it smaller as opposed to larger. Can someone tell me exactly what parts I need to put a sub together besides the sub and the enclosure and where can I find either kits or pre-made enclosures that will simplify this process. I'm looking for any suggestions you can give and likewise, what does isobarically mounting the subs mean? I would also like to know if a front firing or down firing enclosure is best and whether one should port an enclosure or seal it. Anything knowledge you can impart would greatly be appreciated so please fire away!!!!
Parts Express
Go to that site and look around. In the speaker building section they have a link for subwoofer kits, build one of those. It comes with everything you need to constrcut a subwoofer, and should take you no longer than an hour. It will have a black textured finish. It should cost you less than 600 dollars, and in your specific room, I recomend the 15" sub. This will be a 3 cubic foot enclosure, so not overly large, and will give you relativly deep bass. I like the sound of the RS series better, and in a ported box it will give you a little more output with better sound. Of course, a titanic in a ported box will give you more output yet, however it will require a larger enclosure in both cases. The 15" requires a very large box, but the 12" will work in a 3.5 cubic foot box pretty well, I have the RS 12" SQ woofer in a 4.5 cubic foot box tuned to 21hz, and I don't find it overly large.
This may exceed you budget, but one Idea I had that would make for a very nice subwoofer was two of the 12" RS series subwoofers, the SPL ones, in a 4 cubic foot ported box, or so, tuned to I think it was like 25-26hz. It won't give you quite the extension that the SQ subs do, but its the same size box, and will give you plenty of output. that would require you have a custom box, which Elemental Designs or various other sources can do for you, but like I said, it probably would exceed your budget some. None the less, excess is fun.
Go to that site and look around. In the speaker building section they have a link for subwoofer kits, build one of those. It comes with everything you need to constrcut a subwoofer, and should take you no longer than an hour. It will have a black textured finish. It should cost you less than 600 dollars, and in your specific room, I recomend the 15" sub. This will be a 3 cubic foot enclosure, so not overly large, and will give you relativly deep bass. I like the sound of the RS series better, and in a ported box it will give you a little more output with better sound. Of course, a titanic in a ported box will give you more output yet, however it will require a larger enclosure in both cases. The 15" requires a very large box, but the 12" will work in a 3.5 cubic foot box pretty well, I have the RS 12" SQ woofer in a 4.5 cubic foot box tuned to 21hz, and I don't find it overly large.
This may exceed you budget, but one Idea I had that would make for a very nice subwoofer was two of the 12" RS series subwoofers, the SPL ones, in a 4 cubic foot ported box, or so, tuned to I think it was like 25-26hz. It won't give you quite the extension that the SQ subs do, but its the same size box, and will give you plenty of output. that would require you have a custom box, which Elemental Designs or various other sources can do for you, but like I said, it probably would exceed your budget some. None the less, excess is fun.
Subwoofer
Sonotube based subs are pretty darn easy to construct... and cheap...
I recently built a ~3 ft^3 unit with 16" tube, 2 plywood endcaps, and a 12" $50 automotive sub that goes down to ~26 Hz @ 105 dB easily for less than $150... and it plays with low distortion.
I will probably add some concrete weights on the base, though, since it tends to walk around the room when it gets cranking on the really low stuff..😀
Search the forum on sonosub
John L.
Sonotube based subs are pretty darn easy to construct... and cheap...
I recently built a ~3 ft^3 unit with 16" tube, 2 plywood endcaps, and a 12" $50 automotive sub that goes down to ~26 Hz @ 105 dB easily for less than $150... and it plays with low distortion.
I will probably add some concrete weights on the base, though, since it tends to walk around the room when it gets cranking on the really low stuff..😀
Search the forum on sonosub
John L.
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