Hello everybody,
This is my first post in this forum 🙂
I am starting planning my next DIY subwoofer build project.
The background: I am fascinated about the sound the REL line array which consist of 6* REL S510 subwoofers. I am considering if I can build something similar (or even better!) myself. The REL S510 subwoofers are with a 10" woofer and a 12" passive radiator.
My subwoofers will only be used for music listening on my Naim+Focal system. All focus on SQ, musicality, control, speed & attack.
What I have come up with until now:
The system has 1* 12" woofer in the bottom and 2* 10" woofers at middle/top (4x 10" & 2* 12" total). The subwoofers aesthetics are designed to match my Focal Sopra 2 main speakers.
The enclosures outside dimensions are all identical, but the inner volume will be made to match the selected woofers. Maximum volume is arround 50L for each enclosure. But if the enclosure for the 12" woofer needs to be bigger I can extend the depth of that enclosure.
I am only focusing on sealed enclosures, as my experience teels me this is best for critical music listening.
I am considering using the the Dayton Ultimax II woofers:
10" UMII10-22
12" UMII12-22
I am considering using 6* ICEpower 1000ASP Amplifier modules:
Rated power output:
1x 1100 watts at 4 ohms
1x 525 watts at 8 ohms
Minimum load: 2 Ohm
Efficiency: 83%
Distortion: 0.007 % THD+N
Gain: 26.7 dB
For crossover + DSP i will be using a miniDSP Flex Eight with MSO software.
My first questions are:
1) Which are the best woofers for this kind of project? My main focus is SQ - price is not so important (but I really like the aesthetics of the Dayton woofers!! 🙂 )
2) Are there better choices for the amp ? is the ICEpower powerful enough ?
3) Theoretically, could this kind of system compete with a REL S510 line array ? (6* S510)
Any input would be much appreciated! Thanks!
Best regards,
Rune
This is my first post in this forum 🙂
I am starting planning my next DIY subwoofer build project.
The background: I am fascinated about the sound the REL line array which consist of 6* REL S510 subwoofers. I am considering if I can build something similar (or even better!) myself. The REL S510 subwoofers are with a 10" woofer and a 12" passive radiator.
My subwoofers will only be used for music listening on my Naim+Focal system. All focus on SQ, musicality, control, speed & attack.
What I have come up with until now:
The system has 1* 12" woofer in the bottom and 2* 10" woofers at middle/top (4x 10" & 2* 12" total). The subwoofers aesthetics are designed to match my Focal Sopra 2 main speakers.
The enclosures outside dimensions are all identical, but the inner volume will be made to match the selected woofers. Maximum volume is arround 50L for each enclosure. But if the enclosure for the 12" woofer needs to be bigger I can extend the depth of that enclosure.
I am only focusing on sealed enclosures, as my experience teels me this is best for critical music listening.
I am considering using the the Dayton Ultimax II woofers:
10" UMII10-22
12" UMII12-22
I am considering using 6* ICEpower 1000ASP Amplifier modules:
Rated power output:
1x 1100 watts at 4 ohms
1x 525 watts at 8 ohms
Minimum load: 2 Ohm
Efficiency: 83%
Distortion: 0.007 % THD+N
Gain: 26.7 dB
For crossover + DSP i will be using a miniDSP Flex Eight with MSO software.
My first questions are:
1) Which are the best woofers for this kind of project? My main focus is SQ - price is not so important (but I really like the aesthetics of the Dayton woofers!! 🙂 )
2) Are there better choices for the amp ? is the ICEpower powerful enough ?
3) Theoretically, could this kind of system compete with a REL S510 line array ? (6* S510)
Any input would be much appreciated! Thanks!
Best regards,
Rune
Your bass reflex Focal Sopra 2 have an Fb (box tuning frequency) ~34Hz.
The output level desired, crossover frequency and pass band overlap for additional subwoofers will lead to different choices as to what provides the "best" sound quality.
If even low frequency response through the room is a consideration for what is "best", distributing the subs around the rather than arraying may be preferred.
The 5 degree angles between modules will have no effect other than aesthetic at frequencies below ~200 Hz.
Power requirements are dependent on the output desired and the sensitivity of the enclosures used.
6* ICEpower 1000ASP amplifiers should be plenty, though may not have quite enough power to drive the Ultimax II woofers to Xmax in 50L enclosures.
The REL S510 uses a 12" passive radiator. Functionally, a sub using a passive radiator is equivalent to a bass reflex system.
The REL S510 is rated as -6dB at 20Hz "in room" (less than half as loud), it's Fb probably is above that frequency.
The 12" UMII12-22 specs a 22mm Xmax, probably a bit more displacement than the REL S510's passive radiator.
The UMII10-22 at 20mm Xmax are probably similar displacement to the REL PR, so output potential could be similar, but will require lots of power to flatten response an octave below its Fs of 39Hz.
At the moment I have 2x B&W ASW825 subwoofers (12" sealed, 32L) next to my main Sopra 2 speakers in my listening room. Before any subwoofer DSP I have two massive dips at 30 & 70 Hz. After DSP I have a pretty flat frequency response at my MLP I However, I still have a small dip at around 30 Hz. If I add an additioional DYI subwoofer with LPF at arround 45 Hz (Type: ScanSpeak 12" w. passive radiator - link: DYI Troels Gravesen) 2 meters behind my MLP i have a flat frequency response. I can keep this DIY subwoofer in my system if needed.
With the REL Subwoofer line array, it is possible to have a soundstage with massive width, depth, clarity & detail in the entire frequency range. This is one of the reasons why I prefer this kind of setup.
I do not think i will reach Xmax in any case. But to you have any input to a better sounding amp with even more power?