Quite a while ago I built a single 18" sub to use as a drum sub, with a single stage monitor on top, for drummers in a live situation. Basically to reinforce kick drum for the drummer. I've recently pulled it out and replaced the 18" blown driver with a 1000W driver. I also bought a 1000W, 125Hz, low pass filter on Amazon. Question, what is the best way to provide a simple, speaker protection scheme to keep from blowing up the 18" driver. I really am looking for simple. There is quite a bit of DSP built in to the amp I'll be driving it with, which I will use, but if I could maybe add something to the low pass filter that would be great.
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If the amp has DSP you don't need anything else, and that passive low pass filter is redundant and offers no additional protection. What you do need to implement with the DSP is a steep high pass filter at or just below sub box tuning and limiting to prevent over excursion.
Have you inspected the blown driver to determine how it failed? It would be hard to believe it was from anything but over excursion given what it is used for, and that would typically result in a physically damaged voice coil and/or a torn cone or separated suspension.
Have you inspected the blown driver to determine how it failed? It would be hard to believe it was from anything but over excursion given what it is used for, and that would typically result in a physically damaged voice coil and/or a torn cone or separated suspension.
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Thanks. I was planning on using the DSP for limiting but didn't really think to use the high and low pass filters like that.
If you build a single ROAR18 and use a suitable driver then your drummer will back of the power to the sub way before the driver gets stressed. The midbass peak and the 140+ dB max spl around 80 Hz of the ROAR18 is quite an experience up close! 😀
Martinsson's Blog - ROAR18
Is this for a single drummer situation, or is this a generic solution for a stage that sees multiple users and different FOH mixers?
If it is a single drummer use situation, consider moving to an IEM system for the drummer, lowering the onstage volume will help increase mic gain before feedback and other problems.
A low frequency actuator attached to the throne will also give your drummer more feel without the sound pressure level and bleed into the mics.
Aura AST-2B-4 Pro Bass Shaker Tactile Transducer
It's for different drummers. We do about 4 - 8 shows a month, regional acts, and most times their rider asks for a drum sub. Right now I use a JBL SRX828SP, which is a powered, dual 18" speaker. It works well, just takes up a lot of real estate.
Thanks for the suggestions.