Hi all,
I am new to the forums, but would hope someone here might be able to help me with a new project.
I am wanting to build an array of small subwoofers. I am thinking about 16 5-7 inch.
Here are some I am looking at:
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-301
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-374
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-270
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-300
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-308
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-352
and there are probably some more good ones out there. Since I will have so many, cost is a factor, so anything over 15 each is out of my price range.
I am somewhat familiar with the specs, but not enough to realize whats going on here. If I do this, will it sound worth a crap? Any input or ideas anyone has would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I am new to the forums, but would hope someone here might be able to help me with a new project.
I am wanting to build an array of small subwoofers. I am thinking about 16 5-7 inch.
Here are some I am looking at:
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-301
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-374
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-270
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-300
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-308
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-352
and there are probably some more good ones out there. Since I will have so many, cost is a factor, so anything over 15 each is out of my price range.
I am somewhat familiar with the specs, but not enough to realize whats going on here. If I do this, will it sound worth a crap? Any input or ideas anyone has would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Most of those speakers are midbass/midrange, they couldn't even play 50hz to save their life. They are in no way, shape, or form subwoofers, and they would perform pathetically in that application.
There's no reason to go with an array of small speakers, not only will they roll off sooner 90% of the time, you don't need the high frequency precision and extension that the smaller drivers will give you, and the long wavelengths of subwoofer frequencies make a line array pretty much useless. You gain nothing and lose pretty much the only benefit a subwoofer has...bad idea all around.
That said, there are 6.5s which can go low, but again there's no reason to go with them over a 12 or even a 15 unless you have severe space concerns (which apparently you don't since you're planning on using 16 of them). Yes it's "nifty", but it won't perform as well and it will most likely cost more to buy, amplify, and to build an enclosure for.
There's no reason to go with an array of small speakers, not only will they roll off sooner 90% of the time, you don't need the high frequency precision and extension that the smaller drivers will give you, and the long wavelengths of subwoofer frequencies make a line array pretty much useless. You gain nothing and lose pretty much the only benefit a subwoofer has...bad idea all around.
That said, there are 6.5s which can go low, but again there's no reason to go with them over a 12 or even a 15 unless you have severe space concerns (which apparently you don't since you're planning on using 16 of them). Yes it's "nifty", but it won't perform as well and it will most likely cost more to buy, amplify, and to build an enclosure for.
If you require low end from a small speaker these are the drivers to look at and are at least over double your budget. I would also recommend going to a larger subwoofer. For the money I think you would get better value.
Adire audio extremis
Tang Band W6-1139SG and W5-1138SA (5.25") available from parts express
Elemental Designs 6.5"
Adire audio extremis
Tang Band W6-1139SG and W5-1138SA (5.25") available from parts express
Elemental Designs 6.5"
I 2nd ocool_15's post. Tangband also manufactures a 6" subwoofer as well. However, the Elemental Designs Eu-700's should would be my top pick out of those. Also...
* If your goal ever happens to be impressing people like CRAZY with a pair of smaller drivers, I would DEFINITELY check out Nolte Audio at www.nolteaudio.com (aka Powered4Sound). I've spoken to John Nolte MANY times, and he's a really cool guy. I've owned one of his previously named "Snail Shell" enclosures specifically for an Adire Brahma 10 D2 for nearly 2 years now...IT'S INSANE!! And for smaller subwoofers (6 to 8 inch), it's even MORE INSANE, as far as sheer output for the size goes. After 2 years, these enclosures STILL continue to leave me baffled and confuzzled at the sheer output obtained from such setups, as well as AMAZING accuracy at the same time. There's no specific tuned frequency, but rather the entire low frequency band is some how increased, as a result of what SHOULD have been a patent pending design a LONG time ago. Thing is, after all this time...hardly anyone still knows about it, and the ones that did were mostly young kiddies that made assumptions and talked trash, simply because they couldn't afford to buy one of these enclosures and experience the it for themselves.
I'm not going to even bother to attempt to remember how many jaws I've watched drop at the site of what laid in my hatch, just after giving it a long thorough listen. My rather simple single 10" in this particular enclosure has a sound of its own, and is unlike anything i've ever heard. Can't even remember how many shocked individuals I've come across with expensive multi-driver sub systems, or a large 15" sub (sometimes 2) that I've blown away in all aspects.
** The main reason these enclosures came to mind after reading your post is because you're asking about small (5-7" drivers). I believe he still makes a "double shot" enclosure for the Elemental Designs Eu-700 6.5's, which sounds GREAT. BUT...Move it one step up to an 8" driver, and still just TWO of them...and the output will be VERY close to my single Brahma. Yes that's right...2 8's. Crystal COMP8's to be exact...I believe they used to sell for like $90 a piece, but have now moved up to like $140 or $150 or something. And yes, it's LOW...WAY LOWER AND CLEANER THAN YOU'D EVER EXPECT TO HEAR!
Hope you're willing to give this stuff a serious look. Without a single doubt in my mind, I can guarantee that this type of setup described above will satisfy you. It MIGHT not be quite as loud at a particular honking frequency, but it'll certianly be clean, low, have the ability to go loud, and match the rest of your setup, as well as surprise the hell out of everyone you come across...all for a fraction of the cost.
If you haven't seen them already, here's some short video clips of BOTH types of setups, both using the Elemental Designs Eu-700 6.5" woofer. The first video is a 2 6.5" Eu-700's in a Nolte Audio Double Shot enclosure. The second is a setup containing 15 Eu-700's in a sealed enclosure, taking up the back of a large SUV, as well as the guy's wallet...
Eu-700's in a Nolte Audio enclosure, powered by an MTX 801:
http://www.realmofexcursion.com/videos/Elemental Designs/eu700.5.wmv
15 Eu-700's in a sealed enclosure, powered by an Elemental Designs Nine.1 @ 0.53 ohms. Good Lord...WHAT A WASTE!!
http://www.realmofexcursion.com/videos/Elemental Designs/eu700.3.wmv
.......I'll let you decide for yoursef 🙂
* If your goal ever happens to be impressing people like CRAZY with a pair of smaller drivers, I would DEFINITELY check out Nolte Audio at www.nolteaudio.com (aka Powered4Sound). I've spoken to John Nolte MANY times, and he's a really cool guy. I've owned one of his previously named "Snail Shell" enclosures specifically for an Adire Brahma 10 D2 for nearly 2 years now...IT'S INSANE!! And for smaller subwoofers (6 to 8 inch), it's even MORE INSANE, as far as sheer output for the size goes. After 2 years, these enclosures STILL continue to leave me baffled and confuzzled at the sheer output obtained from such setups, as well as AMAZING accuracy at the same time. There's no specific tuned frequency, but rather the entire low frequency band is some how increased, as a result of what SHOULD have been a patent pending design a LONG time ago. Thing is, after all this time...hardly anyone still knows about it, and the ones that did were mostly young kiddies that made assumptions and talked trash, simply because they couldn't afford to buy one of these enclosures and experience the it for themselves.
I'm not going to even bother to attempt to remember how many jaws I've watched drop at the site of what laid in my hatch, just after giving it a long thorough listen. My rather simple single 10" in this particular enclosure has a sound of its own, and is unlike anything i've ever heard. Can't even remember how many shocked individuals I've come across with expensive multi-driver sub systems, or a large 15" sub (sometimes 2) that I've blown away in all aspects.
** The main reason these enclosures came to mind after reading your post is because you're asking about small (5-7" drivers). I believe he still makes a "double shot" enclosure for the Elemental Designs Eu-700 6.5's, which sounds GREAT. BUT...Move it one step up to an 8" driver, and still just TWO of them...and the output will be VERY close to my single Brahma. Yes that's right...2 8's. Crystal COMP8's to be exact...I believe they used to sell for like $90 a piece, but have now moved up to like $140 or $150 or something. And yes, it's LOW...WAY LOWER AND CLEANER THAN YOU'D EVER EXPECT TO HEAR!
Hope you're willing to give this stuff a serious look. Without a single doubt in my mind, I can guarantee that this type of setup described above will satisfy you. It MIGHT not be quite as loud at a particular honking frequency, but it'll certianly be clean, low, have the ability to go loud, and match the rest of your setup, as well as surprise the hell out of everyone you come across...all for a fraction of the cost.
If you haven't seen them already, here's some short video clips of BOTH types of setups, both using the Elemental Designs Eu-700 6.5" woofer. The first video is a 2 6.5" Eu-700's in a Nolte Audio Double Shot enclosure. The second is a setup containing 15 Eu-700's in a sealed enclosure, taking up the back of a large SUV, as well as the guy's wallet...
Eu-700's in a Nolte Audio enclosure, powered by an MTX 801:
http://www.realmofexcursion.com/videos/Elemental Designs/eu700.5.wmv
15 Eu-700's in a sealed enclosure, powered by an Elemental Designs Nine.1 @ 0.53 ohms. Good Lord...WHAT A WASTE!!
http://www.realmofexcursion.com/videos/Elemental Designs/eu700.3.wmv
.......I'll let you decide for yoursef 🙂
This always sounded nice, shook my friends rear view when he was parked 20ft away from me.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
I have used the 290-308 in a 2 way door set up.. REALLY impressive smoothnes and bass but again that was infinite baffle. Midrange actually sucked. But nice smooth low end that sounded weighty.
I have distroyed more cars with twelves than I can count.. 8 six inch woofers in a sealed box horn loaded (by box placement) crossed over at 90hz on an Orion 2125SX.
That was "old school" from the late 80's and early 90's... But WAY better than my Fosgate pro series 12's on my Mosfet 650. Not as loud but WAY more musical with a much better beat and slam. (Wanted to say punch, but then that was the "trade mark" of the Fosgate).
I have distroyed more cars with twelves than I can count.. 8 six inch woofers in a sealed box horn loaded (by box placement) crossed over at 90hz on an Orion 2125SX.
That was "old school" from the late 80's and early 90's... But WAY better than my Fosgate pro series 12's on my Mosfet 650. Not as loud but WAY more musical with a much better beat and slam. (Wanted to say punch, but then that was the "trade mark" of the Fosgate).
I have seen a honda jazz with a wall setup with sixteen 8 inch L7's (silver face) each with their own slot ported box. it was cool and loud too!
although I use at home a dual 4 incher as my subs. they do go low but not very loud though loud enough to be heard around the house. but I say it's impressive for two 4's.
although in my car, I use two 12's in slot ported boxes powered by a 41hz t amp.
although I use at home a dual 4 incher as my subs. they do go low but not very loud though loud enough to be heard around the house. but I say it's impressive for two 4's.
although in my car, I use two 12's in slot ported boxes powered by a 41hz t amp.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.