Klipsch has made me a believer! But I have a question?

[KlipschFTW]

Well guys I've finally got around to getting my system complete and I have to say God it looks good! I have the starts of their reference premiere line up ( bookshelf speakers and r-112sw sub) they absolutely blew me away! So much so I have been saving up for their r115 sub but I am in between floor standing speakers or a center speaker? I was told some high number percent of the sound comes threw the center channel and that I'm really missing out so my options are RP-450c (center channel) RP-280f (floor standing) which ones and why? Thanks for your input!

 

[shadyJ]

If you can accommodate a RP_280f as a center, then use that. The horizontal centers that are the norm are typically pretty poor performers off axis, and that messes up the sound. Also, I would skip the Klipsch sub, unless you are getting an amazing discount on it. At its MSRP it will get hammered by subs from Hsu, Rythmik, or Reaction Audio.

 

[KlipschFTW]

I'd be paying around $900 for it but out of curiosity have you heard any of those subwoofers Or the sub I mentioned?

 

[shadyJ]

I have heard a few Rythmiks and lots of Hsus. $900 could get you a Hsu VTF3 mk5 or a Rythmik FVX15, which would kill that Klipsch sub, no contest. The Klipsch sub wouldn't be bad for $500 to $600, but over that and you can do a lot better for the same money. I haven't heard that exact model Klipsch, but I have heard others in that series and also its predecessor. There is also CEA-2010 measurements existing for it, and they would not compete with the Rythmik or Hsu subs that I mentioned.

 

[lovinthehd]

While I've heard some nice things about the newer Klipsch SW-112/115s, $900 sounds steep to me as well compared to what PSA or Hsu or Reaction Audio can do for that. Have you considered DIY? You can do quite well with a flat pack kit for that money (or have even more options by building your own box). Something like this would work very well with an appropriate amp...http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-um18-22-18-ultimax-dvc-subwoofer-2-ohms-per-coil--295-518.

 

[KlipschFTW]

While I've heard some nice things about the newer Klipsch SW-112/115s, $900 sounds steep to me as well compared to what PSA or Hsu or Reaction Audio can do for that. Have you considered DIY? You can do quite well with a flat pack kit for that money (or have even more options by building your own box). Something like this would work very well with an appropriate amp...http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-um18-22-18-ultimax-dvc-subwoofer-2-ohms-per-coil--295-518.

I have thought about this ALOT I'm just terrified I'm gonna spend the money and build my own and it's going to suck. I'm looking for a movie experience in my home, would a 18in subwoofer be a good idea?

 

[lsiberian]

I have thought about this ALOT I'm just terrified I'm gonna spend the money and build my own and it's going to suck. I'm looking for a movie experience in my home, would a 18in subwoofer be a good idea?

Just get an SVS, Rythimik or HSU and you'll be fine. Pick the ones they have in your price range. If you actually have construction skills for building a subwoofer than even a 12" DIY build is going to destroy the commercial ones. Commercial subwoofers are limited in size due to shipping constraints. I can build a great 18" sub with ease, but I have the tools, knowledge, and experience. My first builds however didn't sound terrible. They weren't necessarily pretty though.

 

[KlipschFTW]

Just get an SVS, Rythimik or HSU and you'll be fine. Pick the ones they have in your price range. If you actually have construction skills for building a subwoofer than even a 12" DIY build is going to destroy the commercial ones. Commercial subwoofers are limited in size due to shipping constraints. I can build a great 18" sub with ease, but I have the tools, knowledge, and experience. My first builds however didn't sound terrible. They weren't necessarily pretty though.

I'm an alright builder my dad is much better and I'll probably turn to him for help my question is now how do we figure out the box size a subwoofer needs? I'll probably be in the market for a nice 15in.

 

[Mark of Cenla]

Go to Parts Express.com and be prepared to stay a while.

 

[lovinthehd]

Go to Parts Express.com and be prepared to stay a while.

No need really, just start in our diy speaker/sub subforum here at Audioholics....

 

[lovinthehd]

I'm an alright builder my dad is much better and I'll probably turn to him for help my question is now how do we figure out the box size a subwoofer needs? I'll probably be in the market for a nice 15in.

Box size depends if you want sealed vs ported and on the T/S (ThieleSmall) parameters of the driver as well as consideration of the power you will feed it.

 

[lovinthehd]

I have thought about this ALOT I'm just terrified I'm gonna spend the money and build my own and it's going to suck. I'm looking for a movie experience in my home, would a 18in subwoofer be a good idea?

I had some concerns, too Here's my build thread. I started with an 18" Stereo Integrity HT18 (D2) which are no longer available (except in my garage waiting for me ). I have built three so far and use those in conjunction with my Epik Empire, my first serious sub.

 

[lsiberian]

If you want to build I suggest this build

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/build-plans-18-dayton-slot-port.93946/

 

[KlipschFTW]

No need really, just start in our diy speaker/sub subforum here at Audioholics....

I didn't see a DIY section until you mentioned it thank you very much!

 

[KlipschFTW]

If you want to build I suggest this build

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/build-plans-18-dayton-slot-port.93946/

But my question still remains would a 18 have punchy theater bass?

 

[KlipschFTW]

I had some concerns, too Here's my build thread. I started with an 18" Stereo Integrity HT18 (D2) which are no longer available (except in my garage waiting for me ). I have built three so far and use those in conjunction with my Epik Empire, my first serious sub.

Well I only have a port for one more powered sub (which would be what I attempt to make). my first serious sub Is the klipsch r-112sw but thanks for the build thread I look forward to learning!

 

[KlipschFTW]

I had some concerns, too Here's my build thread. I started with an 18" Stereo Integrity HT18 (D2) which are no longer available (except in my garage waiting for me ). I have built three so far and use those in conjunction with my Epik Empire, my first serious sub.

Also how did you know that the speaker would be best in a 22x22x22 box or was it just a size you threw it in? I guess I'm wanting specs for subs so I can build the right size box.

 

[lovinthehd]

Well I only have a port for one more powered sub (which would be what I attempt to make). my first serious sub Is the klipsch r-112sw but thanks for the build thread I look forward to learning!

You can split the pre-outs a few times without issue. My two pre-outs are then split again and once more (I have the 4 subs plus a tactile transducer).

 

[lovinthehd]

Also how did you know that the speaker would be best in a 22x22x22 box or was it just a size you threw it in? I guess I'm wanting specs for subs so I can build the right size box.

It's a well established size for a sealed box for this driver. Here's the testing with the same driver/box size http://www.data-bass.com/data?page=system&id=90 Building a sealed usually can work with a range of box sizes, this driver actually will do a bit better with 6 cuft rather than 4 ish net as I'm using (you calculate internal volume less bracing and the volume of the driver in the box).

You generally model a sub with appropriate software and the driver's T/S (Thiele/Small) parameters (like WinISD for example), especially important for a ported/vented sub for proper dims and port/vent sizing. Most of us copy a proven design.

 

[lsiberian]

But my question still remains would a 18 have punchy theater bass?

It would be better than almost any commercial sub on the planet. The phrase punchy is a major understatement of it's capability. A true theater sub shakes you.