Diy subwoofer advice

[oll]

Hello , First time post.
I have a little experience building speakers, but have a question about building a subwoofer. I have a SVS 13.5 ultra driver from a friend. I would like to use it but have some questions. First, in order to use it I need to build or buy a cabinet. I know parts express sells them. I could also build my own but not sure if its worth the time to even use this driver. I would have to buy the SVS plate amp also which is $399.
Any opinions on the outcome? I need about a 3.0 cu ft. cabinet i believe. I am not sure if I should just forget it. Not sure its worth almost $600 to attempt.
Thanks for any opinions.

 

[WookieGR]

Cabinets are so 1990's... Go with a sonotube and a Crown 2 channel amp.

 

[Verdinut]

Hello , First time post.
I have a little experience building speakers, but have a question about building a subwoofer. I have a SVS 13.5 ultra driver from a friend. I would like to use it but have some questions. First, in order to use it I need to build or buy a cabinet. I know parts express sells them. I could also build my own but not sure if its worth the time to even use this driver. I would have to buy the SVS plate amp also which is $399.
Any opinions on the outcome? I need about a 3.0 cu ft. cabinet i believe. I am not sure if I should just forget it. Not sure its worth almost $600 to attempt.
Thanks for any opinions.

First, you would have to verify with the manufacturer in order to find out what is the recommended net volume size box to install the sub. A driver cannot be installed in any box. There is an optimum size for a sealed cabinet for best performance.
Then you would be in a better position to decide if you want to get involved with the building of an appropriate box.

Also, I suggest that you get a book on building speaker enclosures to get better acquainted with the best way to do one. Here is a good one:

Amazon.com : David B. Weems

 

[j_garcia]

Cabinets are so 1990's... Go with a sonotube and a Crown 2 channel amp.

Tubes are 90s lol. I had my water heater Adire Tempest in my living room for years Sold it in the early 2000s. It is definitely a faster and easier way to go, as long as building the endcaps isn't a problem.

 

[lovinthehd]

I wonder if SVS would share T/S parameters? I'm guessing not....

 

[oll]

First, you would have to verify with the manufacturer in order to find out what is the recommended net volume size box to install the sub. A driver cannot be installed in any box. There is an optimum size for a sealed cabinet for best performance.
Then you would be in a better position to decide if you want to get involved with the building of an appropriate box.

Also, I suggest that you get a book on building speaker enclosures to get better acquainted with the best way to do one. Here is a good one:

Amazon.com : David B. Weems

Thanks for the info. The box used for the driver I have is 3.0 cu ft. Parts express has one that is 3.0 cu ft. I have built a sub before with a dayton driver and plate amp so I have a little experience. Just not sure if the results will be worth the cost. Not sure anyone would know. Thanks again for the response.

 

[Verdinut]

I wonder if SVS would share T/S parameters? I'm guessing not....

Sure, all serious manufacturers test their products with equipment giving them the T/S parameters. I also have the proper system to verify them for all speakers I built. As a matter of fact, I always design my cabinets and the passive crossovers based on the test results for each driver.

Home

OmniMic V2 and DATS V3 Dayton Audio Speaker Measurement BundleAccurate measurements and specs are essential when designing and building speaker systems and Dayton Audio's OmniMic V2 and DATS V3 can help you with each step in the process. Whether you are verifying the T/S parameters of a woofer...

www.parts-express.com

 

[oll]

Thanks for the info. The box used for the driver I have is 3.0 cu ft. Parts express has one that is 3.0 cu ft. I have built a sub before with a dayton driver and plate amp so I have a little experience. Just not sure if the results will be worth the cost. Not sure anyone would know. Thanks again for the response.

 

[lovinthehd]

Sure, all serious manufacturers test their products with equipment giving them the T/S parameters. I also have the proper system to verify them for all speakers I built. As a matter of fact, I always design my cabinets and the passive crossovers based on the test results for each driver.

Home

OmniMic V2 and DATS V3 Dayton Audio Speaker Measurement BundleAccurate measurements and specs are essential when designing and building speaker systems and Dayton Audio's OmniMic V2 and DATS V3 can help you with each step in the process. Whether you are verifying the T/S parameters of a woofer...

www.parts-express.com

Of course SVS has them, I'm just speculating whether they would share them so you can idealize a box....do they use the same driver for sealed as ported models I wonder, too...

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks for the info. The box used for the driver I have is 3.0 cu ft. Parts express has one that is 3.0 cu ft. I have built a sub before with a dayton driver and plate amp so I have a little experience. Just not sure if the results will be worth the cost. Not sure anyone would know. Thanks again for the response.

That's the measurement of the SVS box it came out of? Sealed?

 

[j_garcia]

Since it is an Ultra driver (even the older ones) I would expect it should be a pretty solid sub and worth the effort.

 

[Verdinut]

Of course SVS has them, I'm just speculating whether they would share them so you can idealize a box....do they use the same driver for sealed as ported models I wonder, too...

Manufacturers who market their drivers for DIY projects always publish the T/S parameters for each one. SVS may provide them but if they don't, then the only possibility would be for someone to test them with the appropriate equipment.

 

[lovinthehd]

Manufacturers who market their drivers for DIY projects always publish the T/S parameters for each one. SVS may provide them but if they don't, then the only possibility would be for someone to test them with the appropriate equipment.

I've never seen SVS sell drivers....

 

[Verdinut]

I've never seen SVS sell drivers....

That's why they can decide on what info they will publish.

 

[lovinthehd]

That's why they can decide on what info they will publish.

Yes, that was my point from the beginning....and I'm guessing they won't share. Maybe @oll will ask....

 

[WookieGR]

Tubes are 90s lol. I had my water heater Adire Tempest in my living room for years Sold it in the early 2000s. It is definitely a faster and easier way to go, as long as building the endcaps isn't a problem.

I know, but they're making a comeback like cassette tapes!

 

[oll]

Yes, I dont think SVS sells drivers. This was from a sub where the amp was bad. The driver is still ok. This driver is used for the sealed and ported cabinets. The sealed version is 3.0 cubic ft. Thats what I would build.

 

[panteragstk]

Yes, I dont think SVS sells drivers. This was from a sub where the amp was bad. The driver is still ok. This driver is used for the sealed and ported cabinets. The sealed version is 3.0 cubic ft. Thats what I would build.

I'd just email SVS and see if they'll give you the specs so you don't have to guess at cabinet size.

If you measured the old cabinet and know the specs so you can build a new one, then do it. Especially if you can get a pre-made cabinet if building one is outside your skill set.

Don't just wing it, you need to be precise.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yes, I dont think SVS sells drivers. This was from a sub where the amp was bad. The driver is still ok. This driver is used for the sealed and ported cabinets. The sealed version is 3.0 cubic ft. Thats what I would build.

Which SVS is it from? SB4000?

 

[lovinthehd]

What are you going to do for amp/eq if not get the SVS amp?