subwoofer opinions by mike c

[mike c]

And the winner is?.................?

the grass is always greener ...

seriously though ... i'd imagine to be in bass bliss if I had 4-6 PB13 Ultras.

 

[TLS Guy]

I'm really glad I can design my own speakers after that report!

 

[Alex at SVS]

the grass is always greener ...

seriously though ... i'd imagine to be in bass bliss if I had 4-6 PB13 Ultras.

Hmmm.... interesting. I think either your bones would shatter or you would just grow a smile wider than most lottery winners.

Either way you wouldn't be leaving the couch for a while.

 

[mike c]

Hmmm.... interesting. I think either your bones would shatter or you would just grow a smile wider than most lottery winners.

Either way you wouldn't be leaving the couch for a while.

im thinking four LFE (harman multisub) + two stereo subs

 

[Warpdrv]

Mike, thanks for taking the time and well lets face it, expense... considering where you live, its like double what anyone else would have to pay for these subs in transportation alone... Hats off to you... That is dedication to a hobby.

Could I suggest that you also edit to add pics and/or links to said products for people that are just browsing the site.

I would suggest that you seem to be pretty sensitive to Port Chuffing, if your in 4K^3 room. My dual Plus/2's in a room double that size don't exhibit those trends, or at least they haven't presented that to me... I haven't read anything about that being something people have commented on, although it is certainly possible depending on what db level you are running.

I have a feeling that the shortcomings with eD's subs may be the drivers themselves, although I'm not sure of cabinet build quality. More amp power might not protect against below tune exposure if a good high pass filter isn't in place...

The PB12+ certainly does a good job in those smaller rooms, multiples are a must in larger rooms...

Could you give us some more info of your perception of your DIY project, maybe an idea of the SQ of the DIY 13" ed with 18" passive..?

I'm really glad I can design my own speakers after that report!

This is the reason I have been taking my time to make sure I get my design right with my 15" TC-2000's.

 

[Sheep]

Is it just me your did you get progressively lazier as the thread went on? Seriously, your DIY has no details!

SheepStar

 

[mike c]

Mike, thanks for taking the time and well lets face it, expense... considering where you live, its like double what anyone else would have to pay for these subs in transportation alone... Hats off to you... That is dedication to a hobby.

Could I suggest that you also edit to add pics and/or links to said products for people that are just browsing the site.

I would suggest that you seem to be pretty sensitive to Port Chuffing, if your in 4K^3 room. My dual Plus/2's in a room double that size don't exhibit those trends, or at least they haven't presented that to me... I haven't read anything about that being something people have commented on, although it is certainly possible depending on what db level you are running.

I have a feeling that the shortcomings with eD's subs may be the drivers themselves, although I'm not sure of cabinet build quality. More amp power might not protect against below tune exposure if a good high pass filter isn't in place...

The PB12+ certainly does a good job in those smaller rooms, multiples are a must in larger rooms...

Could you give us some more info of your perception of your DIY project, maybe an idea of the SQ of the DIY 13" ed with 18" passive..?

i've added my own pics

but i won't link to the commercial sites (til they pay me for advertising)

i've only tested the DIY with movie content, i had to move it to its "final" position first before I listen to music. (had to use two guys to move it a meter away)

with regards to chuffing, it's only because i am nearfield the subs, sometimes with my head near the driver, asking myself "where's the bass?"
again, it might just be because i'm nitpicking ...

the DIY on the other hand, is the next scheduled music listening. but i must honestly say that i can barely hear SQ differences between speakers, I highly doubt I can hear SQ differences between subwoofers unless i fumbled something with the DIY.

Is it just me your did you get progressively lazier as the thread went on? Seriously, your DIY has no details!

SheepStar

coming soon A D D on my part.

 

[abboudc]

Nice writeups Mike. After seeing those pics in another thread, i wondered how they ranked in your mind. What's next on the list? Epik Castle?

Interesting to hear about the chuffing on the ultra..perhaps because the ports face forward? I wish they still made a down-firing one myself, little fingers like to pull on grills, though from the looks of it you're finding that out too

 

[mike c]

Nice writeups Mike. After seeing those pics in another thread, i wondered how they ranked in your mind. What's next on the list? Epik Castle?

Interesting to hear about the chuffing on the ultra..perhaps because the ports face forward? I wish they still made a down-firing one myself, little fingers like to pull on grills, though from the looks of it you're finding that out too

thanks!

i am completely over extended financially right now

might be awhile before there are new updates.

Epik on the other hand "does not sell internationally" nor do they offer 'stock' 220v options.
I know bash amps can be configured to 220v. I even tried to buy a passive Conquest.

the chuffing is only audible if you put your head near the sub... and only at the volumes I listen to i'm guessing 99% of the people aren't like me.

and I don't buy down-firing subs (aesthetic reasons)

 

[dorokusai]

You sir, have a sickness and no amount of cowbell can cure it.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[Warpdrv]

You sir, have a sickness and no amount of cowbell can cure it.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

Gotta have more CowBell....

 

[TLS Guy]

Nice writeups Mike. After seeing those pics in another thread, i wondered how they ranked in your mind. What's next on the list? Epik Castle?

Interesting to hear about the chuffing on the ultra..perhaps because the ports face forward? I wish they still made a down-firing one myself, little fingers like to pull on grills, though from the looks of it you're finding that out too

If it chuffs, the vent area is TOO SMALL. There will be vent compression which ever way it faces.

Mike's reviews were brutally honest, and in my opinion show a sad state of affairs.

 

[WmAx]

the chuffing is only audible if you put your head near the sub... and only at the volumes I listen to i'm guessing 99% of the people aren't like me.

and I don't buy down-firing subs (aesthetic reasons)

What is the average SPL level you listen to bass?

I know you said something to me before about possibly using 4(!) of the Kappa Perfect 12" drivers. These, in the ported enclosures I recommended, built to my specs, could easily deliver 115-120dB with no audible distortion or compression, in an average size room(which I define as under 2500 cubic feet), if corner loaded, and driven by high power amplifiers. Even higher SPL is possible, with some small amount of audible distortion perhaps occurring. Is that sufficient?

But, there are other drivers more suited to obtaining high SPL; the Kappa Perfect, while capable of moderate SPL - was designed for sound quality as it's primary objective. You could use 3 or 4 high output 18" subs and obtain 130dB range in your room.

-Chris

 

[mike c]

my room is 4k, and none of the subs are corner loaded, they are on the midpoints of the side walls.

i would like peaks to reach 114db i reached 114db with both ultras though on U-571

and i define port chuffing as "i can hear the wind" not disturbing, but I can hear the wind move.

i do have quite a number of closed windows though ... i'm thinking the subwoofer bass frequencies pass right through those.

 

[WmAx]

my room is 4k, and none of the subs are corner loaded, they are on the midpoints of the side walls.

i would like peaks to reach 114db i reached 114db with both ultras though on U-571

and i define port chuffing as "i can hear the wind" not disturbing, but I can hear the wind move.

i do have quite a number of closed windows though ... i'm thinking the subwoofer bass frequencies pass right through those.

My recommended ported cabinets have greater port cross section as compared to the Ultras, by a substantial margin, considering port size to driver size ratio. Chuffing would be difficult to accomplish if built to spec.

-Chris

 

[mike c]

My recommended ported cabinets have greater port cross section as compared to the Ultras, by a substantial margin, considering port size to driver size ratio. Chuffing would be difficult to accomplish if built to spec.

-Chris

if for example a slot port area is X sq. in. ... what is the difference with Y number of flared round ports but with the same total port area? or do slot ports have inherent benefits over round ports?

 

[WmAx]

if for example a slot port area is X sq. in. ... what is the difference with Y number of flared round ports but with the same total port area? or do slot ports have inherent benefits over round ports?

Actually, I recommend flaring/rounding all parts of slotted ports, as well. As you can see in avaserfi's subwoofer project built to my specs, it has substantial radiuses in every section.

FYI, a typical flared port reduces turbulence as it relates to chuffing, in the range equaling a 20 percent (to be conservative) larger non-flared port. This is from my memory of a study/research article on this issue; but I don't remember where I put the article so I could be off by 5 percent or so either way. As far as compression; I am not sure if it has much effect on this issue.

-Chris

 

[abboudc]

If it chuffs, the vent area is TOO SMALL. There will be vent compression which ever way it faces.

Mike's reviews were brutally honest, and in my opinion show a sad state of affairs.

No doubt. I just thought it may be less audible if the ports didn't face him.

 

[Ron Temple]

Mike, didn't I read that you're room is mostly concrete? If so, I'd think you've got pressurization issues that most of us don't have. I'd think duals would get you well above 114db peaks. That being said, I've felt the wind of an Ultra at high SPL, though I can't hear it from 13.5 ft. I'm sure nearfield I could. I get the sense it's not that big an issue for you...you're just picky .

 

[annunaki]

I'm really glad I can design my own speakers after that report!

I second that!