Custom build, humor me and discuss

[Nemo128]

For maximum WAF, I have thought of a custom sub idea...

From working on cars (I know, not the same), there are times when we change the dimensions of a box to spread the bass effects, the feel, better throughout a trunk...

What about a custom home sub that's rectangular to fit under the couch? Built in some short rubber feet from Home Desperate, stick in one, maybe two, subs. Just a basic thought.

I'm motivated because it would fit in pretty much unused space under our couch and it would ensure that rumble is right where I want it to be. Again, just a general idea. If any of the DYI experts would entertain the idea and lend educated knowledge to the specifications, I would actually go full speed into making this thing.

 

[adwilk]

I've always thought that this looked cool.

 

[Nemo128]

Thanks a lot for that link!

That's pretty much exactly what I want to do, just different length/width dimensions. Wow...

 

[adwilk]

This looks kind of cool too... Some good reviews and really low profile...

 

[Nemo128]

Thanks for that one too. I'll have to look into PX's offerings. Now I really want to do this project. I'd just want some input from people that DYI their own subs to get some good numbers in place before I go chopping up sheets of wood and buying stuff.

 

[adwilk]

Thanks for that one too. I'll have to look into PX's offerings. Now I really want to do this project. I'd just want some input from people that DYI their own subs to get some good numbers in place before I go chopping up sheets of wood and buying stuff.

I'd say thats a good idea... The builder seemed to be really impressed with the boogieman.. Do you know what dimensions you can use just yet? Thats gonna play a major role in what you do, obviously...

 

[Nemo128]

I'm not at home, but I can safely say I've got at least 4'W x 5"H x 2' D. I may have more on height, I know I could go more on depth, and width it's possible I could go up to 5'.

And I don't even care if I spend a lot, cuz it would be the right solution for our space. Under thr couch will be so easy to sneak in before the woman realizes it, and once she falls in love with the sound, the price won't put me in the doghouse.

My biggest concern is how deep it can reproduce and how clean it will sound. It doesn't need to feel like Zeus is reigning his wrath down upon my house.

 

[annunaki]

I would look at dual 8W7's vented for an under couch option. I would build a chamber that houses the actual woofer behind the couch (Assuming the couch uses an angled back) with a majority of the airspace being utilized under the couch.

The JL audio 13TW5 is an option also. 4.5-5ft^3 tuned to 22hz or so would work very well.

 

[MidnightSensi]

Since you are into car audio, maybe you have seen the Diamond Audio Hex shallow mount subwoofers?

http://www.diamondaudio.com/content/view/170/188/

12" sub only 3.1" mounting depth. With how long a couch is, I think you could make some pretty serious hidden bass. The frequency response of that driver isn't so hot though, but, I guess thats the tradeoff.

I like annunaki's idea of having a chamber behind the couch and then using under the couch as the airspace. But, for a completely under the couch subwoofer then you'd need to use something with a very shallow mounting depth.

 

[Nemo128]

I would look at dual 8W7's vented for an under couch option. I would build a chamber that houses the actual woofer behind the couch (Assuming the couch uses an angled back) with a majority of the airspace being utilized under the couch.

The JL audio 13TW5 is an option also. 4.5-5ft^3 tuned to 22hz or so would work very well.

I like that idea. W7s in cars hit hard and play so darn clean. But we're talking serious money to do that. Is it necessary? Also, under couch would be better in my case than behind, although it is an option. WAF is just much higher under the couch.

I think you need a better idea of my listening environment to see why I think it might be too much for my needs. Dual W7s, wow. Edit for clarity, you're right about the angled back couch. It's got legs and the seat section is high.

Since you are into car audio, maybe you have seen the Diamond Audio Hex shallow mount subwoofers?

12" sub only 3.1" mounting depth. With how long a couch is, I think you could make some pretty serious hidden bass. The frequency response of that driver isn't so hot though, but, I guess thats the tradeoff.

I like Diamond gear a lot, and the hex drivers are nice.

 

[lsiberian]

I'm not at home, but I can safely say I've got at least 4'W x 5"H x 2' D. I may have more on height, I know I could go more on depth, and width it's possible I could go up to 5'.

And I don't even care if I spend a lot, cuz it would be the right solution for our space. Under thr couch will be so easy to sneak in before the woman realizes it, and once she falls in love with the sound, the price won't put me in the doghouse.

My biggest concern is how deep it can reproduce and how clean it will sound. It doesn't need to feel like Zeus is reigning his wrath down upon my house.

This sounds like a lot of fun but isn't that what a tacticle transducer is for?

 

[Nemo128]

Like a Buttkicker? I dunno, is it? I never knew anything about those. I'd be interested if it serves the purpose.

I plan on keeping my Def Tech towers as full range fronts too, without the LFE input connected. I really like that DYI that was linked on PartsXpress. It looks great. But I really must have the deepest reproduction possible. Useful reproduction though.

 

[lsiberian]

Like a Buttkicker? I dunno, is it? I never knew anything about those. I'd be interested if it serves the purpose.

I plan on keeping my Def Tech towers as full range fronts too, without the LFE input connected. I really like that DYI that was linked on PartsXpress. It looks great. But I really must have the deepest reproduction possible. Useful reproduction though.

They basically are supposed to vibrate your couch with LFE.

 

[Nemo128]

Yeah, just read up. Seems for the price a DYI sub might be more useful, but I don't know that for a fact. Still, I'm very interested in some low-profile under-couch sub...

 

[adwilk]

This sounds like a lot of fun but isn't that what a tacticle transducer is for?

Yeah, those are interesting kind of... I didnt like them though.... cant really hear em. They feel cool though. I'd pair one with a really nice sub.

 

[annunaki]

I like that idea. W7s in cars hit hard and play so darn clean. But we're talking serious money to do that. Is it necessary? Also, under couch would be better in my case than behind, although it is an option. WAF is just much higher under the couch.

I think you need a better idea of my listening environment to see why I think it might be too much for my needs. Dual W7s, wow. Edit for clarity, you're right about the angled back couch. It's got legs and the seat section is high.



I like Diamond gear a lot, and the hex drivers are nice.

If you are going to do a custom solution, it is always nice to have great headroom available. Dual 8W7's would ensure that. A single 8W7 would also work well for a smaller room.

What are the usable dimensions under the couch? What is the measured gap behind the couch and the wall?

Knowing the volume available will help with some driver selection options.

 

[Nemo128]

annunaki, I'll get you real figures and location. It's... not an ideal listening environment. I'm trying to make the best of it.

 

[annunaki]

annunaki, I'll get you real figures and location. It's... not an ideal listening environment. I'm trying to make the best of it.

With real figures, it will give some idea of what is possible. I have experienced tactile transducers in the past. They are alright, but I much prefer real output as it feels more real world. Nearfiled sub placement can accomplish very similar results.

 

[MidnightSensi]

If you are going to do a custom solution, it is always nice to have great headroom available. Dual 8W7's would ensure that. A single 8W7 would also work well for a smaller room.

What are the usable dimensions under the couch? What is the measured gap behind the couch and the wall?

Knowing the volume available will help with some driver selection options.

Well I just measured mine and there is only 2" under it haha... BUT..the bottom of the couch has just a thin wrapping that you can press in and see that its hollow beneith. I think this is just to make the couch look finished. I didn't take a knife to it (yet) to see how much room is actually under there... but I bet there is some real room. Just pushing I get like 5 or 6".

I think this project is neatest if we designed something that only fit under most couches and didn't use anything behing. Because, lots of people have their couch sitting in the middle of the room so behind wouldn't work for hiding it. If there is room behind and its just up against a wall, then lots of stuff could be fit back there, even my giant. In that case, basically what I call a "truck box design" would work, like the car audio guys build for regular cab pickup trucks that fit the profile of the seat versus the rear firewall.

I bet under most of our couches is a lot ton of dead space. I think the design would require a low profile driver to work for most people. So far we have a Tang Bang and a Diamond, and I just found this on JL's website:

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_subs.php?series_id=30

3-ohm, just as a note.

 

[annunaki]

Well I just measured mine and there is only 2" under it haha... BUT..the bottom of the couch has just a thin wrapping that you can press in and see that its hollow beneith. I think this is just to make the couch look finished. I didn't take a knife to it (yet) to see how much room is actually under there... but I bet there is some real room. Just pushing I get like 5 or 6".

I think this project is neatest if we designed something that only fit under most couches and didn't use anything behing. Because, lots of people have their couch sitting in the middle of the room so behind wouldn't work for hiding it. If there is room behind and its just up against a wall, then lots of stuff could be fit back there, even my giant. In that case, basically what I call a "truck box design" would work, like the car audio guys build for regular cab pickup trucks that fit the profile of the seat versus the rear firewall.

I bet under most of our couches is a lot ton of dead space. I think the design would require a low profile driver to work for most people. So far we have a Tang Bang and a Diamond, and I just found this on JL's website:

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_subs.php?series_id=30

3-ohm, just as a note.

Most 3 ohm woofers from JL act more as a 4 ohm nominal in so far as the actual DCR is concerned. It would be worthwhile to check though prior to purchase or use.