Is IB bad?

[ivseenbetter]

Is Infinite Baffle a bad choice for subwoofer solutions? I notice there is barely any talk about IB on this website. I've only recently started reading up about it, but so far it appears to be a very cheap solution for getting excellent bass. What say ye audioholics?

 

[lsiberian]

Is Infinite Baffle a bad choice for subwoofer solutions? I notice there is barely any talk about IB on this website. I've only recently started reading up about it, but so far it appears to be a very cheap solution for getting excellent bass. What say ye audioholics?

Not at all. Every solution depends on circumstances. Most of us don't want to cut into our walls like that though.

 

[agarwalro]

IB = Insanely Badass Bass

If you can swing it and do it right, IB is the way to go (from what I hear/read).

 

[ivseenbetter]

I'm just surprised that it isn't discussed very often. I can understand shying away from cutting into wall, ceilings, or floors...but if somebody is willing to do DIY speakers then they have enought knowhow to get over cutting into their house.

So far, the worst thing I have read about IB is that it tends to be loud enough to bother neighbors. I really wonder about that though.

 

[pzaur]

I've been trying to convince my wife to let me build in infinite baffle woofer in our house for a while. She'll never buy it in, though...

IB is only bad when it's Irritable Bowel Syndrome!

-pat

 

[ivseenbetter]

LOL...yes, stay away from Irritable Bowel!

My wife doesn't want me hacking away at the house either. "IF" I decide to do this, I may build it and mount it...but have a general contractor come in and cut the hole and install the cover. Something simple like that shouldn't cost much and considering how much cheaper IB seems to be I think it would still cost less than most commercial solutions.

 

[ErinH]

My original plan was to put 2 AE IB15’s in the wall in my HT room. But, after the framing was finished we realized we could put a bathroom on the other side of the wall and then another bedroom upstairs. So, potential profit in the end trumped my measly sub-bass excitement. Though, I could still pull it off if I wanted to thanks to the room I left in my A/V closet.

Bottom line is this… it will rattle your house to death if you go too big. Bracing and isolation is key. I’ve gone IB in my car, and that was my first taste of IB. I haven’t ruled it out in the new house completely but I don’t really see it happening simply because we plan on moving in a couple years and I don’t see the point in jacking up the wall for a room I’ll rarely use.

But, yes, it has been discussed a small bit here. Your best bet is to join ‘the cult’ (of the infinitely baffled) forum.


Cutting the wall is easy. Essentially, an IB install is dang easy. You just gotta have cajones to cut the wall in the first place. My plan was to cut the square out of the closet, build the box inside (leaving the closet door open of course, which is on the other side of the HT room and in no way in anyone’s view) and use an air vent cover to conceal it on the HT side. My house has TONS of attic space on both sides of the room, so it’s still very possible that I could cut into the sides of the room and put a single 12” on each side. Again, I haven’t ruled it out, but the likelihood isn’t there.
You have options…

 

[pzaur]

LOL...yes, stay away from Irritable Bowel!

My wife doesn't want me hacking away at the house either. "IF" I decide to do this, I may build it and mount it...but have a general contractor come in and cut the hole and install the cover. Something simple like that shouldn't cost much and considering how much cheaper IB seems to be I think it would still cost less than most commercial solutions.

If you decide to do this, be sure to find all the wires run through your walls. I was lucky enough to be able to take "naked" pictures of the house and know where all the wires, tubes, plumbing are run. Definitely takes the fear of punching holes into my walls when I know where everything is.

-pat

 

[ivseenbetter]

I was thinking a ceiling install right into the attic would be the best fit. Wouldn't putting it in a closet or wall reduce it's effectiveness? I guess I need to check out this IB forum mentioned above. I just thought there would be more talk about it on Audioholics.

 

[ErinH]

In my case, the closet would be open.

Ceiling is fine, too. That’s still another option for me. But, I’m not too sure about localization of a sub in the ceiling.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I have considered this and still would like to do it at some point.

 

[Djizasse]

I have considered this and still would like to do it at some point.

Me and you. I just need to move to a new house, one without any neighbors

 

[mtrycrafts]

Not at all. Every solution depends on circumstances. Most of us don't want to cut into our walls like that though.

I don't think it is the walls but the needed space behind it and the neighbors ir it is an attic space or basement with vent to the outside.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...

So far, the worst thing I have read about IB is that it tends to be loud enough to bother neighbors. I really wonder about that though.

Think about cars with subs and going. You can hear them far away and I am not sure how loud they are listened to while driving. Neighbors tend to be close in many cases.

 

[mtrycrafts]

LOL...yes, stay away from Irritable Bowel!

My wife doesn't want me hacking away at the house either. "IF" I decide to do this, I may build it and mount it...but have a general contractor come in and cut the hole and install the cover. Something simple like that shouldn't cost much and considering how much cheaper IB seems to be I think it would still cost less than most commercial solutions.

Read the bottom section of Nousaine's tests where he shows the IBs he has tested.
Just remember, if you attach the speakers to the walls themselves, that may create an issue and the space behind the drivers, where that is and if it will bother the neighbors.

 

[ErinH]

Think about cars with subs and going. You can hear them far away and I am not sure how loud they are listened to while driving. Neighbors tend to be close in many cases.

yes, all due to wavelength. the lower the frequency, the longer the wavelength. note that you can't hear a person's high hats a tickin from a few cars back, but you can definately hear that monster bass rolleyes back there.

For example:
60hz wavelength = 18ft
6,000hz wavelenth = 0.18ft

Handy calculator:
http://www.mcsquared.com/wavelength.htm


Much more involved that than, because you could get into phase and more and I honestly haven't really looked into this topic in a couple years so I won't bother trying to go there. So, that's the 'in a nutshell' reason.

 

[pzaur]

Handy calculator:
http://www.mcsquared.com/wavelength.htm

Cool gizmo. I can use that in my classroom!

-pat

 

[bandphan]

getting excellent bass. What say ye audioholics

^ where do u fockers keep comming from

 

[ivseenbetter]

I don't live right on top of my neighbors but they are pretty close. I could throw a tennis ball and hit the side of their house.

I wish I could hear an IB setup before trying to do one. I would hate to do an install and then never use it because I refuse to be bothersome with my audio. That car analogy really turned me off from the whole project. I HATE it when folks share their music by turning up the bass in their car. It is so disrespectful. I can't imagine being that type of neighbor.

 

[mperfct]

I don't think that IB is as bad as IBS.