Sub construction help

[Ares2424]

I used to think that I had at least a passable knowledge of speakers and sound systems. After reading through this site for a couple hours I now know better, I know NOTHING!
Anyway, I recently got 2 woofers out of cerwin vega SE300 tower speakers. I am planning to make a subwoofer out of them, more for the challenge then to get a really good speaker. Here come the noob questions!

1 - should I put them in the same box or split them in my room?
2 - how can I power them, will a standard stereo amp work on the sub output of my avr?

Any other words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated

PS I apologize if this has been dealt with on the forums already but I got thru about 20 pages and decided to take the easy way out

 

[adwilk]

Welcome to AH, and I commend you for reading through some posts before just posting...

Those drivers aren't meant to be used as subs or LFE drivers. They won't provide either the extension or SPL for your application. If you want to build a quality subwoofer, then you should probably look at getting a different driver(s).

To answer your questions though, in a hypothetical world where you actually proceeded with the project, (you really shouldn't "waste" the resources) then I would split them up, and technically, "yes" you could use a standard stereo amp and the sub pre out on a processor. An eq should be used to cut off lower frequencies that the drivers cant handle or will you fry them. You probably will anyways.

 

[Ares2424]

Thanx adwilk

Ok then, I will start with the drivers that I have and swap them out later to something that is recommended by a guru. I am not looking to blow my budget on speakers right now anyway, I think my wife would have a problem with that.....
Therefore my next noob question would be what difference is made by the speaker for the enclosure, ie if I swap out the ones I have for the better ones later will the box still work.
Just fyi, I am not against blowing up the speakers, they were free anyway

Continuing with the noob, can I get an idiots rendition on eq's with subs

I am willing to start looking at drivers, any suggestions?

And finally, in the event that I don't blow these up, what should I do with them?

That is a lot of noob questions, sorry :/

 

[adwilk]

The problem is that the enclosure HAS to be constructed specifically for a driver. Just cause the driver fits in the hole doesn't mean it will work appropriately. Your drivers are 12" so in theory you could pick out a driver you'd like to eventually use, construct the enclosures based on that and then load up the vega drivers just for fun. But don't expect much. The EQ/Xover configuration simply allows the driver to just play the frequencies you want it to. Add some boosting here or there within its capabilities to flatten its response.

As far as recommendations, totally depends on your budget. Keep in mind as well that as you start shopping for actual sub drivers, the stereo amp type that i think your thinking of will be inadequate.

I'd start with determining what your budget might be, and work to make ONE good sub, you can always add another later.

 

[lsiberian]

you'd need to measure the T/S parameters with a Dayton Woofer Tester before a box could be designed or suitability established.

 

[Ares2424]

the stereo amp that i am thinking is just for these speakers

the budget is flexible but right now i am thinking about $1000 for the building costs for 2 pcs.
I know I could probably buy for that price and be very happy, but that isn't the point this time around. I have a sub that i am very happy with it is an Energy 8" that is quite impressive for it's size(which was a sticking point at the time)
I assume that there are amps specifically designed for subs. I will want to have seperatre amps for the drivers because they will be far apart in the final product if it will be better sound.

Feel free to tell me that I am on a fools errand.

All input is greatly appreciated

 

[Ares2424]

you'd need to measure the T/S parameters with a Dayton Woofer Tester before a box could be designed or suitability established.

Unfortunately I do not know what T/S parameters are, I assume they are specific to each speaker

 

[TLS Guy]

Unfortunately I do not know what T/S parameters are, I assume they are specific to each speaker

Here you go.

 

[adwilk]

the stereo amp that i am thinking is just for these speakers

the budget is flexible but right now i am thinking about $1000 for the building costs for 2 pcs.

If your total budget is a grand then just get rid of those things. You can build a KILLER sub for a grand. KILLER. I wonder what WmAx's latest for that price would be... hmmm....

 

[Ares2424]

A killer sub or the pair. I am willing to limit to a single unit if the i can get better sound but would be happy to do 2 aswell.
Will continue to attempt to learn more. Tnx TLS guy for the link to get my noob head around a few more abbreviations

 

[Ares2424]

Well, I think I have givin up on the ported models. Calculations seem a bit too complicated and easy to screw up for me.

 

[lsiberian]

Well, I think I have givin up on the ported models. Calculations seem a bit too complicated and easy to screw up for me.

It's not really that hard. You could always do a Kit.

http://www.creativesound.ca/details.php?model=QUARTET15

Uses an XBL^2 motor has plenty of extension and power.

If you want a pieced together build I could do that as well. How accurate of a cutter are you? Do you think you could build the box in the first thread? Do you have tools already?

 

[lsiberian]

http://www.soundsplinter.com/rls15_subwoofer_information.html

paired with

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHEP2000

and

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHDSP1124P


Would give you the best 15" sub in the world paired with a great amp and EQ system.

Just put it in a sealed box and stuff it with 3 or 4 pillows.

 

[TLS Guy]

Well, I think I have givin up on the ported models. Calculations seem a bit too complicated and easy to screw up for me.

Then you give up far too easily. Just be patient and study a little longer. You can follow designs on these forums or learn to roll you own. You will get a much better sub if build it yourself.

A sealed sub is actually harder, as you need active equalization. Also the cost will be much higher, as the drivers for sealed use are much more expensive.

You can preview a number of drivers here and look at projected performance.

 

[Ares2424]

Alrighty then, no giving up, just patience. I don't know why I am being impatient, I don't plan on having completed the project until probably May. I was reading that I have to be exact with vent sizes and such and therefore sealed being easier. BUT, I have been wrong before!

Construction of the box shouldn't be a problem, I build houses for a living so a sub box failure means I need a new line of employment




I think I have figured out why I am impatient, everytime I start looking through this stuff and what I want to buy I start to get excited and begin to think like a 4 year old....

 

[Ares2424]

http://www.soundsplinter.com/rls15_subwoofer_information.html

paired with

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHEP2000

and

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHDSP1124P


Would give you the best 15" sub in the world paired with a great amp and EQ system.

Just put it in a sealed box and stuff it with 3 or 4 pillows.

I am really liking this idea but I do have a concern. Will my house survive said woofer?

The true pain in the *** is getting these devices in Canada. If I get really stuck I do have a friend that lives in the US, not that far away, and could get things sent there.

 

[Ares2424]

I am cureently lookin forward to the point where i can afford the particular speakers for this build. Until then I will just dream and pretend.

Thanx to everyone
Jason

 

[Ares2424]

Right now i am trying to consider build that include my currrent from speaker setup.

I will contunue my monologue in hopes for a helpful bit of genious!

 

[lsiberian]

I am really liking this idea but I do have a concern. Will my house survive said woofer?

The true pain in the *** is getting these devices in Canada. If I get really stuck I do have a friend that lives in the US, not that far away, and could get things sent there.

It should and if it doesn't you have other issues. It would be an amazing sub. Though. If want to port it you could try out the PR they released for it. You'd need a Reckhorn instead of the Feedback Destroyer for a Subsonic Filter.

 

[Ares2424]

More noob questions....
The subwoofer recommendation from lsiberian has a 2000W, 3 Ohm sub powered by a 2000W @ 4ohm amp when bridged. Isn't that bad?

I am not sure that I should have looked into all this speaker stuff, makes me want to start improving all of my other speakers aswell.
Until that can become a financial reality, maybe I will try to use my 12" vega's to boost the low-mid range of my fronts. I figure that is what they were designed for. However, to do that I now have to learn about Xovers and such, I think....

On the bright side, I like to learn about this stuff I just wish I knew someone that could answer all of my questions in person, save me from posting stupid questions that all can see(jk).