Infinite Baffle Subwoofers

[Beatmatcher247]

These are way outside of my price range but I was curious as to whether any one here with experience in really high-end installations has either done one of these or heard one setup correctly. If so, what are your thoughts on them.

Looking for information and measurements on some of these but have not been able to find much solid information regarding them.

This answers some of my questions but I'd like to hear about any of your first-hand experiences with these be it building them or listening.

IB subwoofer FAQ page

 

[lsiberian]

These are way outside of my price range but I was curious as to whether any one here with experience in really high-end installations has either done one of these or heard one setup correctly. If so, what are your thoughts on them.

Looking for information and measurements on some of these but have not been able to find much solid information regarding them.

This answers some of my questions but I'd like to hear about any of your first-hand experiences with these be it building them or listening.

IB subwoofer FAQ page

They are probably the best bass you can get with the right drivers. You can mount them in the ceiling or in the wall. If was gonna be in a home for more than 5 years I'd probably install 4 Dayton Reference 15" drivers as IBs in the ceiling.

 

[gtpsuper24]

AE makes a good IB driver. Fi audio makes an 18" IB driver too.
AE Speakers --- Superb Quality, Unforgettable Performance, Definitely.
https://ssl.perfora.net/www.ficaraudio.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=154ed8010cccb8a/shopdata/0050_Speakers/0050_IB3/product_overview.shopscript

You can't go wrong with IB if its done correctly. Huge output and extension, very very few if any box subwoofers could compete with a good IB setup.

 

[Beatmatcher247]

Apparently these are not as expensive to do as I had thought. I had looked a while back and saw something that looked similar to a radiator fan and the price to install was like 30k.

In my theater room, on the opposite side of the wall the display is mounted to, is the garage. Is a garage conducive for infinite baffle? Do you think that would sound like hell to my neighbors? How would say, (2) LMS-5400s be? Are the Daytons a better solution for an infinite baffle application for some reason?

 

[gtpsuper24]

The Eminent Technology Fan sub isn't an IB setup. The TRW fan woofer is only good from 20hrz down to 0hrz. It doesn't actually make a sound like normal woofers do it just a pressure feel and tactile feel only.

I don't think the LMS drivers are designed for IB, I think they excel in a ported or sealed box not IB. Find one thats made just for IB like the AE or Fi, don't know much about the Dayton drivers. Most IBs i've seen have 4 drivers together, to cancel out vibrations.

 

[lsiberian]

The Eminent Technology Fan sub isn't an IB setup. The TRW fan woofer is only good from 20hrz down to 0hrz. It doesn't actually make a sound like normal woofers do it just a pressure feel and tactile feel only.

I don't think the LMS drivers are designed for IB, I think they excel in a ported or sealed box not IB. Find one thats made just for IB like the AE or Fi, don't know much about the Dayton drivers. Most IBs i've seen have 4 drivers together, to cancel out vibrations.

The LMS subs can work in IB just fine. They are the best drivers in the world. Of course you don't need them and would do fine with Dayton or some of the other drivers.

 

[Beatmatcher247]

This is really interesting. Infinite Baffle using the garage as its infinite baffle would sound like all hell is breaking loose to my neighbors next door, wouldn't it?

Also, if you have some unwanted resonating through your structure with boxed subs, being their mounted within the structure, and using the structure as their box, you would be more likely to have more unwanted resonating with IB than with traditional boxed subs in the listening room too, yes?

 

[lsiberian]

This is really interesting. Infinite Baffle using the garage as its infinite baffle would sound like all hell is breaking loose to my neighbors next door, wouldn't it?

Also, if you have some unwanted resonating through your structure with boxed subs, being their mounted within the structure, and using the structure as their box, you would be more likely to have more unwanted resonating with IB than with traditional boxed subs in the listening room too, yes?

An infinite baffle sub doesn't use an enclosure. Essentially all the baffle does is separate the front from the back. I recommend 4 drivers. It's actually one of the easier builds assuming you know anything about construction. Neighbor complaints can be reduced by crossing over lower than 80hz. It's best to keep the driver number even for wiring simplicity.

https://ssl.perfora.net/www.ficaraudio.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=154ed8e8bb5703a/shopdata/0050_Speakers/0050_IB3/product_overview.shopscript

I recommend the 4 of the 18" drivers above. Get the 4ohm and you should be set. You will need to build a manifold for the drivers. I recommend using 3/4" Plywood and I'd use two sheets for double thickness. You can use a box method where all the drivers fire into a space that opens to the room.

Infinite Baffle Subwoofer

You will want to use an eq system with rew and a pro amp to drive them.

 

[gtpsuper24]

The LMS subs can work in IB just fine. They are the best drivers in the world. Of course you don't need them and would do fine with Dayton or some of the other drivers.

They have a lower Qts than what you would use for a IB but the Xmax would probably help. Just though they are kind of expensive for a less than optimul use. But I do agree they are the best drivers out there, my dream sub for sure.

 

[timoteo]

I have been waiting for responses to this post as well. I tpo have been reading a lot about IB subs. The PE 15"'IB sub is the one im thinking of. I have the option of a manifold in the ceiling or the floor since im on a raised foundation. I am a construction worker so i have the knowledge & the tools to do it all myself. I rent a home but i could easily patch up the whole if i ever moved.

So im thinking of 4 of the 15" PE subs. With them all firing at eachother in the manifold im assuming the cancellation should really keep vibrations to a minimum. Am i correct on this?

Also, would it be better to have all 4 in a manifold or have 2 manifolds with 2 in each. I could have 1 up front & 1 in the rear of the room. This would give me better room response right? I just dont know if i want to cut out 2 holes.

Would the bass outside my house be lower if the manifold is in the floor under the house as opposed to in the attic? To me it seems the concrete foundation walls would be better at isolating the bass compared to the wood roof & stucco walls.

These may be simple questions but i am JUST getting into the planning stages of this possible IB project.

I asked my wife lastnight: " Hey hun how would you like for us to have better & more bass then we have now & yet not have any large subs in the livingroom!?" the look on her face was priceless! I think shes in

Im fortunate to have a wife that is accepting of this hobby & "allows" me to have 2 subs in the room, 1 being huge too. But even i would preffer to not have a huge box in the room. So im hoping this IB pans out! Thx for your help with these questions!!

(im not trying to highjack this thread just hoping to add answers to this topic)

 

[lsiberian]

They have a lower Qts than what you would use for a IB but the Xmax would probably help. Just though they are kind of expensive for a less than optimul use. But I do agree they are the best drivers out there, my dream sub for sure.

TC does make an IB sub or they did make one. (I"m not sure if they still do) But 4 of the FI's are going to fill any room IMO.

IB subs are basically the king of very low LFE because they have no limiting airspace. But you do want to be careful not to blow them.

 

[lsiberian]

I have been waiting for responses to this post as well. I tpo have been reading a lot about IB subs. The PE 15"'IB sub is the one im thinking of. I have the option of a manifold in the ceiling or the floor since im on a raised foundation. I am a construction worker so i have the knowledge & the tools to do it all myself. I rent a home but i could easily patch up the whole if i ever moved.

So im thinking of 4 of the 15" PE subs. With them all firing at eachother in the manifold im assuming the cancellation should really keep vibrations to a minimum. Am i correct on this?

Also, would it be better to have all 4 in a manifold or have 2 manifolds with 2 in each. I could have 1 up front & 1 in the rear of the room. This would give me better room response right? I just dont know if i want to cut out 2 holes.

Would the bass outside my house be lower if the manifold is in the floor under the house as opposed to in the attic? To me it seems the concrete foundation walls would be better at isolating the bass compared to the wood roof & stucco walls.

These may be simple questions but i am JUST getting into the planning stages of this possible IB project.

I asked my wife lastnight: " Hey hun how would you like for us to have better & more bass then we have now & yet not have any large subs in the livingroom!?" the look on her face was priceless! I think shes in

Im fortunate to have a wife that is accepting of this hobby & "allows" me to have 2 subs in the room, 1 being huge too. But even i would preffer to not have a huge box in the room. So im hoping this IB pans out! Thx for your help with these questions!!

(im not trying to highjack this thread just hoping to add answers to this topic)

If you have a sub. I recommend you do a crawl test taking measurements for each spot you are considering. Every room is different and identifying the prime spots would go a long way to insuring the best performance.

 

[Beatmatcher247]

Im really curious if any of you have heard, or i should say felt one of eminent technologies rotary subwoofers.

 

[timoteo]

The FI IB subs look really nice. For $209 (15") & $239 (18") they seem to be a hard sub to beat. All the talk on them is rewlly good from what ive seen.

Is the FI 15" better than the PE 15"?...

It seems to be. Since the price between the 15"&18" is only about $30 i would probably just go the route of 4-18" in a single manifold.

What amplifier would be recommended for either 4 FI 15"s or 4 FI 18"s?...

This all seems too good to be true for the money. What, $1200-$1400 & some fun work, for some insane bass!!? If thats the case then im in.

Is an EQ system absolutely needed when running an IB sub?

I have a spot in my room, where my VTF-15h is, that gives me a good response. So im thinking of having the manifold either in the floor at that spot or in the ceiling at that spot.

 

[lsiberian]

The FI IB subs look really nice. For $209 (15") & $239 (18") they seem to be a hard sub to beat. All the talk on them is rewlly good from what ive seen.

Is the FI 15" better than the PE 15"?...

It seems to be. Since the price between the 15"&18" is only about $30 i would probably just go the route of 4-18" in a single manifold.

What amplifier would be recommended for either 4 FI 15"s or 4 FI 18"s?...

This all seems too good to be true for the money. What, $1200-$1400 & some fun work, for some insane bass!!? If thats the case then im in.

Is an EQ system absolutely needed when running an IB sub?

I have a spot in my room, where my VTF-15h is, that gives me a good response. So im thinking of having the manifold either in the floor at that spot or in the ceiling at that spot.

Don't think a construction project is easy. Especially for the novice. There is a lot to learn about tools, walls and electronics. Considering all the effort and cost adding an IB manifiold I think not using an EQ system would be crazy, you could certainly go without until you could afford it. But a Behringer Feedback Destroyer or minidsp isn't that expensive.

Do you have the tools necessary to do the construction? Be prepared to do some homework. It's hard work building a subwoofer. Not nearly as hard a speakers, but still a challenge.

You will want a pro amp to drive the subs. There are many options. Crown, Peavey, and Yamaha are all excellent choices. I believe the IPR series would do the job for 4 FI Audios, but you might want a pair of amps to drive the subs. Those are things easily changed though. The heavy lifting is in the construction. Do you want to do a flat manifold or box manifold? for the attic I suggest a box manifold. You might even be able to disguise it.

 

[Warpdrv]

This is the wrong forum for IB....

Head on over to the Cult

"Cult of the Infinitely Baffled"Hear The Bass, Not The Box The definitive online resource for Infinite Baffle subwoofer designEstablished 1999 - Home

 

[timoteo]

Thanks Isiberian for the recommendations for amps! As far as the construction part, yes i have the tools, knowhow & experience. Ive been in bathroom/kitchen remodeling for over 10years. So to be honest, that is the easy & fun part. I think you are right about needing an EQ. I will factor that into my budget. Thanks!

Warpdrv: thank you for the link to the IB Cult. I have already been reading a lot on that site for a few weeks now. Its a very intuitive site for this killer sub setup. Im glad i found out about it!

I am curious however, why is it you feel we need to take this conversation to another forum?

We are in the subwoofer section of audioholics. An IB subwoofer is still a subwoofer. There was already this thread started by another member. Both him & i have been getting good advice & the back/forth has been nothing but respectful.

Is there somewhere in the terms & conditions that prohibits discussions on this one type of sub?

Im not being rude, i am just takin back by your request. I will gladly take this conversation elsewhere if there is reason too. I just dont feel there is a reason to.

 

[Warpdrv]

I didn't suggest that you take the discussion elsewhere - sorry if that was implied, not what I meant....

There are very few discussions about IB here and felt that you'd be better served in getting more solid feedback from the Professionals on that site...

If you are already aware of that site, then my post was just a reiteration to the knowledge that is at a dedicated forum such as the Cult...

Good luck on your adventure to a far less expensive method of getting huge bass.... I haven't had the pleasure of hearing an IB setup, but from what I have read, it lies somewhere in between a really good sealed setup and a ported in SQ.

 

[lsiberian]

A person with your building experience has no need to ever buy a sub IMO. I would ask you to photograph your build so we have some more cataloged builds. If only the apartment let me cut holes in the roof.

 

[timoteo]

Warpdrv: Cool now i know what you meant. Like i said i am just now in the early learning stages of IB. Since this is really the only forum that i visit daily it was just convenient for me to get feedback here. This is one of the few sites that responds within minutes or hours. Just like your response about thw "cult"

Isiberian: Yes i will absolutely post pics of my IB project. Like i said, it is still early & id probably have to sell my 15H in order to fund the project. So as of right now its a lot of reading, posting & getting a game plan. Then of course comes "growing some b@lls" & taking the plung. Selling my beloved VTF-15h for something ive never heard in person then hacking up my house is gonna take some faith, haha!!

I just finished a little sealed enclosure build for a simple 10" Boston G2 sub for my ride. That was a fun little project with great results. Im not sure how soon this IB build will be but i promise, you guys will be the first to hear about it & first to see pics!!