In-wall sub decision

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Jhami3

Audiophyte
Hi. Long-time reader, first-time poster.

We just started a new home construction and I'm trying to make some home-theater decisions for our living room. The toughest decision so far has been the subwoofer. I have been looking at a few options to put the subwoofer behind a wall (there is actually a pretty ideal place to put one in our floorplan), but there are a lot of new products out there and few reviews to go off of. Furthermore, I don't want to spend a small fortune on one speaker (would prefer not to exceed $1500).

I notice there are a lot of subwoofers being sold out there with these large in-wall cabinets/boxes. I understand in a vague sense why this might be superior to a simpler in-wall speaker enclosure, but I have to wonder if there is really any evidence (even just subjective experience) to support this notion?

I've honed in on 3 different options:
1) Speakercraft Cinema Sub 10, with in-wall box and external amplifier
2) RBH SI-10, with in-wall box and external amplifier
3) Axiom Audio EP500 In-Cabinet model (a full-sized speaker and enclosure, but there is space in the wall to do this), with external amplifier

Many other options I've found are either a) smaller, or b) more expensive. Also, as a side note, I'm using Axiom bookshelf speakers at the present time, if anyone thinks that matters (I was thinking of using axiom Q8s as surround speakers for this system).

I'd appreciate any thoughts people had.
Thanks.
 
ImcLoud

ImcLoud

Audioholic Ninja
Welcome...

What are the room dimensions, all of the subs you listed are lacking when it comes to a "good" loud sub...

I build houses {or used to when people had money :rolleyes: } and knowing what I know about home theater {which isnt a huge amount, but Im a good listener} you are not going to be happy with a built in sub...

If you want to get ready for a nice system, put a screen shot up here of the room plan, and let the guys here give you suggestions on where to have your wiring plates ran, if you want to build something in, build in a component closet.

I know if I were rebuilding my house {its a year old lol}, I would have built in a component closet and ran my wires a little different... I did run a sub wire but I wish I ran it to 2 spots so I could run dual subs easily {and I wish I ran XLR and RCA to each spot}, I also wish I ran a few more RCA and HDMI cables from the component rack to the TV... plus haveing provision for a center channel to slide into the wall a little, instead of mount on the wall would be nice... But shes all painted now, no turning back :) ...

Anyway, as far as built in subs go I wouldn't bother but if I had to, the only one I would consider is... Home Audio - In-Wall Subwoofers problem is the price at $4500 each, they are not in many peoples budget...

An affordable option and what I would lean towards, is to have a box builder like {tekton designs, or their are a couple guys on here, annunaki's work looks really good} build you an enclosure, that will fit between your studs {going to look just like that JL audio sub} and then pick a sub {something in your budget} and pick an amplifier...

Build the enclosure- $300 {give or take} I did some quick math, just for fun, if you want to build a box close to what jl audio recommends {sealed - .80}, using 3/4 mdf with no bracing your box dimensions would be 14 1/2 X 3 1/2 {that is what you have in a 2 x 4 wall} X 58" tall will get you there... But JL audio posts there dimensions for the IWS on their sight, you could have your builder follow that, but I would go stud to stud and sheet rock to sheet rock...

Sub $ 600 for round numbers after you buy wire and a grill - http://www.ebay.com/itm/JL-AUDIO-13TW5V2-4-CAR-13-5-4-OHM-1200W-MAX-SHALLOW-MOUNT-SUBWOOFER-SPEAKER-NEW-/120998786773?pt=Car_Subwoofers_Enclosures&hash=item1c2c16f6d5&vxp=mtr

Then an amplifier, I wouldn't use a plate for a built in... http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/amplifiers/products/xpa100

So the sub, enclosure and amp will be in your budget and would be one heck of a unit..


That ampl will push 400watts at 4 ohms IT WILL BE LOUD
 
Last edited:
J

jostenmeat

Audioholic Spartan
Jhami3 said:
Hi. Long-time reader, first-time poster.

*SNIP*

I'd appreciate any thoughts people had.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Hello Jhami3, welcome to the forum.

You need to start reading up like crazy on infinite baffle subwoofers.

There is even a dedicated forum somewhere, called something like Cult of the Infinitely Baffled, or something like that.

Your setup may not be conducive, but it's sure worth looking into.

Ok yep, here it is. Google around too, they're discussed in other places as well.
http://ibsubwoofers.proboards.com/index.cgi
 
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