Another DIY Sub

[gellor]

So I'm inheriting an old, blown sub. A family here locally turned their 5.1 onkyo surround system (a larger system, not one of the little cube systems) in to the recycle center after the whold thing got damaged by a lightning strike. The sub is an 8" ported enclosure.

Currently, I have no sub at all and can't afford a proper sub for a while. (stupid air conditioning repair bill)

So...is it worth replacing the woofer and amp on a sub like that? If so, the two drivers I've found so far that might work would be the Dayton RS225S-8 8" Reference and the Ascendant Audio Assassin 8.

Both are around $50. Any recommendations? Also, for budget pricing, are Dayton sub amps worth it? Or are there better to be had for the money?

 

[j_garcia]

I would probably just save that money and put it towards a better sub, or buy the cheapest driver and amp you could get.

 

[tubesaregood]

Go for it. Any project is a good project, unless you're not going to keep it and you can't get your money back by selling it.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

You do realize the Fs on that Ascendant 8" driver is 46Hz. The Dayton driver is a bit better for HT bass, but I wouldn't expect too much in anything but a very small room. Dayton sub amps are fine. Heck, this experience may lead you to building a very nice DIY sub and save several hundred dollars once that A/C bill is paid.

 

[gellor]

You do realize the Fs on that Ascendant 8" driver is 46Hz. The Dayton driver is a bit better for HT bass, but I wouldn't expect too much in anything but a very small room. Dayton sub amps are fine. Heck, this experience may lead you to building a very nice DIY sub and save several hundred dollars once that A/C bill is paid.

I hadn't noticed that on the Ascendant...thanks for pointing it out. And I don't think the A/C bill will be paid for at least a year. $6000...ouch.

Odd question...I was looking at the Dayton kits and they had the egg crate foam, and I've seen sound dampening polyfill bags at parts express as well. Is this something that is necessary for a sub? (Ported) If so, how much? and where? (around the driver...filling the whole enclosure, etc)

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Technically, you don't need poly fill or foam in a ported sub. Many guys use it in sealed enclosures to trick the driver into thinking its in a larger enclosure. You're better off to dampen the room, rather than the box itself in a ported enclosure. My sealed enclosure in my truck is stuffed 70% with poly. It makes quite a difference.

Wow, $6000. That's one big home. We replaced ours a few years ago for $750, but it didn't include the furnace. Our home is only 2400 sq. ft.

 

[gellor]

Wow, $6000. That's one big home. We replaced ours a few years ago for $750, but it didn't include the furnace. Our home is only 2400 sq. ft.

Nope...not a big home. Its 1650 sq. ft. But both components (condenser and coil) went out at the same time. The condenser (outside unit) was $4000 and the coil was $2000. Plus an upgrade to the new refrigerant, repairing all of the leaking refrigerant lines, etc.

Oh...thanks for the info on the poly fill.

I know it won't be the greatest sub in the world, but i'll give me something fun to do for very little money.