Audiopulse has a pulse

[Swerd]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm tired of reading the endless debates over copper wire vs. coat-hanger wire or plasma vs. LCD… here is some real news.

It looks like Audiopulse has emerged from the ashes of TC Sounds. Before they went belly-up, TC Sounds made some of the very best bass drivers around. Their new web site seems to operate now.

Parts Express is selling their Epic 12" subwoofer for $254.

Does anyone remember TC Sound's old price for the equivalent model?

 

[Hipnotic4]

the old prices were verrrrry low. I have one of the original tc9 12 drivers. Gonna use it as an HT sub.

The old drivers were a steal, you can find the motors and get the soft parts put on for cheap. Check the car audio forums they are always floating around..

 

[tomd51]

I believe the Epic is the equivalent (or close to) the TC-1000 they used to offer. IIRC, before they went to Audiopulse, the TC-1000 was going for $199. Webarchive has the TC-1000 listed at $179, that would be a killer deal for that driver nowadays.

What's kind of weak is the fact that they're only offering the 12" Epic and only in the DVC configuration, not exactly ideal for DIY HT use.

I was lucky enough to scoop up two TC-12 OEMs when they had a sale on them and a TC-2000 from another DIY'er over at AVS last year, the two 12s are how I was bitten w/the DIY bug. I've done a couple builds for the TC-12s and they are power hungry beast, but boy can they kick in a small enclosure. I'm looking forward to the TC-2000 build, not so sure my wife is, though... -TD

 

[haraldo]

You may also look to soundsplinter
www.soundsplinter.com
that retails drivers manufactured by TC sounds, I'm not sure if they're still continuing to sell those drivers if TC sounds is not there anymore?

 

[no. 5]

PE is selling a few Audiopulse drivers... anyone know how they compare to the old TC Sounds models?

 

[Warpdrv]

When they changed the name of TC-Sounds to Audiopulse they changed the names of the drivers as well, although I believe they are virtually identical. I would say they are the same drivers.

I'm really glad that I got a pair of 15" TC-2000's for $275 each before they went belly up. Probably should have bought a dozen...

Here is the snapshot of the original page of TC-Sounds drivers.
http://web.archive.org/web/20070330041146/www.tcsounds.com/tcrawsubs.htm
For comparisons sake...


Not really sure if Parts express has just bought up the remaining inventory on these or if they will continue to be a steady supply of them, only time will tell.

 

[mike c]

I'm really glad that I got a pair of 15" TC-2000's for $275 each before they went belly up. Probably should have bought a dozen...

Here is the snapshot of the original page of TC-Sounds drivers.
http://web.archive.org/web/20070330041146/www.tcsounds.com/tcrawsubs.htm
For comparisons sake...

i really really wish i managed to get a hold of the 18" 5400. i emailed, i posted on their forums ... "here's my money, i want the 18" 5400!"

i remember telling myself, why should i buy from people who don't need my money. i'm a freakin idiot. or i think i remember them announcing that they'd go into commercial subs ... so maybe i thought i would wait for those ...

 

[tomd51]

If I'd had any idea TC Sounds were closing their ID option, I would have grabbed another TC-2000 15" as well.

I haven't had time to do anything w/the one I do have and I already have way too many subs and drivers that I'm not using, but I'm sure once I have it finished, I'll be wishing I had a pair... -TD

 

[Warpdrv]

My original plan was to make a large ported box, but after I got the JLF112, I might have to make a change in my strategy. I am really starting to fall for the nature of a good sealed sub... its just downright sweet. Tight, Accurate and it still does a great job with the low notes in HT. Maybe not as low as I would like, but it certainly packs a enough of a wallop.

I don't know, I just can't seem to make up my mind...

 

[tomd51]

I've considered both ported and sealed as well for mine. I used one of the two TC-12 OEM drivers I grabbed in a sealed 1.75 cf enclosure and it digs pretty well for a small box, though it seems to take a small power plant to drive.

I'm not sure the TC-2000 15" would do as well sealed, but I may mess around w/a test enclosure to see what it can do. Looking at them in WinISD, the 2000's enclosure would need to be closer to 3 cf to come close to the TC-12 OEM's performance, though it's far more efficient (88.5dB to 82 dB).

My only concern would be that I'm wasting what this driver would be capable of doing in a decent ported enclosure. Decisions, decisions... -TD

 

[Warpdrv]

Well the best scenario and I have gone over this time and time again, would be to do a 320L Ported box tuned to 14.5hz. But that is an enormous box.

But the Sealed has showed some amazing measurements, See here 90L sealed
http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/subwoofer-tests/5759-diy-tc-sounds-tc-2000-15-sealed-90l.html

Impressive...
I got 2 QSC 2502 amps, 1 for each, so power won't be an issue for me...

Here is the 270L ported, just a bit smaller, but if you add a bit more size to the cabinet, it measures out a bit better...
http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/subwoofer-tests/5758-diy-tc-sounds-tc-2000-15-ported-270l.html

 

[tomd51]

That is a huge enclosure, a 14.5 or even 16.5 tuning is pretty damn deep, but I suppose if it can do it, might as well. Thks for the link on Ilkka's sealed measurements, I hadn't seen that one before, good to know, though.

Those QSC amps are very nice, actually looked at them for a bit, but alas, they're a bit out of my price range. I'll likely go w/a Behringer EP-2500 for my next sub amp. I'm using a Buttkicker BKA-1000-4A for the sealed TC-12 OEM. Plenty of power, but b/c the TC-12s such a power hog, I can actually see the lights dim when I'm pounding out some loud music w/substantial bass.

I know I'll have to have an electrician come out at some point and run a couple of 15A dedicated for HT use, which shouldn't be too bad considering the fuse box is located w/in the same room, I'm just cringing at how much they'll gouge me on it... -TD

 

[Warpdrv]

I originally started off with the 320L @ 14.5 hz but I am rethinking that whole scenario. Even like you said, tuned to 16.5 is really a good low tuning, and these babies eat up tons of power. No wheres near the amount of power for Sealed scenarios, but it still nice to have it on tap.


I ran 2 dedicated 20 amp circuits myself with a buddy, and that was not fun with my layout, but at least its done and ready for serious amppage...

 

[tomd51]

Two dedicated 20A circuits?!? Daayyyum! Now that's what I'm-a talkin' abooot!

I'd love to do a cylinder tuned to 17hz or even 16.5Hz, could easily find placement for it, but finding an 18" or 20" concrete tube is a bit of a P.I.T.A.. I suppose I could always do the same thing w/an upright box, just might look a bit goofy... -TD

 

[Sheep]

You could always throw a Passive Rad on there..

SheepStar

 

[tomd51]

I haven't done enough research on using PRs to use them with any level of comfort. Doesn't the PR have to match the driver in certain criteria? If so, I think it may be a bit difficult considering TC Sound's current status... -TD

 

[Warpdrv]

Ultimately they stated to make a 20hz tune with a 15" TC-2000 you would need 1 18" Passive. If you wanted to tune much lower you should have 2 passives.

For a smaller driver, you could attain a lower tune really easily with 1 18" like the 2 I just sold...

 

[Warpdrv]

Two dedicated 20A circuits?!? Daayyyum! Now that's what I'm-a talkin' abooot!

I'd love to do a cylinder tuned to 17hz or even 16.5Hz, could easily find placement for it, but finding an 18" or 20" concrete tube is a bit of a P.I.T.A.. I suppose I could always do the same thing w/an upright box, just might look a bit goofy... -TD

Concrete tubes are really easy to find... just locate a concrete company in your area, they will most likely have them, or they can tell you where to get one..

 

[tomd51]

I'm not sure having an 18" PR or two would help keep the size of an enclosure down a whole lot. I suppose depending on the shape, it could be done.

That's true, I didn't consider calling a concrete company directly. I'm surprised they aren't more readily accessible via some hardware stores or online, just an added convenience, but I suppose there's probably not a huge market for these outside concrete companies... -TD

 

[Warpdrv]

A front firing driver, with a side firing Passive is easy enough to implement.
See here. http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/subwoofer-tests/8156-diy-tc-sounds-lms-5400-18-2x18-page-ranking-200l-new.html

That sub is perhaps one of the best measuring subs I have ever seen.

I just figured that either sealed or Ported would be the way to go, and I couldn't get anymore of those Passives to make a box like that, and they are also a very expensive way to do a sub as the TC Passives were almost the same price of the subs themselves at the time...