Cheap, simple, first time DIY sub

[alexwakelin]

I'm currently looking to replace my Dayton 8" sub, which is going to be moved to my computer room. First of all, this is going to be a budget project. I was originally going to order they dayton 12" sub, but after reading a lot of posts in this forum I've been itching to try to build my own. I was thinking of using an Audiosource Amp One, which can be had for $100 or less from ebay, and using a driver like http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=295-490

Around the $100 price range many plate amps don't live up to their specs (or so I have read), I read a review which says the Audiosource comes pretty close to it's rated 200 watts bridged.

Pretty much anything would be an upgrade to the sub I have right now, but would these parts give me decent performance? Many of the reviews of the Dayton Sub 120 say that the cabinet build quality and materials are lacking...if I keep things simple and go with a sealed enclosure I think I could build a pretty solid braced box. Plans like the ported box for the Infinity Kappa look a bit complicated for me as this is my first project.

It looks like I could build something for under $200 total, but would I be wasting my time? Would the Dayton sub 120 be a better choice, or for under my $200 budget could I build something better? The driver I listed says 25hz, would I get that out of a sealed enclosure? If there's a more suitable driver/amp that will keep me within my budget I'm open to suggestions. Thanks for helping out a noob.

 

[alexwakelin]

Hmm, can't seem to find the darn edit button. Anyway, I think I could step up to this driver if it would give a substantial performance increase and the Audiosource amp is capable of driving it. $82 for this 15" is pretty much the max I can really allocate for the driver in this project.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=295-470

I'll download winisd when I get home tonight and start playing with it.

 

[alexwakelin]

OK, I've downloaded and started playing with WinISD. Here's what I've come up with so far for the dayton 15" driver.

Am I missing anyting? Does this look like it will work or do I have no idea what I am doing (even if it will work I still think I have no idea what I am doing)? I recall reading somewhere that port velocity should be less than 112 ft/s, is this correct?

Edit: Can you tell I'm having fun here?

SPL

Cone excursion

 

[annunaki]

The vent should probably be a bit bigger, use a slot vent with something around 32in^2. I bet if you lower the tuning frequency by one 1hz it will help smooth the slight hump in response.

 

[alexwakelin]

Well, once I looked at the amount of space I have for a sub and measured out how big this box was actually going to be I had to scrap this project. I started looking for a different driver and I scored a used kappa perect 12 from ebay for $60 I'm working on getting that driver into a 4 cubic foot vented box.

 

[annunaki]

4Ft^3 net should be possible. If it is the VQ model, you should be able to take it down to 3.55 ft^3 net or so. Gross volume is usually around 5.5ft^3 though to allow for the large vent needed.