Diy jl audio 12w7

[UH Matt]

When mounting a sub is there a certain amount of material you need on the edges?

 

[lsiberian]

When mounting a sub is there a certain amount of material you need on the edges?

I'm not sure your question. but I think flush mounting the driver is always best when possible. To do this I suggest doubling the baffle.

I think you've over thought this. Pick something and build it! You never know until you try. The most fun part of DIY is the building portion. Getting to power up the saw and rip the wood. Routing the baffles. Gluing and clamping. Flush trim routing. Sanding down an edge.

Make sure you wear ear protection and eye protection and a face mask.

We want you to enjoy this hobby for years to come.

What you should be asking about is tools. Not drivers. Once you planned a build execute it.

I suggest you start with either the JL Audio 12w7 or the Shiva-X Put them in a sealed box. And then later try a ported box. See which you prefer. Plywood or MDF is cheap so you can try all sorts of things. Once you get the box you like then it's time to build your own speakers.

Remember these are toys to be played with. Not life or death decisions. If your stressing then you need a reality check. It's pretty hard to build a bad subwoofer box. If you follow general guidelines.

If you buy any good driver it will have potential so just get a driver you like. And move on to building. I also suggest watching Home Improvement as the show is a welcome comedy after a good day of wood working.

 

[UH Matt]

I guess i was trying to say if i flush mount the maelstrom could the outter baffle only be 20"? I guess im just trying to see what the min width could be, easier to convince my gf its not going to look bad.

 

[lsiberian]

I guess i was trying to say if i flush mount the maelstrom could the outter baffle only be 20"? I guess im just trying to see what the min width could be, easier to convince my gf its not going to look bad.

Matt. If you do this build right it will look great. If you double the baffle you should be ok.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1051665

check out this build.

24" seems to work well for the width.

I would think 20" would be cutting it a tad close. But add a couple more inches and you might be set.

If she doesn't like it you can always sell the driver and get a shiva. I'm sure plenty of folks would be interested in it. I would add the baffle at the end try the sub in a couple of days and Put it in the living room with a nice veener or paint job. Depending on your decor. Never hurts to try. Maybe you can build her a nice shelf to match the sub.

 

[UH Matt]

Thats what im gonig to do, just build it and stop thinking about it. if it doesnt work out i could have some fun with a sledge hammer lol. Thanks for the advice and hopefully ill start building in a couple weeks.

 

[lsiberian]

Thats what im gonig to do, just build it and stop thinking about it. if it doesnt work out i could have some fun with a sledge hammer lol. Thanks for the advice and hopefully ill start building in a couple weeks.

If it's nice enough you can always sell the box.

Don't use MDF for that size box though. Use Birch Ply Just in case you need to move it someday. I know MDF is cheaper, but not by much and your back will thank you later.

FYI the Maelstrom isn't in stock. ATM. I think most folks would be satisfied with a Sealed Shiva.

So it will give you time to save for it.

don't buy any amps until you have it almost done. If something doesn't work you want to be able to return it.

 

[UH Matt]

I bought the amp last week but i have insurance that will cover it so it should be ok. Ill keep that in mind for next time though. Thanks again for the advice.

 

[lsiberian]

I bought the amp last week but i have insurance that will cover it so it should be ok. Ill keep that in mind for next time though. Thanks again for the advice.

Hey please start a thread in the DIY area for your build.

Also put your system in the member systems gallery.

We like to see other people's setups.

 

[annunaki]

The shiva-x has not the ultra low power compression of the W7 or even the Axis to handle EQ at low frequencies. The W7 is not overpriced if purchasing online. Unless you have used one personally you may be underestimating its capabilities.

To the OP, see my build thread on my W7. It is a superb performer all around.


No doubts though the Maelstrom-x is worth a serious look if space allows though.

 

[lsiberian]

The shiva-x has not the ultra low power compression of the W7 or even the Axis to handle EQ at low frequencies. The W7 is not overpriced if purchasing online. Unless you have used one personally you may be underestimating its capabilities.

To the OP, see my build thread on my W7. It is a superb performer all around.


No doubts though the Maelstrom-x is worth a serious look if space allows though.

Not to hijack the thread. But I found both to model similarly well. Of course I would expect th 12w7 to best a Shiva in practice. It was simply offered as a cost effective reasonable alternative to the jl 12w7.

The 12" Axis is great for a ported design but I really struggled to get it working in a sealed design well.

But I think at that price you might as well take the maelstrom dive.

However the W7s are no slouches and we have a box here that with some mods works really well with a w7. It's similar in size to the sealed maelstrom.

 

[annunaki]

The sealed enclosure I use for my W7 is quite small. 2.17 ft^3 net volume. Modeling of drivers does not take into account their dynamic capabilities such as linearity, or power compression, specifically at high outputs.


In modeling the Maelstrom-x, I would not run it any smaller than 4.0 ft^3 net. 3.0 ft^3 net only if one has a quality eq.

 

[WmAx]

The JL 8W7 in ported cabinet is the best option if you want the smallest possible subwoofer that still offers impressive 20Hz output with low distortion.

This 8" will produce the same clear output as most good 12" drivers, in real world performance.



-Chris

 

[lsiberian]

The JL 8W7 in ported cabinet is the best option if you want the smallest possible subwoofer that still offers impressive 20Hz output with low distortion.

This 8" will produce the same clear output as most good 12" drivers, in real world performance.



-Chris

Yeah if you want a small subwoofer you should use the JL 8w7 driver. It can be used in around a 1.5 cuft box with around 106 db at 20hz.

With room gain and corner loading your looking at 112 db probably. For a box of 1.5 cuft with an 8" driver that's just crazy. That driver is still on my short list for the bottom sub.

 

[UH Matt]

I dont really need the smallest box, i think i have her talked into a box around 4cu ft at most. Ive heard 8w7's in the car audio world and i just like the sound of the 12's more.

Is there anyone that has heard both the W7 and the Maelstrom and can compare the sound of the 2 drivers?

My amp came in yesterday, but i have nothing to hook it up to yet

 

[lsiberian]

I dont really need the smallest box, i think i have her talked into a box around 4cu ft. Ive heard 8w7's in the car audio world and i just like the sound of the 12's more.

Is there anyone that has heard both the W7 and the Maelstrom and can compare the sound of the 2 drivers?

My amp came in yesterday, but i have nothing to hook it up to yet

Get the Axis or the 12w7. The Maelstrom is on back order.

 

[UH Matt]

Get the Axis or the 12w7. The Maelstrom is on back order.

Well the site says it ships within 2 weeks and if the Maelstrom would give me significally significantly better performance as hard as it would be i would rather wait. Plus the Maelstrom is cheaper.

This is all your fault! i had my mind made up for the W7 and you put the Maelstrom in my head lol.

 

[lsiberian]

Well the site says it ships within 2 weeks and if the Maelstrom would give me significally significantly better performance as hard as it would be i would rather wait. Plus the Maelstrom is cheaper.

This is all your fault! i had my mind made up for the W7 and you put the Maelstrom in my head lol.

I think the Maelstrom is the way to go for several reasons. It is worth the wait for sure. Everyone has their opinions. I suggest you get the best driver you can for the price. It gives you the chance to build the best box. I know everyone wants cute small subs, but let's be honest. If you really want a sub. You really should be willing to have some size.

 

[WmAx]

I dont really need the smallest box, i think i have her talked into a box around 4cu ft at most. Ive heard 8w7's in the car audio world and i just like the sound of the 12's more.

Is there anyone that has heard both the W7 and the Maelstrom and can compare the sound of the 2 drivers?

My amp came in yesterday, but i have nothing to hook it up to yet

I am sorry, but you can not go by any car audio install of the 8W7 as comparison of how it will work in the home. In car audio, they are usually used in sealed boxes (big mistake) or in high tuned ported (another mistake). Used as I specify, it will simply be high output, low distortion transparent bass.

-Chris

 

[jamie2112]

Just as Chris said you cannot even compare the car aspect to home.Unless your room is 4 ft by 7 feet with seats surrounding the sub its just not anywhere near the same.For what its worth the sub will sound 10x better in your listening room than in a car....

 

[lsiberian]

I am sorry, but you can not go by any car audio install of the 8W7 as comparison of how it will work in the home. In car audio, they are usually used in sealed boxes (big mistake) or in high tuned ported (another mistake). Used as I specify, it will simply be high output, low distortion transparent bass.

-Chris

Just as Chris said you cannot even compare the car aspect to home.Unless your room is 4 ft by 7 feet with seats surrounding the sub its just not anywhere near the same.For what its worth the sub will sound 10x better in your listening room than in a car....

Right on. It's like comparing apples to oranges.

Everyone knows apples are better.