DIY Midbass module can/should it be done?

[Coheednme13]

I've seen the MBM-12 from HSU Research and I was wondering if anyone out there had experienced it and thought that it was a worthwhile addition to a system. Also, I know that we have a lot of audio engineering geniuses around here, therefore I was wondering if anyone thought that a DIY midbass module could be made. If so what driver size and is there a program which will help design an enclosure to accentuate a given frequency range (ie. 50-120hz)? Let me know what you guys think, I know you will . Thanks in advance.

 

[WmAx]

I've seen the MBM-12 from HSU Research and I was wondering if anyone out there had experienced it and thought that it was a worthwhile addition to a system. Also, I know that we have a lot of audio engineering geniuses around here, therefore I was wondering if anyone thought that a DIY midbass module could be made. If so what driver size and is there a program which will help design an enclosure to accentuate a given frequency range (ie. 50-120hz)? Let me know what you guys think, I know you will . Thanks in advance.

It can be a worthwhile addition if you want the low distortion dynamics. After all, in classical music, the mid bass is as high in amplitude as the bass range, if not higher, at peaks.

However, for such a device to be of high fidelity, it will have to be braced to a far greater extent than a standard subwoofer, in order to push the panel resonances well over the intended bandwidth. In addition, serious acoustical dampening materials must be used internally to prevent issues in this low frequency range. Now, assuming you have completed these two tasks, you will need two of them, as a single unit is going to cause directional problems. Now, the crossover.... the only crossovers suited to this type of multi-way splitting off the shelf are DSP crossovers. The Behringer DCX2496 is ideal. However, this assumes that you have separate main speaker amplifiers(as opposed to an integrated receiver amplifier) so that you can route the signals through the DCX2496.

-Chris

 

[mazersteven]

I was wondering if anyone out there had experienced it.

Yes I have experienced it (the MBM-12). Do I think it is a worthwhile addition to a system? I can say that it does add to your experience while watching movies. It is not a tremendous wow experience, but a noticeable addition. Does that make sense?

 

[Coheednme13]

Well I guess you two just summed this one up for me. Not a tremendous difference and it would be really hard to do. Not for me. Thanks guys

 

[mazersteven]

Well I guess you two just summed this one up for me. Not a tremendous difference and it would be really hard to do. Not for me. Thanks guys

Hey, the way I look at it. If you have the time, and enjoy building speakers, woodwork, sanding, finishing, and the satisfaction of building something yourself as a hobby. Then do it.

 

[Coheednme13]

Well I've I have so much I would have to research and I thought that I would tap you guys on the forum first. According to HSU the driver they use is a light weight cone to give fast response. Therefore, I would have to find a sub driver or driver that is similar in design. Then I would need to figure what size cone is optimal. Also as wmax stated I would need substantial internal bracing and I would hate to build it and not have enough. Also, I'm going to be running dual subs at some point next year (when I get the cash, almost saved enough) perhaps I won't need an midbass module like I would like right now. I do thank you for your quick responses though

 

[fmw]

I'm curious about the purpose of a mid bass module. It will result in a change in frequency response. Is the purpose to correct speakers that are deficient in mid bass or to accentuate it beyond a flat response?

 

[mike c]

i think their goal is flat response from 50hz up, the theory is that since it's nearfield, it's less affected by the room.

 

[WmAx]

Well I've I have so much I would have to research and I thought that I would tap you guys on the forum first. According to HSU the driver they use is a light weight cone to give fast response.

Inductance, directivity and cone resonance(s) dictate the useful bandwidth of a woofer, not cone mass/weight. Mass effects efficiency(how much power you need to achieve a specific SPL).

Also as wmax stated I would need substantial internal bracing and I would hate to build it and not have enough. Also, I'm going to be running dual subs at some point next year (when I get the cash, almost saved enough) perhaps I won't need an mid bass module like I would like right now. I do thank you for your quick responses though

Realize that WmAx always speaks about ideals. It is ideal to use very substantial bracing in this case, but in truth, your main speakers do not likely feature any sort of construction to prevent substantial resonance(this is the case with the vast majority of speaker systems), so even if you build standard cabinets with just a couple of cross braces, it will work fine for you; you wont notice more resonance because your main speakers likely already have these resonances. So replacing the band of interest in this case, you will replace resonances with more resonances.

-Chris

 

[WmAx]

I'm curious about the purpose of a mid bass module. It will result in a change in frequency response. Is the purpose to correct speakers that are deficient in mid bass or to accentuate it beyond a flat response?

It is of no practical benefit with most modern music that features no dynamics, unless you want to listen at a constant extreme average SPL(95dB or higher?). However, on some classical and older music, 30+ dB dynamics are present. In these cases, the average speaker system would have some thermal/mechanical compression in the mid bass range when these dynamics occurred, even when listening at average SPL levels(80-85dB). This, of course, assumes that sufficiently high power amplifiers are being utilized.

-Chris