Elemental Designs Dual 13Av.2 Sealed DIY Kit

[BigSkreen]

I'm looking around at replacing all my speakers. I'm currently pretty unhappy with what I have but I do have a 5.0 system with my front two speakers being JBL's that have 8" subs in them. They are currently acting as my sub. My current plan is to buy a sub first then purchase better surrounds then finally replace my front soundstage. I know that sounds weird but I'm thinking that getting a real sub would be the biggest improvement right now. Then replacing my surrounds let me take those old speakers and throw them in my garage. Essentially this is in order of bang for the buck.

With all that said I'm looking at spending ~$1000 on a sub. I happened across Elemental Designs' website. I emailed them and with my room dimensions and budget and they came back with several options. The one on my list is the Dual 13Av.2 Sealed DIY Kit. That is basically the A7s-650 but you have to build it yourself. My room is currently around 1600 cubic feet with an additional 850 being added when I'm completed. I was wondering if anyone had heard either the DIY kit or the 650? My major concern is finishing the sub once I've built it but who doesn't want to be able to say they built their HT?

 

[Jeff R.]

If you want nice finish and are concerned about that piece of it, us take it a local furniture/cabinet maker once the box is completed and they can put a nice veneer on it for a pretty reasonable price.

 

[tcarcio]

Check out this thread on the Danley DTS10 diy kit for about the same money.....http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1189404

 

[Matt34]

It's getting some pretty good reviews over at AVS. I know one user over there preferred it over his Submersive.

 

[WmAx]

For that price range, spend a little more, and use even better drivers and amplifiers. I can recommend higher performance options if you wish. Those ED drivers have high power handling and high excursion, but they have poor motor linearity (high distortion). Specify the maximum size cabinets that are acceptable, and I will make suggestions from there.

-Chris

 

[BigSkreen]

Chris,

The higher I go the longer I have to save and the farther out it puts replacing the rest of my speakers. I would probably be willing to spend a max of $1200.

As for size. Its not really an issue because my wife has given me this room. The only issue I have with size is placement. The bigger the box the more limited the placement will be. I unfortunately don't know where the sub is going to go since I was planning on moving it around until I got sound I wanted.

I might look into cabinet makers or auto shops and see if they can finish it with me. Its important to me that my speakers look great as well as sound good. For instance I heard some B&W fronts that I really love but they were UGLY. I want to try out the Axiom's because I really like the piano black finish. The finish on the sub is not as important if I'm able to hide it

 

[WmAx]

BigSkreen, $1200 is the target budget I was hoping you would go for. If you want me to, I will research the absolute top quality parts that will get you a superb pair of subs and suitable amplification, and with allowance to have the cabinets built. Let me know if you want my help.

-Chris

 

[BigSkreen]

I'll take all the help I can get Chris. PM sent.

 

[H Stevens]

WmAx, you mentioned in your above post: "Those ED drivers have high power handling and high excursion, but they have poor motor linearity (high distortion)". I assume that you are referring to what ED calls: "Total Driver Linear Displacement" which they list under the A7s - 650 Subwoofer as having 6394.000cm³. I noticed on their A5s-300 Subwoofer, that they list the "Total Driver Linear Displacement" is 1384.3cm³. Both of these subwoofer models are described by Ed as being very low distortion. For those of us who are not as knowledgeable yet with how motor linearity works, could you please explain these specs and specifically what would a buyer look for with these numbers? A higher number or probably a lower one? At what number would be considered borderline acceptable or unacceptable? Also, why are most sealed subs front firing? Wouldn't down firing be easier to place in a room? Thanks in advance.

 

[WmAx]

WmAx, you mentioned in your above post: "Those ED drivers have high power handling and high excursion, but they have poor motor linearity (high distortion)". I assume that you are referring to what ED calls: "Total Driver Linear Displacement" which they list under the A7s - 650 Subwoofer as having 6394.000cm³. I noticed on their A5s-300 Subwoofer, that they list the "Total Driver Linear Displacement" is 1384.3cm³. Both of these subwoofer models are described by Ed as being very low distortion. For those of us who are not as knowledgeable yet with how motor linearity works, could you please explain these specs and specifically what would a buyer look for with these numbers? A higher number or probably a lower one? At what number would be considered borderline acceptable or unacceptable? Also, why are most sealed subs front firing? Wouldn't down firing be easier to place in a room? Thanks in advance.

H Stevens, the ED driver is low distortion IF you use it only within the displacement capabilities of a conventional high quality subwoofer (+/- 12 to 13 mm excursion x surface area of diaphragm). When you exceed the above excursion, the motor rapidly loses Bl(force factor), becoming a non linear motor, thus it can not use it's high excursion and power handling capability and keep close to the same sound quality. This information can not be gathered from manufacturer provided data. I am making comments based on 3rd party credible physical analysis, or of my own experience in testing particular drivers.

A JL Audio W7, however, as example, maintanes a very similar force factor well past conventional subwoofer excursion, allowing it to get considerably louder WHILE having the same or near same high sound quality at both low and high SPLs.

-Chris

 

[gorillacooch]

BigSkreen, $1200 is the target budget I was hoping you would go for. If you want me to, I will research the absolute top quality parts that will get you a superb pair of subs and suitable amplification, and with allowance to have the cabinets built. Let me know if you want my help.

-Chris

My budget is 1200, what can you offer? I'm interested in building a sub what blows away the eD, SVS, AV123, and Epik, so If you have something available please let me know. Also Please nothing over 1000 watts, I'm on a 15 amp breaker.

 

[Matt34]

My budget is 1200, what can you offer? I'm interested in building a sub what blows away the eD, SVS, AV123, and Epik, so If you have something available please let me know. Also Please nothing over 1000 watts, I'm on a 15 amp breaker.

Read and order:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1189404