First Try DIY in need of advice

[Swizzle44]

So heres the deal.....i have a sony HTIB that i enjoy......i know but im new to home theatre.......im tired of the 8" powered sub and i want to build something new and unique some sort of functional coffee table/subwoofer enclosure....first of all i have the drivers picked out so thats not a problem the problem is i need to know where to find a 500W plate amplifier that has a line in like the sony sub......looks like a headphone jack......any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated and any ideas about the enclosure too....thanx in advance

 

[knobturner75]

One simple solution, would be to go to Radio Shack and buy a female RCA to a male headphone adapter. That way your options are wide open to any plate amplifier.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102693&cp=2032058.2032231.2032280&pg=3&allCount=261&fbn=Cable+type%2FAdapter&f=PAD%2FCable+Type%2FAdapter&fbc=1&y=9&x=10&numProdsPerPage=20&parentPage=family

Then all you have to do is decide which plate amplifier you want.

 

[Swizzle44]

here's an update kind of.....

well i have decided on the plan for the subwoofer enclosure:

http://www.decware.com/WO32/wo32.htm

And somewhat decided on the woofers i have a couple in mind any thought on these by you guys would be awesome:

http://www.ascendantaudio.com/assassin10specs.html
or
http://www.************.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=295-462

2 subs loaded into the box any other subs that would be a nice addition let me know......

Now on to the amplifiers that is a complete myth to me......if this was car audio i would be all on top of things but now that im not a teenager that wants to blow the house up from the street with a car stereo i want good sounding home audio.....Keep in mind i don't want overkill for my movies and music i just want more.....and i know after being on th web almost all night once i do upgrade my subwoofer the rest is goin to need to be upgraded so i am gettin ready thanks for all your help this forum is just packed full of all knowledge and im gonna try to absorb

 

[knobturner75]

You know, I was thinking today at work about the adapter I posted a link for. I don't think that will help you very much will it. It would allow you to run an RCA from your receiver and into your Sony sub. That's not what you wanted. Silly me. I was up past my bedtime and had a serious brainfart. It still stinks in here. What you need is a female headphone jack with one or two male RCA outs.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102973&cp=2032058.2032231.2032280&pg=2&allCount=261&fbn=Cable+type%2FY-adapter&f=PAD%2FCable+Type%2FY-adapter&fbc=1&y=11&x=10&numProdsPerPage=20&parentPage=family

If you need the 1/8 inch headphone plug, then you could pick up that adapter as well.

Come to think of it, why is a headphone plug, all you can use for your sub? Is it because of the receiver? If not, then why don't you just come out of the receiver with a RCA cable for the sub. Just a thought.

 

[Swizzle44]

POS Reciever i guess

The only way to come out of the reciever to the sub is this ingeneous headphone plug i probably should just upgrade the reciever too???

 

[skrivis]

The only way to come out of the reciever to the sub is this ingeneous headphone plug i probably should just upgrade the reciever too???

No. If the receiver works for you right now, I don't think you should replace it just because it has the wrong socket for the output. An adapter will be far less expensive. Try the adapter first and see what happens.

 

[knobturner75]

I agree with skrivis as well. I did just go through an upgrade myself, but that was after a year not using my 5.1 system because my center channel output didn't output all of the time. If your receiver works, and, here is the biggie, you are satisfied with it, then there is no need upgrading until you are ready or until you have no choice. It is completely your choice.

 

[Swizzle44]

well here's the thing

Thanx for your replies and i am happy with my reciever to a cetain extent that extent is 5.1 if i did go with the upgrade i would go from 5.1 to 7.1 as i have yet to hear anyones 7.1 setup to tell you the truth i havn't even heard a 6.1 setup but from what people say its better. I mean i went from tv speakers to the 5.1 and it was 1000 times better so any thoughts guys?and what do you think about the sub setup will it work and whats the best plate amp? thanx

 

[knobturner75]

I did exactly as you said. I had a Sony 5.1 receiver. As I mentioned before, the center channel started acting up. I just used stereo sound for at least a year.

About a month ago, I got my money from uncle sam and my wife ok'd me to get a new receiver. So I bought a Yamaha RX-V1600, which is a 7.1 receiver. She also, ok'd me to buy some speakers so we could use the 7.1. As of right now, I don't think there are any DVD's out that are 7.1. (I definitely could be wrong, and if I am, someone please let me know. I would like to try them out.) I think that when hd-dvd and blu-ray finally come out there will be some, but that just means more upgrades. I am able to use the 7.1, it just divides the rear signal up between the 4 speakers. I am still learning this new receiver (which is awesome by the way). I do like the 7.1, but it has been so long since I've had 5.1, I can't give you an idea of the big difference between them.

 

[knobturner75]

As far as the sub setup goes, I don't see why the adapters wouldn't work. I help with the sound at my church, and we use those type of adapters all of the time. They work well for us and I can't tell that they add any noise. We run our equipment at high volume levels sometimes too.

As far as the plate amps, I have read some about the Bash and Rythmik Audio amps. These seem to be the names thrown about alot. I'm sure there are others that are just as good. The Bash amps are what SVS and HSU use. If you don't already know, these two names are some of the most respected home subwoofer manufacturers on this site. The Rythmik Audio amps have sub sonic filters that limit the low low frequencies that can easily overdrive and damage your sub. But, I don't have personal experience with plate amps except the one in my Velodyne sub.

What brand sub are you building? And what type of enclosure are you going to use? If you don't mind me asking.

 

[Swizzle44]

so far.....

Well first of all thank you for all the info on this stuff i'd be lost without this. The enclosure that i have buile is the wicked one enclosure found here http://www.decware.com/WO32/wo32.htm
this is the second one i have built and i think it sounds excellent.
the drivers still undecided as of yet either 2 10" Assasins from ascendant audio or two 10" dayton high fidelity sub or the high out put not completeley sure yet still about 2 weekends worth of work on the enclosue away from ready to install woofers and amp. Wish i had a camera to show the progress and what a pain this enclosure can be to make on first home theatre DIY. I've built the box for a friends car but all the mdf was precut so now i am learning the hard way. once again thank you guys for all of the support and info helping me through this project

 

[knobturner75]

That is an awsome looking box. I've read about that sub on http://www.diysubwoofers.org/. It seems to be an impressive arrangement. As far as your speakers, I've read good things about both. I don't have any experience with them. I am about to build my own sub as well. I just traded two Boston Generator 12's in a truck box for a 15" Alpine Type R sub. I'm very anxious to get started, but now comes the planning and saving. I also have a family vacation coming up, and the sub will have to wait until I'm back.

Good luck with your box and with your choice.