Sub advice - big room, small enclosure

[hanfrac]

We have a large finished basement/playroom where we've built cabinetry on which will stand the TV. There are two in-cabinet spaces for 2 subs. They measure 24 tall by 19 wide by 21 deep. The total room volume is probably 5000 cu ft.

I traded emails with the good folks at SVS and we can't quite fit the PB10 NSD in there and they didn't think the SB12 would be enough for this room. They thought I needed a ported design for oomph vs. a sealed box.

Primary use will be for TV/Video, very little music.

Any recommendations on small subs that would fit in that space? Thanks.

 

[annunaki]

In your situation, I would go the DIY route. Taking 1" off of all those dimensions, to ensure the unit would fit, and figuring .75" mdf for the enclosure you are left with 3.79 ft^3 per location to work with. You could easily do a pair of high quality 12" subwoofers in low tuned (20hz and down)ported enclosures with that type of volume available. Not to mention it would probably be cheaper. A pair of JL Audio 12W7 subs ($1300.00 street price), a Behringer EP 2500 (run one on each channel for $349.99), and a Behringer DCX2496 ($269.99) and you will have a world class sub system capable of knocking your socks off in that room for just over $1,900.00 I am also figuring high on the "street price" of those subs.

You could also go the sealed route if you are doing the Behringer EQ/Crossover but you would have a bit less SPL. Sealed would still be quite plenty in that room with those woofers.

 

[annunaki]

If you must use pre made subs the Dayton Titanic Kits are worth a look. As are offerings from Martin Logan and Velodyne. I am sure there are others as well.

 

[hanfrac]

Can I use a downward firing design inside of cabinetry? The good folks at Hsu say I can, which makes the VTF1 a possibility. I'm also looking into the Velodyne offerings, as they have some smaller, high output subs that would fit.

Thanks.

 

[annunaki]

Forward firing through the grille would work best. Both the the port and the sub should fire through it. You would have much less chance for rattles that way. That is the main reason I suggested DIY. The majority of the air will be moving off the woofer cone and the port. The easier they can move air the better.

 

[jcPanny]

SVS SB12 Plus

I have one of the SVS SB12 Plus subs and it is a good size and performance compromise for my living room HT. The sealed front firing design should work well in your cabinet mounted location. Depending on your budget, 2 of these might be a good solutiom for your room.

Velodyne makes some great subs but the good ones are spendy.

The HSU VTF1 you sugested only has a 10" woofer and 200 Watts of power. Not nealy enough for your large room.

Another option you might consider is some buttkicker type shakers to compliment the sub and provide the "feel". It is dificult to pressurize a room your size unless you have 2 or more huge subs.

 

[billnchristy]

You do realize that you will probably need to isolate anything that is in that cabinet from vibration right?

It wont do good for your tv most likely and you could easily cause dvds to skip.

Something to think about.

 

[hanfrac]

Bill - is that the case? I feel like I've read many times that while an in-cabinet location is not optimal sonically, that it should not impact my electronics.

When you say "isolate" the electronics (TV, AVR, DVD player, etc.), what do you mean? Vibration-absorbing feet?

This sounds like a nightmare.

 

[annunaki]

Isolating the sub is much easier. You would have to use some foam rubber or something all around the subwoofer enclosure so as to isolate it from the cabinet. Even then you may still have some issues with rattling doors and such. Leaving the back of the cabinet open behind the subwoofer can help greatly there.