New sub ambitions

[sprint_9]

Hi, new to the board, heres my story. Ive done some experimenting in the past with some DIY sub builds but have generally come out dissapointed, however much of the dissapointment was due to the parts I used and not my own workmanship at fault.

Anyhow, I now would really like to upgrade what I currently have now, to something new. Some setups I am considering and would like feedback on which would lend the best results. I would like something good for music as well as good low end extension with out having to worry about bottoming out with some of the deep movie effects.

First project I have come up with is a single ported 15 inch Dayton High Fidelity or 12 inch Titanic sub.

Second would be more of an experiment, thinking of two 8 inch Tang Band subs - <A HREF="http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=264-854">http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=264-854</A> - in a ported box.

With the 12 or 15 it would be just a standard home theather setup, but with the dual 8 I would potentially someday add another dual 8 for two dual 8 subs, one on each side of my tower speakers when more funds allow.

I would probably go with the 240 watt Dayton amp for the 12 or 15, and figure something out for the dual 8.

Also was wondering if the Bash 500 watt amp was a good amp, the price is good, but not sure on how it would hold up, does anyone have any experiences?

Thanks for any help at all

[JustinG]

> Hi, new to the board, heres my story. Ive
> done some experimenting in the past with
> some DIY sub builds but have generally come
> out dissapointed, however much of the
> dissapointment was due to the parts I used
> and not my own workmanship at fault.

> Anyhow, I now would really like to upgrade
> what I currently have now, to something new.
> Some setups I am considering and would like
> feedback on which would lend the best
> results. I would like something good for
> music as well as good low end extension with
> out having to worry about bottoming out with
> some of the deep movie effects.

> First project I have come up with is a
> single ported 15 inch Dayton High Fidelity
> or 12 inch Titanic sub.

> Second would be more of an experiment,
> thinking of two 8 inch Tang Band subs -
> <A HREF="http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=264-854">http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=264-854</A>
> - in a ported box.

> With the 12 or 15 it would be just a
> standard home theather setup, but with the
> dual 8 I would potentially someday add
> another dual 8 for two dual 8 subs, one on
> each side of my tower speakers when more
> funds allow.

> I would probably go with the 240 watt Dayton
> amp for the 12 or 15, and figure something
> out for the dual 8.

> Also was wondering if the Bash 500 watt amp
> was a good amp, the price is good, but not
> sure on how it would hold up, does anyone
> have any experiences?

> Thanks for any help at all

Keep in mind that if you want to go ported with the RSS390HF-4 you will need at least 6 or 7 cu. ft.
Also I have the 390HF with a 500 watt dayton and I can drive it to clipping fairly easily (I like a lot of bass). Ported, 240 Watts *might* be fine but having some more headroom is always a good thing.

[Dirk]

> Hi, new to the board, heres my story. Ive
> done some experimenting in the past with
> some DIY sub builds but have generally come
> out dissapointed, however much of the
> dissapointment was due to the parts I used
> and not my own workmanship at fault.

> Anyhow, I now would really like to upgrade
> what I currently have now, to something new.
> Some setups I am considering and would like
> feedback on which would lend the best
> results. I would like something good for
> music as well as good low end extension with
> out having to worry about bottoming out with
> some of the deep movie effects.

> First project I have come up with is a
> single ported 15 inch Dayton High Fidelity
> or 12 inch Titanic sub.

> Second would be more of an experiment,
> thinking of two 8 inch Tang Band subs -
> <A HREF="http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=264-854">http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=264-854</A>
> - in a ported box.

> With the 12 or 15 it would be just a
> standard home theather setup, but with the
> dual 8 I would potentially someday add
> another dual 8 for two dual 8 subs, one on
> each side of my tower speakers when more
> funds allow.

> I would probably go with the 240 watt Dayton
> amp for the 12 or 15, and figure something
> out for the dual 8.

> Also was wondering if the Bash 500 watt amp
> was a good amp, the price is good, but not
> sure on how it would hold up, does anyone
> have any experiences?

> Thanks for any help at all

My main thought is that the TB's will be a more difficult box build because of the small Vas. Basically, with the low tuning they requre, you'll have a hard time fitting a standard round port in the box. I mean, it can be done, but you'll probably need to consider something like a folded slot port. I'm personally not impressed by the sensitivity, either. For your average plate amp, you'll need to run them in series, which will significantly reduce the amps power output. Combine that with the low sensitivity, and they're just not going to have that much output.

I like the idea of the RS, but for the reasons mentioned regarding box size, you may want to consider the HO. The HO's are no slouch. The difference in sound quality between the HO & HF versions is not THAT big. It's more of a delineation for their intended purpose. However, given the cost differentials, I would also consider something like the Quatro 15. The sound quality is going to be on-par with the TB's and, unless you've got a huge room, it's got respectable sealed-box performance. Works well in a ported box, too, though you'll need a bit more box volume to pull it off (still less than the RS HF, tho).

[mike_e]

> My main thought is that the TB's will be a
> more difficult box build because of the
> small Vas. Basically, with the low tuning
> they requre, you'll have a hard time fitting
> a standard round port in the box. I mean, it
> can be done, but you'll probably need to
> consider something like a folded slot port.
> I'm personally not impressed by the
> sensitivity, either. For your average plate
> amp, you'll need to run them in series,
> which will significantly reduce the amps
> power output. Combine that with the low
> sensitivity, and they're just not going to
> have that much output.

> I like the idea of the RS, but for the
> reasons mentioned regarding box size, you
> may want to consider the HO. The HO's are no
> slouch. The difference in sound quality
> between the HO & HF versions is not THAT
> big. It's more of a delineation for their
> intended purpose. However, given the cost
> differentials, I would also consider
> something like the Quatro 15. The sound
> quality is going to be on-par with the TB's
> and, unless you've got a huge room, it's got
> respectable sealed-box performance. Works
> well in a ported box, too, though you'll
> need a bit more box volume to pull it off
> (still less than the RS HF, tho).
now here is a good throw back you brought up. the 15in quattro 3cu ported with a 240watter. perfect matchup many here in the past of had one at one time or another. i personally havent since i dont have alot of room for projects.

As far as the TB's go you will want a slot port like suggested. i have 2 of those running in paralle for 2ohms to a 150watt@4ohm amp. running just fine sealed with +6bd @40hz, really suprising bass from them sealed,imo.

if i had a do over though and the HF's were out when i got my TB's i would have gone with a single 12in HT(ported) with bash 300watter or the 540watter plate amp.

[sprint_9]

> now here is a good throw back you brought
> up. the 15in quattro 3cu ported with a
> 240watter. perfect matchup many here in the
> past of had one at one time or another. i
> personally havent since i dont have alot of
> room for projects.

> As far as the TB's go you will want a slot
> port like suggested. i have 2 of those
> running in paralle for 2ohms to a
> 150watt@4ohm amp. running just fine sealed
> with +6bd @40hz, really suprising bass from
> them sealed,imo.

> if i had a do over though and the HF's were
> out when i got my TB's i would have gone
> with a single 12in HT(ported) with bash
> 300watter or the 540watter plate amp.

Yea the more I looke at it the more the 8's seem more like a hassle then anything, and Ive not had the best of luck in the past with DIY subs. If those Quattro subs are decent as has been mentioned I may consider a 15 or a couple 10's, one each behind my towers in a vented configuration. So many choices its mind boggling.

[Dirk]

> Yea the more I looke at it the more the 8's
> seem more like a hassle then anything, and
> Ive not had the best of luck in the past
> with DIY subs. If those Quattro subs are
> decent as has been mentioned I may consider
> a 15 or a couple 10's, one each behind my
> towers in a vented configuration. So many
> choices its mind boggling.

Each of the Quatro line have their own personality:

8" - Fairly sensitive, small box sizes, plays about as low as you'd expect of a good 8", handes about 100W.

10" - Worst LF performance, a bit more sensitive than 8", likes small boxes, good for over 110dB w/ 250W. Think he was meant for carfi more than home. Sealed box performance sucks for home audio.

12" - Most sensitive of the group, LF performance good but not thrilling, average box sizes for a 12". Handles about 300W.

15" - Plays the lowest in both sealed & ported boxes by far, but box is bigger. Most popuar among the HT crowd. Makes a decent music sub, but it's definitely no RS sub. Still one of the best bangs for the buck out there anywhere. Handles 250W - 300W.

[Dirk]

> Yea the more I looke at it the more the 8's
> seem more like a hassle then anything, and
> Ive not had the best of luck in the past
> with DIY subs. If those Quattro subs are
> decent as has been mentioned I may consider
> a 15 or a couple 10's, one each behind my
> towers in a vented configuration. So many
> choices its mind boggling.

Here's the big question:

What's your planned budget?

[sprint_9]

> Here's the big question:

> What's your planned budget?

Not really sure at the moment, probably somewhere around 350 to 400, plan on doin the box myself out of 3/4 mdf to save some money since I have access to a wood shop I can use for nothing.