Deewan subwoofer builds - Ultimax to the extreme

[deewan]

I thought I would start a thread for a few subwoofers I am building. The first project is for a friend of mine and will feature the Dayton Audio UM15-22 15" Ultimax DVC Subwoofer. Actually 2 of them. Well, 4 total. :eek: I am building two cabinets that will house two drivers. From my estimates, with the proper power these two sub cabinets will literally rock the foundation. Cabinets will be sealed with a fairly straight forward design with a good amount of internal bracing.

The second project will be for myself and will feature the same line of driver, only the 12-inch version, but a very unique cabinet design that won't spare much expense (everyone swear you won't tell my wife!!!)

Started making saw dust last night on the first project. More pictures and details of the build will follow. Progress may be somewhat limited because this is the heart of golf season and I have several tournaments coming up.

[deewan]

Thing 1 and Thing 2

As I stated above, the 15-inch project(s) will consist of two separate cabinets (Thing 1 and Thing 2) that will each house two 15-inch drivers. The overall cabinet size will be 18 x 18 x 36. Finally internal volume should be around 6.5 cubic feet. Smaller than perfect size for two drivers, but still very capable of high output and deep bass while being much more real estate friendly.

[greywarden]

Re: Thing 1 and Thing 2

I can't imagine that much bass. I have dual 12" sealed subwoofers with 1550W total, and it measures amazingly, I haven't finished the matching speakers, so I'm not sure how they sound yet, look impressive, too. Those are going to be insane.

[deewan]

Re: Thing 1 and Thing 2

Finally a few more pictures of Thing 1 and Thing 2 cabinets. The past two nights I have been able to get all the panels cut, some constructed, and then cut all the skeleton bracing.








I was hoping to get the bracing set and in place tonight, but I ran into a rookie mistake.... I ran out of glue!!! Tomorrow will be the last day I can work on the cabinet for a while as I have a practice round Thursday and then a golf tournament this Saturday and Sunday.

[dustinbagby]

Re: Deewan subwoofer builds - Ultimax to the extreme

I cant think of a need for 4 15" Ultimax subs in a single room.

That being said, dear god this is going to be an awesome build!

I am in the midst of a single 12" ultimax build in a 2.5 cu ft enclosure. Mine however has minimal bracing as i was told from an incredibly reliable source that the resonant frequency of the MDF will never be matched by the woofers inside it. It was hard for me to roll with a single brace and 1.5" front and rear baffles, but i will trust.my source.

Anyway, great build, those cabinets are gonna be beefy, strong, and heavy as hell :D

[[email protected]]

Re: Deewan subwoofer builds - Ultimax to the extreme

Sweet Dewan

[deewan]

Re: Deewan subwoofer builds - Ultimax to the extreme

I cant think of a need for 4 15" Ultimax subs in a single room.

Well, I think the end user is also supplementing the 4 Ultimax with two other 15 inch subs. I don't remember the brand but I believe they were flat pack builds. So in all, he will have six 15-inch drivers in his room. Overkill? Perhaps. Amazing? Most definitely.

[joeybutts]

Re: Deewan subwoofer builds - Ultimax to the extreme

Overkill is just enough.

Looking stellar. Keep on keeping on. Love it. This is totally my style of build.

[deewan]

Re: Deewan subwoofer builds - Ultimax to the extreme

oh man. If Joey says it's overkill, then I KNOW it's overkill.

Dustin, my personal opinion is that for 99% of speaker cabinets bracing isn't needed. But with sealed subs I think it is needed. I'm not saying you can't get away without using it, but I think for structural integrity you should have some bracing. In many of my other sealed projects I simply used 2x2 lumber with 45 degree miter cuts and braced one wall to another. Simple and effective. But with these Ultimax and because these cabinets are for a friend, I wanted to make sure they were built like tanks. And who doesn't like skeleton bracing pics?

[dustinbagby]

Re: Deewan subwoofer builds - Ultimax to the extreme

oh man. If Joey says it's overkill, then I KNOW it's overkill.

Dustin, my personal opinion is that for 99% of speaker cabinets bracing isn't needed. But with sealed subs I think it is needed. I'm not saying you can't get away without using it, but I think for structural integrity you should have some bracing. In many of my other sealed projects I simply used 2x2 lumber with 45 degree miter cuts and braced one wall to another. Simple and effective. But with these Ultimax and because these cabinets are for a friend, I wanted to make sure they were built like tanks. And who doesn't like skeleton bracing pics?

You got me there

[mattp]

Re: Deewan subwoofer builds - Ultimax to the extreme

You guys don't hang around Home Theater Shack much do you?



That's EIGHT TC Sounds 18" LMS-R 5400 Ultra subs. This is just one of countless ridiculous systems on that forum. These guys shoot for a flat FR to well below 10 Hz at reference levels and always achieve it. They don't mess around.

Look forward to seeing this build finished deewan, I haven't heard much from other people using the Ultimax subs.

[greywarden]

Re: Deewan subwoofer builds - Ultimax to the extreme

I did it with dual 12" sealed, but I'm not trying to fill a basement-sized home cinema

[mattp]

Re: Deewan subwoofer builds - Ultimax to the extreme

Flat to below 10 maybe, but at 105+ dB's at the LP?

[greywarden]

Re: Deewan subwoofer builds - Ultimax to the extreme

probably closer to 100dB max it was loud enough haha

[deewan]

Re: Deewan subwoofer builds - Ultimax to the extreme

Finished up a few odds and ends on Thing 1 and Thing 2 tonight. Double thick front baffles (sitting on top of the cabinets). The bracing was glued together and then installed along with the 5th cabinet panel. These cabients feel very sturdy... and heavy. Now I need to order some more materials during my down time. Binding posts, veneer, cabinet feet. Everything should be delivered by my next free day.