Making a subwoofer?

[spwath]

So this seems like a cheaper, and more fun option to get  a good subwoofer.

 

I dont know where to start though, what drivers to use, optimal cabinet design, and I would like to learn about this too.

So, thoughts?

[SSL]

@Lutkeveld would probably know if he's still around.

[spwath]

11 minutes ago, SSL said:

@Lutkeveld would probably know if he's still around.

Another thing that intersests me is some of the crazy horn designs on older speakers tweeters, know anything about that/other stuff?

Seems like all this stuff would need a crazy amount of physics being done...

 

Like this, horns and lenses, looks pretty crazy

http://rochester.craigslist.org/ele/5643499670.html

[rhyseyness]

So, I'd recommend you use someone else's design that already has good reviews.

I'm building a pair of speakers in a couple months and have spent HOURS researching.

At first I just picked some random drivers and that, tried to design a crossover, and very quickly realised it's a lot more complex than that.

Find a well regarded sub design off of an audio forum or otherwise and copy it, rather than trying to design it yourself.

Ideally a design with a similar use case/set-up.

The results will be much better, especially if this is your first time doing something like this.

Hope this helps

 

EDIT: I will add though, a subwoofer is waaaaay simpler than monitors.

This means you COULD just build a big stiff box, and stick a big driver in it and it will sound pretty good, but I'd recommend you steal someone else's design if you want the best you can have for your money

[spwath]

5 hours ago, rhyseyness said:

So, I'd recommend you use someone else's design that already has good reviews.

I'm building a pair of speakers in a couple months and have spent HOURS researching.

At first I just picked some random drivers and that, tried to design a crossover, and very quickly realised it's a lot more complex than that.

Find a well regarded sub design off of an audio forum or otherwise and copy it, rather than trying to design it yourself.

Ideally a design with a similar use case/set-up.

The results will be much better, especially if this is your first time doing something like this.

Hope this helps

 

EDIT: I will add though, a subwoofer is waaaaay simpler than monitors.

This means you COULD just build a big stiff box, and stick a big driver in it and it will sound pretty good, but I'd recommend you steal someone else's design if you want the best you can have for your money

Where would you recomend finding a good design?

[rhyseyness]

53 minutes ago, spwath said:

Where would you recomend finding a good design?

I've found manufacturers websites are pretty good.

Mine for example, is from the SEAS website.

http://www.seas.no/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=380:idunn&catid=66:seas-diy-kits&Itemid=365

 

For a subwoofer, I'd recommend looking more at dedicated audio forums though, as they don't require as complex a design.

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/155-diy-speakers-subs/1104368-master-index-diy-subwoofer-projects.html

That looks very promising ^^^

Pick one you like from that list and it will most probably sound pretty good... be sure to read the threads for the ones you're considering though.

Reading the threads will show you the kind of problems that were encountered, and what to look out for when you actually go to build it.

 

Sites like this are also pretty good just for learning how to achieve what you're trying to achieve:

http://www.diysubwoofers.org/

http://www.subwoofer-building.com/

http://www.audioholics.com/diy-audio/building-a-do-it-yourself-loudspeaker-design

http://www.diyaudioandvideo.com/

 

I hope this helps

[spwath]

1 hour ago, rhyseyness said:

I've found manufacturers websites are pretty good.

Mine for example, is from the SEAS website.

http://www.seas.no/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=380:idunn&catid=66:seas-diy-kits&Itemid=365

 

For a subwoofer, I'd recommend looking more at dedicated audio forums though, as they don't require as complex a design.

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/155-diy-speakers-subs/1104368-master-index-diy-subwoofer-projects.html

That looks very promising ^^^

Pick one you like from that list and it will most probably sound pretty good... be sure to read the threads for the ones you're considering though.

Reading the threads will show you the kind of problems that were encountered, and what to look out for when you actually go to build it.

 

Sites like this are also pretty good just for learning how to achieve what you're trying to achieve:

http://www.diysubwoofers.org/

http://www.subwoofer-building.com/

http://www.audioholics.com/diy-audio/building-a-do-it-yourself-loudspeaker-design

http://www.diyaudioandvideo.com/

 

I hope this helps

Looks great. Wow, some of thoes horn subwoofers are MASSIVE

look at that...

 

That one they built into their floor as a riser...

[rhyseyness]

14 hours ago, spwath said:

Looks great. Wow, some of thoes horn subwoofers are MASSIVE

look at that...

-SNIP-

That one they built into their floor as a riser...

-SNIP-

The time, money, and space some people have is just insane, lol

[WasThatDave]

On June 28, 2016 at 11:58 AM, spwath said:

So this seems like a cheaper, and more fun option to get  a good subwoofer.

 

I dont know where to start though, what drivers to use, optimal cabinet design, and I would like to learn about this too.

So, thoughts?

Focal is always the best in drivers and tweeters. However Pioneer's Champion series TS-W3003D4 is the best 12inch under $200. However anything above that just go with Focal, Audiofrog, or JL Audio. Focal is preferable though. If you want to make a good 12inch or 10inch sub take a note from KRKs front firing port on the 12s and 10s. Very good design especially for home theater. Materials wood be MDF or Aluminum if you can get your hands on that. Hope this helps!

[spwath]

3 minutes ago, WasThatDave said:

Focal is always the best in drivers and tweeters. However Pioneer's Champion series TS-W3003D4 is the best 12inch under $200. However anything above that just go with Focal, Audiofrog, or JL Audio. Focal is preferable though. If you want to make a good 12inch or 10inch sub take a note from KRKs front firing port on the 12s and 10s. Very good design especially for home theater. Materials wood be MDF or Aluminum if you can get your hands on that. Hope this helps!

Thats weird, the pioneer is around 180$ everwhere, but amazon its $80...

https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Ts-w3003d4-000-watt-Champion-Sub-woofer/dp/B00GDULGG8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467304742&sr=8-1&keywords=ts-w3003d4

[WasThatDave]

2 minutes ago, spwath said:

Thats weird, the pioneer is around 180$ everwhere, but amazon its $80...

https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Ts-w3003d4-000-watt-Champion-Sub-woofer/dp/B00GDULGG8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467304742&sr=8-1&keywords=ts-w3003d4

That is really odd. Maybe stay away from that sub for a while and go with a JL. Not sure what's up with that.

[spwath]

1 minute ago, WasThatDave said:

That is really odd. Maybe stay away from that sub for a while and go with a JL. Not sure what's up with that.

These seem like car subwoofers, generaly lower quality than home subwoofers as they have to be more durable

[WasThatDave]

1 minute ago, spwath said:

These seem like car subwoofers, generaly lower quality than home subwoofers as they have to be more durable

I've built with JL and they're really nice. You just have to watch out for "Competition" branded subs which have to be more durable. Focal are the best right now though. Focal also has some subs under $200 but I've never built with them before so I can't vouch for how good they sound. 

[WasThatDave]

5 minutes ago, spwath said:

These seem like car subwoofers, generaly lower quality than home subwoofers as they have to be more durable

However if you want "Hi-Fi" branded speakers and drivers you can go with Aurasound and Peerless. 

[Automobili3XF]

Try this, it's in portuguese but most of the images are self explanatory.

DAD Uther by Renato Lira, i've heard this subwoofer in person and i gotta say, it sounds amazing:

http://audiokit.com.br/das/subwoofers/uther-um-subwoofer-mais-que-especial.html

It has a JL Audio 13w7 subwoofer.

Video:

 

[Lutkeveld]

On 28-6-2016 at 6:01 PM, SSL said:

@Lutkeveld would probably know if he's still around.

Once in a blue moon. Quoting is indeed the best way to get my attention

 

OT:

-Read up on Thiele Small Parameters

-Search for a high quality driver (Dayton, Tangband, Eminence) with the parameter set you need

-Model the driver in WinISD/Unibox

-Design a box with appropriate wall thickness/bracing

-Look how much the driver can handle mechanically and choose an amplifier based on that

-Set SSF if your enclosure is ported, set LPF and gain to integrate with your main speakers

-???

-Profit

[spwath]

On 6/29/2016 at 9:59 AM, rhyseyness said:

I've found manufacturers websites are pretty good.

Mine for example, is from the SEAS website.

http://www.seas.no/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=380:idunn&catid=66:seas-diy-kits&Itemid=365

 

For a subwoofer, I'd recommend looking more at dedicated audio forums though, as they don't require as complex a design.

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/155-diy-speakers-subs/1104368-master-index-diy-subwoofer-projects.html

That looks very promising ^^^

Pick one you like from that list and it will most probably sound pretty good... be sure to read the threads for the ones you're considering though.

Reading the threads will show you the kind of problems that were encountered, and what to look out for when you actually go to build it.

 

Sites like this are also pretty good just for learning how to achieve what you're trying to achieve:

http://www.diysubwoofers.org/

http://www.subwoofer-building.com/

http://www.audioholics.com/diy-audio/building-a-do-it-yourself-loudspeaker-design

http://www.diyaudioandvideo.com/

 

I hope this helps

ÖK, I just got 2 jbl 2226h drivers fro $50, along with a bunch of other stuff.

 

Could I make a subwoofer with one? Are they suitable for that?

[Stagea]

1 hour ago, spwath said:

ÖK, I just got 2 jbl 2226h drivers fro $50, along with a bunch of other stuff.

 

Could I make a subwoofer with one? Are they suitable for that?

I suggest getting a real subwoofer driver. You might spend more on wood to get those drivers the right enclosure to barely meet your goals.

 

You can model those drivers using their T/S parameters if you really want to.

 

Some car subwoofer drivers can be great for home theater use. They tend to need much larger enclosures in a domestic environment, however (since they won't benefit from the same cabin gain that a car offers).

 

[spwath]

3 minutes ago, Stagea said:

I suggest getting a real subwoofer driver. You might spend more on wood to get those drivers the right enclosure to barely meet your goals.

 

You can model those drivers using their T/S parameters if you really want to.

 

Thats actually what I was just doing. It appears if I make a 6th order bandpass box, it will have a fr of 12.62hrzz to 126.8 hz according to my calculations, internal volume of about  cubic feet.

[Stagea]

1 minute ago, spwath said:

Thats actually what I was just doing. It appears if I make a 6th order bandpass box, it will have a fr of 12.62hrzz to 126.8 hz according to my calculations, internal volume of about  cubic feet.

Check if that driver and enclosure will deliver the right intensity at that low a frequency. Remember that you'd need a lot of displacement to play loud enough on the ultra low registers.

[spwath]

1 minute ago, Stagea said:

Check if that driver and enclosure will deliver the right intensity at that low a frequency. Remember that you'd need a lot of displacement to play loud enough on the ultra low registers.

Yeah, trying to figure that out now. That should be the -3db cutoff point

[Stagea]

2 minutes ago, spwath said:

Yeah, trying to figure that out now. That should be the -3db cutoff point

Nope. There's an SPL simulator in WINISD. You'd see how many dBs you can deliver based on a certain input power. At a certain point output will be truncated because the driver will exceed its linear limits.

[Stagea]

4 minutes ago, spwath said:

Yeah, trying to figure that out now. That should be the -3db cutoff point

When you model, it is a compromise between efficiency, physical size and power handling. Striking a good balance for your driver and room to meet your requirements is key.

[spwath]

Just now, Stagea said:

Nope. There's an SPL simulator in WINISD. You'd see how many dBs you can deliver based on a certain input power. At a certain point output will be truncated because the driver will exceed its linear limits.

OK, I was doing all the calculations by hand, it would probably be easier to use a software...

[spwath]

Just now, Stagea said:

Nope. There's an SPL simulator in WINISD. You'd see how many dBs you can deliver based on a certain input power. At a certain point output will be truncated because the driver will exceed its linear limits.

OK, I was doing all the calculations by hand, it would probably be easier to use a software...