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No size limit on HT subwoofer, help please [message #51679]

Sun, 06 January 2008 06:48

Rick P
Messages: 6
Registered: May 2009

Esquire

I finally have a dedicated HT room in which my wife has agreed to let me design, so speaker size or looks is not a problem. (I have a great wife!) I want to build a subwoofer that goes as low and has much pressure as possible, are horns the best?. My room is 13x23x8.5 and is sealed with an exterior door, it has 2x4 double walls and ceiling, double drywall on interior wall, r-13 insulation in both walls with a 3" air gap in between, and a concrete floor at this time. (brand new with nothing in it yet) Also I could use help on acustical devises such as bass traps ect. to keep the sound from going throughout the house. Thaks in advance for all your help.

Rick.

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Re: No size limit on HT subwoofer, help please [message #51682 is a reply to message #51679]

Sun, 06 January 2008 08:50

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18786
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

I'm thinking the 12π basshorn subwoofer may be a bit much. It was designed for outdoor use or very large arenas and is overkill for home hifi. But if you want the most powerful, lowest distortion and highest fidelity possible, it's the sub for you.

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Re: No size limit on HT subwoofer, help please [message #51683 is a reply to message #51682]

Sun, 06 January 2008 16:19

Rick P
Messages: 6
Registered: May 2009

Esquire

The 12pi is one I am considering, but it only appears to go down to about 30Hz. Can the horn be modified along with different speakers to reach into the 10Hz range? What about an IB speaker set up? Does an IB rattle everything in your attic?

Thanks, Rick.

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Re: No size limit on HT subwoofer, help please [message #51684 is a reply to message #51683]

Sun, 06 January 2008 18:52

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18786
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

No, the 12π is not suitable for use under 30Hz. I wouldn't recommend any horn for use at the frequencies you're talking about. I suggest a large driver with low Fs, or more likely several of them. For use at infrasonic bass frequencies, you really need low resonance and high displacement. Infinite baffle mounted in a wall or ceiling would probably be a good way to go.

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Re: No size limit on HT subwoofer, help please [message #51685 is a reply to message #51682]

Mon, 07 January 2008 01:15

Bill Epstein
Messages: 1088
Registered: May 2009
Location: Smoky Mts. USA

Illuminati (2nd Degree)

If strictly for HT, the dayton Titanic is hard to beat. Sucks for music, tho', always muddies the mid-range.

Mine, in a 4 cu ft box with 4"x 17" port is flat to 17Hz and shakes the building effortlessly.

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Re: No size limit on HT subwoofer, help please [message #51688 is a reply to message #51685]

Mon, 07 January 2008 10:15

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18786
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

Looks good. If I wanted response down to below 20Hz for home theater, I'd do the same thing. It is tuned right for the deep notes and isn't too big.

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Re: No size limit on HT subwoofer, help please [message #51691 is a reply to message #51679]

Mon, 07 January 2008 21:36

steve f
Messages: 238
Registered: May 2009

Master

Rick,
Take a look at www.rythmikaudio.com. Brian caters to the DIY crowd and his design can hit 14 HZ. The site is filled with a lot of useful information. I purchased a kit over a year ago, and being too busy these days, just started construction a couple of days ago!
The kits appear first rate. The woofer is custom built by TC Sounds. I can't imagine a better solution for both home theater and music. A big plus is a very reasonable cost factor.
Steve

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Re: No size limit on HT subwoofer, help please [message #51692 is a reply to message #51688]

Tue, 08 January 2008 07:52

rickp
Messages: 3
Registered: May 2009

Esquire

Looks good thanks for the help.
Rick.

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Re: No size limit on HT subwoofer, help please [message #51693 is a reply to message #51691]

Tue, 08 January 2008 08:29

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18786
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

I like that servo drive system. It's a true servo system (using feedback) rather than just a name. Without some mechanism to reduce distortion, subwoofer distortion is usually high double digits or even triple digits. The 12π hornsub reduces distortion using push-pull drive. Horn loading also reduces distortion and makes it capable of very high output, 105dB/W and 138dB max output. Other good subs reduce distortion with shorting rings or differential drive. Without some mechanism to reduce distortion, subs can really sound flabby to me.

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