DIY sub planning, no experience? (Big Daddy or others, help) - Blu-ray Forum

PoorSignal · 03-13-2010, 08:52 PM

I recently looked at new sub from mail order companies and my budget is over $1000
I am inspired by big daddy's project and want to check into DIY first.

I want to use external amplifier, maybe like a Dayton from parts express. I want to keep the wires inside the enclosure to minimum, to minimize unwanted noises.

The thing I don't know is about enclosure. I have a router, a few 4' clamps. Benchtop table saw which I am worried I can't get it cut everything square enough. So I would be happy to contract this out to ED as I like their cabinets. (I own one of their subs) I want to have a ported sub with a good 12-15" woofer (front firing) and don't know where to start. Especially ported and tuning and computer design stuff I have no clue about. I don't necessary want a kit but want to focus on a good woofer and external amp. The only computer stuff I am doing recently is with REW,ECM8000 and BFD EQ tuning.

Please help me get started (or not!)

kareface · 03-13-2010, 09:37 PM

I'd suggest some 90 degree clamps if you haven't done a lot of woodworking before, they are a life saver, 2 of them should do. You'll likely need a sander if you don't have one already, and some long clamps are needed. The table saw will work great for cutting squares. Just build a little extension for anything that you need to cut that's longer then the table and clamp it down.

What you're talking about is pretty basic stuff tho. You should just pick which driver you plan to use and I'm sure there are several of us that can calculate the port size and cabinet volume you need, and give advice on how to brace it well. There is a lot of flexibility with front firing subs, you don't really need an exacting plan to get them right.

I would suggest, you should identify what you're looking to accomplish with the sub. Do you want a bass machine that can wake the neighbors a block away or do you want a music sub that has the accuracy and speed can keep up with even the fastest speakers on the market? 1000$ is quite a bit for a DIY, but some of that might be eaten by tools.

crazyBLUE · 03-13-2010, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoorSignal

I recently looked at new sub from mail order companies and my budget is over $1000
I am inspired by big daddy's project and want to check into DIY first.

I want to use external amplifier, maybe like a Dayton from parts express. I want to keep the wires inside the enclosure to minimum, to minimize unwanted noises.

The thing I don't know is about enclosure. I have a router, a few 4' clamps. Benchtop table saw which I am worried I can't get it cut everything square enough. So I would be happy to contract this out to ED as I like their cabinets. (I own one of their subs) I want to have a ported sub with a good 12-15" woofer (front firing) and don't know where to start. Especially ported and tuning and computer design stuff I have no clue about. I don't necessary want a kit but want to focus on a good woofer and external amp. The only computer stuff I am doing recently is with REW,ECM8000 and BFD EQ tuning.

Please help me get started (or not!)

You can always buy the cabinet . Then buy A driver & binding posts to go with it . & you would need to buy the amp to drive it .

I got A 15" cabinet from Big Daddy & bought A Dayton Aluminum Driver for it . I run it off my XPA-5 amp .

Big Daddy · 03-13-2010, 11:17 PM

If you don't have much experience, I suggest that you buy the $65 DIY cabinet from Elemental Designs. All the pieces are precut for a passive 12" subwoofer. After you glue all the parts, you can add a 12" driver from ED or Parts Express and an external amplifier. You cannot do it yourself as cheaply as that. I made one of those myself and the performance is unbelievable.

http://www.edesignaudio.com/index.php?cPath=2_136
https://forum.blu-ray.com/2469598-post621.html

In the future, you can build one from scratch. It is always a good idea to have two subwoofers in a home theater room.

Driver_King · 03-13-2010, 11:17 PM

Check this out. It may be your best bet for your budget. If you need help, you can get help from Brett or some of the others at eD or on their forums./

PoorSignal · 03-14-2010, 04:08 AM

My current sub is ED A3-300, it is pretty good, but I believe I am running out of headroom after I experimented with house curve. I want a bigger driver.

I am looking for something better in every way, little more power, more db, and external amp so I can have a slightly bigger cabinet and not have to leave 3-4" in the back. And I don't want to build a inferior cabinet than what I have got now.

The height is limited to about 24"-26" or so.

got belt sanders and random orbit sanders stuff like that.. if I could get the pieces cut all nice in a kit I would go with that.

kareface · 03-14-2010, 04:43 AM

It's larger then what you're looking for, but for output it's hard to beat the THT:

http://www.titantalk.com/forums/off-...subwoofer.html

http://billfitzmaurice.net/THT.html

Big Daddy · 03-14-2010, 04:45 AM

If you plan to create an earthquake, check these DIY kits at Decware.

$599:
http://www.decware.com/newsite/hwk15.htm

$899:
http://www.decware.com/newsite/hwk15.htm

$1,299: This is my favorite plan. The girl comes with the kit.

http://www.decware.com/imperial.htm

$1,499:
http://www.decware.com/ImperialSO.htm

crazyBLUE · 03-14-2010, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

If you plan to create an earthquake, check these DIY kits at Decware.

$599:
http://www.decware.com/newsite/hwk15.htm

$899:
http://www.decware.com/newsite/hwk15.htm

$1,299: This is my favorite plan. The girl comes with the kit.

http://www.decware.com/imperial.htm

$1,499:
http://www.decware.com/ImperialSO.htm

Can't pass the woman to come with the sub

PoorSignal · 03-14-2010, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

If you plan to create an earthquake, check these DIY kits at Decware.

$599:
http://www.decware.com/newsite/hwk15.htm

$899:
http://www.decware.com/newsite/hwk15.htm

$1,299: This is my favorite plan. The girl comes with the kit.

http://www.decware.com/imperial.htm

$1,499:
http://www.decware.com/ImperialSO.htm

These are a bit too big, I have a space of 24"x24"x36" maximum probably looking for about 22"-26" in each direction..

My room is also bedroom size 10'x12'x8'. So as much as I want an upgrade I gotta be realistic and can't put a fridge size sub in there, as it is not needed. The girl is nice tho

Driver_King · 03-14-2010, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoorSignal

My current sub is ED A3-300, it is pretty good, but I believe I am running out of headroom after I experimented with house curve. I want a bigger driver.

I am looking for something better in every way, little more power, more db, and external amp so I can have a slightly bigger cabinet and not have to leave 3-4" in the back. And I don't want to build a inferior cabinet than what I have got now.

The height is limited to about 24"-26" or so.

got belt sanders and random orbit sanders stuff like that.. if I could get the pieces cut all nice in a kit I would go with that.

The sub I linked you to is a ported 19Ov.2, their 18" subwoofer model. It is tuned to 15hz. Rest assured, you would be getting plenty more output than your A3-300. That kit is CNC cut, so all you really need to have is clamps, time, a belt sander, paint, and lots of wood glue. The amp is also mounted on the right side of the subwoofer, not the back. As for the height, all you have to do is turn the subwoofer on its side and you just have the 36" height as width.

PoorSignal · 03-14-2010, 05:25 AM

driver king looks good. Do you think they will let me opt out of their amps
Do you think I will loose definition with a 18" sub compared to 12"?

Driver_King · 03-14-2010, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoorSignal

driver king looks good. Do you think they will let me opt out of their amps
Do you think I will loose definition with a 18" sub compared to 12"?

I'm not sure about the amps, although the 500 is all you really would need. As far as definition loss, definitely not. If anything, you will gain definition with a flatter frequency response due to the surface area of the cone and the lower tuning.

03-13-2010, 08:52 PM	#1
PoorSignal Senior Member Member since:Jul 2009 Trading Score:24	DIY sub planning, no experience? (Big Daddy or others, help) I recently looked at new sub from mail order companies and my budget is over $1000 I am inspired by big daddy's project and want to check into DIY first. I want to use external amplifier, maybe like a Dayton from parts express. I want to keep the wires inside the enclosure to minimum, to minimize unwanted noises. The thing I don't know is about enclosure. I have a router, a few 4' clamps. Benchtop table saw which I am worried I can't get it cut everything square enough. So I would be happy to contract this out to ED as I like their cabinets. (I own one of their subs) I want to have a ported sub with a good 12-15" woofer (front firing) and don't know where to start. Especially ported and tuning and computer design stuff I have no clue about. I don't necessary want a kit but want to focus on a good woofer and external amp. The only computer stuff I am doing recently is with REW,ECM8000 and BFD EQ tuning. Please help me get started (or not!)

03-13-2010, 11:17 PM	#4
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	If you don't have much experience, I suggest that you buy the $65 DIY cabinet from Elemental Designs. All the pieces are precut for a passive 12" subwoofer. After you glue all the parts, you can add a 12" driver from ED or Parts Express and an external amplifier. You cannot do it yourself as cheaply as that. I made one of those myself and the performance is unbelievable. http://www.edesignaudio.com/index.php?cPath=2_136 https://forum.blu-ray.com/2469598-post621.html In the future, you can build one from scratch. It is always a good idea to have two subwoofers in a home theater room. Last edited by Big Daddy; 03-13-2010 at 11:19 PM.

03-14-2010, 04:08 AM	#6
PoorSignal Senior Member Member since:Jul 2009 Trading Score:24	My current sub is ED A3-300, it is pretty good, but I believe I am running out of headroom after I experimented with house curve. I want a bigger driver. I am looking for something better in every way, little more power, more db, and external amp so I can have a slightly bigger cabinet and not have to leave 3-4" in the back. And I don't want to build a inferior cabinet than what I have got now. The height is limited to about 24"-26" or so. got belt sanders and random orbit sanders stuff like that.. if I could get the pieces cut all nice in a kit I would go with that. Last edited by PoorSignal; 03-14-2010 at 04:10 AM.

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Big Daddy (Adam Sandler)	United Kingdom and Ireland	KingSimba	2	04-01-2010 01:51 PM
Condolences to Big Daddy!	General Chat	Johnny Vinyl	43	12-25-2009 10:15 PM
Big daddy!	Subwoofers	mj79	70	07-31-2009 11:16 AM
Happy Birthday To Big Daddy!!!	General Chat	liquidice	18	05-15-2009 04:29 PM

03-13-2010, 09:37 PM	#2
kareface Senior Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2009 Location:Seattle, Wa Home Theater Gallery:159 Trading Score:1	I'd suggest some 90 degree clamps if you haven't done a lot of woodworking before, they are a life saver, 2 of them should do. You'll likely need a sander if you don't have one already, and some long clamps are needed. The table saw will work great for cutting squares. Just build a little extension for anything that you need to cut that's longer then the table and clamp it down. What you're talking about is pretty basic stuff tho. You should just pick which driver you plan to use and I'm sure there are several of us that can calculate the port size and cabinet volume you need, and give advice on how to brace it well. There is a lot of flexibility with front firing subs, you don't really need an exacting plan to get them right. I would suggest, you should identify what you're looking to accomplish with the sub. Do you want a bass machine that can wake the neighbors a block away or do you want a music sub that has the accuracy and speed can keep up with even the fastest speakers on the market? 1000$ is quite a bit for a DIY, but some of that might be eaten by tools.

03-13-2010, 11:17 PM	#5
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	Check this out. It may be your best bet for your budget. If you need help, you can get help from Brett or some of the others at eD or on their forums./

03-14-2010, 04:43 AM	#7
kareface Senior Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2009 Location:Seattle, Wa Home Theater Gallery:159 Trading Score:1	It's larger then what you're looking for, but for output it's hard to beat the THT: http://www.titantalk.com/forums/off-...subwoofer.html http://billfitzmaurice.net/THT.html

03-14-2010, 04:45 AM	#8
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	If you plan to create an earthquake, check these DIY kits at Decware. $599: http://www.decware.com/newsite/hwk15.htm $899: http://www.decware.com/newsite/hwk15.htm $1,299: This is my favorite plan. The girl comes with the kit. http://www.decware.com/imperial.htm $1,499: http://www.decware.com/ImperialSO.htm

03-14-2010, 05:25 AM	#12
PoorSignal Senior Member Member since:Jul 2009 Trading Score:24	driver king looks good. Do you think they will let me opt out of their amps Do you think I will loose definition with a 18" sub compared to 12"?

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals