Top/Upward Firing Subs?

[dvs1270]

Owners? Opinions? Just wondering about some of your experiences. How many successful attempts with different configurations. Top firing & the port solutions used. Top firing sealed, slotted, ported? Since LFE is omnidirectional, why are the designs "cookie-cutter" in many aspects. I raise this/these questions considering the successful & myriad of floor standing loudspeakers. Thanks for your input.

[kareface]

Originally Posted by dvs1270

Owners? Opinions? Just wondering about some of your experiences. How many successful attempts with different configurations. Top firing & the port solutions used. Top firing sealed, slotted, ported? Since LFE is omnidirectional, why are the designs "cookie-cutter" in many aspects. I raise this/these questions considering the successful & myriad of floor standing loudspeakers. Thanks for your input.

It is omni, but the direction of the driver and slightly change the nature of the room response. It shouldn't make that large of a difference tho.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by dvs1270

Owners? Opinions? Just wondering about some of your experiences. How many successful attempts with different configurations. Top firing & the port solutions used. Top firing sealed, slotted, ported? Since LFE is omnidirectional, why are the designs "cookie-cutter" in many aspects. I raise this/these questions considering the successful & myriad of floor standing loudspeakers. Thanks for your input.

Where is Big Daddy, he's got one...I think he tweaked an old-school Hsu, did something with an external amp. It's some kind of freak box, according to legend, makes your teeth itch in their sockets. Runs pretty deep.

A cylinder configuration...I think it's sealed. He should chime in soon.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by dvs1270

Owners? Opinions? Just wondering about some of your experiences. How many successful attempts with different configurations. Top firing & the port solutions used. Top firing sealed, slotted, ported? Since LFE is omnidirectional, why are the designs "cookie-cutter" in many aspects. I raise this/these questions considering the successful & myriad of floor standing loudspeakers. Thanks for your input.

I am not quite sure what you are looking for in this thread, but I will do my best to add to your confusion.

Manufacturers build different types of subwoofers because of many reasons that do not have anything to do with sound quality. This is pretty much the same in almost all markets. Why do we have so many different types of soap or toothpaste? Why do we have so many different type of cars, cameras, receivers, crackers, etc., etc., etc.? It is the nature of a capitalist economy to offer too many choices and confuse the heck out of the consumers.

As a general rule, the type of enclosure or the orientation of the subwoofer does not play an important role in the quality of sound. Aesthetics, cost, convenience, and customers’ perspective and needs are far more important. Here are some example:

1. If you have children or pets, you will probably prefer a down-firing subwoofer.
2. If you have a shaggy carpet, you will probably prefer a front-firing subwoofer.
3. A manufacturer that concentrates on the beauty of the enclosure and builds (for example a beautiful Rubik's Cube cabinet) may put the driver in the bottom with no port.
4. Many people hold the view that sealed subwoofers are more appropriate for music applications and ported subwoofers are more appropriate for HT applications. This view may be a bit old as there are ported subwoofers and speakers that sound as good or even better than sealed speakers/subwoofers.
5. If you want to impress all your friends and are willing to pay the additional price, you will probably prefer a cylindrical subwoofer.
6. If the cylindrical subwoofer is tall and skinny, the driver and port may be placed on top, firing toward the ceiling.
7. If the cylindrical sub subwoofer is short and fat, the driver and the port may be placed in the bottom.
8. It is also possible to put the driver on the side of a cylindrical subwoofer at additional cost.

This is what Dr. Hsu of Hsu Research said in an interview by GoodSound on the subject of subwoofers for music applications:

SE: I've noted that many subwoofers with good reputations for music applications use down-firing rather than front-firing drivers. Is this just coincidence or does it reflect a particular design philosophy?

Dr. Hsu: I feel that's just a coincidence. In the case of the VTF-2, the down-firing design was chosen to save money. A down-firing woofer doesn't need a grill to protect it. The upcoming VTF-3 will have a forward-firing woofer because the box is larger. We feel it would look too plain and large without a grille.

Check the https://forum.blu-ray.com/subwoofers...upgrading.html and https://forum.blu-ray.com/subwoofers...er-risers.html threads for a variety of DIY subwoofer craziness.

In here, I attached 4" legs to my two cylindrical Hsu subwoofers. The subs already had metallic spikes. I was not very happy with them as they were two short and I was worried about scratching the wood floor.

You can find the ultimate craziness in how I added the Exodus Shiva driver to one of the cylindrical Hsu subwoofers.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/2324041-post587.html

Elac makes Rubik's Cube Subwoofers. They have WAF appeal.

RubikCube.jpg

This is the black version of the Rubik's Cube subwoofer.

ElacSW.jpg

These are pictures of water heater subwoofers sold by Funky Waves of Canada and Sub Tables sold by Performance Furniture.

Funky Waves, $800:
http://funkywaves.net/catalog.cfm?item=fw_15_1

Funky Waves, $1,200 to $1,700:
http://funkywaves.net/catalog.cfm?item=fw_15_2

Sub Tables:
http://www.performancefurniture.com/st/default.html

[Steve]

BD the subs you linked at the bottom by Funky Waves and Performance Furniture are really neat. I wasn't aware that anyone built subs into tables although I guess I shouldn't be surprised by it.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Steve

BD the subs you linked at the bottom by Funky Waves and Performance Furniture are really neat. I wasn't aware that anyone built subs into tables although I guess I shouldn't be surprised by it.

I love the Sub Tables. They come in different colors. If you are interested, Crutchfield sells them. Should I order two for you?

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I love the Sub Tables. They come in different colors. If you are interested, Crutchfield sells them. Should I order two for you?

What about ME Nice post BD ! I have seen the pics of the Cylinders with the subs on the sides Beautiful subs .

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

What about ME Nice post BD ! I have seen the pics of the Cylinders with the subs on the sides Beautiful subs .

For lowly mortals, I will order two. For crazy people, I will have to order four.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I love the Sub Tables. They come in different colors. If you are interested, Crutchfield sells them. Should I order two for you?

At $2800 they're practically giving them away. I might put one or two in my bathroom just for good luck. I think I'll also give them out as stocking stuffers when Christmas time comes back around.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

For lowly mortals, I will order two. For crazy people, I will have to order four.

I only need three at the moment I have been thinking of where to put #4

[dvs1270]

thanks bd. just one of those things that popped into my mind at 3 in the morning.

[Johk]

Originally Posted by dvs1270

thanks bd. just one of those things that pooped into my mind at 3 in the morning.

"pooped" really?


...sorry I couldn't resists

Nice sub selection BD

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Johk

"pooped" really?


...sorry I couldn't resists

Nice sub selection BD

If you check the prices of the subwoofers I posted, you will probably poop yourself.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

If you check the prices of the subwoofers I posted, you will probably poop yourself.

[Show spoiler]

[BLUTRIG]

I love that ideal of the Sub tables,does it work

[BLUTRIG]

how about two down firing subs in a coffee tables ?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by BLUTRIG

I love that ideal of the Sub tables,does it work

They are pretty good subwoofers.The reason the prices may appear a bit high is because they are very high quality pieces of furniture. They have extremely high wife appeal for people who want one or two subwoofers that are placed out of sight.

Originally Posted by BLUTRIG

how about two down firing subs in a coffee tables ?

I am sure if you talk to them, they can add subwoofers to any type of furniture you like.

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by BLUTRIG

how about two down firing subs in a coffee tables ?

If you're feeling crafty, you could build your own coffee table subwoofer.

[dvs1270]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

[Show spoiler]

just got off. late & buzzed.

[stcurell]

Love the Rubik's cube.