DIY Subwoofer Risers

[progers13]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Steve,

Woderfull job on your new riser. I like how it blends with the wall-to-wall carpets. Don't be afraid and make the riser even taller. You can raise it up to a couple of feet and get better results. Of course, you may have to deal with WAF, GAF or NIF.

Originally Posted by Steve

Thanks Big Daddy. I considered framing the bottom with a 2x8 instead of a 2x6 to get it up a couple inches higher, but I decided not to due to the WAF.

Yeah, BD, he elected to get the WAF after he did it.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by progers13

Yeah, BD, he elected to get the WAF after he did it.

It turned out fine though. She thought it looked fine when she got home.

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by progers13

Have you "skidoosh"ed yet?

Not yet, as I don't own that movie yet. I've heard Many people refer to that scene tho', so I might have to Netflix it til' I own it.

Originally Posted by Steve

Thank you, and that wasn't my first time building anything. I used to do roofing for a living and that involved a good bit of carpentry when making repairs. I'm not the best guy to put in baseboard or crown molding, but I get by Ok with most stuff. Marking the frame on top made it much easier to drill pilot holes.

The carpet job isn't exactly perfect, but you would have to flip the riser over and examine it pretty closely to find the flaws in it.

Thanks. I'm really looking forward to playing some more scenes to hear the improvement. I'll definitely check out the one you mention from TDK and the car chase at the beginning of Quantum of Solace.

No I don't have KungFu Panda so no "skidoosh" for me.

Damn, running late: about to finally (!!) throw in CASINO ROYALE. Gesh...

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Did you have oral sex with your new sub?

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=skidoosh

LMAO -- Now That was frappin' Beyond Classic BD!! Good lord, where do you get that stuff?! Nut.

Originally Posted by Steve

It turned out fine though. She thought it looked fine when she got home.

Excellent. Now when you do the same to Sub# 2, it might blend in so much, she won't even notice for a few months.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Aerodude73

Excellent. Now when you do the same to Sub# 2, it might blend in so much, she won't even notice for a few months.

I bet she'll notice when she checks the bank account.

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by Steve

I bet she'll notice when she checks the bank account.

Well, yea. There's THAT...

[duder1234]

Which type of sand is the best to use? Does it replace the foam in the center/bottom of the riser?

Thanks!

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by duder1234

Which type of sand is the best to use? Does it replace the foam in the center/bottom of the riser?

Thanks!

How much sand are you thinking of adding? Remember, sand is heavy....your riser could end up weighing more than your sub...making it really hard to move it if you need to.

I don't think there is a specific sand...any thing you can get should work and it would be replacing the foam as well.

[tbizzle]

Wow people really like this sand idea. I would just use foam duder, but if you feel like makin a unique, very heavy riser, go for it. Post some pics up when you're done

[duder1234]

My subs not that big at all. Its a boston acoustics subsat 6. Measures 13.75L x 7.25W x 16.5H. Maybe thinking about an 8-12 inch riser? Here are some pics. Do you think sand would be more $spensive$ than foam? As far as "how much sand", not really sure until I build the riser. But Im sure some of you math guys will take the sub measurments I gave and come up with a rough sand estimate.

[progers13]

Originally Posted by duder1234

My subs not that big at all. Its a boston acoustics subsat 6. Measures 13.75L x 7.25W x 16.5H. Maybe thinking about an 8-12 inch riser? Here are some pics. Do you think sand would be more $spensive$ than foam? As far as "how much sand", not really sure until I build the riser. But Im sure some of you math guys will take the sub measurments I gave and come up with a rough sand estimate.

Here's a very rough estimate for you:

8" riser = .46 cubic feet
10" riser = .58 cubic feet
12" riser = .69 cubic feet

The price of sand can vary depending on the type and brand, of course. For the sake of this little experiment, I chose Quikrete Play Sand (from Lowes). This type should be a bit more granular and not so fine as some of the paver leveling sand that I saw. In any event, these are sold in 50 lb bags; 50 pounds equates to approximately .5 cubic feet.

So, based on the measurements you provided, you could get by with one bag for an 8" riser, but you would need 2 bags for the 10" or 12". Each 50 lb bag costs $3.68 at my local Lowes. 8" riser = $3.68 in sand; 10"/12" = $7.36 in sand.

Polyfill foam for the same cubic space costs approximately $5 ~ $10 at Walmart or a craft store.

My conclusion: cost is not a factor between these options. As such, the weight consideration tips the scales in favor of the foam. And the riser is much less likely to "spring a leak" and make a big ol' mess with foam.

[duder1234]

Originally Posted by progers13

Here's a very rough estimate for you:

8" riser = .46 cubic feet
10" riser = .58 cubic feet
12" riser = .69 cubic feet

The price of sand can vary depending on the type and brand, of course. For the sake of this little experiment, I chose Quikrete Play Sand (from Lowes). This type should be a bit more granular and not so fine as some of the paver leveling sand that I saw. In any event, these are sold in 50 lb bags; 50 pounds equates to approximately .5 cubic feet.

So, based on the measurements you provided, you could get by with one bag for an 8" riser, but you would need 2 bags for the 10" or 12". Each 50 lb bag costs $3.68 at my local Lowes. 8" riser = $3.68 in sand; 10"/12" = $7.36 in sand.

Polyfill foam for the same cubic space costs approximately $5 ~ $10 at Walmart or a craft store.

My conclusion: cost is not a factor between these options. As such, the weight consideration tips the scales in favor of the foam. And the riser is much less likely to "spring a leak" and make a big ol' mess with foam.

Thanks PROGERS!

Pretty soon, I'll have to brand you with the "good old" title (as in, "good old progers to the rescue!).

On another note, I did a little sperimenting and put the sub onto one of those $15 wal-mart foot stools/autumns I had laying around. Its hollow inside, so I stuffed it with some dense pillows. It rose the sub up about 17 inches. After listening for a bit, I decided that it sounded better w/o the "autumn riser". Perhaps autumns aren't suited to be riser?

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by progers13

Here's a very rough estimate for you:

8" riser = .46 cubic feet
10" riser = .58 cubic feet
12" riser = .69 cubic feet

The price of sand can vary depending on the type and brand, of course. For the sake of this little experiment, I chose Quikrete Play Sand (from Lowes). This type should be a bit more granular and not so fine as some of the paver leveling sand that I saw. In any event, these are sold in 50 lb bags; 50 pounds equates to approximately .5 cubic feet.

So, based on the measurements you provided, you could get by with one bag for an 8" riser, but you would need 2 bags for the 10" or 12". Each 50 lb bag costs $3.68 at my local Lowes. 8" riser = $3.68 in sand; 10"/12" = $7.36 in sand.

Polyfill foam for the same cubic space costs approximately $5 ~ $10 at Walmart or a craft store.

My conclusion: cost is not a factor between these options. As such, the weight consideration tips the scales in favor of the foam. And the riser is much less likely to "spring a leak" and make a big ol' mess with foam.

Did you research this or what

Lighter & less messy would be my route

[progers13]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Did you research this or what

Lighter & less messy would be my route

Well, we have a couple of conference tables at the office that are weighted with sand at the base. Believe me, they are heavy. And they do tend to "spring a leak" when you try to move them. I'll stick with my foam filled risers.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by progers13

Well, we have a couple of conference tables at the office that are weighted with sand at the base. Believe me, they are heavy. And they do tend to "spring a leak" when you try to move them. I'll stick with my foam filled risers.

I totally agree Bud . All 3 of my Risers have foam so I can move them

[jlafrenz]

Here is the sub platform that I built. It is made of 1 1/2 inch granite with hockey pucks for feet. I posted a picture of some racquetballs filled with silicone that I made to use as feet, but they allowed the granite to move or "sway" too much on my carpet so I opted for the hockey pucks. I posted the picture anyway because someone my find them useful in their application. Wood floors perhaps... I made this in a day or so and have less than $20 invested.

Any way here are the pics of the steps I took.

Raw slab of granite without finished edges. A local granite dealer told me to help myself to his scrap pile. Yes, those are cans of PBR and High Life





I finished the edges with a brush on polyurethane. Polishing would have been too much trouble and cost.

Tape off the edges to keep the top clean from polyurethane.



Finished edges



I then used 1 inch balls of poster tack between the granite and the subs. This keeps the subs from being placed directly on the granite and keeps them from moving. Here is a finished pic of them. It is hard to tell from the pic, but the subs are elevated from the granite and the granite is elevated from the carpet via the hockey pucks.





And finally, here are those racquetballs filled with silicone as another option for feet instead of the hockey pucks.

[crazyBLUE]

Nice Stack jlafrenz ! Your sub boxes look almost exactly like my 15" DIY Passive sub .

[progers13]

What a unique idea for a riser! I like it!!!

[GAWD]

Sorry guys I went through as many pages as I could without seeing what I wanted to find. Does anyone have pics of their two foot riser before it was covered? Just wondering how I could build a sturdy one to support a 80 lbs sub without ever having to worry about it tumbling to the ground.

I was thinking...plank then 2x8s then another plank then another set of 2x8s plank 2x8s.

If that makes any sense lol ... all cavities filled with some type of foam or rockwool insulation.

[progers13]

Originally Posted by GAWD

Sorry guys I went through as many pages as I could without seeing what I wanted to find. Does anyone have pics of their two foot riser before it was covered? Just wondering how I could build a sturdy one to support a 80 lbs sub without ever having to worry about it tumbling to the ground.

I was thinking...plank then 2x8s then another plank then another set of 2x8s plank 2x8s.

If that makes any sense lol ... all cavities filled with some type of foam or rockwool insulation.

Sure, that can work. A lot of it is being creative, coming up with a plan, and running with it. My risers support 72 pound subs. I personally prefer to have a 3/4" board on the bottom and on top with any size legs in between. I think having a board on the bottom creates a sturdy base so the legs don't buckle or break. Just my opinion of course, and is not needed. But my risers withstood 185 pounds hopping up and down on them without cracking or breaking (yes, tested).

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by GAWD

Sorry guys I went through as many pages as I could without seeing what I wanted to find. Does anyone have pics of their two foot riser before it was covered? Just wondering how I could build a sturdy one to support a 80 lbs sub without ever having to worry about it tumbling to the ground.

I was thinking...plank then 2x8s then another plank then another set of 2x8s plank 2x8s.

If that makes any sense lol ... all cavities filled with some type of foam or rockwool insulation.

Go back to Post #1. Those legs I bought with installation hardware are available at Home Depot and Lowes up to a couple of feet. You can add additional metallic bracing if you want.