DIY sub driver size?

POLKHT
POLKHT Posts: 138
edited August 2012 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
A friend of mine is going to build a sub. He was thinking either 4 12's, 2 on top of each other and on opposing sides or 2 15's on opposing sides. He was wondering what size drivers would be best? The subs will be the same other than the size. He has not decided on the amp yet, but the decision will be based on which size sub is chosen.

Also what are the advantages or disadvantages of the 4 12's vs 2 15's?

Thanks
Post edited by POLKHT on
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Comments

  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited July 2012
    It all depends on the size of his room and how loud he wants it. (2)15's will dip much deeper than the exact model 12's.
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  • POLKHT
    POLKHT Posts: 138
    edited July 2012
    leroyjr1,
    His room is fairly large with a vaulted ceiling. He wants it to be loud and deep. He currently has 2 separate DIY JL 12w7 with 1500 watts to each of them. In the past he has had a ML Decent-i and ML Depth-i, Velodyne SPL 1200 and a couple of Sunfires. He was never really 100% satisfied with any of them. In addition, he likes DIY.

    So, 2 15's will dip lower than 4 12's?

    Thanks
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited July 2012
    I'd look at TC Sounds Lms drivers. Some of the best subs out there. If deeper is what he's after I'd go 15's or 18's.
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  • Phasewolf
    Phasewolf Posts: 514
    edited July 2012
    What software is he using to model the boxes and driver configuration. I would use a pair of a 18" one per box. What has he done to look at the room for dips and peaks in the lfe range for all we know there is a huge dip and without proper treatment it will never sound right.
    Absolute corruption empowers absolutely.

    Lg 55LW5600 TV
    Onkyo PR-SC 5508
    Legacy Audio Focus SE
    Legacy Audio Silverscreen HD center
    Polk F/X500i Rears
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Sunfire Grand Cinema
    Behringer iNUKE NU6000DSP
    Pair of CraigSUB SS-18.1
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  • gp4jesus
    gp4jesus Posts: 1,988
    edited July 2012
    driver size does not dictate LF cut off. One particular reference Dayton 12" sub comes to mind.

    He should gather up driver specs then go to:

    http://www.linearteam.dk/default.aspx?pageid=winisd

    I've used winisd to model different drivers to learn one 12 will dip lower than some 15$...

    sealed vs ported will give different results... ...YMMV

    tony
    Samsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED, Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside BJC 10 ga: LCR mids “Foamed & Plugged**”, inside* & out
    8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out
    *soldered **Rob the Man (Xschop) LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & Mids - 981, connected w/Monoprice Premiere ICs
    Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981 -> Bi-amped CSi A6 Surrounds: Premiere ICs ->Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3. 5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”. Power Conditioning & Distribution: 4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s
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  • edoggrc51
    edoggrc51 Posts: 584
    edited July 2012
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    I'd look at TC Sounds Lms drivers. Some of the best subs out there. If deeper is what he's after I'd go 15's or 18's.
    +1

    I built 4 of them using the 18in LMS. But two of the 15in versions in a dual opposed configuration would be killer. If done right and with proper power and EQ i bet it'll give a Submersive HP a run for its money, might even best it actually.
    Denon 4311ci
    MINIdsp OPEN-DRC
    XPR-5
    LS6 Line Arrays
    LS-C Center Channel
    A/V-1RS Surounds
    Quad DIY LMS Ultra subs (powered by dual IPR-7500 amps)
    Panny AE-8000u
    2:35 110in Screen
    Oppo BDP-103
    Belkin PF60
    Harmony ONE

    2ch: Emotiva Stealth 8's, Airport Express
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  • POLKHT
    POLKHT Posts: 138
    edited July 2012
    Phasewolf wrote: »
    What software is he using to model the boxes and driver configuration. I would use a pair of a 18" one per box. What has he done to look at the room for dips and peaks in the lfe range for all we know there is a huge dip and without proper treatment it will never sound right.

    Phasewolf,

    Well he has a Velodyne SMS-1, so I think that should correct the dips and peaks. I know very little to nothing in regards to the SMS-1, but I think it's supposed to fix those issues?

    18's would be too big of a box. He has a wife, so it can't be too large.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited July 2012
    edoggrc51 wrote: »
    +1

    I built 4 of them using the 18in LMS. But two of the 15in versions in a dual opposed configuration would be killer. If done right and with proper power and EQ i bet it'll give a Submersive HP a run for its money, might even best it actually.

    TC Sounds builds his subs if I'm not mistaken.
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  • edoggrc51
    edoggrc51 Posts: 584
    edited July 2012
    The SMS-1 can help correct peaks & nulls, but proper placement and setup is a MUST before doing any sort of EQ work. Also depending on what driver he uses, the cabinet does have to be huge. There are some GREAT 18in drivers out there that'll work well in small (3.5cuft).
    Denon 4311ci
    MINIdsp OPEN-DRC
    XPR-5
    LS6 Line Arrays
    LS-C Center Channel
    A/V-1RS Surounds
    Quad DIY LMS Ultra subs (powered by dual IPR-7500 amps)
    Panny AE-8000u
    2:35 110in Screen
    Oppo BDP-103
    Belkin PF60
    Harmony ONE

    2ch: Emotiva Stealth 8's, Airport Express
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • edoggrc51
    edoggrc51 Posts: 584
    edited July 2012
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    TC Sounds builds his subs if I'm not mistaken.
    If you're referring to the Submersive, the drivers that Mark uses are custom made Eminence drivers.
    Denon 4311ci
    MINIdsp OPEN-DRC
    XPR-5
    LS6 Line Arrays
    LS-C Center Channel
    A/V-1RS Surounds
    Quad DIY LMS Ultra subs (powered by dual IPR-7500 amps)
    Panny AE-8000u
    2:35 110in Screen
    Oppo BDP-103
    Belkin PF60
    Harmony ONE

    2ch: Emotiva Stealth 8's, Airport Express
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited July 2012
    edoggrc51 wrote: »
    If you're referring to the Submersive, the drivers that Mark uses are custom made Eminence drivers.

    yes, the submersive. Seen a picture of his shop with subs and boxes and noticed a ton of TC sounds boxes in the back.
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  • edoggrc51
    edoggrc51 Posts: 584
    edited July 2012
    Hmmmm, thats interesting. Mark's always said that Eminence makes his drivers. Maybe it was a pic from Funky Wave's shop?? They use TC drivers.
    Denon 4311ci
    MINIdsp OPEN-DRC
    XPR-5
    LS6 Line Arrays
    LS-C Center Channel
    A/V-1RS Surounds
    Quad DIY LMS Ultra subs (powered by dual IPR-7500 amps)
    Panny AE-8000u
    2:35 110in Screen
    Oppo BDP-103
    Belkin PF60
    Harmony ONE

    2ch: Emotiva Stealth 8's, Airport Express
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited July 2012
    no, it was from marks shop. give me a minute to find the pic.
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  • Phasewolf
    Phasewolf Posts: 514
    edited July 2012
    I own a pair of Craig subs with 18" drivers the box if memory serves is 22x22x22 inch cube and they are great what size box is the largest he is allowed to place?
    Absolute corruption empowers absolutely.

    Lg 55LW5600 TV
    Onkyo PR-SC 5508
    Legacy Audio Focus SE
    Legacy Audio Silverscreen HD center
    Polk F/X500i Rears
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Sunfire Grand Cinema
    Behringer iNUKE NU6000DSP
    Pair of CraigSUB SS-18.1
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  • POLKHT
    POLKHT Posts: 138
    edited July 2012
    Not sure what the max size of the box will be. I 'm sure he does not want to go with 18's, but I could be wrong.
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  • POLKHT
    POLKHT Posts: 138
    edited July 2012
    I'll sugguest he go with 15's.
    Thanks everyone for the input and suggestions.

    If there are any other suggestions, I would like to read them.
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  • tonyw
    tonyw Posts: 21
    edited August 2012
    4 12s have more surface area than id say any pair of 15s, he'd gain voltage sensitivity just by having that many subs wired together, plus it would be able to handle more power, and most 12s need smaller boxes than a single 15 so he'd have more output, probably a smaller box, this would be a definite if the drivers were very low "VAS" and "QTS" tell guy to go with reputible manufacturer, look for low vas, qts, and high rms power handling, and ultra high xmax hell be happy with bass thatl blow off his drywall
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