Sonotube sub construction

Ron-P

Well I changed my order from the 12" Shiva to the 15" Tempest sub from Adire Audio. I should get the speaker by Friday. I kept my amp on order from Parts Express, a 250watt plate amp. I picked up a 20" dia x 36" long piece of sonotube. Today I am getting the 3/4" MDF.

So far the cost (after tax and delivery) is as follows.

250w Plate Amp...........$146.75
Tempest.......................$152.50
Sonotube.......................$25.30
4x8 sheet MDF...............$21.49
Misc. Material.................$50.00 (estimate)

All-n-all a sub that should out preform my CT-120 by leaps and bounds for $396.04. $400.00 for a new sub, not bad at all. Beats an $800.00 SVS.

If I see my Tempest by this weekend, consturction will begin.

Don at Adire has the same Tempest in a 4.3 cf (net) sealed enclosure with 4 lbs. of loose polyfill. I'll model mine after his. I'll post pics in this thread as construction progresses.

I wish it was Friday.

Peace Out~:D

hoosier21

I am eager to here how this goes Ron, your project is VERY close to what I am planning on, I want to hear from somebody I feel comfortable with how it really performs. I will be making a box rather than the Sonotube.

Keep us updated.

Aaron

Sounds kinky, Ron. Definitely keep us posted. You might even inspire me to do it.

Aaron

madmax

Ron,
If you added their 15" passive radiator you could go flat way way down. It looks awesome too.
madmax

SPEAKER7

Hey, Ron..........Well, if everything works out.....you can start manufacturing and selling your own line of subs through the net.....then you will have lots of dough to use for you future upgrades.

well, I'll be waiting for the end results....lets see how this sub performs and how it looks!



dc.:)

Ron-P

Max, what would the PR do?

Hey, I am just as curious as you guys are. It is an expensive iffy project, but from what I have been reading, it should be one serious sub extending down to 18 Hz.

After reading up on the desing for the Tempest box, they recommed 6.16cf of air space. If I leave my sonotube as is (36" long) I come in at 6.37cy. So it sounds like I am right on target. .


Peace Out~:D

Ron-P

Well, I just found out that I cannot use a Passive Radiator in a sonotube sub. The PR must be mounted vertically. So unless I was to lay my sonotube down, I cannot use one.


Peace Out~:D

madmax

Ron,
A PR acts almost like a port but doesn't have the port noise. They sound very defined.

When I mentioned using one I picured it on a 16" x 16" panel set slightly into the tube so that the sides are flush with the tube and the top and bottom of the panel would be inside the tube. Kind of like a flat spot on the front? Sorry but it's hard to describe. The 1.2's use them and the first time I heard this type of bass I fell in love! You can actually "hear" the tooth of very low notes.
madmax

wangotango68

who sells passive drivers? is there a place online that sells them?


scott:cool:

madmax

Oh yea,
You would have to make it the same size as if you were using ports. (larger) AND, after thinking about it, since your room is fairly small a roll off like you will get from a sealed box is much better for you. The room gain will even out the response and make it flat. If you have not done so you can talk to them about room gain. If you take the longest diminsion of the room and divide it by some number (?sorry) you can calculate the exact internal volume you need for the sealed box to make your room flat throughout the frequency range. Not as hard as it sounds but I don't remember exactly how to do it. Adire would though. Also, the guys at the Tech Talk forum on the partsexpress.com site will usually do it for you or at least tell you how to do it if you ask. Kind of like this site but many of them have extensive knowledge (not to mention software) on this subject.
madmax

Ron-P

Click me Scott...oh yes..right...HERE Ohhh that's it.

Thanks for the info Max. Right now I am going to give what I have a shot. I can always modify it if I do not like the results. Being new at sonosub construction. I want to start simple and move up from there. I'm sure, if this one a winner, it will not be the last one I will build.


Peace Out~:D

madmax

Scott,
Adire audio on the web has a great one. 15" and there is a nice cavity mounted to the back of the cone which you attach weignts to tune it to your box. Stryke has some too but you have to choose the weight of the cone you want before you buy it.
http://www.stryke.com/prs.htm
and
http://www.adireaudio.com/

For some good info check out:
http://www.diysubwoofers.org/prd/
and:
http://www.speakerbuilder.net/web_files/

Check out their large subwoofer drivers at:
http://www.blueprintdrivers.com/


If you want a program to design boxes search for "winISD" They have a free download.
madmax

madmax

Ron,
If you haven't found a speaker connector yet this one is for you. I ordered one and it is awesome. It looks like any other in the pic but when you hold on to it you feel like you just took it off of a "giants" speaker.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=260-314

har_navalta

Thank you Madmax for the site of Parts Express...






Har:)

madmax

No problem,
They cost me more than I would like to admit! Get a free catalog from them, it's easier to read. Also watch their daily specials. Some really good prices. The forum is top notch as well.
madmax

briancs

Ron is the Tempest a DVC? I was checking out Adire's site, and I believe it said dual posts for the Tempest. If it is how do you have it wired? Also is it 4 or 8 ohm? I have finally gotten rid of a larger monthly bill and now I HAVE MONEY:D . So I was thinking about going your route and doing a sonotube. The amp is a big ????:rolleyes: ????????????? though. I am pondering the Onkyo 282 (I believe that is the rough model #). Which is 100x2
so I would have less power. Will it even be happy at 4 ohm? The plate amp is cheaper , and more powerful though. Questions Questions
Oh yeah do you have a rough idea as to how low you are going with your set-up, and is the bass LOUD or just "well defined"?
Thanks in advance

Ron-P

Sorry briancs, just saw your post.

Yes, the Tempest is a DVC. I have it wired up via (+) to (+) and (-) to (-) which results in a 4 ohm load.

As for the amp. Either ParatsExpress.com or MCMElectronics.com will have the 250watt plate amp, usually around $130. But, if your not in a hurry, watch for sales. I am probably only feeding my sub 100watts max right now, any more and it becomes over-powering. I might build a 12" shiva sonosub and run it off the same amp, of course I'd have to rewire for an 8ohm load if I went this route.

Oh yeah do you have a rough idea as to how low you are going with your set-

Right now I am rolling off at 22Hz. Pretty damn impressive. I was told that I would be able to reach 18Hz if I went with a larger sonotube or if I decided to port it.

The bass is not loud sounding. It is very well defined, accurate and hard hitting with no boominess. I was a little concerned going with a 15" instead of the 12", but I am glad I did. Very impressive.

Hope this helps.


Peace Out~:D

briancs

Thanks Ron. I was assuming you were using the 250watt amp after checking out parts express. Is that the peak rating? Also if I am wrong about the amp would you tell me what make/model it is. As I stated before I checked out the woofer. Because of my discount at work I was wondering if you thought something at CC would work? Alpine Type R, MTX 4000, 6000, 8000. I believe those are the only fifteens I can get. The Alpines are DVC. The MTXs are SVC. Also Onkyo makes a amp that is 100x2. It is the M282. Going these routes (getting my parts from work or the manufacturer I can save quite a bit of cash.) Do you think any of those would work well together? Thanks again Ron:)