Subwoofer Plate Amp Opinions

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  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited February 2007
    hoosier21 wrote:
    What is pretty quiet?

    When I used a pro amp, fan noise was a problem, so I am interested in these quiet fans.
    The fans are pretty quiet. You can still hear them but they are much quieter than the stock fans, or so I was told. I think you can even disconnect the fans if you wish because you're likely not running it as hard as it would be in the pro amp world...

    I should also mention that my amp is in a closet away from the room where the HT is, so fan noise wouldn't be an issue anyway.

    You can switch out the stock fans with quiet computer fans that are the same size, voltage and whatever else needs to be the same...
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,732
    edited February 2007
    So I checked out the XTI amp today - the amp seems to be very quiet, the amp is variable speed and dosnt even turn on when the amp is at lower volumes.

    So... shall see. But I traded in my bass amp, bass guitar, stand, book for the amp. So that worked out good.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,732
    edited February 2007
    I plugged the amp up to a dual 18" yamaha subwoofer - turned it up for about 2-3 minutes next to clipping (no red lights) - I could not get that fan to turn on.

    I think this will do! ;)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • kingkip
    kingkip Posts: 401
    edited February 2007
    appadv wrote:
    I might be wrong, but the plate amps should be well matched to use in subwoofer applications. Why does using plate amps compromise the sound quality?

    The rumble filter for one. If you want a true subsonic sub you don't want one. Also plate amps don't usually provide the head room that pros will give you. Usually they are rated like lower end receivers.

    Don't get me wrong, they have their place, it's just not for this application.
    There are two ways to argue with women. Both of them are wrong.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2007
    Interesting. I have the rumble filter on my plate amp set at 25Hz, so it filters out everything below 25Hz to protect the sub. Today I tried it set at 18Hz, and I was hearing subsonic!
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2007
    Like Kingkip says the use of a hi-pass or rumble filter kinda defeats the purpose.However some plate amps have the option of using the hi pass filter to provide several db of boost that will actually usefully extend the bass response somewhat.
    To work properly it is essential that the correct amount of boost be applied at the correct frequency.Some systems should NOT have any boost applied as it may push the driver beyond it's excursion limits,but some can benifit nicely with this bit of EQ.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2007
    Well...

    Should I set my plate amp's subsonic filter to 18Hz or 25Hz? I have the sub calibrated at -3db lower than my mains, so it's far from being hot. I can't even tell if the sub is on or not!
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2007
    What sub are you using it with?

    I would use the 18hz setting if you are not having an issues with the driver bottoming out.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2007
    A 15" Dayton Titanic MKIII Reference subwoofer in a 3.0 cu ft DIY enclosure.

    I run the sub at very low levels, sometimes -6db lower than my mains (Definitive Tech BP10B), so no it does not bottom out.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2007
    appadv wrote:
    A 15" Dayton Titanic MKIII Reference subwoofer in a 3.0 cu ft DIY enclosure.
    Nice:)
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  • soiset
    soiset Posts: 724
    edited March 2007
    appadv wrote:
    Interesting. I have the rumble filter on my plate amp set at 25Hz, so it filters out everything below 25Hz to protect the sub. Today I tried it set at 18Hz, and I was hearing subsonic!

    eh?

    Regarding your question of how an external amp can improve sound, there is one easy way: internal bracing. You can brace the walls of the cabinet from one side to the other, where you couldn't do that if a plate amp is there.

    Also, I'm with Russman: an external pro amp is the way to go. For $500, I could get you some serious power (it's a lot more than I had to spend), and if you have bass management on your receiver/preamp, there is no need for a crossover. If you don't have that, get a pro stereo crossover, and bang, you're done. It's just too easy.

    ETA: I can see radio ;)
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited March 2007
    oops - funny how I posted that.

    I was hearing something from 18Hz-20Hz, though.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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