DIY Home Theater Subwoofer

v3rrv3 · Oct 8, 2003

Eh? Anyone done this or seen a tutorial and can help me out?

- Kevin

Siddhartha · Oct 8, 2003

EvilYoda · Oct 8, 2003

What kind of design are you going with? And give us some specs, just cuz we want to know.

I personally have a DIY Tempest, and Viper GTS has 2 huge sonotube Tempests.

I'm sure a few of us here have one.

NuclearFusi0n · Oct 8, 2003

Viperoni, get in here!

Fiveohhh · Oct 8, 2003

I'm planning on a sonotube tempest as soon as funds arrive, but I''m adding a small addition and redoing my deck, so that kinda sucked me dry. But when I do do one it will be a sontube of some sort for sure

T2T III · Oct 8, 2003

Also, don't forget the following forum: Home Theater Forum - DIY and Advanced Projects

brentman · Oct 8, 2003

I want to go crazy with my theater setup, but I dont think the other people in my apartment building would be so appreciative. :-/

fenrir · Oct 8, 2003

Do this and let me know how it works out.

They have a FAQ link at the top of the page.

Matt

Viper GTS · Oct 8, 2003

Sonosubs are a great way to start, they're (relatively) cheap, light weight, and easy to build.

http://www.ttugly.com/sonosub/
http://www.ttugly.com/sonosub/final

Viper GTS

v3rrv3 · Oct 9, 2003

What's "relatively" cheap?

And would that be for a powered or passive sub?

- Kevin

Viper GTS · Oct 9, 2003

Originally posted by: v3rrv3
What's "relatively" cheap? And would that be for a powered or passive sub?

- Kevin

Well, the parts cost for my subs is around $400 apiece. The problem is that some of the materials (namely the Sonotube & the MDF/plywood) have to be purchased in larger quantities than you need for just one (part of why I built two). For example, while I only needed ~3 feet of tube per sub I had to buy 12' at over $8 a foot. Tube cost me $105 by itself.

In reality you would probably spend closer to $500 in parts to build one.

On top of that you'll need an amp, you can get by with a 250W plate amp for around $125. I went all the way & got an 850W rack mount pro amp, spent around $300.

Viper GTS

EvilYoda · Oct 9, 2003

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: v3rrv3
What's "relatively" cheap? And would that be for a powered or passive sub?

- Kevin

Click to expand...

Well, the parts cost for my subs is around $400 apiece. The problem is that some of the materials (namely the Sonotube & the MDF/plywood) have to be purchased in larger quantities than you need for just one (part of why I built two). For example, while I only needed ~3 feet of tube per sub I had to buy 12' at over $8 a foot. Tube cost me $105 by itself.

In reality you would probably spend closer to $500 in parts to build one.

On top of that you'll need an amp, you can get by with a 250W plate amp for around $125. I went all the way & got an 850W rack mount pro amp, spent around $300.

Viper GTS

Braggart

Shockwave · Oct 9, 2003

Until you have this, you have nothing.

Viper GTS · Oct 10, 2003

Originally posted by: Shockwave
Until you have this, you have nothing.

100 db @ 1W?

Dayamn...

Viper GTS

Shockwave · Oct 10, 2003

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Shockwave
Until you have this, you have nothing.

Click to expand...

100 db @ 1W?

Dayamn...

Viper GTS

You forgot frequency....

"releasing more than 110 dB/1W/1 meter sensitivity starting from below 10 Hz focused on the listening position"

EvilYoda · Oct 10, 2003

Originally posted by: Shockwave
Until you have this, you have nothing.

Ah yes...anybody who hasn't seen that before should. Quite the experience it must be.

Reliant · Oct 10, 2003

Where could you buy an amp?

Viper GTS · Oct 10, 2003

Originally posted by: Reliant
Where could you buy an amp?

Lots of places, partsexpress has plate amps, Adire Audio & Stryke both sell their own plate amps, I got my QSC off of ebay, & there are probably hundreds of stores online that sell music equipment (for pro amps) - Not to mention local stores.

Viper GTS

Shockwave · Oct 10, 2003

partsexpress has plate amps. Remember, you dont need alot of power for home setups like you do in car.

Reliant · Oct 10, 2003

What's a plate amp? I'm up to date in the car audio realm but home stuff isn't my strong point.

Viper GTS · Oct 10, 2003

Originally posted by: Reliant
What's a plate amp? I'm up to date in the car audio realm but home stuff isn't my strong point.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&User_ID=15422387&St=9014&St2=68194210&St3=34730793&DS_ID=3&Product_ID=9388&DID=7

Typically you'd see one mounted into the side of a traditional sub enclosure.

Passively cooled, inexpensive, and integrated into the sub.

Viper GTS

Lithium381 · Oct 10, 2003

Originally posted by: NuclearFusi0n
Viperoni, get in here!

Havn'et seen him around here in a while!

But, if viperoni says anything, trust what he says....

I designed my own, using an off the shelf 8" driver w/ a 120w amp.....provides a nice bit of bump, only about 10" cubed sits nicely by my bed....fills out the sound, could go a bit lower, but i'm happy, looks great too

Reliant · Oct 10, 2003

I have a spare 12" car audio sub here, how would that sound if I were to make an enclosure and use a plate amp? Would it be worth it to even try?

Viper GTS · Oct 10, 2003

Originally posted by: Reliant
I have a spare 12" car audio sub here, how would that sound if I were to make an enclosure and use a plate amp? Would it be worth it to even try?

Probably wouldn't sound particularly good, car audio equipment is designed to perform in a vehicle & generally doesn't transfer well to home use.

Viper GTS

Shockwave · Oct 10, 2003

Driver
amp

Driver + amp = Heaven

DIY Home Theater Subwoofer

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