Building a Subwoofer

[my_first_account 0]

Should I go with a Sonotube design, or just a 6 cu. ft. cube for the Shiva-X with the Dayton SA240?

Here is a crude diamgram of my room. Keep in mind that the furniture placements aren't to size, but are in the right place.

The question is, where should I place the sub, and what kind of design should I go for? I would like to keep it right beside my dresser, but if it can sound better somewhere else, can you tell me where? I mostly sit at the left side at end of my bed (the end closest to the bottom of the picture) so I would like it to sound its best right there, if possible.

Thanks

Edited April 19, 2009 by my_first_account

[dem beats 1,223]

For the cross over question, I think we are confused by what we are talking about. Are you asking if the Shiva will go down to 20 hz? Yes in the right designed box it will and you need nothing more than the sub, the box, the amp, and your receiver.

[dem beats 1,223]

Placement is one of the biggest topics for subwoofers. If your subwoofers are only playing sub sonics and crossed over at your receiver as they should be aka lower than 80hz then you will be ok to place it for the best sub sonic representation.

If so the best way I have found is to do some manual labor to find the best place.

Put the sub in your most common listening position. then walk to all the possible locations and listen in those spots. Some will sound better. Then try putting the sub there. If it's against a corner it would even have more impact, but may sound boomy and not really what is desirable for music, and movies for the best representation.

[my_first_account 0]

For the cross over question, I think we are confused by what we are talking about. Are you asking if the Shiva will go down to 20 hz? Yes in the right designed box it will and you need nothing more than the sub, the box, the amp, and your receiver.

Oh, no I was just wondering if I needed one so the sub would sound better.

I have been suggested a 15" Dayton RSS390 HO sub, and a Bash 300W amp now on a different forum. Would this sound better for my application rather than the Shiva with the Dayton SA240? The Dayton 15 would be in a sealed enclosure by the way.

Link to sub:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.c...tnumber=295-469

Link to amp:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.c...tnumber=300-750

It would actually be a little less expensive than the Shiva set up becuase there is free shipping for PE.

Thanks for all of the help and for answering my questions

[dem beats 1,223]

I would go with the shiva. You will get better extension into the teen hz realm. It won't be as loud I bet, but it will probably sound better. That's just a guess though, no raw in world data compairing the 2 back to back in the same room.

You sound like this will be less of a HT sub and more of a booming music sub though. The dayton and the bash have potential to get higher SPL. It won't be as impressive in my opinion though because you will be missing out on some pretty cool sounds from movies.

To be blunt the "lows" you talk about in kmk and other rock and hip hop are not low at all compaired to what is in movies. Certain music, like pipe organ music, will get amazingly low in the hz also. There isn't any music outside of classical, and some really specific test disks only made to "test" subwoofers.

example Lowest note on a piano is just under 30 hz I think. Taking a guess most rap is in the 35-45 range for the "lows". Lowest string on electric bass is ~41. Movies like Black hawk down and Colverfiend will dip into the near 10hz range some things are recorded lower, but it's tough to get playback, and it's rarely done.

If it's for music 99% of the time, get the dayton. If you really want to open pandoras box and start on a quest to hear what is put into movies and get the full effect the shiva will be much more capable. The problem is, when you get into homeaudio and HT, the costs rises to new levels. In a car your so much more space limited. In house you are not. There is also less room gain in a room in your house, than for example in a car. Before I get carried away I guess you need to ask yoruself if you want to go with a higher quality more capable system for listening to music and movies, or do you want something loud to impress yourself and other people who have no idea what things should sound like, but they know it's loud?

[my_first_account 0]

I would go with the shiva. You will get better extension into the teen hz realm. It won't be as loud I bet, but it will probably sound better. That's just a guess though, no raw in world data compairing the 2 back to back in the same room.

You sound like this will be less of a HT sub and more of a booming music sub though. The dayton and the bash have potential to get higher SPL. It won't be as impressive in my opinion though because you will be missing out on some pretty cool sounds from movies.

To be blunt the "lows" you talk about in kmk and other rock and hip hop are not low at all compaired to what is in movies. Certain music, like pipe organ music, will get amazingly low in the hz also. There isn't any music outside of classical, and some really specific test disks only made to "test" subwoofers.

example Lowest note on a piano is just under 30 hz I think. Taking a guess most rap is in the 35-45 range for the "lows". Lowest string on electric bass is ~41. Movies like Black hawk down and Colverfiend will dip into the near 10hz range some things are recorded lower, but it's tough to get playback, and it's rarely done.

If it's for music 99% of the time, get the dayton. If you really want to open pandoras box and start on a quest to hear what is put into movies and get the full effect the shiva will be much more capable. The problem is, when you get into homeaudio and HT, the costs rises to new levels. In a car your so much more space limited. In house you are not. There is also less room gain in a room in your house, than for example in a car. Before I get carried away I guess you need to ask yoruself if you want to go with a higher quality more capable system for listening to music and movies, or do you want something loud to impress yourself and other people who have no idea what things should sound like, but they know it's loud?

What I meant in the KMK songs, is the semi-low rumble after a hit. I didn't really mean the low frequencies like 10-15hz, just what was after the hit.

I will also be playing video games quite a bit, more so than movies, so would the Shiva still be better for games also?

For the bold part in the quote, how much better quality would the sound be from the Shiva over the Dayton? I'm almost positive the Shiva will go loud enough, but if the sound quality will be a lot better, I will go with the Shiva-X and the Dayton SA240 amp.

Thanks for the help

[ABXX49 20]

For my HT I use a 15" Dayton High Fidelity woofer and a 500w Bash amp, sealed. I hate it. The whole setup.

I built a 15" SI Mag v2 woofer and a 500w O Audio amp, ported to 25Hz. I love it. The whole thing.

[my_first_account 0]

For my HT I use a 15" Dayton High Fidelity woofer and a 500w Bash amp, sealed. I hate it. The whole setup.

I built a 15" SI Mag v2 woofer and a 500w O Audio amp, ported to 25Hz. I love it. The whole thing.

Why did you hate the Dayton HF 15"?

Edited April 20, 2009 by my_first_account

[dem beats 1,223]

My first.

I would really go with the Shiva. and take your time building a really good box. Maybe save your money for a more stout amp some day. I think you will be much happier long term with the Shiva.

Games will take advantage of the lower extension of the shiva.

The Shiva will handle any of the music you listen to and laugh as far as if it has the capability. My only concern is that the type of music you listen to most of the time doesn't go hand in hand with wanting high sound quality. I agree however that the shiva will get loud enough for the room but thats subjective. Loud enough is a matter of taste. I can ALMOST promise that it will get loud enough to recreate what the recording was trying to acheive. Most people boost the bass from there however. Not what was intended by the artist maybe, but lots of people do it.

[ABXX49 20]

For my HT I use a 15" Dayton High Fidelity woofer and a 500w Bash amp, sealed. I hate it. The whole setup.

I built a 15" SI Mag v2 woofer and a 500w O Audio amp, ported to 25Hz. I love it. The whole thing.

Why did you hate the Dayton HF 15"?

It just doesn't sound right. I'm pretty sure the box is 70% of the issue, but I haven't had time to rebuild it. Plus the Mag is in an entirely different category in my opinion. Have you thought about shopping used? I picked up the Mag off of here for $100 SHIPPED.

[dem beats 1,223]

For my HT I use a 15" Dayton High Fidelity woofer and a 500w Bash amp, sealed. I hate it. The whole setup.

I built a 15" SI Mag v2 woofer and a 500w O Audio amp, ported to 25Hz. I love it. The whole thing.

Why did you hate the Dayton HF 15"?

It just doesn't sound right. I'm pretty sure the box is 70% of the issue, but I haven't had time to rebuild it. Plus the Mag is in an entirely different category in my opinion. Have you thought about shopping used? I picked up the Mag off of here for $100 SHIPPED.

good option!

good price.

I didnt think to mentioned used. the mag is a great woofer.

[my_first_account 0]

For my HT I use a 15" Dayton High Fidelity woofer and a 500w Bash amp, sealed. I hate it. The whole setup.

I built a 15" SI Mag v2 woofer and a 500w O Audio amp, ported to 25Hz. I love it. The whole thing.

Why did you hate the Dayton HF 15"?

It just doesn't sound right. I'm pretty sure the box is 70% of the issue, but I haven't had time to rebuild it. Plus the Mag is in an entirely different category in my opinion. Have you thought about shopping used? I picked up the Mag off of here for $100 SHIPPED.

good option!

good price.

I didnt think to mentioned used. the mag is a great woofer.

Where can I find the Mag? I haven't even heard of it.

Thanks

[dem beats 1,223]

For my HT I use a 15" Dayton High Fidelity woofer and a 500w Bash amp, sealed. I hate it. The whole setup.

I built a 15" SI Mag v2 woofer and a 500w O Audio amp, ported to 25Hz. I love it. The whole thing.

Why did you hate the Dayton HF 15"?

It just doesn't sound right. I'm pretty sure the box is 70% of the issue, but I haven't had time to rebuild it. Plus the Mag is in an entirely different category in my opinion. Have you thought about shopping used? I picked up the Mag off of here for $100 SHIPPED.

good option!

good price.

I didnt think to mentioned used. the mag is a great woofer.

Where can I find the Mag? I haven't even heard of it.

Thanks

You would only be interested in a used one, 15" or better. It may prove to be a tough find. It's another option though.

The shiva you can have ASAP and brand new too.

[ABXX49 20]

I got the Mag off of here used. It really was a steel, sometimes I feel guilty for what I paid for it.

It's a little out of your price range though, you can check it out at Stereo Integrity's website.

[kwschs 1]

I love the l5 10 i have in my house, i really think it hits all the notes well.

[my_first_account 0]

I love the l5 10 i have in my house, i really think it hits all the notes well.

Kicker L5 10"?

[jfin1204 2]

if your thinking about kicker you might as well get a sub off audible customs and have him build you an oversize box for ht for free and sent it all to you. plus the insignia product is chit. i do car audio installs for bestbuy and that is our store brand. we have someone build it for us and put our name on it.

[my_first_account 0]

if your thinking about kicker you might as well get a sub off audible customs and have him build you an oversize box for ht for free and sent it all to you. plus the insignia product is chit. i do car audio installs for bestbuy and that is our store brand. we have someone build it for us and put our name on it.

What's his website? I'll check it out to see what he's got.

Thanks

[ABXX49 20]

I love the l5 10 i have in my house, i really think it hits all the notes well.

Kicker L5 10"?

I really wouldn't want an L series for HT. However, I have never used one, so maybe people have had luck with them...

[my_first_account 0]

I love the l5 10 i have in my house, i really think it hits all the notes well.

Kicker L5 10"?

I really wouldn't want an L series for HT. However, I have never used one, so maybe people have had luck with them...

Why wouldn't you want one for HT? Just personal opinion, or do you think it wouldn't sound good?

And I looked for a used SI 15" Mag, but couldn't find any. Just new ones at $500. Does anyone know where I could get a lightly used one for something within my price range?

Thanks for the help

[slim2fattycake 85]

MJ-18M is a great low budget home theater sub. This baby tuned to 20hz is awesome for movies and sounds great on music too. I don't know if this has been said in the thread yet but I got one and it was basically a steal from mach5.

[dem beats 1,223]

I love the l5 10 i have in my house, i really think it hits all the notes well.

Kicker L5 10"?

I really wouldn't want an L series for HT. However, I have never used one, so maybe people have had luck with them...

Why wouldn't you want one for HT? Just personal opinion, or do you think it wouldn't sound good?

And I looked for a used SI 15" Mag, but couldn't find any. Just new ones at $500. Does anyone know where I could get a lightly used one for something within my price range?

Thanks for the help

I will give you the best advice I can in saying go with the shiva and don't look back. Kicker doesn't make anything that would be good for HT. Period. Nothing I can find on their website is a winner.

[dem beats 1,223]

MJ-18M is a great low budget home theater sub. This baby tuned to 20hz is awesome for movies and sounds great on music too. I don't know if this has been said in the thread yet but I got one and it was basically a steal from mach5.

Agreed, I like the MJ too, but it would require quite a bit more real estate in your room.

[slim2fattycake 85]

he can go sonotube if he has more vertical space and not horizontal space.

[dem beats 1,223]

he can go sonotube if he has more vertical space and not horizontal space.

True, but it will still need more volume. It's also sold out at the moment it looks like and has a higher Fs than the shiva I think.

It's a great sub at the price though. I would rather see an IXL used if Mach 5 was the sub brand, but then we are talking a much higher cost.

I think it will be nearly impossible to beat the Shiva for cost/performance when you include the size factor.