Subwoofer as Furniture?

[mickster1972]

Hi All:

I was thinking the other day about how I'd like to add another subwoofer to my HT setup without pissing off my lovely spouse, and I thought, gee, we need an end table to organize all of those People, Parents and Cosmo magazines she collects (plus my collection of electronics magazines).... so why not integrate the two? Has anyone tried to build a piece of furniture that contains a subwoofer? Perhaps a ported downfiring version would be appropriate here... This would make a great cocktail table if you're into "shaken, not stirred" refreshments.

Perhaps refinishing an existing end table, etc. and retrofitting it with a subwoofer?

Any thoughts or design considerations would be appreciated.

[ThomasW]

People have used subs as coffee tables and end tables for decades. I don't have any specific links because this isn't something I've had any interest in, but I'm sure a google search would turn up plenty of hits.

[Herc]

If you make it big enough you can call it an appliance

[thylantyr]

Always wanted to make a sub couch.

[JoshK]

I have been considering making a large sub ottoman. You can watch movies and get a foot massage at the same time.

[joecarrow]

I've been thinking of this as well (though my projects have been going nowhere fast lately)- and two of the most interesting ideas I see for it are these-

First, using two woofers firing in opposition will cancel out the newtonian reaction force, and the cabinet will shake a lot less. This is key if there will be drinks on the sub.

Second, a bandpass design gets the woofer cone out of sight, and if it is a slot port, the whole thing can look even less like a speaker.

I wish I could remember some fun links- but they're definitely out there.

[jim777]

I've already seen a JBL sub that was a coffee table of some kind. But it was a *long* time ago... so I don't remember any details.

[mickster1972]

Thanks, guys. I found this link for a commercial product upon a basic google search: http://www.performancefurniture.com/st/default.html. This is definitely somethig that I will pursue, but a DIY version, of course. If I come up with anything worthy of note, I will post results for others.

[DarrenT]

Here is my old sub as a piece of furniture

Here is a link to my build site for a sub you might get some ideas from.

http://www.garagehobbies.com/thomaswoodcraft/Adire/tempestfinished.asp

Here is a pic during construction. It is a Tempest 214L enclosure.

[JonMarsh]

Tha'ts pretty nice, in an American contemporary kind of style.

Me, I've always been a Danish Modern kind of guy, which considering how long that's been around, is something of an oxymoron, huh?

~Jon

[DarrenT]

Thanks Jon,

That was my first sub project. I've built several since but haven't had a chance to update my site.

I just sent you a PM about the Modula MTM and Center... I have the itch to build again.

[rnoble]

Hi guys,

Sure sub's can be used as furniture, here's mine which have a very high SAF. I plan to make a twin for my new HT room. The coffee table idea is even better IMO as mine is more like a side table.

Mine is also a tempest but sealed.

Cheers
Rod

[Marzen]

I have a large 2-10 forward firing ported cab that works as a sofa table, behind the love seat. I'm not happy with the driver selection, so it works better for 'impact' than critical sound reproduction. I'll go with a 12" sealed next time for a better music subwoofer.
Marz

[Andy_G]

one problem...

I had a Decware WO bin. At one stage I used it as a coffee table. Unfortunately, because the floor in the old house sloped a bit, when the sub was working coffee mugs had a tendancy to work their way to the edge.