DIY Sub - Started Today, Finally!

[dyazdani]

Here are a couple of the "final" pics. I think it looked better before I put the clearcoat on it.

Nearly had a disaster as well :M I was turning the box to polish the side and I let it tumble off the edge. I managed to somehow snag the 110lb falling object by the driver hole and got away with a small dent in the back corner, whew!

[derekbannatyne]

Nice! I just finished up my sub as well.

[ThomasW]

Looking pretty spiff..... :T

[dyazdani]

Thanks, it could have been better, but not bad for the first try...

Now I have to order the driver. The only thing left on the enclosure is to put some stuffing in there. I put the binding posts on this evening, they look nice!

[khellandros66]

dyazdani

Now thats what I am talking about, wow gorgeous, BTW sorry about the dent but if its on tha back who cares, no1 will see it.

:T

~Bob

[dyazdani]

One last pic before the driver goes in (don't know when that will be)... it was fun to carry in the house by myself.

[SteveCallas]

Don't know if it's worth anything at this point, and it doesn't look like you would benefit much from it anyway because your finish already looks very good and even, but, this weekend while painting some end caps, I found that putting a layer of clearcoat inbetween a few layers of paint works very well with MDF. It seals off the MDF so it can't absorb the paint, especially on cut edges. You get much more consistent color coverage and a smoother, even coating. Again, doesn't look like yours needs it though.

[dyazdani]

That is a good idea. I had a couple coats of sanding sealer on the raw MDF, then 3-4 coats of primer. I think that built up a good surface before I hit it with the black.

[steve nn]

One last pic before the driver goes in

Looking good!..your attention to detail shows. :T

[dyazdani]

Looking good!..your attention to detail shows. :T

We'll see, hopefully the driver openings are correct

[steve nn]

We'll see, hopefully the driver openings are correct

Ohhh do I know what you mean. A little suggestion if your interested is rubbing a candle on the driver seat of the baffle. It'll help big-time if you find yourself pulling the driver in the future. From the looks, I bet you have it up and going today. 8)

[dyazdani]

Ohhh do I know what you mean. A little suggestion if your interested is rubbing a candle on the driver seat of the baffle. It'll help big-time if you find yourself pulling the driver in the future. From the looks, I bet you have it up and going today. 8)

Nope. Don't have the driver - been buying kitchen appliances, plus the D2 is out of stock.

[David G]

Ohhh do I know what you mean. A little suggestion if your interested is rubbing a candle on the driver seat of the baffle. It'll help big-time if you find yourself pulling the driver in the future. From the looks, I bet you have it up and going today. 8)

Nice tip Steve. Now why didn't I think of that?

[steve nn]

Nice tip Steve. Now why didn't I think of that?

Some of us are destined to learn the hard way.:cry: A guy would think the paint would cure and no issues, but in reality that's not the case.

[dyazdani]

The candle IS a good idea. I will do that when I install the driver.

[dyazdani]

I got an e-mail yesterday from Mike at SoundSplinter. The RL-p15 is FINALLY back in stock, so it will hopefully ship out today and get here by Friday.

I'll post more pics when it arrives!

[nick77]

I got an e-mail yesterday from Mike at SoundSplinter. The RL-p15 is FINALLY back in stock, so it will hopefully ship out today and get here by Friday.

I'll post more pics when it arrives!

Congrats your gonna love it!

[w8liftr]

I got an e-mail yesterday from Mike at SoundSplinter. The RL-p15 is FINALLY back in stock, so it will hopefully ship out today and get here by Friday.

I'll post more pics when it arrives!

Congrats on your project, it looks great. I got that same e-mail confirming my order shipping out today for my dual project, I can't wait.

[Exocer]

This it the type of gloss black I've dreamd of for my own sub, Nice Job. Question, how did you keep outside dust away from your project? Did you build a booth of some sort to let it dry in? Sorry if these questions have already been answered.

[dyazdani]

I did not build a booth - it just sat out in the open (under the carport). I didn't really notice a dust problem and didn't see any specs of junk in the paint.

I'm sure a booth would be optimum, but I just don't have the resources to set something like that up.

[dyazdani]

What could be in here?



Woo-hoo :T





Just set it in the box, it doesn't seem like that rubber gasket thing is a good fit, so I may go without it.

[ThomasW]

It's Christmas week for everyone...... :B

Easier to remove the gasket than insert a piece wood and re-route the rebase notch after all the labor you put into the finishing....

[dyazdani]

It's Christmas week for everyone...... :B

Easier to remove the gasket than insert a piece wood and re-route the rebase notch after all the labor you put into the finishing....

I think it fits, actually - I think I just have to wiggle it around to get the leading edge started into the recess, then the rest will be fine. I removed the gasket to get the holes drilled, I'll try re-installing it when I mount the driver.

The last week has been good for me - a projector, DVD player, and a new sub :T

[ThomasW]

The last week has been good for me - a projector, DVD player, and a new sub :T

Oh man I'm jealous, and need to go out buy myself something.....:wink:

[chasw98]

Oh man I'm jealous, and need to go out buy myself something.....:wink:

In the spirit of Christmas buy me some crossover parts ;x(
Just kidding.... It is fun getting that big old woofer in the box.

[dyazdani]

In the spirit of Christmas buy me some crossover parts ;x(
Just kidding.... It is fun getting that big old woofer in the box.

I don't think getting it in there will be too bad, but once it goes in; if the holes don't line up then it's tough to make minor moves in position - especially with the rubber.

[swithey]

That thing looks massive. I cannot wait to pick up some for myself. I've already been in communication with Mike over at SS about an order.

BTW -- last week, he told me he is about to raise his pricing because of the increased costs on his end. I'm not sure when or how much they are going up, but if anyone is thinking of getting one or two of these, you might want to do it sooner than later.

[ThomasW]

Use nails just sitting in the woofer holes to align the driver with the holes in the cab. I've done this on occasion and it works well.

[dyazdani]

That thing looks massive. I cannot wait to pick up some for myself. I've already been in communication with Mike over at SS about an order.

I guess you are using "pick up" in the figurative sense - my sub weighs 150lbs, tough for one person, hehe. 8O

Good tip on the alignment, Thomas - I'll see what I can do. I don't know what I'll use for stuffing yet, don't really want to buy a whole bundle of insulation. Maybe I can find someone that has some lying around.

[nick77]

Congrats! Those things look awesome and weight alot. Wish I could help ya with insulation cause I got a big roll in the way out in the garage. Hehe

[w8liftr]

Looks great, we are all happy with our new toys.

[---k---]

I had to take my dremmel/sand paper around the rim of my hole to enlarge it enough for the driver to fit in. Not a big deal.

So, do you have it all hooked up yet?

[Inu_Yasha]

dyazdani, is the sub a metallic finish or is it matte type finish on the cone? I've been waiting for the metallic finished ones to come in in the d2.

[ThomasW]

The cones are black anodized alu..

[dyazdani]

Congrats! Those things look awesome and weight alot. Wish I could help ya with insulation cause I got a big roll in the way out in the garage. Hehe

I just ended up buying a roll - it was $17 or something...

[dyazdani]

Here are two "final" pictures...

[dyazdani]

The cones are black anodized alu..

Yes, but they had a "mishap" with their cone manufacturer... they received a batch of cones that had a matte-like finish rather than the usual finish which is lighter and shinier.

See below...
matte (like mine)



normal

[dyazdani]

I ended up discarding the rubber gasket. I think it would have fit, but it was being a real PITA and I was just doing damage to the enclosure by trying to stuff it in there.

The thing sounds nice - not as nice as my Infra18 (yet) - I guess it needs to break in and of course, I haven't set the EQ up in the BFD. I'll get there this weekend hopefully!

[opt-e]

Yes, but they had a "mishap" with their cone manufacturer... they received a batch of cones that had a matte-like finish rather than the usual finish which is lighter and shinier.

See below...
matte (like mine)



normal

Hmm.. I actually like the matte finish better! I wish they'd get rid of the logo though.

[dyazdani]

Hmm.. I actually like the matte finish better! I wish they'd get rid of the logo though.

Yep, I like the matte better as well... I told Mike the same thing. It's pretty sharp looking.

[nick77]

I ended up discarding the rubber gasket. I think it would have fit, but it was being a real PITA and I was just doing damage to the enclosure by trying to stuff it in there.

The thing sounds nice - not as nice as my Infra18 (yet) - I guess it needs to break in and of course, I haven't set the EQ up in the BFD. I'll get there this weekend hopefully!

Congrats glad you got yours completed it looks awesome! It will certainly break in a little and increase in spl. I finished mine today also (for the second time). Hehe

[dyazdani]

You abandoned the end table sub? Or did you build a second one?

The sub sounds awesome when you are close to it, much tighter and deeper than the BagEnd. It's a little different story at the listening position. Possibly having it so close to the room opening is hurting the performance. I didn't want to put it there, but that is the only "clean" floorspace I have right now.

I will play with moving it around, although that's not so easy with one person.

[nick77]

[QUOTE=dyazdani]You abandoned the end table sub? Or did you build a second one?

I abandoned the end table, carnage is in the background of photo. It just didnt have the kick in HT that I was after. I was a little concerned about losing some articulation with vented design but so far I like what I hear.

[---k---]

Looks great. I swear that the projects here just keep getting better and better looking. I'm starting to get real imbarrassed by the looks of mine compared to all of yours. But, it isn't the looks that matters, right?

Anyway, I'm guessing it is room position that is causing the problems with sound quality. Move it around to you get the best, then play with the eq and I'm sure you'll be all good.

You have tried it in the same spot as your BagEnd, right?

[dyazdani]

Anyway, I'm guessing it is room position that is causing the problems with sound quality. Move it around to you get the best, then play with the eq and I'm sure you'll be all good.

That's my feeling at this point. I was pretty pooped out after installing the driver, taking the dogs (3 of them) for a walk, and grocery shopping. Didn't feel like moving the 150lb box all over the living room last night.

You have tried it in the same spot as your BagEnd, right?

It's in a similar location, center of cone is about 3ft or so to the left of the BagEnd. It's right next to the opening in the room that leads back to the rest of the house - traditionally not a good spot. I want to move one or the other to the opposite corner.