Sub build using (4) Dayton Audio DVC310-88s

[5th element]

Well it's not anywhere near as bad as it could be, put it that way.

[kevinm]

Definitely true. Also, black is back. Booooyah



Primer wet sanded and first coat of black enamel is on. There's some texture popping through from the hardboard underneath, so I am going to put quite a few coats on so I have plenty of base to work with.

[kevinm]

Alright update time, I have one cabinet rubbed out and will be able to finish the next one tomorrow. Quick question on the wiring....just to make sure.....am I hooking up the inversely mounted driver out of phase?

EDIT: Second question, does anyone have any experience testing different lining/stuffing techniques for ported sub enclosures? I've read quite a bit about it, but it seems to vastly vary between people, tastes, enclosures and drivers. I was thinking about experimenting a little bit. Thoughts? Recommendations?

[JonMarsh]

yup, inversely mounted driver wired out of phase, by terminals.

What I have done in the past is fairly straight forward (BTW, did you model the build?) I use near field techniques, measure the port output at 6", and the driver output at 6", and splice together or overlay as a composite (that is a very simple operation in Fuzzmeausre...). Look at both the amplitude response and distortion (easy to do with Fuzzmeasure from the same data- other programs may require a separate test run). This tells you about the anechoic response, but not the in room response- that is more dependent on boundary reinforcement.

Generally, for a ported setup you want to line the walls pretty well, mostly to avoid more reflections in the roll off range of the sub- if you over damp or stuff, you'll reduce the port output and damp the system more- which may sound better for music at times, but won't rumble as much for HT. I prefer a little more damped, but too much and you've basically got a leaky sealed box without excursion protection in the very low frequencies.

[kevinm]

Oh, thanks for the recommendation on measuring....when I get some free time after the building projects are done, that'll be a fun experiment.

I did manage to get them both "done" today. They'll need the binding posts installed and a few tweaks made to better seal them up, but they are in the house and working! I compared one of them against the more standard box and I can already hear the improvement using this design over the dual-front loaded enclosure. A deeper (not sure how else to describe - less messy/muddy), cleaner sound. I'm digging this.

As for right now, I lined one box with the fluffy pink fiberglass and left one empty for a quick and dirty test.

My new processor came in today as well, so I will get some measurements over the next few days and continue to make some tweaks.

Sorry for the terrible pictures....lighting at both picture opportunities was TERRIBLE. I really need a DSLR......

[5th element]

not sure how else to describe - less messy/muddy, cleaner sound. I'm digging this.

That was definitely my experience in going from push-push, to push/pull with the XLS in the H baffles a long time ago. I wasn't expecting much, if anything, to change, as I never heavily drove them anyway. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that this wasn't the case! The THD measurements, that I performed significantly later on, helped to explain why. With the XLS drivers at least, going push-pull has a significant impact on their 2nd harmonic output.

I dare say that the design looks far less imposing with having only a single driver on the front. I bet you and your partner (no small feat) will be very happy once you've got both up and running

[kevinm]

5th, you aren't a kidding. I'm still rather blown away at the difference in sound. My whole family thought I was running completely different drivers - I truly didn't expect them to improve this much. This has me thinking that maybe those bass bins should use a push/pull setup. hmmmmm:W

Today I got a chance to EQ them in with my new UMC-200. I like a nice house curve, so they run quite hot. However, I used the PEQ to get a reasonably smooth graph - all things considered. I have a NASTY null at 45hz - one that a massive PEQ boost couldn't budge when I tried just for fun.


I moved them around some within their general positions (1-2 feet this way, and that way, etc...) but couldn't budge it. I don't have the option at the moment to move them more as we are still in the destory-everything-in-sight puppy stage. Think some room treatments would help? I was thinking of placing bass traps in the front corners.

I'll get more measurements (left channel + plus sub, etc...) soon.

[kevinm]

I added the entertainment console I just finished...and I must say, I am thinking that a nice wood veneer might be the way to go on the new cabinets for LCR. It could be a nice contrast to the black already present. Entertainment console is Oak Plywood with Ebony stain. End product looks pretty good I think!



With nice removable front grill (very similar to speaker grill)

[Hank]

Nice job, kevinm!! I envision replacing the LCD with a screen and projector, matching huge immersive sound with huge immersive image

[5th element]

Nice rig! Those subs do fit into the room rather well and are quite aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

[kevinm]

Hank, don't even start to tempt me! When we bought the tv a year ago, it was before I had added most of this equipment. I thought by buying a 70in, I would be safe from the urge. First thing my family said when they heard the new equipment and saw the new console was "I think you need a bigger screen"

Thanks, 5th! I'm really happy with the way it worked out. I also got the approval to move the sub behind the couch. Testing and measurements to be had soon!

[JoeAngelicchio]

Any updates on the subs? Any new pics of the pup?

[kevinm]

Not much update on the subs - been spending most of my time dialing in my newest additions





I have since moved the subs to the side of couch because I added bass traps and it was getting too cramped up front. The subs don't sound as good in the current configuration, but the L&R sound much better. I have a fairly flat response with good depth, but it's weird having them both on one wall. I'll grab some new measurements this weekend and post them.

Still playing around with placement ideas as I add new room treatments. I am planning an Ottoman sub with some left over pieces I have, hopefully that will fill the void.

And of course, the pup is growing like a weed. We've since found out she is half German Shepard, half Border Collie (as evident by the picture below):

[JoeAngelicchio]

She's growing, and cute. Do you have drawings of the cabinet you built for the electronics? Looks like what I need to build.
Thanks
Joe

[kevinm]

Yeah she is. She's a little barbarian, but totally cute. Probably why she gets away with so much.

Here is a basic drawing. All sides/top/bottom are two Oak 3/4in plywood laminated together to make a thickness of 1.5"


Middle braces are 12ft deep, 1/2in wide and 19in tall.

I built it to accommodate the width/depth of my Emotiva XPAs and other components. Works out quite well. I have been happy with it. Because I messed up my miter joints, I ended up just veneering the sides to cover up the end grain.