| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5198
|
 Link Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 3:35 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
It is called the TubaHT by Bill Fitzmaurice.
It is all the rage over on the A* site so I figured I would give it a shot.
It is a folded horn design.
Total cost is below $400. Way below that since I already have a spare amp channel to drive it (only needs a few hundred watts).
_________________
My HT Build Thread - Oak Knoll Cinema
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Tom.W
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 6368
|
| Link Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 4:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
What driver are you using ? Never visit the A site anymore since I was banned for life for posting a link to the Evil Twin... 
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5198
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tom.W
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 6368
|
| Link Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 4:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
With voice coils connected in parallel ?
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5198
|
| Link Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 5:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Tom.W wrote: | | With voice coils connected in parallel ? |
Yes. I may get some work done on this today...I am getting a bit motivated to get something done! 
_________________
My HT Build Thread - Oak Knoll Cinema
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5198
|
| Link Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 9:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Got the boards put up downstairs for the new screen wall.
Got a bid of board warpage but I suppose that is to be expected with 136" long 2x4's.
Have a few light conflicts to resolve...I bought a few of those "turn can lights into pendent fixture" kits a while back and I think I will jerry rig a few of those for some spots on the front of the screen.
I have some curtains and a valance from before that I will likely relocate and then can probably even re-use the Dazian I was currently using below my screen to cover that area below the new screen.
I would love to come up with some way to hinge the screen but I also don't want any center supports for the screen so I am a bit stuck at this moment.
The reason I want to hinge it is because if I want to get behind the screen I will have to go all the way around my basement to the storage area and through the old equipment rack opening. A major PITA.
_________________
My HT Build Thread - Oak Knoll Cinema
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5198
|
| Link Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 3:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
Almost had a catastrophe as I tried to wrangle the panels to pull them together and I ended up pushing the damn thing off one saw horse and down it went! 
I had panels 1 through 5 on and was putting on panel 6 when it happened.
I stressed the bottom panel near the access hole and a crack developed. I plan on running some glue along that crack and making due...if it sounds like crap...I wasted $60 and a ton of time...oh well.
Here is right after I dropped the darn thing!
Here is how I left it:
Just need to put the other side on it tomorrow after I make sure all the seems have been covered in glue and then take it for a spin!
I am still considering hiding this beast somewhere so I don't have to paint it....any creative ideas (besides behind screen..it won't fit!)??
_________________
My HT Build Thread - Oak Knoll Cinema
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5198
|
| Link Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 12:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Just need to finish the access panel flanges and this thing is ready for some noise!
_________________
My HT Build Thread - Oak Knoll Cinema
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5198
|
| Link Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 3:09 am Post subject: |
|
|
Test fit...I can almost taste it now!
  
_________________
My HT Build Thread - Oak Knoll Cinema
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tom.W
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 6368
|
| Link Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 6:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
Nice work Greg ! 
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5198
|
| Link Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 11:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hooked it up at low volume to see if it actually worked!
Success...although it was at low volume because the wife and kids were upstairs at the time...couldn't crank opening scene of LOTR II.
I don't recommend using this transport technique...IT DIDN'T WORK!
_________________
My HT Build Thread - Oak Knoll Cinema
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5198
|
| Link Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 1:09 am Post subject: |
|
|
Second shipment from Foam Factory arrived. I just need to finish the cut pieces all the way around the edge of my foam wall, and then the obvious other 100 items I need to complete. I really need to figure out how I am going to light from behind.
http://youtu.be/odM2_UF-o6c
You can also see my wrinkles that I am bummed about. I will eventually have to take it down again and restretch it...giving it some time to "relax" a bit.
_________________
My HT Build Thread - Oak Knoll Cinema
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
garyfritz
Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 7098
Location: Fort Collins, CO
|
| Link Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 6:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
Interesting looking at your Tuba HT! I don't really have the woodworking mojo to attempt one of those myself. Out of curiosity I contacted one of the woodworkers listed on Fitzmaurice's site. I was fairly surprised that he would do all the cutting for $250, wood (1/2" baltic birch) included. Corners, connectors, etc not included. I'm guessing the wood would be at least $100-150 so that's pretty reasonable. Of course assembly is a major part of the challenge too. The guy said he'd charge $900 to build it, not including a finish. Ouch! And then $150 for the driver and probably at least $150 for a sub amp and you're well over $600 before you start assembling it. May be more project and more $$ than I can justify...
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5198
|
| Link Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 6:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| garyfritz wrote: | | Interesting looking at your Tuba HT! I don't really have the woodworking mojo to attempt one of those myself. Out of curiosity I contacted one of the woodworkers listed on Fitzmaurice's site. I was fairly surprised that he would do all the cutting for $250, wood (1/2" baltic birch) included. Corners, connectors, etc not included. I'm guessing the wood would be at least $100-150 so that's pretty reasonable. Of course assembly is a major part of the challenge too. The guy said he'd charge $900 to build it, not including a finish. Ouch! And then $150 for the driver and probably at least $150 for a sub amp and you're well over $600 before you start assembling it. May be more project and more $$ than I can justify... |
Holy crap! I would never do that.
I have ZERO wood working skill.
All you need is a circular saw and some clamps to build this thing.
It took me quite awhile to cut all of the wood but it was remarkably easy and fairly forgiving because of the expanding adhesive. Any gaps are filled pretty easily.
THIS IS NOT A HARD BUILD.
I used the Arauco 15/32" 5-ply plywood at $24/sheet and got three sheets...had about half a sheet left over.
I bought 6 tubes of the PL adhesive and only used two tubes. Those are $6 a piece for the smaller size.
You only need about 200W for this thing to get loud.
The drive is $159 at Parts Express.
Miscellaneous gasket, screws, brads, speaker terminals were less than $25.
I built this over about three weeks and put plenty of time in the cutting (maybe $250 isn't bad for all of the wood cut) but the assembly goes pretty quick if you brad nail it together to hold it in place while the adhesive is setting up.
Once I figure out my new screen wall I will drag out my measurement equipment and take some readings.
_________________
My HT Build Thread - Oak Knoll Cinema
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
garyfritz
Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 7098
Location: Fort Collins, CO
|
| Link Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 6:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
You cut that out with a circular saw? I figured it would at least take a table saw, which I don't have. I've never worked with the expanding adhesive -- guess it covers up a multitude of sins, eh?
Maybe that would be do-able. About $400 and a bunch of time... and then the payoff, listening to my wife yelling "turn that thing down!!" 
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ecrabb
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 12498
Location: Iowa
TV/Projector: JVC RS45
|
| Link Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 6:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Greg... Screw the measurements for now, dammit... I wanna know how it sounds!!!!
SC
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5198
|
| Link Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 11:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| garyfritz wrote: | You cut that out with a circular saw? I figured it would at least take a table saw, which I don't have. I've never worked with the expanding adhesive -- guess it covers up a multitude of sins, eh?
Maybe that would be do-able. About $400 and a bunch of time... and then the payoff, listening to my wife yelling "turn that thing down!!" |
Just build a circular saw sled (which BFM provides directions for in the instructions you buy).
I do have a table saw but the lack of woodworking skill, the extreme danger, lack of correct accessories to make my life easier, I did the majority with the circular saw.
If you have a table saw and know how to use it...you could cut all the pieces you need in a few hours.
I know what you mean on that last comment. Having two kids in the house below 3 makes my movie viewing pretty limited in content and volume[sound and quantity]!
| Quote: | Greg... Screw the measurements for now, dammit... I wanna know how it sounds!!!!
SC |
Well I was never much for writing multi paragraph reviews of products but I figured my comments about it matching up well against my memory of my two MFW-15's was pretty descriptive...I guess you have to know what those sound like.
You could look at Craigsub's old list and see that a pair of MFW-15's was pretty damn high on the list...so this should be up there as well.
performance/$ is pretty crazy high.
The horns roll off pretty bad after 20Hz so you won't be getting the infrasonic intestinal bass that many brag about but the spl's can get pretty out of control.
I can't really describe the sound of this woofer since I haven't owned that many. So far in an uncalibrated state it is at least even with my MFW-15 pair and well above the Klipsch 12" my buddy has and my old PE 10" Dayton sub.
There is lots of talk about distortion with horns and I think it may eventually bug me enough to try some VERY large sealed subs...think 18"x2 with 4kW of power.
That is a lot of money and far away from here though.
_________________
My HT Build Thread - Oak Knoll Cinema
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
garyfritz
Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 7098
Location: Fort Collins, CO
|
| Link Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 2:31 am Post subject: |
|
|
I've got one of those Klipsh 12"ers (KSW-12) and I've never been very happy with it. Seems boomy and one-note. Which could be my room, since according to measurements the KSW-12 is supposed to have reasonably decent response. Peak at 30Hz, flat up to 100Hz with highest crossover freq, down 5dB at 20Hz, down 10dB at about 14Hz. So says the review at an Aussie HT mag, anyway.
So it's really stupid of me to even consider building one of these monsters. I'd love some deep gut-rattling bass but I don't need the crazy SPLs. My room is only about 14x14 or so. A THT would probably blow the walls down. I should try some different locations and see if I can reduce the boominess, instead of building an overkill behemoth like that.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5198
|
| Link Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 2:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
| garyfritz wrote: | I've got one of those Klipsh 12"ers (KSW-12) and I've never been very happy with it. Seems boomy and one-note. Which could be my room, since according to measurements the KSW-12 is supposed to have reasonably decent response. Peak at 30Hz, flat up to 100Hz with highest crossover freq, down 5dB at 20Hz, down 10dB at about 14Hz. So says the review at an Aussie HT mag, anyway.
So it's really stupid of me to even consider building one of these monsters. I'd love some deep gut-rattling bass but I don't need the crazy SPLs. My room is only about 14x14 or so. A THT would probably blow the walls down. I should try some different locations and see if I can reduce the boominess, instead of building an overkill behemoth like that. |
Don't give up so easily! You can NEVER have too much bass on tap. BUT you can run it a bit too hot which is what my buddy with the Klipsch does...I can hardly hear movies because a males voice makes his subwoofer go crazy...and he just grins because he thinks it is cool.
I can't break it to him...let him have his thing.
Get a room sweep measurement at your seating position so you know where the peaks and valleys are...then figure out a way to make them better....bass traps...feedback destroyer....more or different subs...etc.
I have grand schemes of doing this but will likely never get around to it.
_________________
My HT Build Thread - Oak Knoll Cinema
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
garyfritz
Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 7098
Location: Fort Collins, CO
|
| Link Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 4:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've already got *major* bass traps in the room -- 4' x 8' panels of 4" thick OC703 in the two front corners. You can see them behind the fronts in the pic below. Those OUGHT to damp out bass problems a LOT. (The sub is at the left side of the picture, a few inches from the left wall.) The panel behind the center, and the side panels you can just see the tips of, are 2" of OC703 mounted 2" off the wall. Those are intended more for high-freq damping.
I got sweeps done once, but that was before I put the traps in.
I don't run the Klipsh as hot as your buddy because I don't like that boominess. But it means I don't get the kind of chest-massage bass that you get with a serious sub. But I'm not at all sure that something like the THT would do any better, or if it would show the same boominess because of the room.
I think experimenting with placement is my best bet. I need to mount the sub at my listening position and then go listen all around the room for the best sound.
| Description: |
|
| Filesize: |
18.11 KB |
| Viewed: |
2883 Time(s) |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
Forum FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Photo Albums
Register
Profile
Private Messages
Log in
