I am just wondering if anyone has completed an RS 15" HF sub yet? My project with them had to be postponed a few more weeks and I am getting antsy. They have been setting in my floor for a few weeks now. They have +100 hours on them already. :D

One guy over at HTG completed a dual RS 15" HF setup. Each in their own 3ft^3 enclosure.. He says he wishes they were tighter but what else can you ask for from an underdamped allignment? :)http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=13969&page=10&pp=35

I think ThomasW said it best Can you say BOOM? :D

Hehe, yes he does. :p

Yeah, its a shame that fellow didn't use bigger enclosure for those 15 HFs. I am still keeping them on my "driver list" since they present such a good value.

I'm very seriously considering building an outdoor sub with one or two of these to augment my deck speakers, and I've also been watching for some feedback from actual builds. Unless some feedback suddenly starts making these look less attractive, I'm pretty sure I'll do it once I get the finishing touches done on my deck (next few weeks). I'm just torn on 1 vs. 2 drivers. For the application, 2 would likely be way overkill (if I used it to the point where 2 were necessary, my neighbors would hate me). But part of me is still itching to use 2 opposed drivers. Either way, I'd probably build it with 4.5-5 ft³ per driver in a sealed setup. I'll cross them over pretty high (probably around 120hz) since the sub will likely be WAY more capable than my rather cheap deck speakers (these drivers don't seem to be too bad for higher frequencies). I'm not too concerned about localization - it'll be under the deck, so it's sound will probably appear to be coming from everywhere anyway. I have a spare Buttkicker amp, so I have plenty of power. :)

Hmm, do you really think even two of these would provide enough output for outdoor listening? Compared to what you would get inside with corner placement, knock off about 12db in headroom, and then factor in that you are probably going to be a bit further away outside. I'd maybe shoot for a more efficient driver that can be played louder, I dunno. How far away do you sit from this system outside?

I had just come to my senses and realized I didn't need a dual sub for the deck, and you come in here and confuse things. ;) I know I lose room/boundary gain outdoors, but the other thing about being outdoors is, I can't play it very loud without feeling like I'm disrupting the neighborhood. It would mostly be for background music, and the occasional party, so no HT use, and no critical listening. I think if I had decent bass from 25-30hz up, I'd be happy. Right now, the "bass" outside comes from two (probably light duty) 6.5" drivers in some cheap indoor/outdoor speakers. So even a single 15" driver with pretty decent specs should be a huge improvement.

As far as the driver, I'm certainly not married to this one. In fact, from a quality perspective, these are probably overkill for deck use. I chose this one not so much for performance, but because it was one of the few relatively cheap drivers that doesn't have paper in the cone or foam in the surround. I'm mostly concerned about durability in humidity. I have ample power, so efficiency isn't a huge concern, but most of the drivers I saw in the same price range either had less displacement, or paper based cones. Do you have any other suggestions?

Darin, based on what you're looking for in a driver I cant find anythin cheaper than moving down in size to maybe single or dual 12" HF drivers..

Yeah, its a shame that fellow didn't use bigger enclosure for those 15 HFs. I am still keeping them on my "driver list" since they present such a good value.

Would these happen to be the RSS390HF-4 Dayton HiFi subs, the ones that I blew all my money on? I have one sono-sub almost done, the other one... still waiting on its glue to dry. These better turn out nice, I think I might have to go to the cyropracter, I was trying to mount mine and I could have sworn that someone shoved a few knives into my spine... :(

:) They only weigh 30lbs?!?! Better start hitting the weight room buddy.

My Tumult was 59lbs with packaging...so about 55lbs actual weight. :D

Darin, based on what you're looking for in a driver I cant find anythin cheaper than moving down in size to maybe single or dual 12" HF drivers..
Thanks. In my brief searching, that seemed like the best choice, but I'm sure there are lots of options I'm not aware of. Whether I do one or two will likely come down to my checking acount at the time to buy. This deck has taken it's toll on it. :( But the 15 seems like a better value than the 12, output per $.

:) They only weigh 30lbs?!?! Better start hitting the weight room buddy.


I have some back problems, from some... "Improper lifting methods" years ago. A weight-room isn't going to correct my problems :p. And, I have a feeling holding one out infront of you while your leaning sideways, doesnt help any.

I'm very seriously considering building an outdoor sub with one or two of these to augment my deck speakers, and I've also been watching for some feedback from actual builds. Unless some feedback suddenly starts making these look less attractive, I'm pretty sure I'll do it once I get the finishing touches done on my deck (next few weeks). I'm just torn on 1 vs. 2 drivers. For the application, 2 would likely be way overkill (if I used it to the point where 2 were necessary, my neighbors would hate me). But part of me is still itching to use 2 opposed drivers. Either way, I'd probably build it with 4.5-5 ft³ per driver in a sealed setup. I'll cross them over pretty high (probably around 120hz) since the sub will likely be WAY more capable than my rather cheap deck speakers (these drivers don't seem to be too bad for higher frequencies). I'm not too concerned about localization - it'll be under the deck, so it's sound will probably appear to be coming from everywhere anyway. I have a spare Buttkicker amp, so I have plenty of power. :)


Hello, I saw your post for an outdoor sub using a RSS390HF-4 15"driver (295-468) from PE and was wondering if you built it. If so what was the volume of the box and port dia. and length? What watt amp did you use? I want to use this speaker in a 4 cuft box with a 4" dia and 28" long port and my Rythmic 380 watt amp.
This is for an outdoor theater I have set up with a Yamaha RV-X2500 driving 2 Polk Atrium55 (front) and 3 EV Evid 3.2 (center & rear) and a Rythmic A350 sub amp. I have a sanyo 3000 lumens projector showing on a 9'X18' screen. I am looking for a replacement driver for my subwoofer and I agree this RSS390HF-4 seems to be the best deal for outdoor use. Thank you, Paul

Darin ended up going with the Elemental Design EHQS 12" drivers.

I'd recommend something like this: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=295-190

in a ~6-6.5cuft enclosure, tuned in the mid-high 20s, with an 8" port. Then provide with at least a clean/good 600W.