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NEW MFW-15 amps (May 2010) *pics* - Page 24

post #691 of 2481
8/20/10 at 10:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mak99 View Post

Oh, great - now I am a bit paranoid that I should be completely powering off my MFW when not in use! The amp is warm to the touch in standby mode, but not uncomfortably hot. I guess I'll look for any signs of overheating whenever I pull the amp for the Turbo upgrade...

Another good reason to power it off is that at least the v2 amps pull about 22-23 watts in standby and even switched off (go figure) which costs you about $20+ a year to run. I use x10 modules to shutoff all my subs when not in use.
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post #692 of 2481
8/20/10 at 11:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by secstate View Post

Another good reason to power it off is that at least the v2 amps pull about 22-23 watts in standby and even switched off (go figure) which costs you about $20+ a year to run. I use x10 modules to shutoff all my subs when not in use.

Another excellent option, which I use for my v2 subs, plus my pro audio amps, is this...

http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Strip-LC...2327884&sr=8-7


I turn on my TV and the strip senses the incoming surge, and thus, turns on my pro audio amps and v2 MFW's.

They automatically shut off when I shut off my TV.

No more having to manually turn all that stuff on and off.
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post #693 of 2481
8/20/10 at 11:45am
For those of you wanting amps....here you go http://www.seaton-sound-forum.com/post?id=4853297
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post #694 of 2481
8/20/10 at 11:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoshKo View Post

For those of you wanting amps....here you go http://www.seaton-sound-forum.com/post?id=4853297

Excellent to see all these ideas being thrown about by Mark and Kevin!

Hopefully a new driver poll will be popping up over there soon enough..........!

And hopefully soon , as I had just recently placed an order for a driver that I'm hoping will work well in the MFW.
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post #695 of 2481
8/20/10 at 11:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoshKo View Post

For those of you wanting amps....here you go http://www.seaton-sound-forum.com/post?id=4853297

Thanks, I expressed my interest on the thread.
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post #696 of 2481
8/20/10 at 11:59am
No need for a poll on that one, its already a work in progress, might have word on part of it early next week.

Quote:
Originally Posted by yadfgp View Post

Excellent to see all these ideas being thrown about by Mark and Kevin!

Hopefully a new driver poll will be popping up over there soon enough..........!

And hopefully soon , as I had just recently placed an order for a driver that I'm hoping will work well in the MFW.
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post #697 of 2481
8/20/10 at 12:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by secstate View Post

Another good reason to power it off is that at least the v2 amps pull about 22-23 watts in standby and even switched off (go figure) which costs you about $20+ a year to run. I use x10 modules to shutoff all my subs when not in use.

I power off and unplug mine every time!
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post #698 of 2481
8/20/10 at 3:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by yadfgp View Post

Another excellent option, which I use for my v2 subs, plus my pro audio amps, is this...

http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Strip-LC...2327884&sr=8-7

Yes, but my sub is about 15' away from the receiver, and don't want a power cord running along the floorboard between the two. The black sub cable is already there, and don't want to run these two cables parallel to each other...yuck...

Now if I could run a tiny 12v trigger wire between these amp/sub somehow, that would be ideal. Thoughts?
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post #699 of 2481
8/21/10 at 12:08am
Guys, FYI.

Most V1 and V2 amp failures were from powering on. Some reported failures from an "auto on" power up. I always leave my amp on, full on, not the "auto" on. Yes, it is hot and might use a few more dollars worth of juice in a year.

I has a storm power outage about 2 months ago. When the power came back on, the MFW-15 started humming loudly. I switched it off but to no avail, I was forced to pull the plug. I immediately plugged it back in, and it played fine. Next day, I tried shutting it off again just to check it... humming. NOT GOOD. I yanked the plug again, then fired it back up again. No problems since, but I leave it on. Next power down........who knows? Scared me enough that I bought a used 2008 V1 just in case, since AV321 was dragging their heels getting me a V3 warranty replacement.

Leave it on until you can get a replacement from sandbagger, then ditch that POS av321 amp.

Then sell the damn thing and buy a TCA 18.1.
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post #700 of 2481
8/21/10 at 9:01am
Well, my amp started outputting a hum/buzz which doesn't go away if I unplug it from the receiver or turn down the gain. It stops when it goes in standby. It started yesterday and it's pretty loud. Can it be anything other than the amp. I have the V2 amp
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post #701 of 2481
8/21/10 at 11:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by asystole13 View Post

Well, my amp started outputting a hum/buzz which doesn't go away if I unplug it from the receiver or turn down the gain. It stops when it goes in standby. It started yesterday and it's pretty loud. Can it be anything other than the amp. I have the V2 amp

Same on mine since 2 weeks ago, and it got louder, it's the amp V2.
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post #702 of 2481
8/21/10 at 1:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by asystole13 View Post

Well, my amp started outputting a hum/buzz which doesn't go away if I unplug it from the receiver or turn down the gain. It stops when it goes in standby. It started yesterday and it's pretty loud. Can it be anything other than the amp. I have the V2 amp

I just noticed a hum/buzz coming from my sub too. Same behavior: no hum/buzz when the unit is on standby.
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post #703 of 2481
8/21/10 at 3:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tesseract67 View Post

Guys, FYI.



Then sell the damn thing and buy a TCA 18.1.


I wonder how a turbo kit would compare to an 18.1
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post #704 of 2481
8/21/10 at 8:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by maintman View Post

i wonder how a turbo kit would compare to an 18.1

+1
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post #705 of 2481
8/21/10 at 9:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by maintman View Post

I wonder how a turbo kit would compare to an 18.1

This should get you in the ballpark (from discussion here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...2#post18990192):

TCA CS-18.1
20Hz: 100 dB
20-63Hz avg: 111 dB

TCA CS-18.2
20Hz: 106 dB
20-63Hz avg: 117 dB

TCA CS-18.2 Dual
20Hz: 112 dB
20-63Hz avg: 123 dB

AV123 MFW-15
20 Hz: 101 dB
20-63Hz avg: 108 dB

AV123 MFW-15 Dual (~Turbo)
20 Hz: 107 dB
20-63Hz avg: 114 dB

AV123 MFW-15 Triple
20 Hz: 110 dB
20-63Hz avg: 117 dB

AV123 MFW-15 Quad
20 Hz: 111.5 dB
20-63Hz avg: 118.5 dB

AV123 MFW-15 (~Dual Turbo?)
20 Hz: 113 dB
20-63Hz avg: 120 dB

Turbo is roughly 2x output of the stock unit, so it should put up similar numbers as the "dual". Also, around 18-25Hz the Turbo kit is comparable in output to the Submersive (which is stronger above and below).

Please correct my math above if incorrect (I'm assuming colocation for anything multiple)- might be doing something stupid.
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post #706 of 2481
8/22/10 at 1:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by maintman View Post

I wonder how a turbo kit would compare to an 18.1

Depends on the value you put on the stock MFW-15 plus the turbo cost. The sale of the MFW-15 to fund a new purchase makes the CS 18.1 an attractive option. I am selling mine and adding TWO 18.1's (or a single 18.2, I haven't decided yet), something else to consider, and more comparable in price to a SINGLE Turbo'ed MFW-15.

Add another 3-6 db to these figures for duals:

TCA CS-18.1
20Hz: 100 dB
20-63Hz avg: 111 dB

Another matter to consider is ported vs. sealed, which do you prefer?

It is very cool of Sandbagger to offer us support and choices, on the MFW-15 and other speakers past. It also appears that the 18.1/18.2 could be the new value leaders. Choices are good.
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post #707 of 2481
8/22/10 at 1:50am
The real (and best) news in this thread is that there could actually, for the first time ever, be a viable replacement for the infamous MFW-15 stock amplifier! That would certainly do a lot of people good and be very much welcomed.
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post #708 of 2481
8/22/10 at 3:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by asystole13 View Post

Well, my amp started outputting a hum/buzz which doesn't go away if I unplug it from the receiver or turn down the gain. It stops when it goes in standby. It started yesterday and it's pretty loud. Can it be anything other than the amp. I have the V2 amp

I would bet money it's the MFW-15 amp. I have seen this same story over and again. Try switching the sub to full on, NOT standby/auto. Just leave it on all the time. The amp is NOT off, even when the switch says so. It still remains hot.

Yes, you can use a power strip to power this thing down to keep you and yours safe, but turn on is when these things fail. At this point you want to limp along until you can get a decent replacement amp. Keep your home owners/renters insurance paid up and check the batteries on your smoke detector.
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post #709 of 2481
8/22/10 at 4:47am
Some good thoughts above. Lilgator, thanks for the specs and link. I'm running dual mfw 15's (one recently developed the dreaded amp hum). I haven't had a chance to own any sealed subs yet, but I think I would like it. Frustrating, but at least there are some excellent sounding alternatives to consider. Can't really afford either right now, but definitely leaves me with a good excuse to acquire and feed my hunger for a much needed upgrade "fix" anyway.
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post #710 of 2481
8/22/10 at 2:16pm
a plug and play 500 watt amp might be nice...but...i think it would make MUCH more sense to spec that amp to run a different 15" driver such as the AV15H, or Tempest X2. why not right? other than the fact that you'd be getting the drivers from someone other than kevin...if he had the replacement amp set up to work with either of those stock drivers, i'm sure a group buy could be done cheaply, even through kevin if he were so inclined.
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post #711 of 2481
8/22/10 at 2:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pure-Evil View Post

a plug and play 500 watt amp might be nice...but...i think it would make MUCH more sense to spec that amp to run a different 15" driver such as the AV15H, or Tempest X2. why not right? other than the fact that you'd be getting the drivers from someone other than kevin...if he had the replacement amp set up to work with either of those stock drivers, i'm sure a group buy could be done cheaply, even through kevin if he were so inclined.

That's a novel suggestion. Another good driver may be 1 of the PE drivers as well. With Mark and Kevin recently announcing a stock driver replacement, we'll just have to wait and see what they have in mind.
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post #712 of 2481
8/22/10 at 3:09pm
Ok I am going to try this ONE LAST TIME.\\

any amp hooked up to any driver will make some sort of sound when installed in the box, if thats YOUR goal, do it.

The amp that we are TRYING to get built for a reasonable cost, will be for the ORIGINAL DRIVER, it will also work with the replacement driver that we come up with. This will give you MUCH MUCH more reliability, and probably a slight increase in SQ, but until I have parts in hand I wont know. If I didnt do this and only had it made to work with some other driver, what would people do if they had perfectly good drivers?

As far as something to drive the likes of a AV15 or the Tempest, I already have spent a lot of time and effort and my own money developing that, its called the TURBO. I didnt choose a custom driver and customize the SA1000 amp just so I could charge a lot of cash for it, its that combination works VERY VERY WELL together after I get done with the amp. If there was something off the shelf that would work as well as this does, We WOULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pure-Evil View Post

I don't know how to use a high pass eq but I'm sure I could learn.

For someone who doesnt even know how to use a high pass filter, you sure fancy yourself a sub designer and have all these better ideas

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pure-Evil View Post

a plug and play 500 watt amp might be nice...but...i think it would make MUCH more sense to spec that amp to run a different 15" driver such as the AV15H, or Tempest X2. why not right? other than the fact that you'd be getting the drivers from someone other than kevin...if he had the replacement amp set up to work with either of those stock drivers, i'm sure a group buy could be done cheaply, even through kevin if he were so inclined.
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post #713 of 2481
8/22/10 at 3:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sandbagger View Post

Ok I am going to try this ONE LAST TIME.\\

any amp hooked up to any driver will make some sort of sound when installed in the box, if thats YOUR goal, do it.

The amp that we are TRYING to get built for a reasonable cost, will be for the ORIGINAL DRIVER, it will also work with the replacement driver that we come up with. This will give you MUCH MUCH more reliability, and probably a slight increase in SQ, but until I have parts in hand I wont know. If I didnt do this and only had it made to work with some other driver, what would people do if they had perfectly good drivers?

As far as something to drive the likes of a AV15 or the Tempest, I already have spent a lot of time and effort and my own money developing that, its called the TURBO. I didnt choose a custom driver and customize the SA1000 amp just so I could charge a lot of cash for it, its that combination works VERY VERY WELL together after I get done with the amp. If there was something off the shelf that would work as well as this does, We WOULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS!!!

For someone who doesnt even know how to use a high pass filter, you sure fancy yourself a sub designer and have all these better ideas

Only cause I've never had need of one... But I'm sure it's not too tough to figure out. Boy you're defensive eh? Panties too tight kev?
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post #714 of 2481
8/22/10 at 3:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sandbagger View Post

Ok I am going to try this ONE LAST TIME.\\

any amp hooked up to any driver will make some sort of sound when installed in the box, if thats YOUR goal, do it.

The amp that we are TRYING to get built for a reasonable cost, will be for the ORIGINAL DRIVER, it will also work with the replacement driver that we come up with. This will give you MUCH MUCH more reliability, and probably a slight increase in SQ, but until I have parts in hand I wont know. If I didnt do this and only had it made to work with some other driver, what would people do if they had perfectly good drivers?

As far as something to drive the likes of a AV15 or the Tempest, I already have spent a lot of time and effort and my own money developing that, its called the TURBO. I didnt choose a custom driver and customize the SA1000 amp just so I could charge a lot of cash for it, its that combination works VERY VERY WELL together after I get done with the amp. If there was something off the shelf that would work as well as this does, We WOULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS!!!



For someone who doesnt even know how to use a high pass filter, you sure fancy yourself a sub designer and have all these better ideas

Sounds like you guys are on the right track! Look's like you guys are covering all the bases.

You've got the really high end Turbo mod.

You've got a great cheaper alternative for those who just want a new much more reliable and improved amp.

And a new and improved driver that will work not only with the new and improved amp, but also the cheap POS amp that comes with the MFW-15.

Do I have this about right?

If I do I think you will make a lot of people very very happy.
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post #715 of 2481
8/22/10 at 4:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sandbagger View Post

Ok I am going to try this ONE LAST TIME.\\

any amp hooked up to any driver will make some sort of sound when installed in the box, if thats YOUR goal, do it.

The amp that we are TRYING to get built for a reasonable cost, will be for the ORIGINAL DRIVER, it will also work with the replacement driver that we come up with. This will give you MUCH MUCH more reliability, and probably a slight increase in SQ, but until I have parts in hand I wont know. If I didnt do this and only had it made to work with some other driver, what would people do if they had perfectly good drivers?

If everything were to go as planned sand, what kind of rough time table do you suppose we'd be talking about--weeks, month, several months?
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post #716 of 2481
8/22/10 at 5:02pm
I finally got to connect the driver of the mfw15 to one channel of my Emotiva amp XPA-3, it was pretty easy and my sub is back on business, no more hmmm noise.
Now I have time to see what kind of solution Kevin come up with for a new amp, if not then I'll buy a stronger external amp.
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post #717 of 2481
8/22/10 at 5:15pm
At this point I dont even know for sure if it CAN happen let alone when.

The last thing I want to do is try to even guess, but I will say this, it will be longer than a few weeks, things just cant happen that quick when dealing with custom parts.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Orta View Post

If everything were to go as planned sand, what kind of rough time table do you suppose we'd be talking about--weeks, month, several months?
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post #718 of 2481
8/22/10 at 6:26pm
Is replacing the amp in the MFW15 not for the faint of heart?

I'd love to get a new amp and replace the stock one. How would one go about doing this? Are there diagrams? Or is it relatively easy?

Thanks!
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post #719 of 2481
8/22/10 at 6:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sandbagger View Post

At this point I dont even know for sure if it CAN happen let alone when.

The last thing I want to do is try to even guess, but I will say this, it will be longer than a few weeks, things just cant happen that quick when dealing with custom parts.



Well, I'll be interested in one of your solutions.
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post #720 of 2481
8/22/10 at 6:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jarablue View Post

Is replacing the amp in the MFW15 not for the faint of heart?

I'd love to get a new amp and replace the stock one. How would one go about doing this? Are there diagrams? Or is it relatively easy?

Thanks!

Do you have a external amp?
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