First timer DIY and I'm made my mind up on a DIY

I bought a PA-150 2 months ago that replaced a HTIB yamaha cheapo. Whent from 50rms 100 peak to the 15" pa 250rmw Bash amd and 1000 peak(if it really gets there.) I've been loving it, I didn't do calibration when I first got it I had an old Yamaha 371, so everything was manual, no SPL meter or any software used just a tape measure. After recently upgrading to the Denon 3312 and running Audyssey I realize I was way over "gaining/volume" my sub's knobs. After MultEQ XT I have a much flatter (imo) and more controlled base which I love. That said I must have really had it way over set because I would notice after 10 minutes of demoing my ears would start to notice it and actually maybe some pain. After calibrating, at first I thought I lost all my bass but that was due to me running hot (Going from a 6ish volume on the sub to 2.5ish setting to be within Audyssey's +-12 range). The bass I get now I love, but I'm missing the lower extension and I think that is my real problem. Also, I felt like the bass was non existent because the fact I was running way above a calibrated subs volume and I''m missing some lower extension, even if it was distorted.

The only tools I have is a power drill/driver as well as some stabilla levels. I think my next sub upgrade with be a DIY.

Goals in this order:
1) lowest frequency possible with usable output.
2) I want something I can feel, I can feel my current sub if I raise the volume on the sub after running Audyssey. I know I shouldn't be doing this, I also raise the -9db to about -1 or 0db to increase the output as well.

I say I don't listen to music, it will be done, but consider this a 100% HT setup. I'll probably start with one. Like I said before I have almost no tools, I don't think I can cut my own boards, So I'll either need a kit or a pre-assembled enclosure.

What I would like to know if I can get advice and direct links to DIY kits that I can buy all together or at least purchase known compatible parts and piece them. I'd prefer to buy a completed enclosure and not have to build it, this is last case scenario and I know I could save money here, thats the next project.

I need to know what DSP or calibration software I need for the new sub. I'm open to any suggestions, I'd prefer a cut and dry answer suggestion amp, enclosure, speakers. I like my Pa-15o, but I am shooting for my best opportunity to get non distorted lows at the loudest possible output without running my sub hot (maybe +2-4db after EQ) and never touching the volume on the sub itself.
Edited by clanmjc - 12/3/12 at 6:34am

Gorilla83 thanks for the response. Through my research I've been looking at that website considerably a lot. Sometimes I'm not sure what I'm looking at. Some of the descriptions look like I get a kit, that I will then put together with hardware I will need to purchase as well as glue and what not. I'm a complete noob in this area. Sometimes it also appears like they have completely finished enclosures, maybe those are just pictures of what the finished assembled enclosure would look like?

We had some wine last night and we usually don't have any, it was a special occasion my wife just beat cancer so I was sloppy to my original post and well I think I missed out on some details that I should have included to help all you expert DIY out.

My living room which is the home theater is adjacent to a dining room and kitchen and it is completely open to these rooms. There is a 4 1/2 foot wall separating the living from dining, no such wall for the kitchen and said wall is just that a 4 1/2 foot, it's completely open above that all the way to the 10' ceiling.

Entire dimensions L x W x H 30'x24'x10'. The width of the living room is divided by that "half wall" on the living room side it runs 16', the dinning side i 10'. I only have the one sub pa-150 in there now, it does the job for everyone that has heard it, they are non-enthusiasts though.

Because I ran it so hot before, reference level calibration doesn't have the impact I was looking for and I attribute this to the limitations of this sub in the lower frequency range, It probably really rolls off bad sub 30hz. I know that a sub 1 million times more powerful (and for fun sake lets say rolls off at the same as my current) will sound no different by itself after calibration, that is, they would both be calibrated for reference so actual output heard/felt will be the same at least in the upper frequency.

I want to fill in that lower frequency, I think this will complete me.. for now. If I could build something that could hit close to the teens @ 20hz (Mind you my current has been tested to only do 93db @ 20hz with the volume at 12 oclock or 50% or 5, which is the actual number on the knob for this sub). That said I'm running mine at 2.5ish, so I'm guessing my 20hz is actually not even hitting that 93db peak). In addition to good output in 20, I'd love if I could get some respectable outputs even further down the range, my sub wont even produce anything below 20 at all. Can I get to 16hz in the upper 90 or low 100db(I'll take more if I can get it) or even go lower... 12.5hz maybe 10 hz.?

I know I need more than 1 sub in my 7200^3foot room, I want to do this the right way. I'll build the best I can for the money now, reaching the requirements/hopes I've listed above and then add another... and another... and another... later haha.

I will consider maybe doing a lesser build with closer to these speaks if it could net a 2 subs right off the bat that at least can do strong 20hz and maybe respectable 16hz.

The fact that I haven't even heard below 20hz (or maybe it's only felt and not audible), is it something that will wow me?

As far as tools this is what I have:
Power drill/driver.
Stabilla levels

I don't have any clamps, would cutting saws or any saws to speak of. However, I have many neighbors that have an assortment of tools, do any of them have the required tools for the job? I would have to ask them.

I'm complete at a loss to what hardware (screws/washers) etc I might need some tips here (or maybe that's after I pick something I can come back and ask about).
I don't know what kind of glue I need. I don't know what kind, if any, glue/poxy I use to get a seal around the driver and enclosure.

I've read things mentioning REW, after this post I will go research what that is/how to use it. I've also read mentionings of DSP or mini DPS, I'm totally at a loss here, could someone point me to some research info (I'll search these forums after the post for this, but if anyone has what they consider the defacto standard reading material I'm all "eyes").

I didn't mention budget. I know this is a broad range but lets say $500 max (which I'm sure will be inflated based on suggestions and lets keep the inflation to under $700). Literally thought $500 is the max because it's going on a non-wife known card... Shhhh.

I'll probably sell my pa-150 once this is complete, or possible keep it around and run duels for the mid range of that sub. That is if someone doesn't come up with a 2 sub setup within my budget(or inflated).

If you need any more info from me I'm all ears. I really want reference level quality LFE. I think after listening to my setup right now calibrated for reference my ears will forgive me for running way to hot and thinking there is no bass. This way when I do upgrade to something that can put out the lower bass I should be very pleased. I'll attach a picture of my theater setup.

I noticed there are a fair amount of choices for the flat packs. Is that dual opposed 1.5 cu foot box something that may work for me. Heck I'm eyeballing that 4.5ft enclosure for the 18".

I'd love to see some recomendations on amps as well. Maybe this cant be suggested until I narrow down on enclosure and driver? Totally understandable.
I have see mentions Behringer ep4000 / ep2000 they seem to be valued/price performance. Are there also choices with smaller output possibly even cheaper (Or maybe I want something like this).

If anymore info is required of me don't hesitate to ask. I appreciate all the enthusiasm and help this forum has allowed me to enjoy reading and receive.

Thank you for your kind words.

Eventually when I build my garage out I'll add the necessary tools/equipment for a complete cut and build but I wont be able to do that for my first build. It sounds like great fun though, I enjoy a good weekend (or 2) projects of mine own that aren't mandated by my better half. As for completed enclosures or at least ones that are complete cut for me and all I have to do is assemble them, I'm up for the task I'll just need a few more materials and a bunch of clamps (I'll search more on those later).

Keep in mind I don't know the numbers or what I'm even looking for the technical details with building a sub, proper excursion, xmax or any of the terms I've seen on these forums I'll have to "learn" myself on all of that as I go. I pick up on things quickly though. Let me bounce a couple of ideas off you.

I think my number 1 choice would be the 4.5 cu foot enclosure on DIY soundgroup, however, it appears the cutout is for the TC Sounds 18" LMS, which is by itself over my budget (Can the Dayton Dayton Audio RSS460HO 18" or the Dayton Audio DCS450 18" be used in this enclosure?). With this setup I would power it with the ep4000 (which would leave me room to add another sub down the road correct?)

If that doesn't work then I was thinking Dayton Audio DVC385-88 15" in the 3.5 cu foot flat pack from DIYSG, using the same ep4000. Maybe since the Dayton 15's are so cheap i could get 2 and dual oppose them? I don't see any flat packs for those though, are there other websites/forum members that make them?

Or do I really need to get accustomed to WinSD now and play around with my own enclosures. Also, lets say I learn the software, get feedback from you guys, are their places that I can give the specs for the enclosure to and have them make all the cuts and then I would just need to assemble? I think I even heard somewhere on these forums someone had Lowes do the cuts for them something like .25 a cut!?

Then do I purchase miniDSP and REW or is REW free?

Thanks again

It doesn't help that I had been running my PA-150 extra extra hot either, such that now that I'm reference calibrated it feels like no bass. I'm getting my ears used to it though. We watched MIB3 last night and some scenes from Transformers and I got to experience some bass again. That said, you are right, the low extension I'm missing is really the problem which is why I want to, for the money, get the lowest frequency I can get. I missed the sale on the amp (Just saw this today). My plan is to build 1 or 2 now (most likely 1 with my budget), besides the boost @ 25hz wouldn't something like the ep4000 give me more headroom to expand e.i. add more subs later?

I think I have no choice but to wait and see what new flat packs will be up for sale, it must be getting close soon huh?

What did you use for that graph? It doesn't look anything like the graphs I see in WiniSD (Beta). Which by the way is that the correct version of WiniSD to download, I noticed they had several download links.

What would I plug it with... and would I be using the same 250w bash amp? (I might give this a try lol)