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The absolute BEST Sonosub?- A Construction Question

post #1 of 6
1/4/07 at 7:48am
Thread Starter 
First, thanks to all who gave me their opinion on which sub+amp I should be looking into. But this forum is not in regards to best driver or amp - but instead in regards to its constuction.

I've been looking through multiple forums and I have seen how people have approached things differently while constructing their Sonos.

I wanted to know if the brotherhood had come to consensus on few things regarding the construction of the sub itself.

Is it better to use liquid nail to attach end caps to the Sonos? Is epoxy better? Or should one use nothing at all. How many layers of MDF is sufficient, their thickness? Is it better to use PVC pipes or a Sono while constructing the port?
What is the best way to install the terminal? Which terminal configuration works best on on Sonosubs? Link? What is the minimum gauge for internal wiring? What wires would you recommend? Internal damping material? Which one is the best or what has proved to be good damping material?

In other words, how an ideal Sonosub would be constructed. Once again, I am hoping the brotherhood of the sono's would chime in and give their opinion.

Is "Lord of the Bass: The Two Towers" (work in progress by ssabripo) one of best routes?

Would: Steve Callas, WillD, Excore, Parboy, Eric, and others would do things differently?

If anyone can share what they would have done differently while constructing their Sonosub, that would really help. On the otherhand, If you think your construction is flawless, please also share.
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post #2 of 6
1/4/07 at 8:28am
hehehe.....I like your enthusiasm

Honestly, there is no "flawless" way, and if any of us tell you that, we are full of sh!t. Matter of fact, most of us have learned one thing or another from each other as we have gone thru construction of these guys....some of us have "tweaked" and learned from the other construction threads as far as things to avoid, etc.

read the construction threads of the sonosubs by Willd, Parboy, Stevecallas, Stevenn, RuneW, Chasw98, myself, and the others, and you will see some learning techniques, etc.

as to your direct questions:
1. liquid nail or epoxy will work just fine...either one will do.
2. thickness of the MDF should be 3/4". the 1/2" is not strong enough, and 1" MDF is heavy, less easy to manage, and much more expensive....if you can even find it.
3. use of sonotube as a port will be better overall, but PVC will work just fine in case you cant find a 8" or 6" sonotube
4. if you going with the 18" 5400, minimum wiring gauge I would use is 10AWG. To install the terminal, use a router cutout....I will have pics in the next few days, and I believe Willd has some pics in his thread.
5. internal dampening material you wanna use is 2" acoustic Foam

there are some other great links to stuff you need in this thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=750664
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post #3 of 6
1/4/07 at 9:53am
If your tolerances are tight, you won't need any adhesive between your end caps and tube, just a ring of caulk on the inside at the seam.

As tube diameter increases and drivers with more displacement are used, you'll want to use more end cap layers, especially for the bottom cap (baffle). It becomes a case of diminishing returns eventually though, and weight will grow pretty quick. Three layers of 3/4" per cap should be fine, but you can use four if you wanna go nuts

Sonotube for ports is lighter, more readily available in larger diameters, cheaper, and better damped than plastic. The other stuff - ehh, doesn't really matter.
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post #4 of 6
1/4/07 at 10:12am
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys, every little bit helps. I just want to make sure that when the time comes for me to build my Sono, I learn from your expertise as well as your *mistakes (*if any). I am sure I will have plenty questions once the construction acutally begins. Although for the most part it seems simple, I am still having a hard time imagining the design of the terminal section? I guess I haven't really seen good pics of how that was excatly done. Which terminals work the best (good, sealed, air tight). I am hoping ssabripo would provide some good pics, as he has already, for that one section specifically - during the construction of the two towers.
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post #5 of 6
1/4/07 at 10:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Efalegalo View Post

....Although for the most part it seems simple, I am still having a hard time imagining the design of the terminal section? I guess I haven't really seen good pics of how that was excatly done. Which terminals work the best (good, sealed, air tight). I am hoping ssabripo would provide some good pics, as he has already, for that one section specifically - during the construction of the two towers.

While you order parts and wait for things to arrive, I strongly suggest you read the other completed threads (by Willd, parboy, stevenn, etc) and follow mine closely, as you will find many of your answers there!

for the terminals, it's simple....you can route out the caps to allow the terminal screws to get there:



the binding posts are these from Parts Express

again, I suggest you READ the threads mentioned....plenty of answers there.
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post #6 of 6
1/4/07 at 10:34am
Check out my thread in my sig below. At the bottom of the first page click on the link to my photobucket for some pics of how SteveC recommended to me on how to do the terminals.
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