How-To guide.

Well... I would start reading... How-to and Step-by-step guides generally give you basic and general information.

Do you have any wood working experience? Are you technically inclined?

Sorry dallas, there are just too many flavors so to speak. It's kind of like asking how to make a sandwich. The possibilities are endless.

The good news is that it is pretty easy to match or exceed the performance of the Ultra for less $. You could start with the 15" TC2000, 3000 or 15" LMS-5400 (or even 18") driver from TC Sounds or various other capable drivers for DIY. Of course, there are many drivers available. There is no right answer, but if you want the best SQ then stick with the better drivers that can handle copious amounts of power.
Then assuming you want to go ported, ala SVS, then you would need to model the driver in some software to determine the best size. Some of us can do that for you and make some recommendations for box sizes and port lengths for comparable tuning.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=750664

Build it and be happy with 'PC-Ultra'-crushing performance.

Or the Rythmik 15 in a sealed box.

http://www.rythmikaudio.com

Find the DS 15 and the DIY plans.

There are some threads here on folks who have built rythmiks. The owner participates here and he can work with you on your project.

dallas,

There is a bit of a learning curve with this stuff, steaper for some than others. It is something that will take some time unless you follow another well-documented project or go with a kit of some type. I agree, often it is easier just to purchase something and be done with. That might not be a bad idea if you are overly busy. What you could do is make your purchase and if you can afford go DIY as time permits. Then you have something to compare your project to and you can sell your SVS later.

I don't understand why there doesn't exist DIY threads of what people have built. I don't understand why it's such a mystery and I agree w/the OP that it shouldn't be hundreds of hours of research to build a powered subwoofer. I started a thread over two months ago, figured out pretty quick what sub & amp I wanted to use and have even had them in my possession for some time now and still don't have a plan of attack. Just last night someone finally linked to a page where someone told a how to as well as diagrams and pictures but it's not quite the same as what I need for my specific setup. I posted about how to tweak it slightly to make it for my setup and someone said I couldn't plan it out in one day. Really? Why not? I was of the mind that I could have plans within hours with a little help from people who've done this before & have the thing built in a day or two based off these plans. I built sub boxes for cars when I was younger and while I realize it's not the same thing it's very similar in many ways and we could knock a box out in no time and be down the road. All I needed was someone to say 'Here, check out this thread with measurements, photos and description for assembly.' but that doesn't seem to exist. At least not that anyone wants to talk about.

Sorry for the rant but I guess this didn't seem to be such an enigma before I started this process.

jeremey, I am certainly not one to disagree with you there. It shouldn't be as difficult as it is. There just isn't a simple and comprehensive source for everything. I had to discover small pockets of info about each topic, like software/modeling, enclosures/construction, T/S, ports, sonosubs, amps, etc.

It can be very daunting and frustrating for those of us who did not become audio engineers or the like. All I can say, which isn't much of a conselation, is to be patient and post specific questions about a design proposal and you will eventually collect everything you need for your project.

Fortunately or unfortunately depending on perspective, there are a group of members here that are VERY knowledgable, admittedly I am not in that category. When they take some interest in a project you will get some excellent feedback and suggestions.

Hang in there, it gets better.

BTW, sometimes you need a catchy thread title that brings out the DIY fire in people. Try something like "SVS Ultra Killer" or something along those lines. List your budget if you have one, your restictions if any, and design goals if not already obvious.

When you do that you don't get suggestions for buy ten 18" woofers and 25,000 watts when you only need one 15"er and 1000 watts. It also helps so that you don't get suggestions for sonsubs that are 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide if you only have room for up to a 24" cube and/or prefer rectangles to tubes, etc. etc.

In fact, that would be a cool idea for a thread/project. Despite the fact that the new Ultras have not been available for testing and measurement. It would be fantastic if someone were to purchase a new Ultra 13, then build a DIY project with the same or simliar size and tuning constraints that matches or bests it for less money.

It would be a simple beginner DIY project with a benchmark for performance right out of the gate.

One could use a standard material list;
3/4" MDF (with roughly the same external dimensions)
15" TC2000 or 3000 series driver
eD plate amp, say 1300 watt.
Parts Express ports and parts

As you can see by this thread it helps to have a benchmark.

jpmst3: Thanks for the pick me up. It helps to hear that the knowledge is out there and eventually I will stumble across it. I searched around for some time before even posting so I have been in the 'research' process for over three months now. The threads I started in case you wanted to check them out are here and here in case you have any insight.

No problem, I just wish I had all the knowledge you were looking for. I would gladly pass it along. Here is a very simple project I did.

It turned out well, at least based on my standards. I went sealed becasue that is the easist setup with the most room for error. Just add amp and EQ and done! I went with the best driver I could find, but you could use just about any of the Rpl or SoundSplinter, TC Sounds etc.

I will check out your threads as well...

LOL I pointed you to your own thread above!

Anyway, try Unibox if you have not downloaded that. It at least runs in Excel so it does not blow up like WinISD or require any installation. It is not simple for the layman but it does present almost everything you need somewhere in there. There are also some great web-based box volume and designer programs online. Just do a google search for "subwoofer box volume" or something along those lines. The software can help with ports.

It looks like you are starting to get some good info in your thread. Keep after it, you are almost there.

Jeremy - Maybe I am crazy, but I still don't understand what the problem is here. You have the driver, the amp, the port diameter to use, the tuning frequency, and the effective volume to aim for. I even gave you internal dimensions to go from. What is the problem? Most people who go about building this subs don't have elaborate plans to go from. I know I didn't.

And while there are quite a few threads made for other types of builds, not many have built 5-5.5ft^3 dB-500 ported subs and posted here to tell about it.

I had seen some build threads for sonosubs and PMed a few people for tips, but otherwise, I dove right in. This isn't rocket science.

Edit: And (this is for everyone) the reason I linked to Ecir's thread/build is because that exact design has been compared to a PC-Ultra. Parboy is the person who had an Ultra said that he'd need another PCUltra or two to compare to his single TC-2000 sub that he built for ~$800.

Will, you linked to ecir38's thread above Dallas, or anyone for that matter, are welcome to hit the link in my sig for my build thread. There are quite a few pictures in there, though I wasn't very descriptive to how I went about doing things. Please feel free to PM me with any specific questions, and I imagine Willd or SteveNN or SteveCallas, or ssabiro, or runew wouldn't mind answering anything either. I had never build a sono before, but with the tips of a few folks I had no fear just jumping in and starting cutting and glueing. I guess I had about 15-20 hours of actual work time invested in mine over a week or so. Most of that was sanding/priming/drying time for the finish work. Once everything was ready to put together, it only took maybe an hour or so.

Indeed I did. I edited for clarity.

Try these:
http://www.io.com/~patman/sunosub.html
http://www.io.com/~patman/sunosub2.html
http://www.io.com/~patman/sunosub3.html

These projects are kind of old (2000 or so), but he did a very in-depth write-up. YMMV, No Affiliation, blah, blah, blah. I am too lazy to take a bunch of pictures and do a thorough write-up on my own projects.

Jeremiah

Most DIYers are not in the business of making money...because DIY isn't a business.

There are just too many variables. Everyone wants something different and have different tastes and tolerances, not to mention BUDGETS.

Elitist? If anything it is the opposite. I said most, and unless you can prove me otherwise, I will continue to believe so. Sure there are a few folks who make DIY a business, but IMO, once they do that, it really isn't DIY anymore. Then they are doing it for others, for profit. That isn't DIY.

And no, I don't buy your example there. Most DIYers that I see are engineers, scientists, crafty, or they have some technical background/upbringing. Most of them do not go into DIY with the intention of ever making it a business. They do it because they enjoy building stuff with their hands, learning/researching about audio, or simply getting more performance for their $$$.

And I disagree. From reading forums such as these, people aren't unwilling to DIY because they have to do a bit of reading, they'd just rather pay some company to do all of the work for them, even if it means getting less performance. They either don't have the skill, the tools, or the time.

If someone has the least bit of desire to go into DIY, the lack of a single comprehensive source of DIY information won't stop them. We all aren't on some mission to convert everyone to DIY. Either they are willing or they aren't. If they want a lot of information about it, they can search this forum or Google. Believe it or not, DIY subwoofer/speaker searches on Google will bring up tons of stuff.

I concur. Couldn't have said it better myself.

I have an old 10' kenwood powered sub. I was in the market for a new bigger sub because when i moved into my new house and had a big finished basement to put my HT into, the little Kenwood cannot keep up anymore.

I just stumbled onto this site, and started reading the DIY section just for the heck of it. (12 hour night shift). After a few posts, it got so interesting, I could not stop from reading more and learning more about how the sub works, all the modelling programs that are out there. Before this, it did not cross my mind that I could build a sub, let alone a better sub than the commercial expensive ones. I went out and bought my first router and bits and started practicing cutting out circles with it. It was rough at the begining but it got better. I'm no engineer, or skilled woodworker. I learn as i go.

Im getting near the end of my build, thanks to at the DIY'ers that went through this before and are good enough to share their experiances and expertise with me. But lets not forget, everyone on this site had to start from scratch, everyone had to do their first project and im sure it wasnt perfect the first time.

I love learning how the sub works, and who knows, if my first project turns out like crap, (which i dont see happening) than i know im not cut out for this, but if it turns out awesome (and if beats the HSU and Seismic my friend paid $4 grand for) thats a bonus. I will probably help my buddy build his own DIY if thats the case.

Yes, that is a very important point. I have already thought about how I can improve on my future builds since completing my first three.

It's no different from just about everything else. You get better with practice and experience. Don't forget, sometimes our requirements/environments change as well requiring new builds, or just an excuse.

The OP in my thread was put together but cutting bits and pieces out of Parboy's and Willy's thread. I don't see the problem like willd stated, does a project come to you and say heh build me. The fun part about being and having the passion to be a true Do It Yourselfer is the countless hour's of researhing and the knowledge you gain along the way. There are thread's out there that are handed out on a platter but you still have to find them, do the research and tweak to your liking, that's the fun part and the satisfaction you get from this when you finish a project. It's the same with any hobby airplanes, cars, you name it that's what a hobby is. We are not here to make money we build projects then move on to others and help anyone we can along the way.

Ya, what he said.