[TJEli]

Hey guys,


One of the options I am looking at going forward is getting back into DIY.


The option I am thinking about at the moment is dual sealed 15TC-2000s. I am looking for nice smooth response and deep extension. Could someone do a couple models for me and recommend a good enclosure volume?


Also, who makes good affordable amps that would do this driver justice in a sealed alignment?


Thanks for the help,


-Eli

 

[TJEli]

Also,


With some improved bracing, is it possible that the 3.0 cu ft enclosure from PE could handle one of these drivers?


-Eli

 

[Willd]



Quote:
With some improved bracing, is it possible that the 3.0 cu ft enclosure from PE could handle one of these drivers?

Sort of, but you'd really be better off building the enclosure yourself or finding someone that would be willing to help you with it (whether it be tools or experience, say, for some beer).


I'd say the 15" TC-2K would like at least 3ft^3 per driver, and they can take a lot of power. You'd want something like the Behringer EP2500 at the minimum, IMO.

 

[TJEli]

What I am looking at right now is 2 of those drivers, sealed, powered by 2 of the new Dayton rack mount 1000W sub amps.


I am just undecided about enclosure specs.


Just as a side question, reading my goals above, is there another driver I should be looking at that is readily available?


-Eli

 

[Willd]

I really wouldn't recommend the Dayton rack mount amps. They are too expensive for the amount of power they provide, and they have a very sharp drop off in response after about 20HZ or so. You'd be far better off with two Behringer EP-2500s for the money, or even a pair of better pro-amps.


The Soundsplinter Rl-p 15's are closely related to the TC-2000.


Here is what one guy did with 4 of them in sealed boxes.

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=23365


His thoughts: http://www.htguide.com/forum/showpos...3&postcount=76

Quote:
I've created a monster!


I listened to scenes in War of the Worlds, Titan AE, Matrix Revolutions, and some Stealy Dan last night and I am extremely happy with this project. I have both subs in the front of my theater (the only place they will fit) and the EP2500's sensitivity are set at about 9 o'clock. I have not put the DEQ2496 into the mix yet to boost the low end as I need to pick up a cable - oops. But listening to them straight from my Denon 3806 was an experience.


They have that quality of an IB in which they don't seem to be making sound, but there is a foundation to the sound and my room is crying Uncle! My girlfriend said that it didn't seem too loud except that it felt like a lot of pressure on her ears. It is extremely clean sounding. No coloration to my ears. (That and the fact that the door to the room was starting to rattle obscenely; something that my SVS PB12/2+ never did.)


I placed my hand the top of them during the scene with the machine coming out of the ground in WotW, and it doesn't feel like they are even on. I'm talking NO vibration. The opposing drivers was a fantastic idea.

 

[TJEli]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Willd /forum/post/0


I really wouldn't recommend the Dayton rack mount amps. They are too expensive for the amount of power they provide, and they have a very sharp drop off in response after about 20HZ or so. You'd be far better off with two Behringer EP-2500s for the money, or even a pair of better pro-amps.


The Soundsplinter Rl-p 15's are closely related to the TC-2000.


Here is what one guy did with 4 of them in sealed boxes.

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=23365


His thoughts: http://www.htguide.com/forum/showpos...3&postcount=76

I notice the SSs have a much higher Fs than the TC2000. Cost aside, which is a better driver?


Also, has anyone measured this sharp dropoff below 20hz on those amps? I like the fact that they have filters and a PEQ on board. They also have auto turn on. These are a couple features that make them more expensive.


I have owned an EP2500 in the past. While I thought it was a decent amp for the money, I was not "blown away" by it.


Thanks for your help,


-Eli

 

[Willd]

Cost aside, the TC-2000.


The measurement is made available by Parts Express. http://www.partsexpress.com/pdf/300-808response.pdf


The single-band PEQ included is basically useless. You can get a much more functional/useful PEQ for $99. Auto turn on can be accomplished other ways.


In what way were you using the EP2500? Whether you were blow away by it or not, it no doubt has much more power than the rack mount amp in question, and it also doesn't have such a poor low frequency response. Hell, you'd be better off with the Buttkicker BKA-1000 than the Dayton amp IMO.

 

[TJEli]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Willd /forum/post/0


Cost aside, the TC-2000.


The measurement is made available by Parts Express. http://www.partsexpress.com/pdf/300-808response.pdf


The single-band PEQ included is basically useless. You can get a much more functional/useful PEQ for $99. Auto turn on can be accomplished other ways.


In what way were you using the EP2500? Whether you were blow away by it or not, it no doubt has much more power than the rack mount amp in question, and it also doesn't have such a poor low frequency response. Hell, you'd be better off with the Buttkicker BKA-1000 than the Dayton amp IMO.

I am assuming the 300-808 has all the same internals just in a different case? The graphs do look strange but could also be explained away. Has anyone had any real world experience with these amps having a lack of LF response? If it really is true, that is a shame because it is the exact setup I am looking for.


I had an EP2500 running stereo mode powering dual SVS CS 20-39s. I was able to drive the amp into clipping before the ISD drivers would reach their mechanical limits. I have a feeling that the power ratings on the EP2500 are lofty.


-Eli

 

[Willd]



Quote:
I had an EP2500 running stereo mode powering dual SVS CS 20-39s. I was able to drive the amp into clipping before the ISD drivers would reach their mechanical limits. I have a feeling that the power ratings on the EP2500 lofty.

As lofty as the ratings may be, something was wrong with your setup. The EP2500 could not have been clipping due to running out of steam with those two subs. Hell, the power handling of the CS 20-39's is rated at 350W @ 4ohms by SVS. You should have been bottoming out the CS' before reaching the Ep2500's limits.

 

[rlj5242]



Quote:
Originally Posted by TJEli /forum/post/0


I had an EP2500 running stereo mode powering dual SVS CS 20-39s. I was able to drive the amp into clipping before the ISD drivers would reach their mechanical limits. I have a feeling that the power ratings on the EP2500 are lofty.

Sounds like you had the high pass filter turned on. I played with mine with the HP filter set at 30hz, 50hz and off. 50hz was obviously no bass. 30hz, you could hear some bass but it just didn't have the impact. I turned it off and THERE WAS BASS!!!! And this is with one channel @4 ohms driving a pair of 15's.


I had the mis-marked DIP switches so it took so testing to find the correct settings.


Any reasons for not looking at the TC-3000? There has been at least one small, sealed sub built with a pair of 3000's and an EP-2500. The results were quite impressive.


-Robert

 

[bossobass]

For my money, the TC drivers (including the Sound Splinter drivers), which are overhung, big coil drivers simply have too much inductance to be seriously considered for a sealed system. The aluminum cone is a bit of trouble as well, in my experience of using the TC based AE drivers as well as others over the past 5-6 years. It just doesn't have the longevity that other modern composites do.


The Dayton ref series drivers look nice on paper, with very low Le and very high efficiency.What you lack in throw you could make up in multiples. Thomas' post in the thread Will linked to:

"No doubt the HO's model better than the others you mentioned. That would be apparent just looking at the T/S parameters (the Le in particular). And using 4-HO's is going to give you a very nice high sound quality setup..."

Says it all.


The really overlooked driver, IMHO, has been the Adire Brahma MK IV. Very low inductance (2X.22mh on the 15D2), XBl^2, and I hear the new cone is a Hemp Acoustics composite, so when you decide to upgrade you can break up the cone a smoke it

.


I have a 2X15" Brahma sealed, L/T here. About 12dB of boost with selectable system Q, fed by 2,700 watts, and it is superb. Kyle offers them for $379, shipping included, and ask for the Bosso discount if you plan to order more than 2 (he always gets a kick out of that one

)


Bosso

 

[TJEli]



Quote:
Originally Posted by rlj5242 /forum/post/0


Sounds like you had the high pass filter turned on. I played with mine with the HP filter set at 30hz, 50hz and off. 50hz was obviously no bass. 30hz, you could hear some bass but it just didn't have the impact. I turned it off and THERE WAS BASS!!!! And this is with one channel @4 ohms driving a pair of 15's.


I had the mis-marked DIP switches so it took so testing to find the correct settings.

-Robert

Nothing was wrong with the settings. Every setting was tried and I am not new to audio equipment. I also had the same exact results with a Crown XLS 402 and 602. (I am still using the 402 to power my mains)


-Eli

 

[TJEli]



Quote:
Originally Posted by bossobass /forum/post/0


For my money, the TC drivers (including the Sound Splinter drivers), which are overhung, big coil drivers simply have too much inductance to be seriously considered for a sealed system. The aluminum cone is a bit of trouble as well, in my experience of using the TC based AE drivers as well as others over the past 5-6 years. It just doesn't have the longevity that other modern composites do.


The Dayton ref series drivers look nice on paper, with very low Le and very high efficiency.What you lack in throw you could make up in multiples. Thomas' post in the thread Will linked to:

"No doubt the HO's model better than the others you mentioned. That would be apparent just looking at the T/S parameters (the Le in particular). And using 4-HO's is going to give you a very nice high sound quality setup..."

Says it all.


The really overlooked driver, IMHO, has been the Adire Brahma MK IV. Very low inductance (2X.22mh on the 15D2), XBl^2, and I hear the new cone is a Hemp Acoustics composite, so when you decide to upgrade you can break up the cone a smoke it

.


I have a 2X15" Brahma sealed, L/T here. About 12dB of boost with selectable system Q, fed by 2,700 watts, and it is superb. Kyle offers them for $379, shipping included, and ask for the Bosso discount if you plan to order more than 2 (he always gets a kick out of that one

)


Bosso

Thanks Bosso.. I will take a look. What are you using for power?


-Eli

 

[bossobass]



Quote:
Originally Posted by TJEli /forum/post/0


Thanks Bosso.. I will take a look. What are you using for power?


-Eli

Right now I'm using my own rack mount amps. I use one amp per each dual driver, D2. 2,700 watts into 8 ohms bridged.


I got tired of looking for the right amplification specs and features and decided to ODM a couple of designs off of existing class H platforms. HP at 3Hz, enough juice to run a dual 15" sealed sub off a single 20 amp dedicated outlet, noiseless fans, etc., etc.


I have 2 versions being tested. It'll take a while for the whole process to be complete, as I do it as a hobby to this point. When my latest system is completed, I might explore ordering the amps in quantities because they really (so far) are great amps for the money.


Some more details of the system on my site...more measurements, details, etc., as I have them, will be posted on the site for those who may be interested:

http://web.mac.com/bossobass.com/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html


Good building and keep us informed as you get into it.

Bosso

 

[kramskoi]



Quote:
Originally Posted by bossobass /forum/post/0


For my money, the TC drivers (including the Sound Splinter drivers), which are overhung, big coil drivers simply have too much inductance to be seriously considered for a sealed system. The aluminum cone is a bit of trouble as well, in my experience of using the TC based AE drivers as well as others over the past 5-6 years. It just doesn't have the longevity that other modern composites do.


The Dayton ref series drivers look nice on paper, with very low Le and very high efficiency.What you lack in throw you could make up in multiples. Thomas' post in the thread Will linked to:

"No doubt the HO's model better than the others you mentioned. That would be apparent just looking at the T/S parameters (the Le in particular). And using 4-HO's is going to give you a very nice high sound quality setup..."

Says it all.


The really overlooked driver, IMHO, has been the Adire Brahma MK IV. Very low inductance (2X.22mh on the 15D2), XBl^2, and I hear the new cone is a Hemp Acoustics composite, so when you decide to upgrade you can break up the cone a smoke it

.


I have a 2X15" Brahma sealed, L/T here. About 12dB of boost with selectable system Q, fed by 2,700 watts, and it is superb. Kyle offers them for $379, shipping included, and ask for the Bosso discount if you plan to order more than 2 (he always gets a kick out of that one

)


Bosso

ouch!...now you've thrown down the gauntlet!...

although i can't speak to potential flux modulation issues, which would be my biggest concern here, the TCQ5 has acquitted itself quite favorably...even at 10 Hz

i agree that the high Le has negative implications for linear FR, among other things, but it's nothing a little (or a lot) of eq can't rectify...anyway it's my only solution so i have to ride it until more suitable drivers (4100 Neo) are released from TC Sounds...and i'll tell you that it ain't some "ole paint"...this horse can unearth some startling theatrics...and it's about to get some new hoofs...moving up to 3.1 kW with a QSC PLX3102...the ep2500 ain't cutting it...i've grown weary of the behringer clipping lights...the drivers totally eat that amp. The QSC, with Power Light Technology, should provide some real power.

 

[Willd]



Quote:
simply have too much inductance to be seriously considered for a sealed system.

What makes having lower inductance more important in a sealed system as opposed to a vented one?


And is a an Le of ~2.5mH really detrimental to performance below 100Hz?

 

[kramskoi]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Willd /forum/post/0


What makes having lower inductance more important in a sealed system as opposed to a vented one?

in single driver implementations...the sealed driver usually presents higher distortion simply because it moves more than a comparable vented system...adding the potential flux distortion, along with suspension nonlinearites and hysteresis from higher excursions and it becomes a serious problem...the high Le causes the top end of the subwoofer to rolloff rather prematurely...like a built in low pass filter if you will...it becomes harder to mate the subwoofer to the lcr and surrounds, especially if they are of the smaller variety...


the high inductance imparts a hump to the FR...the higher the inductance, the higher the hump...add a voice coil under load and your nice theoretically calculated small-signal response curve goes to crap, with the corresponding effective Q of the enclosure raised...that's why single driver sealed system are really at a disadvantage...from my sub, it was in the 60-80 Hz area...depending on your room, it has to be eq'd flat...sometimes you get lucky, sometimes not...this is my best stab at your question...i've been out the loop a few months so maybe some more knowledgeable guys can speak to this...

 

[Scott Simonian]



Quote:
What makes having lower inductance more important in a sealed system as opposed to a vented one?

I think if the Le were to be too high, the alignment would be too peaky. In a sealed system, anyway...

 

[bossobass]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Willd /forum/post/0


What makes having lower inductance more important in a sealed system as opposed to a vented one?


And is a an Le of ~2.5mH really detrimental to performance below 100Hz?

I say sealed because, firstly, this thread is about a sealed build.


Secondly, it's generally accepted that a second order system is preferred for critical listening, because of it's better potential for the best transient response. This is partly because the roll off profile is very user controllable vs any other alignment.


It's also important to maintain a flat anechoic response to an octave above the crossover point. Yes, as Kram points out, EQ can fudge the in room response somewhat, but it robs the system of headroom in that critical area of BW.


A ported sub uses less amplification and so it has less headroom to begin with from 40Hz through the crossover region. Since headroom for transients in that region is critcal to accurate reproduction, I would assume that accuracy was not the motivating force in deciding to build a ported subwoofer. They are cheaper to build and more efficient at tune, the down side being the physical size.


If your crossover point is one octave below the Le induced corner, you're OK. Otherwise, your Le can be considered too high. Some may call that a strict standard, but those would be folks who lack experience on this subject.


Since transient response is limited only by frequency response, the subwoofer has much more potential to accurately reproduce transients in the crossover region than the mains and a sealed L/T system has the most potential for the best transient response...


I would say that a high Le driver is not the best candidate for a sealed sub...as I said...for my money...YMMV


Bosso

 

[Willd]



Quote:
I say sealed because, firstly, this thread is about a sealed build.

I suppose I should have PMed you...I shouldn't have mentioned vented among you guys.

Thanks for the info though...

Quote:
If your crossover point is one octave below the Le induced corner, you're OK. Otherwise, your Le can be considered too high. Some may call that a strict standard, but those would be folks who lack experience on this subject.

How can one figure out where this Le induced corner is? Measuring or simulation?