I've been looking for a sub under $300 and concluded that the most cost effective way to go would be to build it myself. I've even narrowed down the parts to the 15" Dayton Quatro mated to a 240 watt plate amp, all from partsexpress.c0m for close to $200 + shipping, if I build the cabinet myself (something I know close to nothing about). Therein lies the problem.
I would prefer to go sealed because: it would (should?) sound better for music, it would be smaller and easier to build, and I listen at only moderate levels. If it turns out that a ported design is best, then I'll go that route. But I need to know what the tradeoffs are.
I realize that I can get the response down to about 20 Hz at high SPLs in a vented box, but I can't seem to figure out how low and flat and loud the same parts would go in a sealed enclosure. I've posted a few questions at the PE forum on this, but I can't seem to get that question answered (even though a couple of the members there have that exact same build). Essentially, the responses I get simply direct me to websites for speaker building that are way over my head. I get the feeling that the forum members are rolling their eyes as they read my questions.
So, can someone offer some guideance on how big a sealed box to build, if I should go that route. Alternatively, is there some website for noobs where I can plug in the specs of the driver to determine how the size of the box would affect the sound of the sub? (I've already loaded the subwoofer simulator off of the FRD Consortium website, but can't make heads or tails out of it--it's meant for people who actually know what the hell they are doing.)
I would prefer to go sealed because: it would (should?) sound better for music, it would be smaller and easier to build, and I listen at only moderate levels. If it turns out that a ported design is best, then I'll go that route. But I need to know what the tradeoffs are.
I realize that I can get the response down to about 20 Hz at high SPLs in a vented box, but I can't seem to figure out how low and flat and loud the same parts would go in a sealed enclosure. I've posted a few questions at the PE forum on this, but I can't seem to get that question answered (even though a couple of the members there have that exact same build). Essentially, the responses I get simply direct me to websites for speaker building that are way over my head. I get the feeling that the forum members are rolling their eyes as they read my questions.
So, can someone offer some guideance on how big a sealed box to build, if I should go that route. Alternatively, is there some website for noobs where I can plug in the specs of the driver to determine how the size of the box would affect the sound of the sub? (I've already loaded the subwoofer simulator off of the FRD Consortium website, but can't make heads or tails out of it--it's meant for people who actually know what the hell they are doing.)