[kcburnes]

I have been lurking on the DIY sub forums for some time now, and am looking at building a sub as an upgrade to my current Paradigm PSW-1000...which is a 10" bandpass sub. It performs well in my dedicated HT room (15 X 20 w/7.5 ceiling), but I am looking for lower extension and more volume. I have a front projection system with good quality PSB speakers all around (front, center and rear), so my sub is the next logical upgrade. I am on a budget (under $400) but have no restrictions on size, so I assume a large, vented enclosure is my best bet given what I've read. I have an opportunity to pick up a used Adire Tempest for under $100, but am also very intrigued by a couple of Mach 5 drivers, which would be just over $110 shipped from Canada:


MAW-15

Fs = 26 Hz

Re = 8 Ohms

Qes = 0.35

Qms = 3.35

Qts = 0.32

Mms = 232.8 grams

Rms = 11.42 kg/s

Cms = 0.159 mm/N

VAS = 129 litres

Sd = 756.3 cm2

Xmax = 13 mm


MJ-18

Fs = 30.4 / 28 Hz

Re = 7.2 / 3.2 Ohms[dc]

Qt = 0.35 / 0.31

Qes = 0.39 / 0.34

Qms = 3.41 / 4.99

Mms = 219 / 229 grams

Rms = 12.3 / 8.1 kg/s

Cms = 0.100 / 0.14 mm/N

Vas = 243.8 / 208.4 liters

Sd= 1029.2 cm2

Bl = 27.6 / 19.6 Tm

Xmax = 12mm


For power, I am looking at the 300W Bash amp from PE or possibly the 380W plate amp from Rythmik. I'm open to options, but like the idea of a plate amp and this is the price range that I would like to stay within.


Which of the drivers above would give the best bang for the buck...and what are the advantages / disadvantages of each? I've heard that larger displacement can overcome less xmax, so given that...are these Mach 5 drivers worth a look?


Thanks for everybody's help!

 

[PLincoln]

I don't know much about the Mach Drivers, but the tempest is the better choice...it has more xmax and a lower Fs. My first DIY sub was an Adire Tempest in a 220L ported enclosure...


Specs taken with voice coils in parallel.

Re 3.5 ohms

Le 2.9 mH

Qms 6.7

Mms 195 grams

Qes .40

Cms 0.374 mm/N

Qts .39

Fs 18.8 Hz

Sd 779 cm^2

Vas 317 liters

BL 14.2 N/A

Xmax 16.4 mm one way

EBP 47

SPL 89.1 dB @ 1W/1m

VC Dia. 2-1/2"

Power Rating 750W total

 

[Robertburchell]

I have a 120 litre sealed tempest with that 300 watt bash amp. Very nice balance of SPL and SQ. for under 100$ I say grab that tempest for sure.


Im no expert by any means, but giving the cone area Vs displacement I think that mach5 18" will get a tad louder, however the tempest has a lower fs. which do you value more ?