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6 Posts
Please Help,
It's been recommended that I bring my quest for help to the DIY section for an In-Wall subwoofer due to my pricing constraints. The details of my soon-to-be system are below, but based upon the need to DIY the in-wall sub, I need to let you know that I can certainly build the enclosure in the wall if given some guidance on dimensions and porting (if needed). I really wanted to purchase a used in-wall sub that would come with an enclosure and grille. If I purchase the subwoofer driver by itself and build an enclosure with your (or others on this forum's) input/experience what options do I have for a finished-look grille? The wall that the sub will be installed into backs uo to my garage, so the possibilities are endless for the size or configuration of the enclosure and placement of amp. I am also pretty capable at construction (and have a couple of friends that are in the business that would be more than happy to help), but am weak when it comes to electronics design (as you may be able to tell from my questions about the ohms matching for the sub and amp). I know that I may sound long winded, but i know from other posts that the more information, the better.
I've been collecting the pieces for our home theater/music system for the last year and now it is down to the subwoofer/amp before I start installing. I have put this system together on a tight budget off ebay (as you can probably tell from the equipment list below) The system is primarily going to be used for my two teenagers and their friends for television/movies, xbox, and music (mp3s from a PC through an optical toslink cable).
Acoustics: The room is 12' by 23' with french doors and windows at each end. Of the remaining two walls, one is solid drywall since it faces the garage. The other wall faces the main portion of the house and has two doors. The wall that adjoins the garage will be the "rear" of the system and I plan on installing the subwoofer on this wall. Since it shares a wall with the garage, space is not an issue for the amplifier.
Current equipment (still in boxes) and how I believe they will be used:
A/V Receiver: Harman Kardon AVR 635
Front Speakers: JBL Soundpoint SP6CII
Center Channel: Infinity ERSH V250
Surround Speakers: JBL Soundpoint SP6CII
Rear Speakers: JBL Soundpoint SP8CII
I'll be running 12 gauge speaker wire for all the connections
I'll run RG6 with RCAs for the subwoofer amp connection
Questions: I would like to stick with the in-wall configuration and install an in-wall passive sub with separate amplifier. I can only afford to purchase "pre-owned" equipment and have been looking at eBay to try to find compatible equipment. I have tried to do as much research as possible but now need answers to some questions that may seem basic, but I just don't know.
Should I be looking for a subwoofer in the 12" range powered by a 200 watt (or higher) amplifier?
Many people are selling plate amplifiers for either DIY kits or that have been removed from free standing subwoofer boxes. Is there an advantage/disadvantage to using a standard subwoofer amplifier over a plate amp? What are the pros/cons of each?
When looking at amps and passive subs, I see that the impedance of different subwoofers can be either 4 ohm, 6 ohm, or 8 ohm. The amplifiers' will list 8 ohm and 4 ohm. This is the question that will make me sound stupid, but will any subwoofer amplifier run any subwoofer, or do you have to match them up based upon the Impedance rating of the subwoofer?
I need to stay under $300 total for the amp and subwoofer. I've been looking at used Dayton, JBL, Velodyne, NHT, Eosone Polk, and M&K amplifiers. I've seen several of the Eosone Polk and M&K surplus plate amps lately on eBay. As far as subwoofers, I'm staying away from the low budget stuff and just waiting it out for a higher quality used one to show up at a good price.
Please help. Also, please offer suggestions if you feel I am doing something wrong with the equipment I currently have.
Thanks,
----Walt
It's been recommended that I bring my quest for help to the DIY section for an In-Wall subwoofer due to my pricing constraints. The details of my soon-to-be system are below, but based upon the need to DIY the in-wall sub, I need to let you know that I can certainly build the enclosure in the wall if given some guidance on dimensions and porting (if needed). I really wanted to purchase a used in-wall sub that would come with an enclosure and grille. If I purchase the subwoofer driver by itself and build an enclosure with your (or others on this forum's) input/experience what options do I have for a finished-look grille? The wall that the sub will be installed into backs uo to my garage, so the possibilities are endless for the size or configuration of the enclosure and placement of amp. I am also pretty capable at construction (and have a couple of friends that are in the business that would be more than happy to help), but am weak when it comes to electronics design (as you may be able to tell from my questions about the ohms matching for the sub and amp). I know that I may sound long winded, but i know from other posts that the more information, the better.
I've been collecting the pieces for our home theater/music system for the last year and now it is down to the subwoofer/amp before I start installing. I have put this system together on a tight budget off ebay (as you can probably tell from the equipment list below) The system is primarily going to be used for my two teenagers and their friends for television/movies, xbox, and music (mp3s from a PC through an optical toslink cable).
Acoustics: The room is 12' by 23' with french doors and windows at each end. Of the remaining two walls, one is solid drywall since it faces the garage. The other wall faces the main portion of the house and has two doors. The wall that adjoins the garage will be the "rear" of the system and I plan on installing the subwoofer on this wall. Since it shares a wall with the garage, space is not an issue for the amplifier.
Current equipment (still in boxes) and how I believe they will be used:
A/V Receiver: Harman Kardon AVR 635
Front Speakers: JBL Soundpoint SP6CII
Center Channel: Infinity ERSH V250
Surround Speakers: JBL Soundpoint SP6CII
Rear Speakers: JBL Soundpoint SP8CII
I'll be running 12 gauge speaker wire for all the connections
I'll run RG6 with RCAs for the subwoofer amp connection
Questions: I would like to stick with the in-wall configuration and install an in-wall passive sub with separate amplifier. I can only afford to purchase "pre-owned" equipment and have been looking at eBay to try to find compatible equipment. I have tried to do as much research as possible but now need answers to some questions that may seem basic, but I just don't know.
Should I be looking for a subwoofer in the 12" range powered by a 200 watt (or higher) amplifier?
Many people are selling plate amplifiers for either DIY kits or that have been removed from free standing subwoofer boxes. Is there an advantage/disadvantage to using a standard subwoofer amplifier over a plate amp? What are the pros/cons of each?
When looking at amps and passive subs, I see that the impedance of different subwoofers can be either 4 ohm, 6 ohm, or 8 ohm. The amplifiers' will list 8 ohm and 4 ohm. This is the question that will make me sound stupid, but will any subwoofer amplifier run any subwoofer, or do you have to match them up based upon the Impedance rating of the subwoofer?
I need to stay under $300 total for the amp and subwoofer. I've been looking at used Dayton, JBL, Velodyne, NHT, Eosone Polk, and M&K amplifiers. I've seen several of the Eosone Polk and M&K surplus plate amps lately on eBay. As far as subwoofers, I'm staying away from the low budget stuff and just waiting it out for a higher quality used one to show up at a good price.
Please help. Also, please offer suggestions if you feel I am doing something wrong with the equipment I currently have.
Thanks,
----Walt
