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Sealed sub done: BFD and other questions

994 Views 6 Replies 2 Participants Last post by AlexE, Jun 24, 2008

fronn

Discussion Starter · Jun 17, 2008

Hi guys,

The help the first time around was much appreciated, so maybe you guys can help again...

I finished my sub this last weekend ( Link to pics ), but I'm having some issues with some rather annoying room dips (I have another spot to check tonight, otherwise I'm stuck with a spot that has an easily audible dip around ~45 Hz).

Are there any tips on room placement that aren't obvious (I've tried all the corners I can, tried to the sides and behind and tonight I'm going to try under the right front speaker -- last place to try) or should I just go for something like the BFD? A related question: is the DSP1124P good enough or should I spend a bit more and get the FBQ2496? (I see online neither are all that much -- well under their SRPs, for sure). Are there any other similarly priced EQ systems that would be preferred?

Also, for any other Rythmik 12 (Sealed) users, is it typical to have to have the volume level over half way on the amp? I don't know if it's a problem -- the sub sounds predictably excellent, but my previous sub just didn't require that (same output on the previous sub was about 1/5 volume vs 3/5 on the Rythmik). I'm not really worried about a lack of headroom or anything, because I can't imagine needing to use more than it offers, I'm just wondering if that's normal because it's different than my previous experiences.

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AlexE

· #2 · Jun 17, 2008

Volume on the sub lowers gain of incoming signal, or lets it all in at "100%" so don't sweat it. I turn those all the way up and control the signal from the receiver anyway.. or in my last amp I bought there was no gain on it at all.

Placement - a single sub, for me, always goes front and center between the mains. It's impossible to locate and blends in like you won't believe. Front firing sealed is my chosen path for this. Corner loading may add a few SPL here and there but will also create problems, don't do it. If you're after better coverage add more subs. 2 = front and back, 4 = each wall away from corners.

BFD = loads and loads written about this thing, google it up. Yes it's cheaper than the bassis by far, and does more than the eD 2 band PEQ (the behringer has 12 bands or 24 in it's latest incarnation irrc.. i just bought one from a forum member, can't wait!)

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fronn

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 17, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexE /forum/post/14103981

Volume on the sub lowers gain of incoming signal, or lets it all in at "100%" so don't sweat it. I turn those all the way up and control the signal from the receiver anyway.. or in my last amp I bought there was no gain on it at all.

Guess I didn't realize that...

Quote:
Placement - a single sub, for me, always goes front and center between the mains. It's impossible to locate and blends in like you won't believe. Front firing sealed is my chosen path for this. Corner loading may add a few SPL here and there but will also create problems, don't do it. If you're after better coverage add more subs. 2 = front and back, 4 = each wall away from corners.

Well, hopefully my last position is the best (will be my front Right speaker stand, essentially -- current stands are within an inch of my sub, so it works out well as far as that goes). I had to move some stuff around just to give this a try.

The room my stuff is in isn't necessarily the optimal room (it's got 5 walls, a window opposite the tv and a door on the same wall as the tv), so placement of things has been rather tricky.

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AlexE

· #4 · Jun 18, 2008

Tell me about it, my room blows too. My listening position is right up against a wall since I can't use this room length-wise... I won't live here for a whole lot longer though, looking to move to a nice house this summer.

Well, grats on the sub anyway. Later on you can make a clone and use both as speaker stands or something if the DIY bug bites again... I'd say with a single driver, single sub what you're describing is probably as good as you can get for phase coherency and 'one big speaker' effect if the room is more or less even to either side. two subs or right in the middle is better IMO, but not everyone wall mounts their tv.

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fronn

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 18, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexE /forum/post/14105283

Tell me about it, my room blows too. My listening position is right up against a wall since I can't use this room length-wise... I won't live here for a whole lot longer though, looking to move to a nice house this summer.

Well, grats on the sub anyway. Later on you can make a clone and use both as speaker stands or something if the DIY bug bites again... I'd say with a single driver, single sub what you're describing is probably as good as you can get for phase coherency and 'one big speaker' effect if the room is more or less even to either side. two subs or right in the middle is better IMO, but not everyone wall mounts their tv.

Yeah, I'm in a similar position -- not going to be at this place much longer, so I am not all that concerned about things, it's still a hassle.

I successfully moved things around and now the sub is in a better spot... it seems it is the least offensive of the 4 positions -- there are a few audible dips (no massive nulls at least), but nothing terrible and the room looks a bit more open, as my DVD racks had to be moved to the back walls of the room (which is where I wanted them to begin with, but moving them required I lift them over a couch -- they become surprisingly unweildy when they are full of movies).

I actually had to turn the volume on the sub down a bit as it was a bit too loud (the knob is about half way now and I can't imagine ever needing much more output than 3/4, even in a large room). I just got done watching Cloverfield and it handled it without sweating.

A second sub will have to wait for a bit

, as a new DIY center channel is taking precedence, and then new front L/R.

Before starting my next project I'll maybe have to invest in a BFD though... maybe.

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fronn

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 24, 2008

I feel like the driver is properly broken in and I've had enough listening time to give a proper opinion on it...

Add me to the list of satisfied customers. It's very defined and goes much deeper than my previous sub (H-100 -- no surprise that it's better, not that H-100 is bad for it's price or anything). Music has been much improved... previously listening to music was aggravating as some songs just sounded sloppy and incoherent on the low end. On some music and movies the low end has opened up where I previously didn't know there was sound (a track I've heard quite a few times over the years actually had some ~12hz stuff in a brief portion of the song that I never knew about). Movies have been improved, but music is like a new experience on some songs.

When it's time to upgrade, I can't imagine doing anything but getting a second one at this point (I kept my plans for that purpose).

Well worth the price of admission. Well done, Brian @ Rythmik.

I'm quite pleased with how it all turned out and it definitely gave me the desire to do everything I can DIY (not only for the results, but I rather enjoyed actually building it).

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AlexE

· #7 · Jun 24, 2008

Nice, good to hear it all worked.

Speaking of the BFD I played with mine yesterday some more. I love the thing. Had a mean ground loop, but I wiggled the middle prong out, voila... solved

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