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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2013 10:19:05 GMT -5
I came across this item on Audio Asylum: www.transcendentsound.com/Transcendent/Subwoofer.html Bassically (heh, heh), it is an 8" subwoofer driver mounted in an upside down concrete-laden bucket. The inventor, Ed Schilling, is a long-time speaker mfgr. and really knows his stuff. He claims that these are one of the best subwoofers he's ever heard. And it seems a pair of them could be built for < $500 - including amps, etc. And here is a picture of one that has been prettied-up for better WAF - although I don't particularly like this fella's design aesthetic:  Pretty cool, huh? -RW- |
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Post by Boomzilla on Aug 7, 2013 10:35:14 GMT -5
Put some feet on the speaker end - Flip'em over to be downward firing - And ALSO use'em as speaker stands!
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Aug 7, 2013 10:49:18 GMT -5
Rather than using a Peerless SLS and small plate amp I'd use a JL Audio 8W7AE and a 500 watt external pro amp.
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PGT
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Post by PGT on Aug 7, 2013 11:21:21 GMT -5
What's the concrete for? Just weight? I wouldn't think a plastic bucket is very rigid....it would make more sense if the concrete was poured all the way around. One could put screws all around the bucket for "anchor" points, insert a concrete cylinder form a few inches smaller than the bucket into the middle, and make a nice and rigid "vessel" below the driver. Maybe even cut a ring of MDF as a backer for the driver....concreted in place, that would make for a stellar solution (not to mention, give your driver mounting screws more purchase than the plastic).
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Aug 7, 2013 11:48:15 GMT -5
My guess is to lower the total volume down to .5 cubic feet. You can do the same thing with a concrete cylinder form. (and SVS did just that with some of their models) Just calculate how much volume you need for your particular driver in a sealed enclosure. |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Aug 7, 2013 11:49:20 GMT -5
Plus concrete is acoustically inert and structurally rigid.
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Post by repeetavx on Aug 7, 2013 11:57:12 GMT -5
Interesting... I wouldn't think a plastic bucket is very rigid....it would make more sense if the concrete was poured all the way around. Yea, I'm not sure that I would like the plastic sides of the bucket bulging with every beat either, but, from the web site: |
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Aug 7, 2013 12:43:44 GMT -5
Years ago, Popular Electronic ran an article on using wastebaskets for speaker enclosures. I built several and they sounded good being powered by my old Heathkit amp. Woofer was up-facing with tweeter as a side mount!
For the true psychedelic experience you could also put it on your head and really jam to In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida!!!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2013 13:35:13 GMT -5
Well, I say howzabout one of you DIYers making up a set of these and let us know what you think? Remember, Ed has a lot of experience in this space, and I trust his opinions. I am seriously considering selling my current Earthquake sub and making a pair of these. If I do, I will, of course, post my impressions...
-RW-
BTW, Ed also states that Krylon Fusion paint sticks quite well to the plastic buckets. Now you can have your DIY subs in any color you like...
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Aug 7, 2013 13:56:08 GMT -5
Yea, I'm not sure that I would like the plastic sides of the bucket bulging with every beat. Just the physics behind the cylindrical shape will virtually guarantee that with current driver and amp technology there isn't a driver (powered by any amp) that will bulge the sides out like you suggest.  |
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Aug 7, 2013 15:55:11 GMT -5
Guys, It looks like a PLASTIC bucket to me. Plastic flexes and stretches. A cylinder only has full virtu if it is made of something that won't stretch and is reasonably stiff (SVS's Sonotube is a great example). With a reasonably powerful amp and driver the plastic bucket will flex, bulge, and probably hop up and down. (I've seen 3/4" MDF bulge under the stresses produced by a serious sub.) My expectation would be that it will sound pretty good with a very low powered amp - because bass will radiate from everywhere as the cabinet flexes - but you've really got to be kidding if you think it will compare to 3/4" Sonotube - or 1" MDF - of concrete. Take any speaker driver, and mount it in a cardboard carton, and it will sound better than you probably expect - but still not really good. And, sure, take that bucket, sit it in a bigger bucket, and fill the space in between with 50 pounds of sand, and you might be on the way to something serious  |
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Aug 7, 2013 16:13:22 GMT -5
Not completely true and you can prove it yourself. Take an egg and attempt to break it by applying pressure to the long axis. It is almost impossible to do. Now do it on the short axis where it will break almost instantaneously. A cylinder will take enormous pressure across the cylinder. Youtube Video ....A cylinder only has full virtu if it is made of something that won't stretch and is reasonably stiff.... |
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Post by blkman0072 on Aug 7, 2013 18:31:16 GMT -5
This is very interesting. Now just a plastic bucket, I would think it would flex a little so it would be like having a port on a ported sub closed up. Now put a lid on the top of the bucket cut a hole for the sub. Nope I think non-shrink grout would be better. I would figure how to hot glue something to the inside of the bucket like a smaller bucket to match the volume the sub would need. Fill the bucket with hypertufa ( mix of cement and vermiculite). Then cut the hole for sub then drill for wire and binding posts. Would use a nice mono amp or xpa-2. Man this brings up a good idea for garden speakers tho. Get some 2 or 3 way marine speakers. Pop these out in the yard. Just have to make sure water doesn't get in cones. Lil roof or umbrella type over the top. Dang I have seen a site too for outdoor speakers. I need to go look at what they have again.
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Post by jlafrenz on Aug 7, 2013 20:00:44 GMT -5
I think this would be interesting to try and power with the Mini-X amp. I built the Parts Express Triska sub a while back and power it with a BPA-1 I had laying around. This bucket sub would be about half the cost. May have to make one and listen for myself.
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PGT
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Post by PGT on Aug 8, 2013 7:59:19 GMT -5
Plus concrete is acoustically inert and structurally rigid. Yes - there's a reason B&W uses fibercrete in their midrange enclosures on the 800 series. |
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Post by pedrocols on Aug 8, 2013 8:11:33 GMT -5
Personally, I don't find anything cheap about spending 500 bucks...And then I have to build it myself...  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2013 8:28:12 GMT -5
Pedro, remember that the $500 includes 2 hi-powered amps. And the build is a doddle, two subs could easily be done in 4-5 hours. Stop with the negative waves, Moriarty...<g>
-RW-
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2013 8:32:25 GMT -5
As for flexing of the plastic cylinder, ChuckE is right - that cylinder will exhibit virtually NO deformation even under high power. Keep in mind that Ed Schilling was powering his with 1,000 watt Crown amps. A cylinder is an *extremely* rugged shape, second only to a sphere in incompressibility.
And I think he also tried it with a 1,500 watt Crown amp to good effect.
-RW-
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Post by geebo on Aug 8, 2013 8:44:59 GMT -5
Not completely true and you can prove it yourself. Take an egg and attempt to break it by applying pressure to the long axis. It is almost impossible to do. Now do it on the short axis where it will break almost instantaneously. A cylinder will take enormous pressure across the cylinder. Youtube Video ....A cylinder only has full virtu if it is made of something that won't stretch and is reasonably stiff.... But I think the pressures generated by a subwoofer would act along the diameter of the cylinder. Much like you would expect by connecting an air hose at one end and pumping air into it. It would bulge outward. Now to what you said, yes, it's very strong along the length of the cylinder to the point even a big guy like me can stand on one end and not phase it. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2013 8:48:34 GMT -5
Geebo wrote: "But I think the pressures generated by a subwoofer would act along the diameter of the cylinder. Much like you would expect by connecting an air hose at one end and pumping air into it. It would bulge outward. Now to what you said, yes, it's very strong along the length of the cylinder to the point even a big guy like me can stand on one end and not phase it. ""
Geebo, think about what you just wrote. Go ahead and pump air into a cylinder and see how much flexing you get. Same thing with standing on it, you can put massive weight on it with no deformation. You guys are stressing over a non-issue...
-RW-
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