🔥A DIY SUBWOOFER THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND

[@abxaudiophiles]

THIS OPEN BAFFLE SUBWOOFER IS A MUST FOR ALL YOU DIY PEEPS!! THE WORLDS ONLY NON-PROFIT CHARITY REVIEWER!! 100% OF PROCEEDS GO TO YOUTH MUSICAL PROGRAMS OVER $8,500 DONATED TO CHARITY 🔥😍💪 #diy #audiophile #hifi NEW WEBSITE - abxaudiophiles.org/ DISCORD - / discord PATREON - www.patreon.com/user?u=81133993 INSTAGRAM - / abxaudiophile KZbin - / @abxaudiophiles FACEBOOK- facebook.com/profile.php?... ABX-Audiophiles Playlist on all your streaming services - sdz.sh/eBTib5 Affiliate Links - Emotiva - emotiva.com/?aff=21 Geshelli - geshelli.com/?ref=14 Orchard Audio - orchardaudio.com/abx-audiophi...

[@staceymangham]

Now that is some nice bass

[@staceymangham]

This is some smooth, fast, defined bass, I would have liked something with sustained low bass or organ to see if there was any cone flap or even Tracey Chapman Crossroads, there are several tracks on this that will test a subwoofer

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@staceymangham Agreed. 👍🏼

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@staceymangham Due to the sensitivity and size of the driver there is very little movement of the driver for the bass created. I’d say at listening levels with bass pumping the drive is moving 1/8” or less. Maybe getting close to 1/4”…. No baffle slap to be found.

[@OldGuyHifi]

I would not have expected that much bass. Well done my friend. That's so cool.

[@abxaudiophiles]

I get that alot.. ;) Thank you for watching

[@simonhickie7589]

I don't have OB subs, but I do use OB bass drivers in a semi-topless asymmetrical U frame. The drivers are Monacor SP382-PA drivers with an Fs of 25hz and a QTS of 0.75. They will play flat down to 35hz in room. With slot loading, I would expect them to push lower still.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@simonhickie7589 Nice! Yea, we’re getting down to about 30hz -3db at like 26hz with the LDA drivers and slot loading design.

[@simonhickie7589]

@@abxaudiophiles I've tuned mine to a modified RTINGS curve. I've had to tame the bass as there was actually too much. All measurements are taken using the 'moving microphone method' and show a real in-room response. I'll get some response curves posted in the OB section of the ABX Discord thingy.

[@mcjonner]

Man 2 of those with baby baffles would be such a sweet system!

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@mcjonner true stereo subs are so good. 👌👌👌👌

[@tractioncontroloff9796]

This channel makes hifi fun! I dig all the diy videos!

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@tractioncontroloff9796 Thank you. 🙏🏼

[@sevengrey2408]

very nice. would like to hear these with the separate two ways for the mid/high instead of the Klipsch

[@abxaudiophiles]

As soon as I get my stuff back from Kelly.... ;)

[@MrBonger88]

Sounds great. A comparison with and without the sub would be awesome

[@abxaudiophiles]

Yea the Forte II are really only effective down to about 45-50hz, shut the sub down and the room thins out immensely. I’ll do a comparison video soon. Good call.

[@peterdesmidt8742]

I use 2 - 18" open baffle subs....Works great, using a Minidsp SHD for crossover duties.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Well played sir.

[@rodm1949]

They do work well, I usually have mine at 180 phase to get them right. Have thought of passing the output to another sub running even lower frequency.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Great idea

[@flashhog01]

Looks like another great project. Perhaps I finally have a sub solution for my Maggies.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@flashhog01 would be a great pairing.

[@garbagemanify]

Looks like an MCM 18"2993 or so... Rip it apart- take that cloth surround off, and get a high compliance half roll, plus, use a new soft spider. those PA drivers are STIFF

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@garbagemanify Man…. Such assumptions. Must be fun

[@adsph]

Sounds amazing James. I could see a pair in the future for me. Thanks for sharing.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@adsph fun stuff. 👌😊

[@adsph]

@@abxaudiophiles always get that impression from you.

[@mcjonner]

Damn I just upgraded my sub..... I would have totally went this direction and built 2 for the same price I got 1. Damn. These with a Dayton 500w dsp plate amp or crown for dual would be awesome

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@mcjonner There’s always next time!! PS, these bass drivers are 97db sensitive you’ll get all that bass off a little 50 watt amp. 500 would instantly destroy the drivers if turned up. 😂😂😂👌

[@mcjonner]

​@@abxaudiophiles Oh wow lol nice

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@mcjonner Yes sir !! This is great cus we can find a nice lower watt, higher quality plate amp to really make these ladies shine. 👌👌

[@Licoricedisc]

@@abxaudiophiles"500 would instantly destroy the drivers if turned up", From the website "500w RMS power handling", so... this is not an accurate spec?

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@Licoricedisc It more to do with the baffle slap that would occur if you pushed them with a 500 watt amp, so it’s kinda accurate. lol. 😂

[@AlexCin-q9z]

How is your design better than the H-frame?

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@AlexCin-q9z Both great options.

[@AlexCin-q9z]

What does such a loading slot do? Does it extend the range downwards or dampen the speaker? Where can I read the theory of how such a loading slot works and the calculation method?

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@AlexCin-q9z The owner and designer is in our discord.

[@DaleCrommie]

After viewing this, I have a request. If possible, would you consider making a video on how you route your Bass baffle? Thank you.👍🔥

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@DaleCrommie will do!! 👌👌

[@DaleCrommie]

@@abxaudiophilesThank you.🔥👍

[@kineahora8736]

I assume you mean the router work on the wood-in which case-me too!! I have been thinking about this kind of project, but for the 34” tall compact baffles. I had been assuming drilling holes at the corners of the double-C and using a jigsaw free-hand. But a router with a jig makes a ton of sense-usually u make a hole in the center to peg the router jig-but that’s where that piece of wood will remain for the compression molds…

[@AlexCin-q9z]

Such a loading slot can operate up to 300 Hz without disturbing the dipole radiation pattern on the 12" speaker? For use in a 3-way system

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@AlexCin-q9z Not sure about a 12” driver.

[@DustinDonohue]

Just started some vaca myself! Also I'm heading to the coast!

[@abxaudiophiles]

Let's go!! Enjoy my friend.

[@jaysullivan9545]

Fast enough for my Quads? Guess we're gonna have to find out buddy. Nice job. Wuf. 🐻

[@abxaudiophiles]

Oh, guess we need to have a listening session ASAP .... HA

[@shanerorko8076]

I assume you mean Quad electrostatics, the only way you will get cone movement quicker is buy using multiple high efficiency so pro drivers for the low end bass and using DSP. but I don't think you have this correct, the lower frequencies don't need to have "quick" drivers as you say. The most important factor for bass is the volume of air moved and the motor BL. So air volume to BL ratio. Bassically (excuse the pun) you want to move vast amounts of air the lower the frequency, but you need motor strength to do it. Your electrostatics will increase in efficiency as the frequency goes up, because you will be moving less air, hence why you don't turn them up, but if you cross to a sub you will find the volume knob being able to go higher with you electrostatics.

[@zulumax1]

@@shanerorko8076 Have you heard of the moving magnet subs used in pro gear? Produce 5 to 30 Hz and can handle lots of power since the coils are mounted on the speaker frame which act as heat sinks. No flex wires to fail as well. Not very efficient, but would do great for pro sound stuff. I think what people perceive as quick bass is the attack and decay. Especially the attack, the first pressure wave of air that hits you.

[@shanerorko8076]

@@zulumax1 I have seen those subs, they are for very big areas. for a smaller room, eight six inch speakers or twelve six inch speakers could pressurize the room sufficiently. But low frequency requires slow coupling to the air as the air can't couple any faster at the low frequencies. So as long as you have enough cone area, you then require cone speed which, increases in the total BL will help.

[@robertburton295]

Ok you sold me on this brother for the open baffle subwoofer I gave a crown amp I can us what woofers you recommend and do you recommend the same cabinet design with that slot loading ?

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@robertburton295 LDA drivers and just follow the plan.

[@alexiheaka1074]

Lovin this.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Me too.. .HA Thank you

[@nuon_mp]

Are measurements available?

[@abxaudiophiles]

The 18" bass driver specs are on the La Dolce Audio website. Also our discord is full of frequency sweeps on the 18" bass driver. Basically pretty flat down to 27 hz

[@jonhoskins3795]

Try Bela Fleck & Edgar Meyer in "Music For Two". I run Goldwood 1858s in H-Frames in the bottoms of my OB two ways and that album never fails to impress friends and family with the bass.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@jonhoskins3795 Will do!! 👌👌

[@54tristin]

What do you use as a crossover?

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@54tristin It’s covered in the video. 👌👌

[@jungtarcph]

Is there a crossover or high pass filter to speakers?

[@abxaudiophiles]

The drivers are crossed over at 50hz. I run through it all in the video.. Gotta watch the video.. HA

[@mikerick6955]

No mention of crossovers or high pass filters in this video…

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@mikerick6955 - Literally covered what they were crossed over at, and It is a damn plate amp with variable crossover and phase.. Make it what ya want.. Not sure what else to say

[@mikerick6955]

@@abxaudiophiles I’m sorry but you didn’t. Maybe it got edited out or something but I’ve watched the video three times and there’s no mention of crossover level or high passing the Fortes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m intrigued by OB mains and subs, just curious same as @jungtarcph

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@mikerick6955 subs crossed over at 50 hz. 👌

[@mikerick6955]

I’ve watched this video several times now and nowhere is it mentioned where the sub crossover is at or if you’re high passing the Fortes, which themselves are very capable down to 38hz and even lower with room gain.

[@mikerick6955]

I’m not being critical, just curious and interested in this design.

[@abxaudiophiles]

All good. I’ve ran REW sweeps on the Forte II. Effective bass down to 50hz really and at 45hz it’s dropping off way fast. The sub woofer is pretty flat down to 30hz and about -3db at 27hz. If you were in room with me and we shut the sub off, you would say WTH… 😆😆👌👌

[@mikerick6955]

@@abxaudiophiles That’s great!

[@herbertvorderberg]

Crown D150 /DC300 is a nice cheap amp for a sub

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@herbertvorderberg great choice.

[@MilGrip76]

Great midbass. Did not hear anything in the bottom 2 octaves. This is meant to be a sub-woofer no?

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@MilGrip76 30hz flat, 27hz -3db. Sub woofer, yes. 👍🏼

[@TheRattleSnake3145]

Is that really open baffle? You have that surface in front of the cone which is kinda like a chamber and the slots are like the ports.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Open baffle implies the front and rear of the driver is open and allow propagation of the sound waves. Slot loading the front of the baffle is essentially a mechanical inductor that adjusts the QTs, sensitivity, and bass response slightly. Think of it as more of a mechanical crossover vs a bunch of capacitors and resistors. It’s 100% an open baffle.

[@wrongIQ]

​@@abxaudiophileswhat you mention here is a big point of interest for me! I'll be really grateful if you'd share some experience. The slot definitely affects speaker parameters but how? I assume it slightly lowers the fs, rises qts, lowers sensitivity a bit (thats a question since we deal with front-back cancellation). Also I think it alters directivity pattern making it somewhat cardioidish. Am I right?

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@wrongIQ My understanding as well. I don't think it lowers sensitivity, tho.

[@welderfixer]

O-B speakers sure seem to be gaining traction. Guess I've got the "BUG" now. Time to buy a router! Dang it.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@welderfixer LETS GO!!! 👌👌😍😍

[@welderfixer]

@@abxaudiophiles I may be wacked, but I kinda like slightly hollow and tame sounding speakers/systems. O-B speakers just might give that old fashion sound I've been looking for. I wish I had the funds to come out and listen to the system you and your friends have built. Sux to be bankrupt!

[@juststuff5216]

Not getting a lot of bass through the recording, but I'm sure it smashes backside!

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@juststuff5216 You probably won't on a phone. Plenty of bass listening on my headphones at my desk.

[@juststuff5216]

@@abxaudiophiles I got my HD25's on, and I get deeper bass from this recording of the 3.5" Fostex speaker, than from this subwoofer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4aWiYpsibtssKssi=CQvZEIY1EGDbu6b-&t=82

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@juststuff5216 TL Speakers. Small room. Mic in a bass heavy area. That bass sounds not as clean, quick, or textured. But yea, TL speakers can do good bass, I just built a pair of Neil Blanchard Designs MLTL-6 and they're great!

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@juststuff5216 - The bass in the clip you shared sounds bloated and boomy. Sounds over done for that room and space. When I refer to quick, textured and detailed, here is what I am referring too - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZDWl3xnfruhgc0

[@juststuff5216]

@@abxaudiophiles Dude … for a pair of 3.5" full range drivers, the video came out better than your subwoofer … end of Goodnight nurse!

[@bloodcarver913]

How do you technically justify blocking most of the element regd. the sub? I goes against the piston "setup" all normal elements are made to perform. Also with no backbox to increase pressure forward I am assuming this is very hard to drive to any meaningful high level.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Oh no… 97db sensitive. 20 watts rocks the house. 27hz and BOOM!!!! 💥

[@rnulfaasum2739]

Please, this is not slotloading. Its just restriction of the areal. Have been done in all hornspeakers for more than 60 years to get the horn to get a little lower. But sound good though😆

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@rnulfaasum2739 What exactly is “slot loading” then?

[@bogie1971]

Nelson pass made the first slot loaded open baffle speaker in 1974. You might want to Google Nelson pass Slot loaded open baffle.

[@JensenTech]

Do you care to share some details about the build

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@JensenTech - Sure. There’s a lot on our website and links to where we get our drivers. It basically just the lower section of our DIY baffles. Think of our big baffle and just cut the speaker in half. Same slot loading etc… Then we just screwed a plate amp to the side and rocked out. 👌👌 But yea. Check the ABX Website as well as La Dolce Audio. Lots of shared stuff there. Our Discord houses it all as well. Cheers. 🍻

[@shanerorko8076]

There's another bass driver I found that would be good for this use, I don't know if they're available in the US, but I can get them here in Australia cheaper than the LaDolce ones. SB Audience - 18" BIANCO Subwoofer - BIANCO-18SW450

[@abxaudiophiles]

I love options. 👌👌👌

[@middleearthltd]

Any measurements or guesstimate as to the in room response ? My room can do/fit a half 30 Hz sound wave I expect that you are getting in that range and it sounds great on low Fi KZbin

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@middleearthltd I have yet to run sweeps, but will soon, I’m sensing about 25-30hz effective, maybe lower.

[@middleearthltd]

@@abxaudiophiles Excellent 🙏

[@bornces]

You make it sound the RSL makes crappy stuff.

[@abxaudiophiles]

They are pretty budget-friendly, but not bad at all, really. Kinda loving the plate amp right now.. HA

[@humanitech]

Why not get some cheap but good crown XLS power amps? As they are great sounding/reliable power amps and perfect for sub woofers and highly adjustable?

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@humanitech We do that too. Running the new 2502 currently. Put the plate amps are simple, full range crossover and variable phase. I like the versatility of the plate amps. Both great options tho.