DIY Speakers + Subwoofer and AMP?

[kekoukela]

Hi all,
I was thinking about building a pair of speakers but would like to have a subwoofer in the mix as well. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Something like this:
http://www.parts-express.com/overnight-sensations-mt-speaker-kit-pair--300-706
and a subwoofer. But I'm a little confused as to how I would hook it up. Each speaker has a positive and negative terminal, does that mean that the negative is the ground and the positive is the sound to the left/right side? and If i were to add a subwoofer into the mix would that mean I would have to hook it up with the speakers or just connect each speaker and the subwoofer to an amp to drive it? Basically I'm looking for a nice home audio sound for music and watching movies

Also, which amp would pair well with this?

Sorry if this is a noob question. Im just starting out

[Zimmer64]

Here is an idea for a diy sub: http://www.transcendentsound.com/Transcendent/Subwoofer.html

I have built two of them and they are awesome: https://zimmer64.wordpress.com/2015/04/28/bucket-sub/


Michael

[Bonzo]

Ciao Michael,
would you mind share your experience, and maybe some construction pics? 
Whit which speacker are you using them?

[Zimmer64]

Ciao Bonzo,

I do not have more pictures of my build. Just follow the first link in my post. There is a full description of all components.

I use them with my current open baffle speakers.

Michael

[Bonzo]

@Michael: I've enjoyed your blog, nice journey you're doing in hifi! 

@kekoukela: What about the "Simplicissima" fullrange project? Google it, it seems quite easy to build and good sounding, and you can add Michael's subwoofer too!

Ciao!

[kekoukela]

WHoa, this are all great advices! Thanks guys! HmmMm I'm going to do more research before deciding on what to do, but if I add Michael's subwoofer, How do I connect it to the two speakers and an amp? I think that's the part that is really confusing me right now

[sl-15]

hi michael, great build, i like the white and was thinking that it will be hard to find completely white buckets with no logo on it. how do you integrate the subs into your system? do you need an extra/ external crossover? thanks, stefan

[Bonzo]

WHoa, this are all great advices! Thanks guys! HmmMm I'm going to do more research before deciding on what to do, but if I add Michael's subwoofer, How do I connect it to the two speakers and an amp? I think that's the part that is really confusing me right now

You need a dedicated subwoofer amplifier with speaker level input.
Something very powerful, maybe a cheap class D power amp with a low pass filter can do the job.

With a speaker level input you can still use your main amp to control everything (take a look at the blumenstein subwoofer to figure out how their powered sub works).

Ciao

[Zimmer64]

Hi,

Thank you all for your kind comments. I use the bucket subs with my Open Baffle speakers. The setup is as follows:
Preamp
Behringer Ultradrive Pro DCX2496 digital 3-way crossover
Gainclone (diy) to drive Betsy Fullrange
Chipamp (diy) to drive the Eminence Alpha 15
Behringer INuke NU3000 DSP to drive the diy bucket subs
Crossover points are 45 an 400 all LR 4th order

Re color of the buckets: I was lucky to find a local manufacturer that offers the 20 liter (approx. 5 gallons) buckets in any RAL color at ca. CHF 2,60 each (approx USD 3). Shipping costs were mad though....

Re speaker level input: Check the forum on the Transcendent web page: http://tubehifi.websitetoolbox.com/post/subwoofer-project-6426090
Some builders have padded down the speaker level signal using a series resitor to allow the use of any amp. This is quite useful as the sub does not need EQ.

Hope this helps!

Greetings from Switzerland


Michael

[braubeat]

this one is supposed to be good. I built a modified version for a friend and it sounds good. a lot of work though.

http://www.billfitzmaurice.com/T18.html

michael

[4krow]

 I didn't build a sub with a 5 gallon bucket, but the idea did serve a purpose when I decided to make quick speaker cabinets for my shop. It's one of those head shakers. Shouldn't sound as good as it does.

[kekoukela]

You need a dedicated subwoofer amplifier with speaker level input.
Something very powerful, maybe a cheap class D power amp with a low pass filter can do the job.

With a speaker level input you can still use your main amp to control everything (take a look at the blumenstein subwoofer to figure out how their powered sub works).

Ciao

Thank you so much!!!! The PDF really helped me visualize how to set it up!!!

[sl-15]

great thanks, agreed, the pdf is great, now i get it too.