Sub drivers for home theatre..

[Harkness]

Researching the best 15" driver to build a living room sub with 2x15 in a ported enclosure..

[timc]

Researching the best 15" driver to build a living room sub with 2x15 in a ported enclosure..

Do you just want it deep and loud, or do you want the fast snappy bass as well?

For something in between you could check out the JL Audio W7 woofer. It's only 13.5" but oh my it can kick.

-Tim

[Robh3606]

The best readilly available JBL 15 would be 2235's unless you try for the newer JBL sub drivers which are very difficult to come by. If you are going to go a pair why don't you look at the 18" 2242. It's going to take up the same amount of space as paired 2235's.

Rob

[jbl_daddy]

I have owned a pair of ADS servo subs and replaced them with a pair of JBL B380's ten years ago, gobs of low end and heart pounding at the same time. Make sure you get the crossover with the B380 if you go that route.

[Allanvh5150]

I would have to go with everyone and suggest the 2235. The cabinet will be rather large for a living room though. Do you have a lot of space?

Allan.

[JBL 4645]

Running with a diy JBL 4645 hence my username, for 11 years and its got plenty of slam kick and deep almighty lows that can tax the ears sometimes. Enclosure is actually loaded up with JBL 2240 18" that I brought for £100.00 pounds, enclosure cost around with paint finish about £60.00 pounds.

[robertbartsch]

Well, I was enjoying a movie at home last night with a single 18" 2242 and it was very convincing.

I would recommend the 18" and not the 15" for a sub applicaiton.

Double woofs seem like overkill in a home setting, however.

Make sure you have the Hover Dam to power it, install it (them??) in a big ported box and you should be fine.

[4313B]

Double woofs seem like overkill in a home setting, however.

Well they're not.

[Allanvh5150]

I would have to deffinately agree with 4313!!

[Harkness]

thanks for the replies, i appreciate everyone's input!

i have horn loaded C40's that have snappy punchy low end, but cut off around 40 Hz. as well, my room is not that big so the sub lows don't develop as well as the upper bass...

so i would like a sub that extends the frequency response down to below 30, and gives me a bit of boost up to around 60, at which point the C40's have enough energy. i'd also like to match the dynamic response i get from the C40 horns, but i don't think i want to undertake a sub based on a 30Hz horn enclosure. or do i?

i've got about 5 feet between my 2 C40's that i could fill with the sub, i just wouldn't want it to be higher and deeper than 20-22 inches. i could fit a couple 2235 drivers in there (or perhaps 2 18's??) is 20 cubic feet too small?

[Harkness]

Well they're not.

i also agree

it turns out i could be obtaining a pair of vintage Altec 421A 15" Bass instrument speakers.. in good condition. the spec sheet in the library claims uniform response from 35Hz up in a 'suitable enclosure' but no details as to what a suitable enclosure might be. i am guessing it doesn't need to be tremendously large, because that would make it impractical for use in a bass guitar cab. is there anyone around with experience building cabs with these drivers?


cheers!

[louped garouv]

thanks for the replies, i appreciate everyone's input!

i have horn loaded C40's that have snappy punchy low end, but cut off around 40 Hz. as well, my room is not that big so the sub lows don't develop as well as the upper bass...

so i would like a sub that extends the frequency response down to below 30, and gives me a bit of boost up to around 60, at which point the C40's have enough energy. i'd also like to match the dynamic response i get from the C40 horns, but i don't think i want to undertake a sub based on a 30Hz horn enclosure. or do i?

i've got about 5 feet between my 2 C40's that i could fill with the sub, i just wouldn't want it to be higher and deeper than 20-22 inches. i could fit a couple 2235 drivers in there (or perhaps 2 18's??) is 20 cubic feet too small?

what's the acoustic treatment situation like in your room?

[Harkness]

it's just my living room. no special acoustic treatment..

[Allanvh5150]

Oh yea! I can picture a twin 15 sub under the monitor.

Allan.

p.s. Now I can see why you wanted a bigger woofer.

[rgwalker]

i also agree

it turns out i could be obtaining a pair of vintage Altec 421A 15" Bass instrument speakers.. in good condition. the spec sheet in the library claims uniform response from 35Hz up in a 'suitable enclosure' but no details as to what a suitable enclosure might be. i am guessing it doesn't need to be tremendously large, because that would make it impractical for use in a bass guitar cab. is there anyone around with experience building cabs with these drivers?


cheers!

I have a pair of 421As that I've used as bass guitar speakers for many years and while they are great for that purpoose they suck as subs.

Bob Walker