JBL Subwoofer

[migman]

Hi all,

I am looking to build a subwoofer or a pair of subwoofers to complement my 2-channel music system. My system is comprised of an Audio Research LS3 preamp and a Yamaha PC2002M amp. My speakers are JBL L5s. I have another Yamaha PC2002M at my disposal that I could use for a sub or pair of subs. I would add an active crossover to the system for the sub. The room that this system will ultimately end up in is about 12' x 12'. My thought would be to add one 12" or 15" sub in the smallest enclosure that I could manage since I do not have a ton of room. Forgive me but I am new to DIY speaker building in general and a little out of my element. I do have a woodworking friend that can help me build the cabinets.

Does anyone have recommendations for a good driver and/or cabinet design that could achieve my stated purpose? I am going to continue to educate myself by searching through the threads here, but I thought I would get a head start by laying out my project. Thanks in advance.

[Lee in Montreal]

If you don't have room for a 12cft cabinet, then go there ;-) http://www.diysubwoofers.org/

[JuniorJBL]

The W1500H used in the array 1500 is a very good sub woofer. Maybe find a pair of used sub1500's. Maybe take a look at some of the pro sub woofers.

[rdgrimes]

For dedicated 2-ch music you have a lot of options. Subs for VLF movie audio are a different concern. But you don't need 20-25Hz response in a music system, 30Hz is fine 99% of the time. So don't get sucked into wanting 20Hz performance, you want clean and musical 30Hz performance. JBL has an assortment of drivers that can offer this in a variety of cabinets.

[hjames]

Why take this route? Making subs can be a funky task - is it a budget thing, or some other issue?
Not trying to be judgmental or snooty, just curious.
And - bigger drivers want bigger boxes for low notes -
if box size is an issue, go with the smaller drivers.


Hi all,

I am looking to build a subwoofer or a pair of subwoofers to complement my 2-channel music system. My system is comprised of an Audio Research LS3 preamp and a Yamaha PC2002M amp. My speakers are JBL L5s. I have another Yamaha PC2002M at my disposal that I could use for a sub or pair of subs. I would add an active crossover to the system for the sub. The room that this system will ultimately end up in is about 12' x 12'. My thought would be to add one 12" or 15" sub in the smallest enclosure that I could manage since I do not have a ton of room. Forgive me but I am new to DIY speaker building in general and a little out of my element. I do have a woodworking friend that can help me build the cabinets.

Does anyone have recommendations for a good driver and/or cabinet design that could achieve my stated purpose? I am going to continue to educate myself by searching through the threads here, but I thought I would get a head start by laying out my project. Thanks in advance.

[Lee in Montreal]

Perhaps if you don't need a musical driver, you could then search among car drivers. W15Gti comes in my mind, and it is also available in 12" size. Those work in compact cabinets. It could be suitable for movies too. Seeing that you have a spare PC2002, it can be bridged to around 700 watts if I remember (I have two of them, as well as three P2200 and one PC1002)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y133/Smorganin/JBL%20W15GTi/100_2472.jpg

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/535/specsew.jpg

[migman]

Why take this route? Making subs can be a funky task - is it a budget thing, or some other issue?
Not trying to be judgmental or snooty, just curious.
And - bigger drivers want bigger boxes for low notes -
if box size is an issue, go with the smaller drivers.

That's a good question...It is mostly because it is an area I have limited experience in and would like to learn more. Also I have the PC2002M amp available to me so I thought a sub would be a fun project. I was hoping to keep it in the JBL family to go with my L5s. Maybe a set of 12" drivers from some L7s would be a good place to start?

[rusty jefferson]

If you have room for 2 smaller subs, perhaps a single large one will work. Here's links to the Greg Timbers article about making a 8 cubic foot sub cabinet for use with a 2245H 18" driver. It's all the sub you'll need in that space IMO, and you won't find a better sounding diy sub project for the money.

If that's too big, I think the article mentions the B-380 model (A production JBL SUB), a 4.5 cubic foot enclosure with a single 2235H 15" driver. You could diy one of those. Someone on the forum who owns one could give you dimensions from theirs. Make a cardboard mock up and live with it for a week. They can be positioned either vertically, or horizontally, and preferably not in a corner. Good luck with whatever you chose.

http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/jbl/reference/technical/1983-subs/page2.jpg
http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/jbl/reference/technical/1983-subs/page3.jpg
http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/jbl/reference/technical/1983-subs/page4.jpg
http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/jbl/reference/technical/1983-subs/page5.jpg
http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/jbl/reference/technical/1983-subs/page6.jpg
http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/jbl/reference/technical/1983-subs/page7.jpg

[BMWCCA]

I was hoping to keep it in the JBL family to go with my L5s. Maybe a set of 12" drivers from some L7s would be a good place to start?

That's a great thought, though buying a complete set of L7s is another thought that is likely to cost less. :hmm:

The LE120H-1 was used in several sub under other brand names such as Fosgate, perhaps, and others. A design like Woody's "decanted" L7 project could be a guide for you: http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?15807-L7-Breakup&p=175104&viewfull=1#post175104

[migman]

Thanks for the great ideas gents. The direction I am leaning is a pair of either 12" or 15" boxes. What drivers should I be looking for besides the 2235H and the LE120H-1? Thanks again.

[Lee in Montreal]

W15GTi

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313&_nkw=jbl+w15gti&_sacat=0&_from=R40



http://www.jbl.com/images/media/W15GTi mkII_005_dv480x480.png