I dont need this anymore. There's a ding in the cone but it doesnt effect performance at all. I'll let the alumapro rep explain the sub
Quote:
Originally Posted by exmaxima1
The AlchemyMX is very adept at blending in with the mids and without drawing attention to itself as a subwoofer. Please allow me to offer a few of the design criteria for the AlchemyMX:
This model sub is foremost designed for SQ. Unlike the RX version, which is optimized for SPL applications in the 45-80 hz range, the AlchemyMX features a very low-mass pistonic cone and linear suspension. When installed in a modestly sized enclosure of 1.0-1.1 Ft3, the anechoic F3 will be about 50 hz which closely complements the typical automotive environment (transfer function). In most applications, the summed response will be relatively flat from 20-80 hz.
The low moving mass is good for efficiency, and the AlchemyMX is among the most efficient subwoofers available---for example, when Car Audio compared it to the Eclipse Titanium Sub (made by TC Sound), the AlchemyMX only needed 330 watts to match the output of the Eclipse running on 1000 watts. But there's more than efficiency, the low mass also yields fast transients. The AlchemyMX sounds more like a big midrange than a wooly subwoofer. In Japan, where the AlchemyMX is considered the Rolex of the industry, they appreciate the continuity of the tone. That is the ability for all the notes to have the same characteristic sound---picture an acoustic bass where all the notes have the same natural steely tone. A massive subwoofer cone will not accurately track the nuances of the tone and will smear the sound resulting in an unnatural thickening of the lowest bass notes. The alchemyMX should retain its overall tone throughout its usable range, and instruments sound more like the real thing.
The suspension is very linear (for SQ) and depends to a great extend on the air stiffness of a sealed box to prevent over-excursion. As noted by one member, the box is purposely recommended slightly small to improve power capacity. This is very common in the industry , and does compromise the bass extension, but it also prevents bottoming of the cone. 1.0-1.1 Ft3 is not overly small for the MX12, but a larger box up to about 1.4 Ft3 will yield deeper bass, assuming you do not grossly overpower it. The bigger box lowers the resonance and therefore the F3. Other subwoofers achieve deeper bass in similarly small enclosures by increasing the mass of the cone assembly. This lowers the resonance at the expense of efficiency, but more important, it smears the notes. As an experiment, I added significant mass to the Alchemy cone and adjusted the BL (motor strength) to compensate the Qtc. While this certainly made the bass go deeper, the tone became thicker and less articulate. Ultimately, it sounded more natural to use the unweighted cone and simply EQ the bass electronically.
You see, that is one of the virtues of a high-efficiency driver---you need less amplifier power to drive it, so you have more left over for EQ. Most of the time, the amplifier is loafing and causing less strain on your alternator. Only the lowest notes, if EQ'd, use more power. So the overall power consumption is higher AND you get the cleaner tone of the low-mass cone.
Matthew
Alumapro, Inc
100+shipping.
Just a ding, not cracked all. Looks much worse in the pics but Id rather people see it in advance. Sub still works perfectly and is one of the fastest subs I ever heard. Great for a sq setup and very efficient. All it really needs is 250 watts to get loud.
Quote:
Originally Posted by exmaxima1
The AlchemyMX is very adept at blending in with the mids and without drawing attention to itself as a subwoofer. Please allow me to offer a few of the design criteria for the AlchemyMX:
This model sub is foremost designed for SQ. Unlike the RX version, which is optimized for SPL applications in the 45-80 hz range, the AlchemyMX features a very low-mass pistonic cone and linear suspension. When installed in a modestly sized enclosure of 1.0-1.1 Ft3, the anechoic F3 will be about 50 hz which closely complements the typical automotive environment (transfer function). In most applications, the summed response will be relatively flat from 20-80 hz.
The low moving mass is good for efficiency, and the AlchemyMX is among the most efficient subwoofers available---for example, when Car Audio compared it to the Eclipse Titanium Sub (made by TC Sound), the AlchemyMX only needed 330 watts to match the output of the Eclipse running on 1000 watts. But there's more than efficiency, the low mass also yields fast transients. The AlchemyMX sounds more like a big midrange than a wooly subwoofer. In Japan, where the AlchemyMX is considered the Rolex of the industry, they appreciate the continuity of the tone. That is the ability for all the notes to have the same characteristic sound---picture an acoustic bass where all the notes have the same natural steely tone. A massive subwoofer cone will not accurately track the nuances of the tone and will smear the sound resulting in an unnatural thickening of the lowest bass notes. The alchemyMX should retain its overall tone throughout its usable range, and instruments sound more like the real thing.
The suspension is very linear (for SQ) and depends to a great extend on the air stiffness of a sealed box to prevent over-excursion. As noted by one member, the box is purposely recommended slightly small to improve power capacity. This is very common in the industry , and does compromise the bass extension, but it also prevents bottoming of the cone. 1.0-1.1 Ft3 is not overly small for the MX12, but a larger box up to about 1.4 Ft3 will yield deeper bass, assuming you do not grossly overpower it. The bigger box lowers the resonance and therefore the F3. Other subwoofers achieve deeper bass in similarly small enclosures by increasing the mass of the cone assembly. This lowers the resonance at the expense of efficiency, but more important, it smears the notes. As an experiment, I added significant mass to the Alchemy cone and adjusted the BL (motor strength) to compensate the Qtc. While this certainly made the bass go deeper, the tone became thicker and less articulate. Ultimately, it sounded more natural to use the unweighted cone and simply EQ the bass electronically.
You see, that is one of the virtues of a high-efficiency driver---you need less amplifier power to drive it, so you have more left over for EQ. Most of the time, the amplifier is loafing and causing less strain on your alternator. Only the lowest notes, if EQ'd, use more power. So the overall power consumption is higher AND you get the cleaner tone of the low-mass cone.
Matthew
Alumapro, Inc
100+shipping.
Just a ding, not cracked all. Looks much worse in the pics but Id rather people see it in advance. Sub still works perfectly and is one of the fastest subs I ever heard. Great for a sq setup and very efficient. All it really needs is 250 watts to get loud.
