denim
5,000+ posts
SSAudio.com
I was finally able to put the MJ-18 into its new home at about 10:35 last night. So as of this moment I have less than an hour listening time on it, and it is during rush hour commute through Baltimore City. So not optimum testing to say the least.
Right away I could tell I need more power on it. For now, the source of power is the Orion 2500D, but wired to 8 ohms mono we are dealing with about 600 watts (approx). In addition I feel the box is a bit on the small side. It is in a 3.0 sealed before displacement, and moderately stuffed with polyfill, (2.8 is what the software recommended). Internal dimensions of 21x21x11.75. But I can tell the potential of this driver. It seems like a greyhound on a leash, you can tell its going to be something but not until you set it free. I really need to build something in the range of 4.25 cubes and see what it can do. I do not have time nor the MDF to build that any time soon. So I might just have to stuff the polyfill in there heavy to help out some.
I am very surprised by the clarity, punchiness, and musical response of the sub. Due to the price point, I was not setting my expectations super high. But already the MJ-18, in a small box and with not enough power has impressed me. The sharp hits of a bass drum is more crisp and carries more puch out through the truck then any other sub I own that has seen power. I say that because at the moment there are 16 subs under my roof, 5 are waiting for testing. (Yes my H2 with the full 2500 watts on it hammers on the truck, but when it responds the hits are much more of a heavy thump.) Much of that could be from the boxes I have built. My tendency is to go at least 5 - 10% larger than recommended, but this time I tried to stay close since I was going sealed and did not know enough about about the driver to go larger. It is a lighter nicely blended sound, I will not dare say Brahma, but it reminds me of a big Shiva in sound and looks in more than a few ways. (bare in mind it has been few years since I last heard one)
After some more time I will really throw some good SQ material and some test tones at it and see what the MJ can do in this small box, followed by a much longer review. Most importantly, great job Mark on building a great driver (especially for the money) and allowing me to test it out.
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Saturday I stuffed the box with the full bag of polyfill. Made a difference, a good one. The sub was fine before, it was my box that is too small. With the polyfill I am liking it more and more, BUT!, I still should build a new box.. Should try the ported design, but it is getting so cold outside now.
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I am a little biased now, but if someone is on a tight budget and has the space and about 800 @ 4/8 ohms this is an excellent option.
With the MJ-18 having a little more playing time, it is loosening up some and really giving sharp, long reaching, non-directional bass. What I sort of mean by that description is, the bass drum hits are still crisp and short, which can be easily seen in the vibration of the mirrors. The long-reaching, being that it really gets into and shakes every last bit of the explorer with much less power than anything else I normally run. For the first time in a while, I have a sub that really does not make you feel that you can tell exactly where the sub is by ear, the low reproduction is all around you.
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Output is very good considering the power and box size, I would suspect with more power @ 8 ohms and a little larger enclosure it will go up a good bit. Right now I am choking the sub and can see that it really wants to cut loose. As for comparison, the most recent high output single sub I have had in my truck is an Orion H2 15.2. The H2 see's approx 2500 watts and is ported. Output and response with the H2 is violent, where as the MJ-18 is smoother and more accurate, and lighter on its feet. Most of that has to do with the boxes they are in and the power they are getting. Honestly, I was thinking of putting a double baffle on the box the MJ-18 is in and putting the H2 in there. Keep in mind the Orion and Mach5 are very different drivers with very different goals. The MJ box is smaller and much lighter than the double baffle H2 box. I need to shoot a video during day light to show body flex from the MJ, but I can only do that during the weekend.
With more play time I am liking the MJ more and more, if you were to go with the MJ-18's and you give them enough space and power I think you will like them. Not a one note wonder sub any any means, very clear through the entire range.
MJ-18 as it sat last night...
H2 referenced from before....
Right away I could tell I need more power on it. For now, the source of power is the Orion 2500D, but wired to 8 ohms mono we are dealing with about 600 watts (approx). In addition I feel the box is a bit on the small side. It is in a 3.0 sealed before displacement, and moderately stuffed with polyfill, (2.8 is what the software recommended). Internal dimensions of 21x21x11.75. But I can tell the potential of this driver. It seems like a greyhound on a leash, you can tell its going to be something but not until you set it free. I really need to build something in the range of 4.25 cubes and see what it can do. I do not have time nor the MDF to build that any time soon. So I might just have to stuff the polyfill in there heavy to help out some.
I am very surprised by the clarity, punchiness, and musical response of the sub. Due to the price point, I was not setting my expectations super high. But already the MJ-18, in a small box and with not enough power has impressed me. The sharp hits of a bass drum is more crisp and carries more puch out through the truck then any other sub I own that has seen power. I say that because at the moment there are 16 subs under my roof, 5 are waiting for testing. (Yes my H2 with the full 2500 watts on it hammers on the truck, but when it responds the hits are much more of a heavy thump.) Much of that could be from the boxes I have built. My tendency is to go at least 5 - 10% larger than recommended, but this time I tried to stay close since I was going sealed and did not know enough about about the driver to go larger. It is a lighter nicely blended sound, I will not dare say Brahma, but it reminds me of a big Shiva in sound and looks in more than a few ways. (bare in mind it has been few years since I last heard one)
After some more time I will really throw some good SQ material and some test tones at it and see what the MJ can do in this small box, followed by a much longer review. Most importantly, great job Mark on building a great driver (especially for the money) and allowing me to test it out.
-------------------------
Saturday I stuffed the box with the full bag of polyfill. Made a difference, a good one. The sub was fine before, it was my box that is too small. With the polyfill I am liking it more and more, BUT!, I still should build a new box.. Should try the ported design, but it is getting so cold outside now.
------------------
I am a little biased now, but if someone is on a tight budget and has the space and about 800 @ 4/8 ohms this is an excellent option.
With the MJ-18 having a little more playing time, it is loosening up some and really giving sharp, long reaching, non-directional bass. What I sort of mean by that description is, the bass drum hits are still crisp and short, which can be easily seen in the vibration of the mirrors. The long-reaching, being that it really gets into and shakes every last bit of the explorer with much less power than anything else I normally run. For the first time in a while, I have a sub that really does not make you feel that you can tell exactly where the sub is by ear, the low reproduction is all around you.
-------------------
Output is very good considering the power and box size, I would suspect with more power @ 8 ohms and a little larger enclosure it will go up a good bit. Right now I am choking the sub and can see that it really wants to cut loose. As for comparison, the most recent high output single sub I have had in my truck is an Orion H2 15.2. The H2 see's approx 2500 watts and is ported. Output and response with the H2 is violent, where as the MJ-18 is smoother and more accurate, and lighter on its feet. Most of that has to do with the boxes they are in and the power they are getting. Honestly, I was thinking of putting a double baffle on the box the MJ-18 is in and putting the H2 in there. Keep in mind the Orion and Mach5 are very different drivers with very different goals. The MJ box is smaller and much lighter than the double baffle H2 box. I need to shoot a video during day light to show body flex from the MJ, but I can only do that during the weekend.
With more play time I am liking the MJ more and more, if you were to go with the MJ-18's and you give them enough space and power I think you will like them. Not a one note wonder sub any any means, very clear through the entire range.
MJ-18 as it sat last night...
H2 referenced from before....
