New System not as loud as I assumed or see on YouTube

[Slo_Ride 5,000+ posts]

Ok, but how? It's built 100% to the spec on Fi's website.

because everyone makes mistakes and some people dont know how to build boxes.

 

[Side Show 10+ year member]

fi = fail

 

[b0r 10+ year member]

because everyone makes mistakes and some people dont know how to build boxes.

I see, so just so I'm 100% clear, you're officially stating that Fi does not know what type of enclosure is necessary for their subwoofer? Or am I misunderstanding?

 

[b0r 10+ year member]

fi = fail

That's a mature thing to state....

May I ask what woofers you run so I can determine where I'm at on the fail meter?

 

[Side Show 10+ year member]

no brand will tell you how to build the best enclosure for your sub, they will give you recommendations tho..... also the way the info on the website is interpreted makes a differeance also

 

[Slo_Ride 5,000+ posts]

I see, so just so I'm 100% clear, you're officially stating that Fi does not know what type of enclosure is necessary for their subwoofer? Or am I misunderstanding?

you are misunderstanding. FI didnt build your box.

 

[b0r 10+ year member]

you are misunderstanding. FI didnt build your box.

Ah ok. The guy who built it had rave reviews. Built out of birch with bracing and looked real good. Can anyone recommend a box builder so I can compare stats and see where this one is wrong? I need to see if my box builder is a member here to maybe post a rebuttal because I paid good money but in reality I just get a box in the mail that fits in my trunk and I'm good to go.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

I see, so just so I'm 100% clear, you're officially stating that Fi does not know what type of enclosure is necessary for their subwoofer? Or am I misunderstanding?

Most manufacturers post the absolute minimum you can get away with for a somewhat flat response. 5 cubes tuned @ 40 will be much louder for a single 15. Orientation of the sub and port makes a dramatic difference as well, there is no way to optimize this without trial and error.

It is the box. There's a few fair suggestions but ONLY a new box is likely to be audible gains.

 

[b0r 10+ year member]

Most manufacturers post the absolute minimum you can get away with for a somewhat flat response. 5 cubes tuned @ 40 will be much louder for a single 15. Orientation of the sub and port makes a dramatic difference as well, there is no way to optimize this without trial and error.
It is the box. There's a few fair suggestions but ONLY a new box is likely to be audible gains.

Can you even get 5 cubes in the trunk of a car without building it inside it? The external dimensions are 31.5 wide, 16 high and 19 deep, a single inch in any area would cause it not to fit in the trunk. This box almost wedged. I think I'm limited there and my builder accommodated for that with the best I could get.

 

[Slo_Ride 5,000+ posts]

Orientation of the sub and port makes a dramatic difference as well.

Definitely tru. unless you screwed up the wiring it's the box. you never did answer how much port area you had/?

 

[phemps 10+ year member]

Can you even get 5 cubes in the trunk of a car without building it inside it? The external dimensions are 31.5 wide, 16 high and 19 deep, a single inch in any area would cause it not to fit in the trunk. This box almost wedged. I think I'm limited there and my builder accommodated for that with the best I could get.

That only gives you 5.5 cubes gross so its unlikely that would work unless you could somehow do an external port

 

[murph 10+ year member]

Start here Order Blueprints | Mobile Enclosures

 

[b0r 10+ year member]

Definitely tru. unless you screwed up the wiring it's the box. you never did answer how much port area you had/?

I thought I did. I have 47.25 sq inches of port area.

 

[T3mpest 10+ year member]

If your subs not seeing much excursion it's not seeing much power. I'd put $50 if you turn your gain up you'll find your missing output and excursion, along with turning your box around. DD-1's are a waste of money, this is literally the 3rd thread in like a month where someone who "tuned" with a dd-1 says they have no excursion/output but are right on the verge of clipping. If your clipping a thousand watt amp for a 15 in around 3 cubes and aren't seeing any real excursion either your sub has a few extra spiders on it by mistake (JOKE) or you NOT clipping a 1000 watt amp. a -10 tone is VERY quiet, while this normally makes for a "loud" gain setting, your gains are barely turned up. If your gains are barely turned up on a -10db tone and with gains almost bottomed it's close to clipping, then you'd be clipping with gains at minimum on a 0 and probably even a -3 tone. As others mentioned you'd be clipping the **** out of it on real music, and again, you have no output, doesn't seem realistic.

1. Go play a bass heavy track and slowly turn up the gain, ignore any clipping lights, if your tuned mid 30's try a mid 40hz track, airforces is an easy one.

2. Turn up the gains until you see the sub STOP moving further. You'll see a small change at low gain, at some point things will really begin to move, when that stops happening, back off.

3. When you find your peak excursion take the gain down a tad.

If you do that, your not going to be clipping very heavily, usually that gets you pretty close to a 4:1 gain overlap. Yes, it will clip on heavy stuff, but it's mechanically safe and unless your woofer really can't handle your amp, the minor clipping wont' hurt anything. After that try a few other songs, low stuff, high stuff and see how it is.

I know this sounds very simple, but if it' simple.. Why not try? It's alot easier than finding a new box builder that everyone says is the problem despite never seeing the inside.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

I loved the DD-1, it was simple, and safe. If you know how to use it along with the level you normally listen to its a perfect tool. I get plenty of poutput along with a perfect blend using one. Its nice to listen to something that raises the volume of all amps at the same time.