The $100 130db project

[surreal 10+ year member]

*Posted on CACO as well - copy*

So in an ever on-going goal of efficiency in any and every way possible.. Ive taken a liking to a little woofer. The MCM 8" to be exact. Anyone in HT will probably recognize it.

My goal was originally a decent system for 100 bucks. The woofer is ~40 shipped, and MDF is 30, but the amp will be a problem.

So can we get a full system for 100 bucks? No.. but expanding the budget to ~150 should get you an amp with a SSF and a sweet little woofer.

The enclosure Ive been working on..

34wide, 11.5 tall, 10.25 deep.

L4 28.5"

L3 28"

L2 3.75"

L1 30.25"

Guide widths.

S1 .75

S2 1.25

S3 1.75

S4 2.15

S5 2.25

S6 2.75

Response..

Is it a low end monster? No, but most people going for a single 8 and low budget wont be striving for teh l0ws. The idea is, when placed properly in a vehicle, the added loading and cabin gain should get you down to 35 or more with ease (thats the idea, anyway).

An off-axis firing enclosure may help as well, but would require a larger mouth. But when placed close to a trunk wall for example, the added extension and loading should give you smoother low end. Though of course, every vehicle is different and this is a generic enclosure design, being not vehicle-specific.

So The $150 dollar mark ain't too shabby for a little woofer with a ~90db 1w sensitivity.

Note* In this enclosure, the woofer will mount inverted and max out around 200w xmax wise. It will need a subsonic set around 35hz to keep it safe.

My paycheck has been held due to weather so Ive yet to build one. If anyone else wants to give it a shot I would love to hear the results. I could also do a low-end extension enclosure for the woofer if anyone would like, though of course at expense of good sensitivity (around 6db lost for 30hz or lower in a normal ported box)

Paired with a 200w@4ohm amp. It has a predicted spl of 125db. In car, Im guessing the goal of 130db is entirely possible.

Click to read more...

 

[outsideshot23 10+ year member]

where you at in ok?

 

[surreal 10+ year member]

Tulsa.

 

[outsideshot23 10+ year member]

ah.. few usacis out there at the raceway.. you going to be there?

 

[thevic24 5,000+ posts]

Nice design!

I think you will do just fine. The loading idea will be the key.

-Vic

 

[Bumpin' Goalie 10+ year member]

I like where your head is at. Efficiency is too often overlooked and forgotten. I appreciate the approach.

 

[surreal 10+ year member]

When? Im not sure.. Ive been busy lately and Ive still got to finish my current system. Sold the LVL5 and put together an HDC motor with XL soft parts. Have it in a generic box as I havnt had time or resources to even do a proper box for it yet.

Vic & Bumpin: Thanks guys. Ive always had a strong interest in getting the most out of the least. Perhaps not the most elegant approach in this case, but its far from the usual.

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

If you're going to spend $40 on a woofer why not go with a 10" or 12", like the Hifi or something along those lines that's more efficient and has more air displacement potential, and just throw it in a ported box? Seems like you're hindering yourself where you don't need to. It'd probably take up close to the same volume as that folded horn as well.

I admire your attempt at doing this with an 8"er though.

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

They actually have some Hifis for sale uber cheap if you want to grab one: Amazon.com: Hifonics HFI12D4 HIFONICS 12" DVC 4 OHM 600 WATT WOOFER: Electronics

 

[surreal 10+ year member]

Just a project.

Its in about a 1.5cube box as is. You could throw a 10 in about the same size box ported. But even then it wont have a 90db sense (perhaps 40hz+ it will) and itll have the usual nasty response peak most do.

Not to mention, It may be a long shot - but Im guessing the 8 in this enclosure will sound better. So its not all for show, it does have some practicality.

Edit - But of course, the port handling of the hifi will be greater. And ****, 17 bucks a piece.. might grab a few haha.

Oh, and cant find the 10 for a reasonable price just yet. Not to mention, the goal of this project wasnt just to get 'loud' but to do something different, while retaining characteristics of what one would think would follow a more expensive system, such as sound quality to an extent, and a hopefully flattish response.

 

[iLL Ridge 10+ year member]

shipping is 23 bucks though

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

Interesting topic. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Vossy 10+ year member]

I like it

 

[akheathen Premium Member]

hmm, nice thought......so are you thinking about making this a challenge of sorts? sounds like quite the int3resting "challenge" if you don't want to call up the challenge officially, i might start a thread...

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

What $150 cap(all new) on a setup and see who can get the heights numbers?