View Full Version : Atlas 15 DIY sub project almost finished, questions
Not sure yet how I like the sound, maybe some tweaking is in order before I finish up the exterior (polish & lacquer). I don't know if I should add some sidebars to stiffen up the frame or not but it does seem to flex the 3/4" MDF a bit too much. Or maybe it just needs more polyfill. I believe I have around 2-2.5lb in there right now and the box volume is about 5 cubic feet.
Some pictures:
http://skylinegtr.homeip.net/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=18602
hoosier21
11-30-2006, 09:40 PM
link doesn't work for me
Early B.
11-30-2006, 11:27 PM
Still doesn't work.
Can you place the pics inside one of your postings?
Fixed once again, but here are some of the pics.
Excellent looking job...
But you need to add bracing...
A brace between parallel walls alone would be a significant difference....
Early B.
12-01-2006, 06:49 AM
Looks good.
Sid's right about the bracing.
Is this sub built for music, HT, or both?
Did you follow a plan or did you create your own design?
tryrrthg
12-01-2006, 07:20 AM
+2 on the bracing.
My sealed Atlas 15 (pics in my sig below) does pretty well in my big open room. I'm happy with it. If I could only find the time (and motivation) to stain it...
hoosier21
12-01-2006, 07:46 AM
ditto on the bracing
Thanks guys! I will be adding braces shortly. I thought I'd need them but I then that 3/4" MDF really seemes to be holding up. It didn't once the volume was turned up. It's doing fantastic job at very low volumes when rattling (the enclosure and the house) is not present.
I bought the Atlas's from Mazeroth and he helped me to get into right direction with the volume etc.
Is this sub built for music, HT, or both?
Music mostly. It will be paired with Dalhquist DQ-10's and placed in the room in picture. Will be used for movies and DD TV shows in 2.1 setup sometimes but a dedicated HT room is where the demanding soundtracks will be played. Those LSi15's will be moved to HT where I have SVS PCU, with LSi7's the rest of the setup.
BIZILL
12-01-2006, 10:58 AM
my brutha from another mutha, what were you thinking by not bracing??? sorry, had to say it. we were all thinking it. isn't it too late to brace it now? external braces would be better than nothing, but......
The bottom is only screwed in, not glued, so bracing it is not going to be a problem. The frame was actually inserted AFTER the MDF was glued together (minus the bottom). I will leave the bottom unglued so it is easier to mod/service in the future.
Like I said, it is almost finished. :)
BIZILL
12-01-2006, 11:14 AM
service it via the sub hole after you internally brace that som'bitch. brace it well! then caulk the corners/edges. make it permanant. bet it will sound KILLER!
michael_w
12-01-2006, 11:45 AM
I wish I braced mine better too. I used a single brace that went across the entire middle and then a small one for the top and bottom. If I put my hand on certain parts of it it's still pretty obvious to me that it needs a lot more bracing... I think even just 1" wide pieces throughout the box would have helped to break up any large areas. Mine's about 6.5 cubic feet.
The orange parts in this crappy autocad drawing is the bracing.
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/2650/boxproto2uq7.th.png (http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/2650/boxproto2uq7.png)
make it permanant.
Maybe I will after I have enough hours on it to make sure it is to my liking. It's my first DIY speaker so I owe it to myself to do some experimenting... :D
The hardest part is to find good lacquer to make that MDF look decent. Anyone have any recommendations? Needs to be something that dries reasonably quick as my garage is not exactly an ideal place to finish up the surface. I wish I would have covered up the bikes before I started cutting the MDF...LOL.
BIZILL
12-01-2006, 12:45 PM
I wish I would have covered up the bikes before I started cutting the MDF...LOL.
been there, done that. mdf and fiberglass EVERYWHERE!
michael_w
12-01-2006, 12:53 PM
The stuff is brutal to breath too. The dust can be pretty toxic if you're not careful.
Talk to sid if you want suggestions on some bracing. He's nuts about bracing everything (maybe a little too much? ;) ).
I put 220" of bracing in my 1.5 cu ft enclosure, and I still think I should of added more in the upper chamber...
GV#27
12-01-2006, 10:18 PM
This is how I braced one of my little subs.
That 15" woofer should work real good.What amp are you using?
Dennis Gardner
12-01-2006, 11:29 PM
Another big vote for added bracing............The sub will take on a whole new sound once you stop those large sides from vibrating, especially with the pressures seen in a sealed box.
ohskigod
12-14-2006, 02:52 PM
yet another vote for serious bracing. I would also say glue every side as well, a far better seal and helps prevent vibration as well. for meintenace and access?, hell you got a huge 15" hole to work with, just pop the driver if you gotta get inside the cab. If I can work with a 12" hole with my meathooks, you should do fine with a 15" hole :D
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