Double-wide T18

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Flint222
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2015 6:55 pm
Location: Montréal, PQ, Canada

Double-wide T18

#1 Post by Flint222 »

Finally! After many nights lurking here, I decided to build a T18 for my home theatre about 2 months ago. I was able to plug it last night and test drive it with some cool movies.

One word: wow! I now have definition in the low frequencies!

Since I was using Baltic birch, I decided to do the false legs in birch, with some accents made of bubinga. Three coats of Danish oil later, some wiring and tada! The drivers are Dayton Audio DCS 205-4 and a Dayton Audio DA230 is powering it.

I retrospect, I am still wondering why I chose the T18. Make no mistake, it came out great, but I wonder if I should have built a Table Tuba instead since I will use it for my home theatre … Well, there is nothing preventing me from doing one… :D

Next step: SLAs!

Oh, and thanks Bill. This is so fun.
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Built:
1 x Double-wide T18
2 x 9 drivers TLAH
1 x 9 drivers center SLA
2 x 2 drivers surround SLA

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Chris_Allen
Posts: 3355
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2007 2:43 pm
Location: Huddersfield, UK

Re: Double-wide T18

#2 Post by Chris_Allen »

Very nice. iRobot?
Built:
6xDR200, 2xT39, 2xT48, 2xJack110, 1xOmni10.5, 1xAutotuba, 1xT18, 1xSLA Pro, 1xW8, 1xW10

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Tom Smit
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Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:24 pm
Location: Sarnia, Ont. Canada

Re: Double-wide T18

#3 Post by Tom Smit »

Nice job!
TomS

Middelkevin
Posts: 71
Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2014 9:36 am
Location: Nieuw Amsterdam/Netherlands

Re: Double-wide T18

#4 Post by Middelkevin »

Very nice! looks great
Build:
2x Jack 15 3015/ASD1001
2x Titan 48 3015LF 36''

Building:
4x Wedgehorn 8
2x Titan 48 3015LF 36''
8x Otop J-array cabs

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DJPhatman
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Location: Warren, MI
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Re: Double-wide T18

#5 Post by DJPhatman »

Absolutely stunning looking T18, and a big WOW on the WAF!
Flint222 wrote:but I wonder if I should have built a Table Tuba instead since I will use it for my home theatre
Or, a THT even! LOL! If you want 30Hz, build a Table Tuba. If you want 20Hz, and lower, build a THT. T18 is a 40Hz horn. Super awesome for music listening, but a bit lacking for a true HT experience.

IMVHO, you have the skills and room for a THT. Build it, dress it up real nice, then unleash it on the wife! :twisted:



And don't forget they both can be built as low profile!

BTW, in case you hadn't noticed, we are a bunch of EVIL BUGGERS around here! :twisted: :twisted: :evil: :evil: :loler: :cowboy:
I know money often seals the deal, but seriously, quality is an investment, not an expense... Grant Bunter
Accept the fact that airtight and well-braced are more important than pretty on the inside. Bill Fitzmaurice

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Flint222
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2015 6:55 pm
Location: Montréal, PQ, Canada

Re: Double-wide T18

#6 Post by Flint222 »

Thank you all for your nice words.

Chris_Allen: yes, that was iRobot.

DJPhatman: I agree that a TT or THT would be better. I guess I needed an excuse for another build. Sorry honey, I built the wrong one :lol:
Built:
1 x Double-wide T18
2 x 9 drivers TLAH
1 x 9 drivers center SLA
2 x 2 drivers surround SLA

Yarz
Posts: 26
Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2015 7:59 pm
Location: North of Pittsburgh, PA

Re: Double-wide T18

#7 Post by Yarz »

That looks beautiful! Very nice work!

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shawn_g
Posts: 385
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2012 9:00 pm
Location: Logan, OH

Re: Double-wide T18

#8 Post by shawn_g »

Looks great! :clap:

I had the same feeling after I built my first T18. They're great sounding subs for music, but I eventually built a Table Tuba for more low end on movies. I run them both now (using a MiniDSP to add delay to the T18 to match the TT horn length) and have been plenty happy with the results. I'm still going to build a THT someday though.

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Flint222
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2015 6:55 pm
Location: Montréal, PQ, Canada

Re: Double-wide T18

#9 Post by Flint222 »

Hi gang,

My double-wide T18 has been living in my home theatre for a few weeks now. Still sounds good, great definition but...

... I cannot get it to play very loud. :conf:

I did the break-in of the drivers by connecting them to the b zone output of my receiver. I had no problem generating a 30 hz tone at 10 volts for 12 hours. I could have pushed more if I wanted, but I stuck with the recommended voltage.

Now everything is plugged for home theatre enjoyment (or so I think):
- receiver LFE out to Dayton SA230 LFE in
- SA230 output to sub

With that setup, the best I can get is like 2 volts by maxing both the receiver and the SA230.

Is my SA230 behaving badly?

Any thoughts?
Built:
1 x Double-wide T18
2 x 9 drivers TLAH
1 x 9 drivers center SLA
2 x 2 drivers surround SLA

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Bill Fitzmaurice
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Joined: Tue May 02, 2006 5:59 pm

Re: Double-wide T18

#10 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »

Flint222 wrote: With that setup, the best I can get is like 2 volts by maxing both the receiver and the SA230.
Something is way off. 2v is like 1 watt into 4 ohms.

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J_Dunavin
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Location: Appleton WI
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Re: Double-wide T18

#11 Post by J_Dunavin »

Does your sub amp have its own crossover?
Maybe run a good known signal from the mains and see how that shakes out.
I'm guessing there is a set up issue with the receiver.
2 - OTop8
2 - T39
8 - DR200
2 - DR250
9 - T24
6 - T45
1 - Auto Tuba

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Tom Smit
Posts: 7457
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:24 pm
Location: Sarnia, Ont. Canada

Re: Double-wide T18

#12 Post by Tom Smit »

Flint222 wrote:
With that setup, the best I can get is like 2 volts by maxing both the receiver and the SA230.

Is my SA230 behaving badly?

Any thoughts?
Are you able to share the settings in the receiver, and the SA230?
TomS

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Flint222
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2015 6:55 pm
Location: Montréal, PQ, Canada

Re: Double-wide T18

#13 Post by Flint222 »

Well, well, well...

Got home tonight and decided to double check the settings on my receiver... I had a hunch... yup, subwoofer level -10db :wall:

Got owned by the auto calibration again (I did the calibration when I plugged the sub initially and never thought to verify the settings).

:oops:

Ok, nothing to see, move along, move along...
Built:
1 x Double-wide T18
2 x 9 drivers TLAH
1 x 9 drivers center SLA
2 x 2 drivers surround SLA

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Tom Smit
Posts: 7457
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:24 pm
Location: Sarnia, Ont. Canada

Re: Double-wide T18

#14 Post by Tom Smit »

:lol: Haha! I take it that you found the reason, then? Good! :clap:
TomS

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