BillFitzmaurice.info

I built 2 t18,s and were very surprised at their performance. Crush anything else in its size with an 8 inch driver. Would recommend it highly for a medium sized room.

Nordo wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 3:43 am
I guess the bottom line is "which is the best 8" BFM sub for movies"?

TableTuba

SethRocksYou wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 12:10 pm

Nordo wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 3:43 am
I guess the bottom line is "which is the best 8" BFM sub for movies"?

TableTuba

Is that taking in all the variables?
Or an answer based on performance?

I only ask because I was pondering my own response...

Grant Bunter wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 2:33 pm

SethRocksYou wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 12:10 pm

Nordo wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 3:43 am
I guess the bottom line is ""?

TableTuba

Is that taking in all the variables?
Or an answer based on performance?

I only ask because I was pondering my own response...

I thought your response about the T24 option was/is a brilliant option! My (simple) response was (IMO) the only answer to the (simple) question, "which is the best 8" BFM sub for movies?".

There's certainly other variables to consider when looking at the whole picture. TableTuba is just designed for more extension than the T18. Not to say the T18 wouldn't ultimately suit his needs. It probably would.

SethRocksYou wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 2:52 pm

Grant Bunter wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 2:33 pm

SethRocksYou wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 12:10 pm
TableTuba

Is that taking in all the variables?
Or an answer based on performance?

I only ask because I was pondering my own response...

I thought your response about the T24 option was/is a brilliant option! My (simple) response was (IMO) the only answer to the (simple) question, "which is the best 8" BFM sub for movies?".

There's certainly other variables to consider when looking at the whole picture. TableTuba is just designed for more extension than the T18. Not to say the T18 wouldn't ultimately suit his needs. It probably would.

Cheers Seth,
I thought as much.

Then I began to think some more (uh oh)

So, lol. to stay with the 2 x T18 option, ATM, 2 x Tang Band shipped direct from PE would be about $260US or $363AU, then add import duty and taxes.

The same driver can be used in the TT, so 1 x Tang Band and shipping would be $235AU + import duty and tax. Yes, lower extension. Does the form factor suit? Does 1 cab address room modes? Probably no to both.

The MCM is a recommended driver for both, but there's been an increasing amount of issues with it according to the net (spider), but 1 shipped would be $155AU, presumably + tax and import duty.

Option 3 is the Dayton Audio DCS205-4. Turns out it's available in Australia from Wagner at $130ea (nearly double the PE price!) + shipping.
But that puts that driver in the arguably the best position IMHO, way better than local pricing for the BP102 locally.
So maybe the T24 wasn't such a good suggestion after all...

What's the scoop on MCM's reliability? I've got one in the cave awaiting a truck tuba build and was hoping to pick up a few more for some HT sub builds.

Hi Guys
If I go ahead, I can get Dayton DCS 205-4s for $129au each from two Australian outlets - Wagner's and TheLoudspeakerKit.
Wagner's shipping is $9,90 for two. Would save a lot of hassle.

I'm not intending to have an AVR (the mains will be small powered speakers - Vanatoo T0s), so the subs will each need a plate amp, or maybe a small Behringer. The Vanatoos have a crossover with a low level sub output.

Still tossing up whether to go for Tuba 18s or Table Tubas. The subs will probably be located in diagonally opposite corners.
I put a post in the Home Theater section asking what people thought of the construction difficulty.
Bill's difficulty ratings seem to conflict with the apparent difficulty (looking at the drawings).

Edit : Bill has explained why the Tuba 18 has a more construction difficulty rating than the Table Tuba (the Tuba 18 requires a sealed cover, and the fitting of the driver is a lot harder).

himhimself wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 7:08 pm What's the scoop on MCM's reliability?

My experience has been very good. I built my T18's back in 2008 and I'm still running the original drivers in them and have had zero issues. As long as you take the usual precautionary measures you should be fine.

I've had zero issues with mine and have had them bottom out the coil many times. No idea where Grant is getting his info.

Grant Bunter wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 4:18 pm The MCM is a recommended driver for both, but there's been an increasing amount of issues with it according to the net (spider)...

I have heard mention of one issue here on the boards, a separated spider, but I don't surf all over the net looking for driver reviews either. I suppose 1 issue... is one more than 0. Which could constitute "an increasing amount of issues". LOL

Other than the one here on the forum, I also found comments on reliability (spider separation, and spider "loosening") when searching the net for MCM pricing.
Also, some comments on performance in some (other) DIY designs, though that may not be the fault of the driver.

Anyone concerned should be able to find the same.

It may be it could be attributed to a certain batch, perhaps since rectified...

Grant Bunter wrote: ↑Tue Aug 18, 2020 3:52 pm

It may be it could be attributed to a certain batch, perhaps since rectified...

I would bet that 90% of driver failures in the world are operator error......trying to get the driver to do more than it can do....and not being willing to back off when it starts sounding bad.

I just typed into a google search MCM 55-2421 "spider" and got only three pages of results. Of the results that weren't sales related (or completely unrelated) in those 3 pages I found 4 reports of a failed spider, not all of them firsthand.

1 result from 2004, a 2nd hand report that he'd "heard" about a spider issue (but wasn't separation)

Another 2nd hand "report" 2006

A firsthand report here on the Billfitzmaurice forum from 2012

And the most recent, 2018... someone asking a question about glue on Parts-Express "Can I use this glue to attach a spider to a paper cone? I have an mcm 55-2421 that came unglued."

Two firsthand reports and I'm sure there's more out there. But, I'm gonna label it as an unsubstantiated rumor. For myself anyway. Not enough evidence out there for me to steer anyone away from them in my opinion. Especially given I have beaten the snot out of mine and haven't lost one yet. I even bought extra's in anticipation of blowing a few. Haven't had to use a single one of the spares.

Now, if there were multiple upon multiple reports of people going through several in a row... that would raise my eye brow. One here and there isn't outside normal manufacturing exceptions for any manufacturer. It happens.

It's funny how information propagates through the internet. Good and bad info. True and untrue. Rumors! Blah!!!

SethRocksYou wrote: ↑Tue Aug 18, 2020 6:38 pm
A firsthand report here on the Billfitzmaurice forum from 2012

I posted in that thread as well (#18), and still hasn't had any problem since the repair.

My concern with the MCMs is that they have foam surrounds.
I've replaced/ thrown away too many speakers where the foam surround has totally disintegrated.
Whereas the equivalent Dayton has a rubber surround (and easier to obtain in Australia).