BillFitzmaurice.info

I'm planning to start on a set of SLA Pros this weekend while I wait for yet another Parts Express order to arrive (one crossover resister is backordered for about a month). First, however, I have a couple questions:

1. I'm not able to find the recommended 1/2" felt online at a price I'm willing to pay, so are there alternatives? I read elsewhere on the forum that carpet padding could work (if I can score a small quantity) and I have a lot of polyfill lying around.

2. I have eight 6.5" drivers and am trying to decide if I should go for four 2x6s or two 4x6s. Could a pair of 2x6 SLA Pros suffice as small mains in a low volume setting (speech, background music, etc.)? If so, the 2x6s would seem more flexible for my intended uses.

Thanks....

Below is the link to my SLA Pro build......go down to the 5th page. That's where I have the padding. I just went to a carpet store and asked if I could get some of their throw aways.....I think I might have paid 'em 5 bucks for a bunch of it.


viewtopic.php?t=25887&hilit=powered+sla+pro&start=60

"the best material for damping is ½ inch thick felt carpet padding. A plus is that you only need a square yard or so, and can probably find that much sitting in the trash behind any carpet store."

SLA Pro Plans, page 7.

I was able to find 1/4" felt locally, but it was expensive and I've already spent a lot of money of this project. Instead, I found a shop willing to sell me a large cutoff of 1/2" carpet padding. I know it's not ideal, but it'll have to do. I also stopped at an audio repair shop to pick up the 10W/4 ohm resistors (Parts Express is backordered for a month), and this is what they had:
I can't find anything online about them being audio quality, but I'm only out a few bucks if they won't work.

Bruce Weldy wrote: ↑Fri Jul 11, 2025 7:01 am Below is the link to my SLA Pro build......go down to the 5th page. That's where I have the padding. I just went to a carpet store and asked if I could get some of their throw aways.....I think I might have paid 'em 5 bucks for a bunch of it.


viewtopic.php?t=25887&hilit=powered+sla+pro&start=60

Thanks. That thread is very helpful.

How many carpet stores have you asked for 1/2" felt padding?

I didn't believe the plans, but decided to try anyway. The first place I tried gave me, free of charge, the remainder of a roll he had laying around. Said I would be doing him a favor if I took it.

Bill has said in the past that standard foam carpet padding is okay, just not as good as the felt carpet padding. He's also said he didn't know 1/4" felt padding existed and that it may be okay (you can find it on amazon).

I highly recommend driving around to at least 5 carpet stores before giving up.

I recently threw away the rest of the roll I had. I've noticed it's wedged in the dumpster and has been for a few weeks. I could go scavenge it for you. But, I can't guarantee it doesn't smell like garbage. Might not though. Never know.

I checked with several carpet retailers in my area and none were interested in selling anything but massive rolls of anything. Had I known that 1/4" felt could work at the time, I would've bought that instead of foam. Maybe I can make an exchange since I haven't yet used the foam. Otherwise, I'll just go with what I have.

Are you able to provide any input on the resistors I asked about a couple posts ago? I'm pretty convinced now that they're not the right type, but I'm hoping for confirmation from someone more knowledgeable than me.

Those resistors are fine.

That's good to hear. Thanks.