SLA Pro + T39 Experience

[Dan30]

I had my first "gig" yesterday at my nieces first birthday party. It wasn't a huge event, so I just used what I had. I didn't think the sub would be too bassy, because when I test my T39 in my room at 50v it's loud, but not what you would expect. I laid the single sub on it's side loading it against a stucco wall that divides my property from my neighbor's.

I was speechless at the performance of the single 12 with only 25-30 volts. It was loud enough that you would feel your ear drums push in a little with the quarter note kicks of dance tracks. You could even feel the floors of both houses on our long duplex property shaking.

The SLA Pros were placed about 25 feet away from each other, and man were the loud and clear with very strong mids and highs. It makes me afraid the hear was the OTs or DRs sound like at a similar voltage. I now understand why Leland says to wire the tweets out of phase, because any louder and the highs would be piercing. I also realized that the SLAs hates poorly produced tracks. Due to their transparency any digital clipping becomes very obvious, especially compared to my S112v.

Thanks for these awesome designs Bill and thanks for the community in helping me figure out things along the way.

[J_Dunavin]

what are you using for your other gear, amps, board, ect.?

Glad to hear the party went well.

[Dan30]

dbx Driverack PA
QSC RMX2450 amp
Behringer 6 channel mixer

My uncle was the DJ he was running Gemini off of his laptop. His turntables were too big to bring onto the plane.

[Ash]

I see the general habit of people testing the larger cabs within the home only to later realize how much difference it is when they are allowed to "breathe" in the appropriate space. The eagerness to hear them after a build tends to be a disadvantage until they are used properly. You can see that in the performance difference of voltage applied before & after (50 vs 30 volts) within your review. These reviews are pretty inspiring!!

[88h88]

I see the general habit of people testing the larger cabs within the home only to later realize how much difference it is when they are allowed to "breathe" in the appropriate space. The eagerness to hear them after a build tends to be a disadvantage until they are used properly. You can see that in the performance difference of voltage applied before & after (50 vs 30 volts) within your review. These reviews are pretty inspiring!!

I'm looking forward to this bit, currently looking for somewhere decently sized in order to give my T39s and OT12s a good beating. Licking 20 volts at peak on certain tracks was just a ridiculous amount of sound...

[Dan30]

Dan,
You are running both from the single RMX, yes? What do your XO/EQ settings look like in the DBX?

E

They're crossed over at 100hz and I do not EQ them as I feel they don't need any. The SLA Pros are very very flat sounding.

[Melissa Goudeseune]

I now understand why Leland says to wire the tweets out of phase, because any louder and the highs would be piercing.

Tell me more about this? I'm just about to wire up a pair of SLA Pro's, the plans don't mention anything about "out of phase"

[LelandCrooks]

The crossover changes the phase. You should try it both ways.

[loudsubz]

You hear about this more and more... I am still waiting to try my pair outside. I have only had them in my basement for parties and you are right I wasn't really "blown" away by the performance but also didn't want to get my hopes up as I knew they were "not the right tool for the job" like Bill always says. I am building a pair of TT with 10" driver for home parties now.

[osse]

You hear about this more and more... I am still waiting to try my pair outside. I have only had them in my basement for parties and you are right I wasn't really "blown" away by the performance but also didn't want to get my hopes up as I knew they were "not the right tool for the job" like Bill always says. I am building a pair of TT with 10" driver for home parties now.

Not blown away with a pair of t39's? check for some serious cancellations... or air leaks, I guess you would be even more impressed with a pair of t39's corner loaded v plated than with my pair of T30's and man they impress the hell out of me both outdoors and indoors...

Not the right tool for what job?

[loudsubz]

You hear about this more and more... I am still waiting to try my pair outside. I have only had them in my basement for parties and you are right I wasn't really "blown" away by the performance but also didn't want to get my hopes up as I knew they were "not the right tool for the job" like Bill always says. I am building a pair of TT with 10" driver for home parties now.

Not blown away with a pair of t39's? check for some serious cancellations... or air leaks, I guess you would be even more impressed with a pair of t39's corner loaded v plated than with my pair of T30's and man they impress the hell out of me both outdoors and indoors...

Not the right tool for what job?

Check, Check and Check.

The subs sound fine and have no issues with leaks or anything. I even had them V plated and corner loaded in different locations in my basement. I am not trying to snob the designs as I know they are capable, but I don't expect full performance from a small 15 X 30 foot basement, which is where I use them for parties.

When I said right tool for the job I mean they are not designed for small basement parties. For home use the TT and THT are much better choices. Just like the other debates about using the TT and THT for Pro sound.

[osse]

You hear about this more and more... I am still waiting to try my pair outside. I have only had them in my basement for parties and you are right I wasn't really "blown" away by the performance but also didn't want to get my hopes up as I knew they were "not the right tool for the job" like Bill always says. I am building a pair of TT with 10" driver for home parties now.

Not blown away with a pair of t39's? check for some serious cancellations... or air leaks, I guess you would be even more impressed with a pair of t39's corner loaded v plated than with my pair of T30's and man they impress the hell out of me both outdoors and indoors...

Not the right tool for what job?

Check, Check and Check.

The subs sound fine and have no issues with leaks or anything. I even had them V plated and corner loaded in different locations in my basement. I am not trying to snob the designs as I know they are capable, but I don't expect full performance from a small 15 X 30 foot basement, which is where I use them for parties.

When I said right tool for the job I mean they are not designed for small basement parties. For home use the TT and THT are much better choices. Just like the other debates about using the TT and THT for Pro sound.

Then im with you, ppl seem to really enjoy the TT for home useage! Your t39 are barely awake in that kind of place?:)

Dont they sound right in the room or is it just due to over-dimension you dont think they fit the bill? I mean, it might be the same philosophy as with cars, you could drive a Ferrari in 20 mph too but the nissan micra does it better..

[subharmonic]

I have only had them in my basement for parties and you are right I wasn't really "blown" away by the performance

Split them. My T39s absolutely destroyed split in a turn of the century enclosed sun room. There was no place safe in the house. You really shouldn't need a Vplate in a room that small as 2 T39s should leave you wanting no more.