Cinema T-6 DIY Tapped Horn

[bassmonster]

I know this isn't directly related to BFM, so I posted in 'Everything Else' but if I did it wrong mods please correct me.

Has anyone on here ever built one of Lilmike's Cinema T-6 subwoofer designs? Plans are on AVS Forum, from a guy named Lilmike. It's a small tapped horn for 8 or 10 inch drivers, usable output to 30hz, can be built fairly small. I'm looking to build one for my crappy Aiwa 8" ported 40w sub (don't laugh, it's decent when corner loaded). I'm not expecting to crush guts or anything, just doing it for kicks and giggles. Looks fairly simple to build and it seems to be a great foray into the world of DIY. Wanted to hear what you all think for those who may have built one.

[Mikey]

You've posted on this forum over 250 times. Why not make your first horn build a BFM design? I'd be willing to place a wager that an MCM-loaded AT will blow the doors off of the one you're considering.

[bassmonster]

You've posted on this forum over 250 times. Why not make your first horn build a BFM design? I'd be willing to place a wager that an MCM-loaded AT will blow the doors off of the one you're considering.

I am 100% sure that an AT will absolutely crush the T-6, I just want something easy to build for my first horn build. I've built regular boxes and stuff but never a folded horn. Also something that won't be too loud to scare the parents about the dual 12" loaded THT to hopefully come in a few months.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I am 100% sure that an AT will absolutely crush the T-6, I just want something easy to build for my first horn build.

It looks considerably more complicated than the AT.

[bassmonster]

It looks considerably more complicated than the AT.

Thank you for that information Bill, I don't own the AT plans so I made an assumption which I shouldn't have.

[AntonZ]

I'm no master woodworker. My first folded horn build was a T18, and I made it from 9mm ply (3/8"). It was the first time I used a router, first time I used a table saw. It worked out fine. The second one was my AT, from 12mm ply (1/2"), which was a walk in the park after the T18. If you stick to the plans, don't rush, ask here and take one step at a time, your Autotuba will come out fine. There will be mistakes along the way. Nothing that a little elbow grease, PL and bondo can't fix, and no one else but you will see them. Don't sweat it.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I'm no master woodworker... Don't sweat it.

Most plans out there assume that you're a good woodworker and know how to build speakers. My plans assume that you don't.

[doncolga]

I'm no master woodworker... Don't sweat it.

Most plans out there assume that you're a good woodworker and know how to build speakers. My plans assume that you don't.

+1 I'd never done anything like this either. My VERY first attempt was a colosal 36" T48 with 3/4" plywood and I had a huge Kappa Pro 15 driver I was attempting to put in it. It was like a refrigerator! I came to my senses, got the right wood, a smaller driver and soon two 18" T30's were born. It was quite a surprise for me and everyone I know when I presented my finished cabinets. The building process was a real treat and taught me alot of patience.

[Tom Smit]

I'm no master woodworker... Don't sweat it.

Most plans out there assume that you're a good woodworker and know how to build speakers. My plans assume that you don't.

+2

[Rick Lee]

OP, I perused through Lilmike's stuff and to me it looks pretty intelligent. The mic design has been around a long time, I remember seeing it in the late '80s. Having said that I don't see any advantages of the T-6 to the AT and I would agree that the AT is easier to build and more refined.

But building speaker systems is fun and it's interesting to hear how different designs sound. Ported, sealed, transmission line, bandpass, horns, compound loaded all sound at least slightly different and it's all part of the hobby to see how they sound. Even though I've built just about every kind out there I'll admit I've never built a tapped horn before but I would guess that the sound is extremely similar to a regular horn. I've also read that the position of the speaker is extremely important- I don't know what the tolerance is but it might be tight enough to make the build even harder.

Sooooo..., why don't you build both and see how they sound to you? I know the AT is great- it impresses me everytime I turn mine on so I'm not worried about the other design blowing it out of the water.... from reading your other posts it's obvious you like this bass thing so why not feed the addiction?

[bassmonster]

First of all, thank you so much for the responses everyone. I learn more with every post. I'm pretty excited for my build though I don't know when it will come to pass...hopefully in the upcoming months. Need a bubble of time which school won't allow right now.

OP, I perused through Lilmike's stuff and to me it looks pretty intelligent. The mic design has been around a long time, I remember seeing it in the late '80s. Having said that I don't see any advantages of the T-6 to the AT and I would agree that the AT is easier to build and more refined.

But building speaker systems is fun and it's interesting to hear how different designs sound. Ported, sealed, transmission line, bandpass, horns, compound loaded all sound at least slightly different and it's all part of the hobby to see how they sound. Even though I've built just about every kind out there I'll admit I've never built a tapped horn before but I would guess that the sound is extremely similar to a regular horn. I've also read that the position of the speaker is extremely important- I don't know what the tolerance is but it might be tight enough to make the build even harder.

Sooooo..., why don't you build both and see how they sound to you? I know the AT is great- it impresses me everytime I turn mine on so I'm not worried about the other design blowing it out of the water.... from reading your other posts it's obvious you like this bass thing so why not feed the addiction?

I can certainly see how BFM building gets addictive and I haven't even built a BFM design yet! If my parents let me I would have a mancave full of THT's. I think I'll start with the AT since everyone says it's easier to build and less complicated, and it takes up less space than the T-6. I'll definitely be into speaker building later in life when I have more money and time. I'll just have to get it OK'd by the future War Office

[Frederic Gelinas]

I'll definitely be into speaker building later in life when I have more money and time.

Maybe you'll have more money, but you'll never have more time.

[Jon Barnhardt]

I'll definitely be into speaker building later in life when I have more money and time.

Maybe you'll have more money, but you'll never have more time.

+1,000

[bassmonster]

Maybe you'll have more money, but you'll never have more time.

I figured that, I just didn't want to accept it.

[AntonZ]

I'll definitely be into speaker building later in life when I have more money and time.

Maybe you'll have more money, but you'll never have more time.

+1
I'm not a rich man, but time is scarcer than money, used to be the other way around. And it only seems to get worse not better as life progresses.