BillFitzmaurice.info

Hi

I built a couple of T39s in 2016 for pro use.
I now want to build two Subs for my small home theatre.
Unless someone suggests otherwise, my current plan is to build two Tuba 18s.

My questions are :-
1. My plans were bought in November, 2014. Have the Tuba 18 plans been updated since then?
2. What are the current 8" driver recommendations?
3. I plan on adding plate amplifiers to the cabinets (add a compartment on the back). Has anyone else done this? And is there a recommended plate amp?

Hey Nordo, nice to see you back.
When you say small, how small?

Do you have room for a TT?
It would probably do better than 2 x T18’s, though I understand you might want 2 for room modes.
I wondering if that might be sufficient, and one less driver, given shipping costs from OS at present.

The plate amps won’t need a lot of power if you go that way, a few hundreds watts should drive both to beyond comfortable at home, but they seem to be a bit pricey new here in Oz, and shipping comes into play again if bringing them in. Maybe a second hand power amp and some longish lead runs?...

Hi Grant
Been seeing a few of your posts on face book. Guess you're a real "bushie" now.

We are currently downsizing our home and I'm not too sure what the new home will provide in the way of rooms. The "Home Theatre" could probably end up being the Living Room.
At this stage I'm only in planning/dreaming mode (have to sell the current house first).
You're right, the idea of two small subs was to compensate for room modes, given that the listening area will be fairly large (2-4 seats).
You're also right in that shipping might blow the whole sub project out of the water.

But I enjoyed building the T39s and learnt a hell of a lot about carpentry/cabinetmaking.
Sad story is that they have never been fired up.
All the venues my daughter's group play at, have good backlines/sound systems.
I did a Ground Plane test on them (viewtopic.php?f=30&t=22875&p=265816&hilit=Nordo#p265816 - near top of page), and the SPLs looked great.
I'll probably end up selling them for a fraction of what they're worth.

I've built two T18's and they sound decent for their size. If you have space for a Table Tuba, it's way louder and goes much lower.

Thanks Shawn.
I'll check them out.

As Grant realised, I want two, to counteract room modes.
Also the main area I'm interested in is the 40-70Hz range, for the most impact in movies.

There's a lot in the 30-40Hz range, especially low frequency effects. You don't want a TRex to sound like a Tweety Bird.

Bill Fitzmaurice wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 4:54 pm There's a lot in the 30-40Hz range, especially low frequency effects. You don't want a TRex to sound like a Tweety Bird.

How do you know a T-Rex didn't sound like Tweety Bird?

When walking?

Bill Fitzmaurice wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:05 pm When walking?

It always looks like they are tip-toeing, right?

Bruce Weldy wrote: ↑Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:05 amIt always looks like they are tip-toeing, right?

The floor's lava

jimbo7 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:43 am

Bruce Weldy wrote: ↑Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:05 amIt always looks like they are tip-toeing, right?

The floor's lava

That would explain it.

And since we are way off subject already.....how about a separate thread about badly built Titans and Tubas called T-Wrecks?

And that OT was all started by Bill.
But I think Bill's right.

I guess the bottom line is "which is the best 8" BFM sub for movies"?

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

The one(s) you decide to build.

I reckon you need to do some sums, ie what will it cost to buy recommended 8 inch drivers and shipping from the USA.
Curve ball: BP102 loaded T24's. I think you might almost get BP102's locally cheaper than you can import the 8's from the USA at the moment.
And, for the 8's, then there's the wait while they ship...