Tuba 36 - I found this site after hearing some B-52's at a show and being really impressed at the bass output (even though I know NOW how disappointing with true, accurate bass output they really are). I had been using some EV Eliminator subs and then, striving for better, punchier bass, built a pair of C-subs from speakerplans.com loaded with Eminence Kilomax 18's. I didn't know much about folded horns, and did some searches on "folded horns" and found the BFM site. I built one T36 28" with dual 12's as a trial run, and used it at a gig on one side of the stage along with my 2 EV eliminators on the other (yes, I know how many rules I have broken here, but I have learned a lot since then in the last year or so). I was powering them with Crown Microtech 2400's. I was simply amazed how different the outputs were between the two sides. the T36 simply produced a cleaner, punchier, and more full low-end. The Eliminators struggled to produce any bass at all beyond about 20' from the stage, and the bass they did produce was very mono-tonish (is that a word?!), and wimpy. During some breaks, I played around with using just one or the other side, and by the end of the night, I was filling the club with clean, powerful bass with just the one T36 (the Eliminators were never used again). I then built another, and have never looked back. Outside gigs are a breeze with 2-T36's side-by-side where before I would struggle when using those the Eliminators and C-subs (together and individually). The smaller indoor shows only need one T36, which simplifies load-in. People actually sometimes tell me to turn the bass down - something I had never heard before. I do not know how the Dual 12 version compares to the single 15 version for clean, clear bass, but I would not (and have not) fail to recommend the T36 Dual 12 to anyone doing DJ work or even in a live band. Thanks to everyone for the carpeting tips and other tips that helped me build these.
DR250 - Started these in late march, I have used the 4 of them in 2 shows so far (one indoors, the other outside). I previously used some old Carvin speakers (3-way) that graciously thanked my use by blowing the high-end horns often. I figured I could do better, and built some 3-way cabinets using all JBL speakers (15" bass, 10" mids, and 1" CD highs). Given the sheer awasomeness of the T36's, I decided on 4 DR250's (thanks Bill, and Tim Ard reviews for convincing me to do this). Being an extremely amateur builder, I quicky hit that - "Why the heck am I putting this much effort into these speakers; it CAN'T be worth it!" stage that some have referred to with the DR's. BIG thanks to Tim and DJ Ronn for your April reviews on the 4 DR250's - you guys kept me going through with the build to completion! I finally fired the finished speakers up at an indoor show the first of this month (finished the carpet the night before), and pumped some recorded music through them and the T36's. Tears welled up in my eyes when I heard just HOW GOOD the music sounded through this system (especially emotional after all the effort put into building the DR's). The highs were there, and not "ripping my head off" as the JBL CD horns did (even after thorough EQ). The midrange was very much there, making me realize just how much mid-highs, mids, and mid-lows had been missing from my previous boxes. The blend was nothing short of amazing, and everyone in the band commented how great the sound was. Then we played - I got more compliments on the sound than I had ever received before (I mix from the stage). Many told me that though we were loud, the mix was so good (no ear-splitting frequencies) that noone cared - it was "not painful-loud anymore" is what I was told. The club owner spoke to me after the show and expressed his pleasure, telling me we were clearly the best-sounding band that he hires. I have been in his club before, and the other bands use JBL, EV systems with hired soundmen out in front, so that was a compliment I took to heart. I only heard one "piezos stink" comment, and laughed at him when he said it (that felt good).
Our outside gig the next day (a "party in the park" in KS) was especially challenging, with a crowd of 300-500 people scattered throughout a large town-central park. The 4-DR's and 2-T36's performed extremely well, and I got many compliments on the great sound. The music I played in between our sets sounded full, crisp, and punchy, and even sounded good about 300' back from the stage, near the rear of the park. I am no longer in fear of outside gigs causing me all kinds of PA pain and possible blown speakers. So to summarize, the T-36 dual 12's and the 4- DR250's are awesome, sound better than anything I have ever used, and are well worth the expenditure of effort to build. Thanks for the exceptional designs, Bill, and thanks to all of those contributing tips, reviews, and excellent questions which helped me during the builds! I will take some pictures of my setup in the future and offer them on the site.
Great job!
) on the mids; those cabs don't really sound that great until you put a little spice in the mix. Had the high channel limiter set to engage at +3db softknee on 1.