HSU sonotube

[diyguy]

Hello!

I was interested in building a sonotube device using Hsu drivers...

Question 1) I was wondering if there are any designs out there specificially tested and designed for the Hsu drivers so I don't have to reinvent the wheel.

Question 2) While clearly I could use the car-driver I would prefer to have the VTF-3 driver, is this possible? Or perhaps it doesn't matter, but I have pass aleph amps, expensive magnepans and the such, so I would like to continue to match that level of quality... I don't care about volume (although volume is good) at the expense of quality. I want 'true' 'flat' 20 - 80 Hz bass and probably won't exceed 95 db. (As the magnepans don't have woofers like Martin Logans, I will hope the woofer can go a bit high, maybe even 90 or possibly even 110 Hz (worth testing?)... I recognize the trade-offs with being able to localize the sound and all that, but if it frees the maggies to do what they do best and not try and futz with bass, then it will be worth it!)

Question 3) Most sonotube builders put a large PVC-tube port in them. For the car driver at least you say not to do that, would that apply to a 5-foot high 2-foot wide (not sure of exact dimensions, but just to say - 'large') sonotube design? Please answer for car driver and VTF-3 driver.

Question 4) I've done some research on the web about this and the following design comes up a lot:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_6_3/diy-11-sonotube-subwoofer-september-99.html Any comments?

Question 5) Is there a particular modelling program for either the VTF-3 or car driver that you would recommend? Its seems because of the 'don't use a port' comment with regard to the car driver that perhaps many of the computer models won't blend perfectly with your drivers because of they specific way they are built.

This might seem like a silly question because what you make are sonotube type subwoofers, but I am looking for a fairly massive enclosure...


Thanks!

diyguy

[cschang]

The funny thing is, in the article you posted, the builders are the guys that started SVS Subwoofers.

[Sasha_G]

The car driver has a Q that is not optimal for a ported system, compared with the VTF-3 driver.

To be honest, Dr. Hsu's drivers and designs have helped a lot of hobbyists create tube subs, as shown in the article you linked to. However, we are finding it is not in our best interests to teach people how to reverse engineer our subs nowadays.

The VTF-3 driver is available as a replacement for those who call in.

[diyguy]

I can understand that. So, my response would be to suggest an additional product (I'm sure you get millions of product requests all the time and have to maintain a reasonable product line...) but, maybe this one is a good idea :).

Make a 50% complete speaker system, like a wooden table that needs to be finished before being put in the kitchen - a 50% DIY project. Put the VTF driver in a 3-foot wide and 4-foot high sonotube enclosure, leave it really really ugly (bare wood?) and let the purchaser finish it or add fabric as they would like..

Or, alternatively, do the 'coffee table' thing, and put it in a 4-foot wide and 3 foot high enclosure with same unfinished aspect. That one results in more area than the reversing the dimensions by around 30%...

If it sells well, then spend more time fleshing it out with nicer finishes.

It shouldn't cost much compared to the rest, and would have really, really massive bass output.

Another option that some people like (and some don't) is the 1.5 foot wide and 10 feet high enclosure... (but they have to be really high to equal a wide enlcosure, the radius matters more than hieght...)

I'm not trying to support you guys going out of business, just trying to make a huge woofer!


Hey, check out passlabs.com, they manage a good balance between DIY info/projects without jeapordizing their own product line. Of course building an amp is a much greater undertaking than a wood box...

Or, how about having a 'custom' build option, where people can send in dimensions for sonotube-type woofers, and then you calculate cost with some formula, it takes a few months, and people get the woofer they want? I know there might be a large overhead with that, but people could really tune into what their needs are, whether it is fitting them into the space between 2 couches at a corner, into a cabinet with particular dimensions, etc. In this variation there could be various wood options, etc.

Thanks,

DiyGuy

[Sasha_G]

I like your idea about custom built sonotubes. If people could wait a month or so, it could possibly work. I'll think about your idea some more.