New guy here subwoofer question

[EMF Audio]

Haha there ya go. Can always use more audio gurus on here. Hey do you sell the HT18 as well? Ever used one?

I could probably sell one, we never talked about the home side since I have an automotive website. I haven't used one, from what I understand they're incredible at that price point.

 

[YukonXL04]

Well I already bought one. Just haven't heard much of it in automotive use other than IB installs. Planning on 6.5cu.ft tuned to 25hz. Hoping it works out well for me. From what I have seen it's a very clean and dynamic sub. Just hope it's got enough output for me lol

Wasn't sure if you had used one or not.

 

[EMF Audio]

Well I already bought one. Just haven't heard much of it in automotive use other than IB installs. Planning on 6.5cu.ft tuned to 25hz. Hoping it works out well for me. From what I have seen it's a very clean and dynamic sub. Just hope it's got enough output for me lol

Wasn't sure if you had used one or not.

Yeah, it's not great for automotive, wasn't meant to be. Obviously it's intended to have flat range from the 20's on up. I'd thought about doing one in my home theater, I'm using a 12 year old Adire Tempest still!

 

[YukonXL04]

Yeah, it's not great for automotive, wasn't meant to be. Obviously it's intended to have flat range from the 20's on up. I'd thought about doing one in my home theater, I'm using a 12 year old Adire Tempest still!

So forgive me, but would you mind elaborating on why it wouldn't be good for automotive use? Haha that old Adire stuff is great though. Worst case I'll toss it in the wife's car IB lol

 

[EMF Audio]

So forgive me, but would you mind elaborating on why it wouldn't be good for automotive use? Haha that old Adire stuff is great though. Worst case I'll toss it in the wife's car IB lol

It's not that they won't work, just not optimal. The box requirement is large, and IB only works in certain vehicles. Additionally, it's the kind of sub you want tuned low. Unless the music is altered, you aren't playing 20 hz. For most people, below a 30 hz tune is not in their best interest.

 

[YukonXL04]

It's not that they won't work, just not optimal. The box requirement is large, and IB only works in certain vehicles. Additionally, it's the kind of sub you want tuned low. Unless the music is altered, you aren't playing 20 hz. For most people, below a 30 hz tune is not in their best interest.

Ahh gotcha. Yea 6.5 after displacement is definitely not a small box. Yea I do have alot of slowed music that I listen to that have extremely low notes. Playing with WinISD i can run pretty flat down to about 20hz. and subsonic will kick in there.

Honestly I almost always tune in the high 20's, most subs I have found get really peaky above that. Now for output standpoint I get why you would tune above that. But I have just had best results with a 25-28hz tune over 33hz.

 

[Deephaven]

But I have just had best results with a 25-28hz tune over 33hz.

Curious how you quantified that. It is well beyond the range of diminishing returns in vehicle.

If you were going to run the HT18 IB in a car I would say roll with it, but I wouldn't put it in a box. If it were purely a price point buy well you can live with the compromises then.

 

[EMF Audio]

Ahh gotcha. Yea 6.5 after displacement is definitely not a small box. Yea I do have alot of slowed music that I listen to that have extremely low notes. Playing with WinISD i can run pretty flat down to about 20hz. and subsonic will kick in there.

Honestly I almost always tune in the high 20's, most subs I have found get really peaky above that. Now for output standpoint I get why you would tune above that. But I have just had best results with a 25-28hz tune over 33hz.

First thing to know, WinISD is wrong. If you're experiencing peaky above that, you have one of 2 things going on. You're dealing with the wrong subs, or right above that is the transfer function of the vehicle and getting beyond that point should drop off a good bit. It's also possible that it's peaky because you listened to WinISD and made the port too big or box too big, which will make anything peaky around tuning. I have my YOLO 18's in 5.5 cu. ft. each tuned to 33 hz and it's a smooth response from 28 or so to in the 50's.

 

[YukonXL04]

Hey look... not everyone can own a $1000 sub lol...

Just speaking from previous subs I have owned in different boxes I have built. Everything from Audiopipe to Rockford. They have all sounded better to my ears in a lower tuned box. do I measure it? no but I can hear a huge output difference across certain frequencies when I tune in the low 30's. when I tune the boxes lower it smooths out the sound alot.

Now mind you I have no DSP, Im not measuring with a calibrated mic, nor am I trying to build a a SPL comp box.

 

[EMF Audio]

Hey look... not everyone can own a $1000 sub lol...

Just speaking from previous subs I have owned in different boxes I have built. Everything from Audiopipe to Rockford. They have all sounded better to my ears in a lower tuned box. do I measure it? no but I can hear a huge output difference across certain frequencies when I tune in the low 30's. when I tune the boxes lower it smooths out the sound alot.

Now mind you I have no DSP, Im not measuring with a calibrated mic, nor am I trying to build a a SPL comp box.

It sounds like all the boxes you've had were too large. When you tune as low as you are, most subs aren't designed to thrive down low, so it will level it out. Alternatively, a smaller box will level it out with a higher tuning.

I don't use an EQ, or DSP, or anything else either. My truck isn't built for a meter (won't see one), it's built to play for people that want a listen at car shows. It's a show truck, I don't even take it to audio shows.