Been some time since I updated my thread. Planning to do it today nevertheless and coincidentally bro @desray happened to also comment via facebook to encourage me to do so… so here goes…
My previous front sub pic, this is using 2 x Stereo Integrity SQL 12" drivers in single ported cab tune between 28hz to about 120hz, heavily braced MDF, size about 35x35x110cm, powered by Behringer NX6000 DSP external amplifier. We all know kudos to who hahaha. Yes it’s you if you are reading this!
My latest front sub pic below. The DB15 from Def tech!
It’s Unique 3XR Architecture provides triple the bass-producing surface area of a traditional 15” ported subwoofer. Bass radiator design, moves more air, 3XR doesn’t use ports, it provides crystal-clear sound with no port noise distortion, the SPL produced is as much bass as ported 18” subwoofers. Powered by Class H digital amplification 1500w, and with an advanced 56-bit DSP that includes three custom present EQ modes, DN15 plays exceptionally impactful bass down to 20Hz. 3 x present EQ modes (Flat, Loud, Deep), multi phase selection with increment of 45 degree positive and negative.
More info can be found here
https://www.definitivetechnology.com/en/product/subwoofers/dn15
Its been like what…12 years to close 13 years that I’ve tried commercial or off the shelf subwoofer. It used to be cost economical to DIY subs UNTIL covid period. The shipping fee and the raw material cost rocketed up and it seems the total price of DIY and off the shelf product is almost on par in my own opinion, or maybe cheaper now for some off the shelf.
I always wanted to try this sub and why I decided to purchase these DN15 was because
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A client of mine bought the DN12 from me and ask me to run in for him before delivering it to his place. DN12 is the little brother of DN15 which uses the same amplification power as the DN15. I was taken by surprise upon testing out the DN12. Placed at the corner of my living room, it gives a sense of fullness and impact without distortion. I am flexing the DN12 almost to its max as I saw the cloth moving and it sure can shake my sofa for a bit.
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A few clients came over to also audit the DN12, they proceed to order the DN15 in pair for their HT from us! So me and bestest buddy @djblackfm went over their place to carry out calibration for their DN15 pair using Minidsp 2x4HD, the SPL is just massive in their room! It rumbles their seat, mid bass punch felt quick and full, this really made me want to pull the trigger to own it.
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Am starting to made plans on how and where should I put it after the calibration. One of the deciding factor worries me, which was the sub cabinet vibration when playing the low end, as I will need to rest a piece of solid wood in between the 2 x DN15 to put my Center Speaker thus it is important for the cabinet not to vibrate. Equipped with a bubble meter, off I went to another client place whom also gotten the DN15 pair from us. Placing the bubble meter on top of the DN15, cranked up the low end till limit shows up on the front of the DN15 LED panel, played the Hacksaw Ridge demo with lots of explosive scene, i would say the bubble in the bubble meter stays as still as it should be! I am pretty sure i will not hit the limits of the DN15 since i have my 2 x 18" at the back of my couch to compliment the ULF.
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Since Ovation United is also the reseller of Polk and DT speakers, I reckon it will make sense to own the DN15 since we can also demo to our potential clients in future. While contemplating “should I get it”, my disti called me and says “just get a pair, hesitate later, price is going up, if you want to demo it live to customer, we’ll cover you this time!”. So I had a good talk with my wife with regards to the change of sub and its size, making sure the WAF is in place, the deal is sealed!
My impression of the DN15 as below
- Sound Quality: Its just clean in my opinion (the full sealed sub should sound cleanest of all but this passive radiator does a wonder job) coming from a ported user for the longest time. The low bass is as thunderously strong as my 18" PLUS it’s clean as well, it sound good for different types of music and movies too. From the low end to the mid bass, it almost on par against my 18" DIY. Am starting to think there are still potential in my 18" but its different design after all. In order to have the same clean bass, I decided to seal up the ports as recommended by bro @synthesis. Am thinking should I go smaller cab but it seems waste of money. “Seal the port is good enough” he says. Lol… and I did. I should have done this earlier is all I can say. I was worried I do not have enough power for the low end after sealing up and man I was damn wrong.
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Durability: The size compared to DN12 is daunting initially, especially to my Mrs. She was in shocked and unhappy for almost 2 days, I can’t blamed her as her initial impression was the DN12 hahaha… buy first talk later is not part of the agreement I guess . It’s big, it’s heavy and strong… Well built… it should be the way to prevent vibrations I would say, and if it seems like it will last a long time for me.
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Easy to Use: It comes with remote, which enable you to press Vol, phase (increment of 45 degree up or down to negative), low pass, mute, EQ present of Flat (to your room), loud (3db extra on the mids), deep (3db extra on the lows), display max, dim and off, can connect to towers speakers and a small plus is it comes with 12v trigger behind, simple and not difficult to use.
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Good Value: For its performance to value, it is not expensive I would say. MSRP is SGD2499 for DN15. I thinks DN12 is SGD1799. Like I mentioned, price of DIY now is unlike few years back versus getting off the shelf. Plus it’s high time I should try some ready made off the shelf subs. Don’t want too be the frog in well for too long
To emphasize again, all subs are good subs and they are at mercy of YOUR ROOM, our room size and room vol are all different, same goes to our taste and preference. The above are all my own opinion and it varies individually. The best placement for the DN15, or any sub in my living room is toward right corner from my MLP stacked, where my AV rack is (I tested the DN12 at that position) but it just don’t make physical sense to have big black box there for now (I don’t wanna slp on couch everynight)… when it’s time for a big Reno, having sub in the most optimum location will be in consideration
My next test will be to integrate my DIY as per 1st pic to current setup and see/hear what the result and experience will be. I do have one more channel for individual sub for use in my AVP. I’ve to tell myself to please my Mrs as much as I can from now till Valentine day for me to try out hahaha
Oh yes, all my subs are individual channels and EQed as compared to my last configuration. This is also to test out bass steering and bass redirection from heights speakers crossing to floors speakers then crossing to sub. It’s just a whole new experience!
Should any members like to drop by, don’t feel shy and can just drop me a PM. I’ll be happy to have you guys as usual✌️