Home Theater Project

Hi Gang,

I realize it ain't summer yet, but I am planning on fixing up a nice home theater for my father pretty soon. The project may take 2 to 3 years to complete, so this thread could essentially be dormant at times.

Since my father lives in an RV, I am considering beefing up his current theater. Presently, it's just one of those Sony theaters in a box that just came with the RV. Next year, I would like to acquire some floor standing tower speakers and a decent size receiver with preamp outputs; perhaps from Crutchfield.

But, the hall-mark will be, of course, the subwoofers as I am a man who loves my bass and am damn proud of it. I would like to alternate the subs between his theater and my car on occasion.

In the preliminary build stages, I would like to purchase a 12" TC Sounds LMS-R this summer and use it in a passive radiator set up tuned down to 20 Hz. BTW, I could not give a sh*t less about the negative reviews on that transducer as they were compiled by novices and imposters. If anybody here is curious about TC Sounds, I will be sure to provide you my objective feedback asap.

The amplifier is where things get interesting. Currently, I am contemplating some Zapco's running off the RV battery, and the battery being on a charger as per my father's advice. However, I am still undecided with the amps. I would love to acquire something in the neighborhood of 1 kW RMS as that would be pretty bad a$$ with the new Batman movies.

The thing that will probably be most late in the theater is pending on whether or not the W7 will get the butyl surround like the W6. So, perhaps a 12W7v2-3 would be a last addition.

Obviously, the amp would run a single woofer at a time to avoid funky phase issues.

So, my apologies if this thread goes dormant, but I look forward to hearing the TC Sounds this summer. If anybody wants feedback, just let me know.

Take care guys

Hey gang,

I thought I would just give everyone an update. I'm a little behind on the fees for an autism program I am enrolled in at the university I am attending. So, this summer I would like to get caught up on those fees, which means my purchase of the TC Sounds LMS-R might have to be delayed until next year after I have graduated.

Thus far I have been attending all of the FE Review sessions; the FE is an exam engineering students have to pass to obtain a license in engineering. So we'll see how that will turn out this fall when I take the Fundamentals Exam. But, for sure, I am very much committed to this home theater project, and would like to acquire some of the equipment next year.

Take care guys!

Hey guys,

Looks like I might be eligible for some aid for paying the autism program fees; however, I stress the word 'might'. Depends on what all needs to be processed and what sort of period that would take in the next two months. Anyway, the aid is from Rehabilitation Services since I have a documented disability. So we'll see how that goes in the next month or two.

That might free up some of my internship money over the summer so I could possible buy the TC Sound LMS-R in, perhaps, July if everything goes well. I won't be able to feed that monster any power since I leave my Audi back east at my sisters house while I'm in California with my father. Anyway, I could take some pics of it. Hopefully, if I upload them this time, there won't be a maintenance period that comes along and reduces them to nothing.

Also, I am going to try to upload a video of my system tomorrow. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it uploads successfully. At present, the only thing I have at my disposal is my Canon Powershot for taking vids; I have a rather ancient cell phone (obviously I am not O.C. with cell phones, LOL!) so I would run into similar issues with that.

Okay, well take care guys!:)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uis6qg7d48...ch%20Up%27.AVI

Okay that's from Dropbox; hope it works ...

That was some old school Ludacris, Catch Up, which is pretty bad @$$.

As you can tell, the res and audio is a little crappy, but for the time being I only have the Powershot. I figure once I get a vid cam next year, I'll start my own Youtube channel with comments disabled for obvious reasons.

I graduate in December this year so my father and I are figuring on going to CES 2015 in Las Vegas; that should be cool. That would definitely be a nice reward after going through an ABET accredited CE curriculum, for sure! We'll most likely be back in Cali at the end of December and will venture into Nevada when the event is held.

Here's some old school Jay Z, Dirt Off Your Shoulder, from his Black Album.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7o99d2k7wg...houlder%27.AVI

I got some Goth and some Gangsta Rap, so if anybody has a request just let me know. Mmmm ... yeah, I would get tired of the usual fare of videos on Youtube containing the W6v3's. Pretty bland, plain jane new age hip hop and other garbage in those videos; not to mention most of the time the lens isn't even pointed toward the transducer; it's pointed toward the HU ... or S.S. ...

Late Night Tip from Three Six Mafia and Wretches and Kings from LP. Needless to say, the port becomes a fan with those!

Also, in one vid I show the plexi glass window with the halogen bulb illuminating the inside of the enclosure.

Enjoy!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/99e2qmd5ud...%20%282%29.AVI
https://www.dropbox.com/s/yztimglugn... and Kings.AVI
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cvxri5src17g2j6/Plexi.AVI

Obviously, the W & K from LP is a 'Flat-version' just from the CD itself; I would not have to use a 'boosted-version' with 500 W RMS. I might be insane, but I'm not 'that insane' ... yet! Muhahahahahahaha! LOL!

Hey guys, figured I'd give everybody an update..

I'm pretty much decided on what amplifiers I will purchase for this project and my next car. I'm pretty much decided on all Zapco. The first one I'd love to buy sometime next year is a DC-501 to power the TC LMS-R; presuming 500 W RMS < RMS P < or = 1000 W RMS @ 1 ohm (I'll do some research or will inquire what kinda power it can do at a 1 ohm impedance). Sometime after I get a new Audi A6 in the next couple of years, I'd love to get some components and have my heart set on the DC-364, which would be more than enough control over the EQ and delay for me with its onboard DSP. Once JL Audio releases the 12W7v2-3, which, I would anticipate, may make its debut in CES 2015 or CES 2016, I would love to get my hands on a DC-1101 to power it (presuming RMS P < or = 1000 W RMS @ 3 ohms). Acquiring that amp might, very well, take a couple years, however. Fortunately, there's a couple of Zap dealers in SoCal, so that's cool.

Obviously, if I would want to transfer some of this to my car on occasion, I would need to beef up the stock alternator. Some outfits that come to mind immediately are Ohio Generator and Iraggi, but I'm sure there's a slew of others at present. Some alts, I believe, can have the solenoid cooled with a surrounding fluid medium, so I think I would drop some more $ to pick up something like that.

I think I might retire my old 500/1, and use the DC-501 to power the W6 on occasion. Don't get me wrong, the 500/1 is great, but those built-in hex bolts suck ... Glad and excited to see Zapco using Phillips heads for their amps.

Okay, well those are the plans anyway, might be a lengthy project, but for what I've been through, I deserve to treat myself to these nice things dammit! LOL! :)Take care guys.

*Replace 'solenoid' in that last post with 'coils'...:p Yes, I am definitely no EE, LOL!

Hey gang,

Looks like my father might need my help with replacing an antiquated gas oven in his RV with an electric oven. Against better judgement, I'll purchase the Zapco DC-500.1 from eBay; I hate buying things from eBay but oh well ... It saves my income in case if my father needs it. What's mine is his is my philosophy since he's got some nasty credit card debt due to my accumulated tuition over the past three years.

I know the DC-500.1 is an older model, but it still has all of the DSP Goodness without the second subwoofer channel as can be seen on the most recent model. Looks like we can get the RV up and running sometime in June, and relocate in San Diego. Should be cool; anything to get me closer to Torrey Pines, Slater's 50/50, and Fuddruckers ... I love those places!:)

I'm pretty much decided on replacing my existing JL Audio 500/1 and giving that to my younger brother back in New Jersey. About a year ago, I left him my ported 12W6v2-D4 in case he ever gets his Mustang up and running. I have meal plan money I never use when I'm in school so September would be a perfect opportunity for me to pick up the TC Sounds LMS-R. My school is pretty darn close to Ohio, so the 'ducer will be probably be delivered to my dorm within 2 days so that's cool. The remainder of the money will be spent on a Z-1KD to power it; it would just be a matter of finding an authorized Zap dealer. That way, I can just wire the coil in parallel for a 1 ohm impedance.

To run the equipment for the theater, I'll eventually purchase an AIMS 2500 W Power Inverter for powering the amps. Sometime next year I'll get a good HT Receiver and some good floor standing speakers to keep up with the subwoofer. The power capacity of the inverter suggests something doesn't it? Well, when the time comes my father and I will build two transmission line enclosures for two 12W7v2-3, each powered with their own DC-1101. I'll christen them with The Dark Knight. I can't wait, its going to be pretty bad @$$.

Well, that's the update anyway, take care guys,

KirK (Captain KirK on Zapco forums)

Okay guys,

I just bought a Zapco DC-500.1. I'll try to upload some images Monday or Tuesday; whenever its delivered. This will power my 12W6v3-D4 as mentioned earlier. Should be a lot of fun tweaking all settings and playing with the DSP (like time alignment). The TC Sounds LMS-R is a sure thing this fall. Will be quite lovely having a 39 lb 'ducer to admire in my dorm along with the Z-1KD I will pick up afterwards. No signs of the 12" VMP coming back so I'll settle on a transmission line enclosure tuned to 18 Hz.:cool:

Hopefully, JL Audio won't introduce a new patent on the W7v2's (like the PVAC on W6v3's) and have it pend for 13 months after its debut or 9 months after it was advertised to be released. That's what actually happened ...:rolleyes:

The Zapco arrived!

Attachment 571Attachment 570

Its got my finger prints all over it!

Attachment 570

I'm rushing around so don't have time to read the full thread but well done mate :)

Have you fitted it yet? I just helped my brother with his install. Zapco reference amps, AVI BSM components and an RE Audio (mid range sub). It sounds really good.

Hey Nas!

I haven't quite fit it yet; you see my Audi is back in Virginia at my sister's house for the summer, and I'm out visiting with my father in southern California.

However, that's not stopping me from collecting any of the cables and DPN Software. Thus far, I picked up the 6 pin DIN cable that connects to the amplifier and the Symbilink Transmitter; it's about 6 ft in length and I just bought it yesterday.

In July, I'm hoping to pick up the DPN Software, but I run Windows 8; so I might have to take out my aunt's ancient computer she left behind at my father's RV to have the DPN work with a compatible operating system. So Nas, you say you've got some experience with tuning these? Would you mind if I pick your mind on what setting you used for Phase and Time Delay? Or, does the DPN Software sorta simplify those things for all of us?

This is just the beginning of many acquisitions to come the next several years. This fall semester (my last semester:)), I'll be picking up the 12" TC Sounds LMS-R and I know of an authorized Zap dealer in Florida that sells all the amps online that I need for the theater. It will just be a matter of transferring some $ between accounts, but I think I can pick up a Z-1KD for the TC Sounds which would be a perfect match in my opinion.

My first year in the CE profession, I'll pretty much be collecting some of the necessities like an AIMS 2500 W Power Inverter, a HT Receiver with pre-amp outputs (a Harmon Kardon with a USB input), and two floor standing speakers (Polk, very likely) to keep up with the TC. In my second and third year in the profession, I'd like to see about getting a 12" RE XXX. And I'm getting anxious to see what goodies might show up at CES 2015 and 2016; maybe a JL Audio 12W7v2-3 with a much-needed NBR surround. If that happens to be the case, I'll add a Zapco DC-1101 to my list, which I would suspect, could do around 950 W RMS @ 3 ohms. Should be interesting!:D

Hey Nas,

Just bought the DPN Software; should be here next Wednesday. The DIN cable comes next Tuesday. I'm VERY excited!:)

Also, I'm now a member of Zapco's forum, if you would like to communicate with me there, that would be cool. They're admitting more and more members, but, FYI, the active window of time for admission are their business hours of operation, M - F.

Got all the Zapco accessories; now I just need a Power, Ground, and Remote-turn-on wire to fire this bad girl up and tune it! Money is tight this month so I might have to delay that purchase until July.

Attachment 572

Here's the Craftsman Pro I've been talking about. Helluva Christmas present I bought for my father last November!:cool:

Attachment 573

No such luck with getting into CES unless if I can tag along with Zapco ...

I didn't realize it wasn't open to the public until I spoke with Mike ... Ah, no big deal.

Nah, I'll just be doing my usual rounds on the internet and keep an eye out on videos of CES.

Hoping to see some goodies!:)

No patents pending this time, I hope. *Knock on wood*

Just downloaded LP's The Hunting Party but ... DAMN ... I can only enjoy it with the RV's existing 50 W 8" Sony subwoofer or the 5 x 7's in my father's CRV. Ah man ... these are hard times ...

Obvious sarcasm, of course, LOL! Love to be around my dad, even if I'm not with my Audi. And come this December, my car will finally be back in SoCal; so I can't complain.:)

As it appears the TC Sounds 12" LMS-R won't be available until October 17th, I'll be purchasing a RE Audio XXXv2 12 D2 in September. I would like to say by mid September I'll at least have images of the REA XXX sitting in my dorm. I figured I would just put that update out there for Nas ...

It might be a stretch, but I think I can move around some $ and pick up a Zapco Z-2KD for the XXX in October or November. Should be a good start for a very bad ass HT for my father's RV. I'll see if I can upload some images on the Zapco Forum in that time period as well.

Peace guys!:)

I used to be part of the Zapco forum until they upgraded it. Let me see if I can re-join :)

Hey Nas,

Just an update; looks like I can pick up the Harmon Kardon stereo receiver at the end of this month. Space is at a premium in the RV so a stereo receiver should do just fine for the RV. The receiver has 2 pairs of sub pre-amps so all I'll have to pick up in January is a hefty 2500 W RMS power inverter for the Zapco amps. I'm sure I'll have to drag the REA XXX to my dorm once it arrives; damn ... 88 lbs with all the packaging, SWEET! Should be incredible with the Zapco Z-2KD with movies and music. I'm still leaning towards my idea of a ported enclosure with the opt net volume and a super low tuning frequency, but I'm going to experiment with round ports (3 inch dia) this time. The problem with the slots is it would need many dados' which sorta can be a PITA when final assembly comes and trying to isolate the Gorilla Glue from expanding into the main chamber. The cool thing with my round port idea is I can run for 30 inches + and can obtain like 19 Hz or 18 Hz depending on how long I decide to run it. No end correction factor I have to accommodate either which is a plus.:)

Ugghh!!!

Getting anxious with buying this receiver and went to Best Buy today hoping that it would be on display and perhaps picking it up there ... No such luck ...

Why is it that the Bricks-and-Mortar are fading out to eCommerce? I mean, whatever happened to interacting with electronics before buying them? Would it be safe to assume that the metaphorical guiding light (or Go-to) for purchasing ANYTHING electronic these days is reading a half assed, 'ffeine fueled review? I guess Thiele Small Parameters don't mean anything to the Lay. There's always 'Helpful?' at the end of a review, followed by Yes and No hyper text ... IMHO, there should be an optional radio 'Bull Sh*t' button, LMFAO ...

Well, I guess I'll settle on purchasing the unit from Crutchfield once my father and I are settled with the new SD address ...

Purchased the Harmon Kardon HK 3770 today from Crutchfield; it's estimated delivery is July 29 at my new address. When the time comes in 2015, I'll pick up some Polk floor standers to tap into the 120 W RMS reserve for each channel. Looks like it has a single pair of pre-amp outputs which is not that of a big deal for me. All I really need is one pair for the Zapco's I'll be running. I guess I was confusing the pre-amps on the HK with some specs on another HT receiver I was observing. Nonetheless, the USB input is a nice feature for my iPod and USB drives.

Instead of the dual 2 Ohm version I'll get the dual 4 Ohm version of the RE Audio XXX. The RE Audio XXX v2 12 D4 will have some cleaner output at 2 Ohms than running the voice coil at 1 Ohm with the dual 2 Ohm version. This alternative gives me an excuse to pick up the DC-1101 this fall, which will power future equipment in 2015 or 2016. The DC-1101 is most likely not going to extract much performance from the REA XXX, but the Z-3KD and ZX-500.2 are a little outside my budget; the DC-1101 being just within budget.

I figure mid to late 2015 I'll pick up a nice video camera for a subsequent YouTube channel. By then, I most likely will be employed so budget shouldn't be too much of an issue for buying a nice professional low frequency mic to prevent any sloppy choppy bass recordings.

I'll post some images when the unit arrives.

Internet is going to be down until Thursday evening. Cell and WiFi service at the new address is crap; we'll be getting a DirectTV and WiFi service bundle installed Thursday to remedy the limitations of the RV Park.

The HK 3770 is due to arrive around noon tomorrow. My father and I will be going to Riverside to pick up the remainder of our belongings tomorrow; so I could potentially use the broadband while we're up there. I'll take my Powershot along anyway and see if I can upload some images.

The RV Park is pretty much temporary until I get employed next year. Unfortunately, the sites are on top of each other so exercising the 'ducer's excursion is likely to disturb some of the neighbors. At this point, I can guarantee the HT will be up and running once my father and I set up the RV at a more prestigious park; preferably with some buffer zone from the adjoining lots. Realistically, I'd be aiming around September or October in 2015 to have the equipment set up, a camera and low freq mic ready for the YouTube channel by then. In the meantime, much of the equipment will be collected this fall. We'll at the very least build the enclosure for the REA XXX in January; same style as my W6v3 enclosure with the only difference being 1.5 inch thick MDF surrounding the main wedge chamber. I probably will also pursue the same reinforcement with the 12W7v2-3's later in 2015 if they happen to make their debut at CES in January. NBR and rubber surrounds are where its at ... Foamie don't play that, LOL!:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KirK

Purchased the Harmon Kardon HK 3770 today from Crutchfield; it's estimated delivery is July 29 at my new address. When the time comes in 2015, I'll pick up some Polk floor standers to tap into the 120 W RMS reserve for each channel. Looks like it has a single pair of pre-amp outputs which is not that of a big deal for me. All I really need is one pair for the Zapco's I'll be running. I guess I was confusing the pre-amps on the HK with some specs on another HT receiver I was observing. Nonetheless, the USB input is a nice feature for my iPod and USB drives.

Instead of the dual 2 Ohm version I'll get the dual 4 Ohm version of the RE Audio XXX. The RE Audio XXX v2 12 D4 will have some cleaner output at 2 Ohms than running the voice coil at 1 Ohm with the dual 2 Ohm version. This alternative gives me an excuse to pick up the DC-1101 this fall, which will power future equipment in 2015 or 2016. The DC-110 is most likely not going to extract much performance from the REA XXX, but the Z-3KD and ZX-500.2 are a little outside my budget; the DC-1101 being just within budget.

I figure mid to late 2015 I'll pick up a nice video camera for a subsequent YouTube channel. By then, I most likely will be employed so budget shouldn't be too much of an issue for buying a nice professional low frequency mic to prevent any sloppy choppy bass recordings.

I'll post some images when the unit arrives.

---

Hey Kirk,

Moving between car and home audio is confusing the hell out of me lol. I have the V4 XXX which is a dual 2ohm sub so plays at 1ohm or 4ohm. However, my Zapco C2K9.0 is the 2ohm version so in order to get more SQ from my sub bass, i wired the sub at 4ohm and ran it like that with my 9.0.

It gave it a 3db reduction taking it from 2k rms to 1k rms but the bass was definitely more SQ this way around :).

Anyway, the DC-110 should really hammer your XXX as (If I'm not mistaken) your sub is 1kw rms? It is also much more efficient then the newer model XXX that I have and mine was quite happy with 1kw.

I believe the older XXXs such as the one you have are fine from 500wrms onwards. Happy days :D

Anyway, I may need to hold of my car audio dreams for some time as I have recently (can't think of an excuse why atm), purchased a 2002 Mercedes S Class 320 cdi and it's a bit of a nightmare to work with.

God knows what i was thinking...

If I have confused your home audio thread with car audio and made a hash of everything, let me know tomorrow, it's very late here lol.

Hey Nas,

Thank you for being honest, LOL.:)

I'll be running the car audio equipment; Zapco DC-1101, RE Audio XXX 12 D4, and a future JL Audio 12W7v2-3 off of a power inverter to go from alternating to direct current. Surprisingly, they're relatively inexpensive. I'm aiming at one in the neighborhood of 2500 W RMS if I ever plan to pick up an amplifier with 2 kW RMS; perhaps, Zapco might contrive something similar to the C2K 9.0X sometime in the next couple years. On occasion, I'll run two DC-1101's off the inverter.

Basically, this is identical to what we're all accustomed to interacting with in car audio retailers and shops; they use inverters and relays to power the equipment in the building. Aesthetically, this route isn't as 'tight' (or aesthetically pleasing) as home audio, but ever since I turned 13 I've cared very little about aesthetics. I'm an engineer so I always put function before aesthetics. Anyway, a video is worth a trillion words so if you're curious as to what I've been discussing in the thread, go to Google, click on the icon for YouTube/Videos, type in 'RE Audio Zapco Subwoofer Explosion' in the search bar, and there's a nice vid of a PC system with a Zap amp fed by a power inverter powering a nice RE Audio XXX 15 D4.

Thus far, I picked up a Harman Kardon to power some future Polk floor standers and to put out an rca signal to the amplifiers. Unbknowns to me, the pre-amp output is for one rca cable so I'll pick up an adaptor/box to go from one cable to the two rca cables needed for the amplifier.

I'll be picking up the RE Audio XXX 12 D4 from Sonic Electronix late in August. I'm steering clear of Woofers Etc for Zap amps and am going with Creative Car Audio in Orlando to acquire the DC-1101.

Anyway, thanks for enlightening me Nas with how the XXX works on 1000 W RMS. I'll aim at acquiring the DC-1101 sometime in September.

Take care Nas!:)

Before I lose my connection, here's a quick image of the receiver.

Attachment 574

Looks like the DC-1101 isn't the only equipment that has DSP; sweet!:) The RCA Y-adapter should be here next week.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KirK

Hey Nas,

Thank you for being honest, LOL.:)

I'll be running the car audio equipment; Zapco DC-1101, RE Audio XXX 12 D4, and a future JL Audio 12W7v2-3 off of a power inverter to go from alternating to direct current. Surprisingly, they're relatively inexpensive. I'm aiming at one in the neighborhood of 2500 W RMS if I ever plan to pick up an amplifier with 2 kW RMS; perhaps, Zapco might contrive something similar to the C2K 9.0X sometime in the next couple years. On occasion, I'll run two DC-1101's off the inverter.

---

Whoops ... I meant power supply; I've always mistaken them as inverters. Sh*t, good thing I haven't bought anything yet, LOL!:)

Hmmm ... Been contemplating ... a RE Audio XX v2 12 D4 would probably give me some gain in output if I ran the DC-1101...

As for the power supply, I might put that off until I'm 3 months into my profession. I'm reluctant to wire several PC PUI's in series; with my lack of an EE background I'm bound to burn something up. Fortunately, San Diego's got some nice local stores where I can pick up a AC DC power supply that fits my application. Realistically, maybe I'll aim for 1500 W RMS and I = 150 A. Been looking at the higher ups like 2500, 3300, 5000 W and I > 200 A; they're a little steep...

Striking out on finding the BL Product and Xmax for the XX, but knowing they're 1500 W RMS, I'd estimate Xmax > 30 mm and 18 T*m < Bl < 19 T*m given that its marginally smaller than the XXX. Could very well be the better investment for the power I have in mind. I can save some $ too.:)

After some intense searching ...
Xmax = 38 mm

SWEET! That's up there with the CV Strokers, but I'm sure the Bl product on the RE is higher than the Stroker. All things equal, prob 18 to 19 Tm like the XXX.

Here's the Y Adapter ...

Attachment 575

If memory serves me correct, some guy at Cash Converters in Bricktown enlightenened me about AC DC Converters all the way back in 2002. At the time, I was ignorantly powering two flee market ten's in a bandpass off of a cheap $50 Sony stereo receiver completely unaware of the impedance mismatch between the two electronics (8 Ohm receiver and two 4 Ohm SVC subs in parallel). Then, 12 years later in March 2014 I just remembered the idea about the converters, but got converters mixed up with inverters, LOL.:)

I'm gonna spring for a hefty 5000 W, 250 A converter. I got a quote, it's about $5k; I'll put something like 50 - 66% down and put the rest on credit. I'll aim around 2 months into the profession for that to transpire. I just like the extra headroom in the likely event I want to run something more powerful down the road.

On the left is the RCA I will run from the sub pre-out on the H/K to the DC-1101. On the right is a Headphone Jack to RCA adapter so I can link my Lenovo to the H/K and have a pretty bad ass PC audio system on occasion.

Attachment 576

I should have a temp setup by March or April next year. Before I buy the power converter, I'll have a charger on a battery and the battery feeding the DC-1101. I'm looking into power supplies from either TDK Lambda Genesys or AMETEK; luckily they have some locations I can go to in person in San Diego. I originally said a 1 kW subwoofer system is what I was going for so I'll take aim at any PSU that is 230 to 240VAC, single phase, 150A on the DC side, and, hopefully, output DC voltage that I can program down to the tenths so I can manually input 14.4VDC and get the RMS I want. I've been requesting quotes; its around $3k-ish, which is okay once I am in CE for a couple months. Not having any luck with finding a PS with 250A DC, single phase, and 230VAC to 240VAC. In the meantime, the XX v2 is as good as mine at the end of the month. At the very least, I can take some images relatively early next year. The video res sucks with my Powershot, but oh well. Most likely going to have to delay the vid cam and mic until the end of 2015 or the beginning of 2016. Planning on paying 50 to 66% down with the converter and putting the rest on credit when the time comes.

Not only did Robin Williams die yesterday; my Uncle Stevie Morey passed as well. My Uncle Steve was really gifted with carving and painting decoys. Before I began my elementary education way back in '89, I used to be OC with watching hummingbirds. My brother and I asked if he could paint some decoy hummingbirds my father had made. In the end, the decoys looked spot on and often confused the usual fair of Ruby Throated hummers that came to the feeder. But, I sorta had to abandon that instance of OCD from the 90's onward because of school. Nonetheless, I am thankful for having Uncle Stevie Morey in my life.:)

I'll always remember Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire; that's a classic. The first time he's cooking as Mrs. Doubtfire in the Hilliard residence gets me everytime; "My first day as a woman and I am already having hot flashes ... Cough!". To this very day I still am in complete hysterics with that scene of Mrs. Doubtfire. Robin Williams was a comedic genius right up there with Rodney Dangerfield; but I'll always think of him as a comedic legend.:)

Having Asperger's, I can completely empathize with Williams bout with depression and the onslaught of suicidal ruminations that accompanies it. It's a damn shame alcohol is so readily available; it worsens depression. Ironic that the Media almost never investigates the dangers of alcohol and caffeine and is so hell bent on investigating the dangers of marijuana ... SFM ...

After days of obsessing as to whether I should go Power Amplifier or Power Converter / Mobile Amplifier I probably unreasonably wanted to spring for the latter. It WILL be expensive but I'm starting to accumulate some mobile equipment now and just think there would be versatility in the converter route. Plus, CE has about the best employment prospects after graduation so the converter shouldn't be too far out of reach...

I've been interested in obtaining the Zapco DC-1101, but am putting it off until sometime in the next couple of years so I can visit a SoCal Zap dealer and they can calibrate the DC-1101 for me. Back in 2009 when I first bought my Audi, I went too crazy adjusting the DSP on my Eclipse and burnt up the alternator; when I bought the A6, it had like 95k mi on it so I guess the alt didn't have too much further to go. Lesson learned, Valeo + Heat = Bad. The Zap dealer most likely will have some professional installation equipment that would likely expedite the process of setting the input sensitivity and the phase. I'll use the DC in a new Audi once I can contact Iraggi about a custom HO Alternator; my emails seem to not get responses so I guess I'll try calling when the time comes.

To this day, I'm NOT 100% sure how to adjust phase. From my General Physics course, I know there's this awkward parametric argument for the sine function; something like...

kx - wt + p, where p is phase

k is wave number, x is displacement and is a parametric function of t, w should actually be omega; angular freq, and t is time. kx, as far as I know is simply an angle (radians or degrees) and the fact that its variable means some arbitrary angle to the right. wt turns out to be an angle and traces out the sine function from the left of kx since t > 0. But... phase p... One of my former math professors once said with conics like parabolas, if you encounter x + a in the square function, the Cartesian plane it sits in shifts a number of units to the left. Don't know if that's just some consensus of the math community or if that actually has implications. I'm guessing the same is true for transcendentals like the sine function in which case + p shifts the Cartesian plane (that the alternating current sine wave sits in) p units to the left . Associativity might indicate if wt + p were combined, that would imply that -1(wt - p). Either way, one of those things would imply that phase empirically is a time delay. But even with all this... I still don't know what the magic phase constant is for my car, LOL!:)

Nuff with the math... I picked up a 1200/1v3 from Crutchfield.

Metaphorically dodging the tomatoes being thrown at me, LOL! Nah, I mean the hex bolts are always gonna be the weakest link with the Slashes, but if I can rig some 10 AWG pins that fit in the amp terminals and link the pin with 10 or 8 AWG speaker wire, that could very well limit any torque I would have to apply to the hex bolts since I wouldn't have to be smashing the fine strand stuff. I certainly don't swear by JL, but I guess I'm a softy with the RIPS. My RE Audio XX v2 12 D4 is due to arrive next Wednesday or Thursday from Sonic Electronix; 60 lb BEAST. I think it might be a deadly sin to power an RE with a JL amp; hopefully an explosion doesn't take place, LOL! Plus, ABET has made me insane so it sure would be nice to supply 1000 W RMS to a new 12W7v2-3 on occasion. Should probably show up at CES 2015 or 2016, we'll see how that goes.

Peace Guys!:)

The kind folks at Sonic had one transducer set aside with a $100 rebate. Regular price $499.99; bought it for $399.99. Bottom line ... DON'T EVER let some heavily biased consumer review typed by an idiot or some retard car stereo shop installer make you think your equipment is inferior to the mainstream brands. I'll have to admit; I do enjoy using JL equipment but it is just WRONG to coerce other peoples opinion of their equipment. INSTALL ACCOUNTS FOR 80%, which is what us logical thinkers think; contrary to the naive loyalist on the Mainstream Brand Bandwagons. If you can't listen to the subwoofer that interests you, look to the Thiele Small Parameters of the transducer. Moral of the story, numbers don't lie; people lie, particularly these mainstream brand naive loyalist 'tards that shy away from anything that involves math... More specifically, these Over-night Wonder, Self Proclaimed Audio Guru's who think x number of years of being enamored with their own perception of audio actually accounts for 'knowledge'...

The RE XXv2 12 D4 has an Xmax of 38 mm (twice the linear one way stroke of a W6v3 and, what's more, an astounding 3 inches peak-to-peak). In the right ported alignment, that will amount to a quite decadent low frequency extension. As long as the size is reasonable that the WinISD provides, I will go with that design. Otherwise, I will use RE Audio's recommendations. The RE will be the super heavy weight of my lot of transducers, and I have the feeling already that it will stay my personal favorite in my home theater. I'll eventually acquire a TC Sounds sub and a W7v2 later on. My father has began using his saw again at his new residence. The construction of this enclosure will start January and will feature a silver depression the woofer sits in as well as a large acrylic window (1 inch thick) in the side panel with its own dados it will sit in so I can admire the motor structure with illumination from a light circuit on the inside. As of right now, the power converter will be picked up at some point in 2015; that's all I can really say as of right now. We'll run power and ground off one of the RV's batteries in the engine compartment and have that battery be on a charger as a makeshift, temporary setup. Should be up and running as early as February or March of 2015.

Apparently, the Sonic store can move electronics out of their Louisville, KY stock hub; I thought that was only reserved for their eBay store. Needless to say, it didn't have to far to go to get to my school.:)



More images available upon request.

Turns out, my Slash 500/1 is okay after all. When I initially crimped the power and ground cables, I had a rinky dink crimper that didn't crimp 4 AWG all too well. With the Polar Vortex and the subsequent pot holes and a failing infrastructure, I can see why those connections would become loose. Pretty much explains the transient nature that baffled me with output. Anyway, problem solved.:)

Haven't got around to wiring the DC500.1 up because of the damn atrocious humidity in West Virginia and having to sync my Lenovo with the amp via the 1st Generation Software. Windows 8 isn't giving me the option of locating the USB Driver I want to install it in. I figure once the weather is cooler, I can think a little bit more clearly and can concentrate a lot better on installing the driver. Once I can beef up my car's electrical in a couple years, I'll retire the W6v3 and DC500.1 for HT use once I have the converter up and running. Thinking about just giving my old Slash to my brother Scott. As much as I hate those built in hex bolts, I have to give JL credit for building an amp that has lasted me nearly 10 years now.:thumbsup:

Saw a video several years ago with some guys listening to Lil' John's Knockin Heads Off with two REA XXXv2 18 D4's so that inspired me to produce the video in the Dropbox link. My apologies for some shakiness in handling the camera; I'm a big guy and even have a hard time moving around in luxury car's.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yh4zv1t6pm...20Off.AVI?dl=0

Here's an Iso View...

Attachment 579

It's sitting by my printer and some Aleve, my Go-to for headaches attributed to my junior and senior year semesters in an engineering curriculum. Headaches were quite frequent...:cryin:

Another interesting thing is this single 12 displaces more enclosure volume than a 13W7-D1.5. Kudos to RE for listening to their customers and their fine work in transducer engineering. Can't wait to hear this beast next year.:)

Some information concerning the Thiele Small Parameters for the RE XX and XX v2 Series from Russell at RE Audio:

For anybody out there that happens to own an RE Audio XX 12 D4, RE Audio XX 12 D2, RE Audio XXv2 12 D4, and RE Audio XXv2 12 D2; employ the same Thiele Small Parameters of the XXX series for the XX transducers (i.e. Use RE Audio XXXv2 12 D4 T/S Parameters for a RE Audio XXv2 12 D4). Reason being; most of the structure topology is identical with the exception of the size of the magnet. Essentially, all-things-equal neglecting a difference in magnet size.

Optimum net internal volume is like the XXX 12's; V sub b is 2.25 cu.ft. I'll see what I can surmise with my PVC port idea in January. If need be I'll tune to 34 Hz which ain't that bad at all IMO.:)

Thank you very much, Russell.:)

I think I'm backing out of creating a YouTube Channel ... All I ever see in the comments area with harmless videos is nonsense and I need not be burdened with nonsense. I will post images of everything in this thread and upload videos on forums.:)

Another contention I have with the idea of a YouTube Channel is the fact that it's inevitably a medium of social networking. My K through 12 experience can be likened to what a Veitenam War Veteran endured in the war's aftermath. So, needless to say, I don't give a flying f*ck about social media or attributing an active social life.

Thanks to my engineering, math, and science text books I accumulated over the last decade, here's the key thing with phase that EVEN I have to keep in mind.

Current is AC so:

i(t) = Isin(wt + P) *+P because amps usually are 0 to +180 degrees.

In transforming the period for the sine, we find that it cycles from 0 to 2pi. Working with the argument of the sine and 0:

wt + P = 0 ====> wt = -P as compared to i(t) = Isin(wt) as the sine with origin symmetry (or abscissa/ordinate axis intercept at zero). The -P indicates the sine shifts to the left |-P| units. Empirically, the signal is delayed in time by P units. Big thanks goes to Larson and Hostetler, LOL!:)