IB vs Ported Sonosub - Review

[mlstrass]

OK, so I finally fired up my IB yesterday and gave it a good listen, plenty of music and bass heavy movie scenes. I'm going to give a brief comparison of it and the ported sonosub it replaced. IB is 4 Tempests with 760 watts total. Sonosub was a 480L dual Tempest with 500 watts total, tuned to 17Hz. Dan Wiggins provided the specs and it did everything he said it would.

First impression of the IB was not good. Just didn't have much bass and my speakers sounded like tin cans. I quickly remembered that I normally ran my other sub at -8, so I cranked her up to 0 and it made a world of difference.

Music: the IB is amazing, clarity and detail like I've never heard before. No bloat or boominess at all like my ported sub, but it does lack the punch that I was used to. I have not thrown a meter on it yet, so I might have some dips in the 30-40Hz region.

Movies: depth charge scene in U-571, crystal clear and rattled two pictures off the wall, but it also didn't have the same impact as the sonosub.

I am very happy with it and it's a keeper. I love the clarity for music more than anything. For movies I'll get used to it as it does hit you with the explosions, just not like the ported sub. Volume is equal as both can go ridiculously loud.

My current amp, Hypex HS500 has a subsonic filter at 20Hz and I actually might not change it as it's already rattling stuff apart like crazy. Also I guess I'm more accustomed to the higher frequency slam of my old sub, and so far have no desire for the very low frequency stuff. But that might change as I get used to it. I already have the caps to modify it.

I'm most amazed by the over-all cost and simplicity to build: I got the Tempests for $90 each, $18 for a piece of MDF, $5 for screws and hardware. Probably 4-5 hours total install time and I have what is definitely the best sub I've ever heard. We do have a hi-end shop in town and I've demoed subs up to $5k and thought my old sub was cleaner and sounded better. The IB blows them away by far.

Anyone near the Gurnee, IL area that wants a demo to help you make the decision just let me know........

[cjd]

bah... TWO IB's in Gurnee...

What ever are we gonna do!

(mine is just two Dayton 15" IB subs...)

Do run a frequency check. If you still have the sonosub together, run the same check on that.

Room placement and loading differences could have made the old sub peaky or the new sub have some nulls or some combination. The IB will also roll off faster without some EQ to bring the bottom end up.

Also, most rooms have specific resonant frequencies for certain parts - my room rattles apart at 22Hz but 20Hz isn't as bad. So, if you don't have it, a Behringer Feedback Destroyer for its EQ potential and perhaps no subsonic filter will do the trick.

C

[ThomasW]

Another satisfied customer ..... ;D

You can get the "punch" with a bit of EQ. So grab a BFD....

[mlstrass]

Thanks for the responses guys. How will the BFD help with the missing punch? The amp has an adjustable boost: 0-6dB and 20-50Hz. Could I try this as a temporary fix just to see if it helps? I know I'll need to run some test tone sweeps first.

My sonosub was corner loaded also and did hit a peak of 127dB at 31.5Hz, so it was no slouch. That was at 1 meter.

Other problem is now even my 10" Bazooka in the car sounds muddy. Man these IB's can ruin a guy...

[ThomasW]

The stock EQ is worth a try see what happens with 3+ dB at 40Hz

[jgsabato]

Thanks for the review, It is nice to see a comparison. I have 2 Tempests in a sealed, low Q enclosure and am thinking about an IB in my new home.

With about 7000 cu ft to fill, I would have to use at least 4 Tempests, providing I could find 2 more of the older versions.

The Dayton DVC's have similar TS parameters, and could possibly be a match; I know mixing drivers is generally not recommended.

How big is your room? Just like to get a feel to get a relative comparison.

[ThomasW]

Drivers as simliar was the original Tempest and the PE DVC-15" will mix fine.

[mlstrass]

room is around 3000+ sq ft.

I did the bass boost the other day before seeing Thomas' post, did 3dB at around 35Hz and it made a big difference in the impact and output. Punch is much closer to the ported sub, but still so much cleaner and detailed which I now prefer

[jgsabato]

Thanks for the responses.

The PE DVC is still inexpensive, and with the Parts Express store about 25 miles from home, getting them is no problem. Much easier than finding the older series Tempests to match.

I have about 2X the volume to fill, but I have no fantasy about being able to "pressurize" this room. If I can get the same output as the current sub but with more detail, I will be satisfied.

[mlstrass]

I think you'll love the IB. I can't wait to hear mine everyday ;D

[zekeman]

There's about to be a third in Gurnee, IL...I wish I would have read this earlier so I could have demo'd.

(I'm located near Washington and Almond...)

[mlstrass]

zekeman,

What you building?? I know right where you're located, about 15 mintues away from me. Good luck...Mike

[cjd]

And I'm pretty much Washington and 45 (though not quite since that's all wetland right at the corner).

I probably walk by your house when we go on our longer walks!

Want some nifty really big 3-way towers? ;D Though every day I listen to them is that much harder to think about seeing them go. If you need any other speakers done though... got a pile of projects I want to do and simply can not do them all for myself.

C

[lhreeves]

Why do I sense reports of an earthquake in IL soon?