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Subwoofer Using Watkins 12" Woofers

B

bocoogto

Infinity/AR Fan
Has anyone tried or heard of a home-built subwoofer using one or more Watkins woofers? It seems that if you copied the capacitor/inductor values of the Quantum systems, multiple 12" woofers in the proper cabinet volume would work very well. Naturally, it would have to be acoustic suspension. Utilization of the dual voice coils as Watkins intended would be necessary, also for the low end extension. Individual amps would be mandatory for each woofer, as I don't think many would survive two of these babies in parallel.

I don't know what the resonant freqency of the Watkins woofer is, but it must be in the 20 Hz. range, judging from the looseness of the suspension. Wouldn't that result in a -3 db. cutoff of well into the teens? Like maybe 15 Hz.?
 
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bocoogto,
No I have not, however, that would be an interesting project no doubt. Hmmm, let us know as to how you are progressing with this. Most interesting.

Vito
 
I suppose I could ask Mr. Watkins, but what would be an ideal cabinet volume for two 12" Watkins woofers? That's the configuration that I would be interested in trying. I have an old pair of cabinets from a home-brew speaker system measuring 24" wide X 36" high X 15" deep. They are hefty enough to be used as sealed boxes with the Infinity woofers.
 
bocoogto,

I am too ignorant to make a suggestion, however, I would assume that the Watkins would require a similar cabinet size as any bass driver. I would slide over to the DIY forum and ask there. I peruse that forum often and have noticed that the folks over there always have contributions. I asked a question once over there about bass drivers and received quick information.

Please keep us in the Infinity forum informed, if you would, as this could end up being a great project.

Vito
 
Here are the measurments I recorded using the 4 ohm voice coil only.
Hard to tell from the graph but the highest impedance was around 19hz
No crossover just straigh signal from amp. Woofer was also in open air and not in the cabinet.

Banff
 

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I guessed pretty close!! Resonance at 19 Hz. Inside a cabinet, depending on size, it will be higher than that, but this makes the Watkins woofer a good candidated for a standalone subwoofer. At least it sounds that way to me.
 
I had a pair of Pioneer Watkins-style woofers here, 12" units from the Pioneer line, I believe, the DSS models. Dual voice coils, ect. Basically a Watkins clone.

Plan was to build a sub box for 'em, and use them as you describe. The guy I got them off, a friend of mine, was sure they'd make a fabulous sub.

My concern was the loss of my storage area, me being in a wheelchair (gets unruly at times), and the fragile cones of the Pioneer DSS woofers (graphite). I was concerned they would get damaged before I had the chance to do this, so I "loaned" 'em out to a fellow with the Pioneer speakers mentioned.

I don't think I'll be building that sub, but the consensus among me, the previous owner, the new owner, and the fella who was going to help me build the box is that the Watkins or Watkins clone woofer would do a mighty fine job.
 
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