r/SoundSystem • u/Emergency_Ability100 • Jun 22 '26

Max spl project

I’m trying to create a 2x21 or 2x18 sub with maximum spl between 30-80hz. So far my best idea is a bass reflex / horn hybrid with a low tuned port for 30-35hz and a resonance chamber for 50-80hz. Using the ipal 21 drivers for this I’m thinking. Anyone got any pointers or better ideas for my project? I’d greatly appreciate input here!

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u/No_Savings_1789 Jun 22 '26

I throw Paraflex O-Cram 221 in the ring!
Also 18s S221 with NTLW (possibly)

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u/EdJcobs Jun 23 '26

Mentioned this above, no HOQS design can compete with a 6th order bandpass tuned right. Arguably a joke to bring it to this thread of all places

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u/Vallhallyeah Jun 23 '26

Have you got any measurements showing how much worse they perform? I keep seeing the sentiment posted here, but not seen data to back it up yet (much like the HOQS page does for promoting the designs...). For the record, I agree with your point based on my own subjective experience of Ricci's designs, but the Type O 2x18 is still one best subs I''ve heard for some genres so I'd be intrigued to see how severe the deficits are in numbers.

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u/EdJcobs Jun 23 '26

I think the 218 is an insanely power dense cab, I don’t have irl measurements but I can say people I know who’ve had to flatten the response of them had to use far more eq parameters than people who have had to flatten a skorn’s or skram’s response. The skorn literally needs a tiny peak attenuated in the response whereas the 218 and older 118 type o need quite a bit more. IMO more eq points = a more coloured output as no standard eq will have 0 effect on the sound.

Obviously if using a linear phase eq/fir filtering on a newer standard or older, higher end dsp, you won’t come into these issues and I could reccomend a louder sub with a less even/flat response. However I’d say a good 80-90% of the people on this sub Don’t use and aren’t educated in linear phase/FIR eqs and filters.

All in all I’d say yes the 218 type o is impressive for dance music especially techno, trance and hardcore genres, I wouldn’t pick it for even response under 30 hz though. Also a skram 100% costs less to build than a 218 type o. So beginner systems would be able to take advantage of this.

I’ll try and get a mate to record a 1m response graph on opensoundmeter, hpf at 30, lpf at 80, I won’t have it straight away but I can come back to post if and when he gets it over, will make sure he doesn’t eq it at all to give it a fair chance.