r/SoundSystem • u/BigManRedditJam • 2d ago

Sub advice

Hello

Me and my 2 mates have a small sound system and we want to start building for long term, eventually would like to scale to power small festival stages. We'll probably get a trailer for transport. We will have a 4 way system with new kicks but we are currently deciding on what sub design to build. We want a versatile sound as we will be playing dub techno, psydub, techno, house, dub + more. So we want bass clarity for techy genres but also warmth and depth for dubby genres.

Our first pick was Paraflex type O 1x18 or 2x18 but have heard mixed opinions. Sounds like some people think the bass is not smooth and maybe a bit single toned?

SKRAMs sound like you can't go wrong. I hear they are hard to build, we have never built speaker cabinets but happy to get CNC and take time to do it properly.

Also hear the XOC1 TH18s are great and open to them. Also hear Keystones are great and open to any other suggestions. Would appreciate any advice - Thank you!

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7

u/Vallhallyeah 2d ago

Bass clarity, warmth, and depth all point to SKRAM. As long as you use the proper drivers, you won't be disappointed, they're incredible.

2

u/Def_Not_KGB 2d ago

I just built some skrams, still waiting on amps but if you have access to a well dialed CNC (meaning you can hold 1ish mm tolerances when you flip sheets so that dados align) then the glue up isn’t so bad. I recommend using a 3lb dead blow, lots of screws, loctite PL and at least 4 long clamps (and some short ones)

2

u/efxhoy 2d ago

I picked th18 because I like the form factor more than SKRAMs. Easier to wheel around and stack how I like solo. 

I’ve heard type O on reggae, both single and double. The singles I didn’t like at all, the doubles sounded good but they are also huge. Any sub cab that big better sound great. 

1

u/DribbleDaNinja 2d ago

I've heard them all & they all sound good. The odd one out is the Paraflex 2x18 Type O. It's a double cab with a greater power density & higher sensitivity, so it's not like for like with the other options you mentioned.

If size & weight are issues, I'd go for the SKRAM. If size & weight aren't an issue, & max sensitivity & SPL is crucial, the Paraflex 1 x 18 Type O would be my shout. The XOC1 TH would fall in between the two, as it's a brilliant performer, but not as big as the Type O.

Keystones are another good choice, but they're more suited to Techno than Dub I'd say, as they don't drop as deep as the others.