Notices
Scion xB 2nd-Gen ICE & Interior In-car entertainment and electronics...

pros and cons of a downfiring sub?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-16-2009, 04:51 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Dark12h8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Massachussets
Posts: 10
Default pros and cons of a downfiring sub?

I am thinking of building a custom box with downfiring subs. Has anyone heard of it damaging the subs, due to heat or anything else.
Any info would be a huge help.
Dark12h8 is offline  
Old 04-16-2009, 01:41 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
iTrader: (3)
 
swartzautoman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Mid MO
Posts: 1,915
Default

when you say "downfiring"
do you mean inverted, like the sub on the outside of the box facing in?
swartzautoman is offline  
Old 04-16-2009, 01:46 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
Yo_Br0ski's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 542
Default

he means downfiring like the face of the sub is facing the ground
Yo_Br0ski is offline  
Old 04-16-2009, 02:09 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
iTrader: (1)
 
elwaylite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Theodore, AL
Posts: 1,113
Default

If its a sub thats designed for it, not as big a deal (home theater has many, and I have one). All will eventually sag, but the subs designed for it have that allowance for sag designed in.
elwaylite is offline  
Old 04-16-2009, 03:47 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
Scikotics
SL Member
 
Looney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dallas
Posts: 121
Default

Mine has fired down for years beating the hell out of my floor daily and still kicks

in the texas heat
Looney is offline  
Old 04-16-2009, 04:31 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
iTrader: (1)
 
elwaylite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Theodore, AL
Posts: 1,113
Default

I dont think you actually tear up the speaker, it just loses some performance as it sags more and has to work against gravity. I personally would not sweat it.
elwaylite is offline  
Old 04-17-2009, 07:34 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
nodsetse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Diego (Mira Mesa), CA
Posts: 2,338
Default

Originally Posted by elwaylite
If its a sub thats designed for it, not as big a deal (home theater has many, and I have one). All will eventually sag, but the subs designed for it have that allowance for sag designed in.
Well, sort of.

Subwoofer Qualification Formulae For Downfiring Configurations

We are often asked if a particular driver is suitable for using in a down-firing configuration. Below is a formula that takes into consideration the effects gravity will have on the "sag" of the cone structure of any woofer. You will need the Fs, Vas, Sd (surface area of the cone), and the Xmax to determine the relative long term usefulness of up or down-firing any woofer.

You can calculate the sag of a driver from:

Percentage of Sag = 24,849 / ( Xmax * Fs²)
where

- 24,849 is a constant value based on the relationship of acceleration due to gravity and Pi.
- Xmax is the maximum linear excursion of a loudspeaker voice coil while remaining within the magnetic flux field (mm).
- Fs is the free-air resonant frequency of the woofer (Hz).

The following is the same formula, including the relationship of acceleration and Pi in this case:

Percentage of Sag = 981,000 / (Xmax * (2 * Pi * Fs)²)
where

- 981,000 is acceleration due to gravity (mm/S²) * 100 (for the percentage).
- Xmax is the maximum linear excursion of a loudspeaker voice coil while remaining within the magnetic flux field (mm). - Fs is the free-air resonant frequency of the woofer (Hz)
- Pi is the ratio of a circle's circumference and diameter, usually rounded to 3.14.

As a general rule of thumb, any time the sag exceeds 5% of the driver's Xmax, it's not recommended for a down-firing subwoofer application.
URL to source: http://www.parts-express.com/resourc...nt-up-down.cfm

HTH!
nodsetse is offline  
Old 04-17-2009, 09:16 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
iTrader: (1)
 
elwaylite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Theodore, AL
Posts: 1,113
Default

Nice read.
elwaylite is offline  
Old 04-18-2009, 01:43 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
lvbitwiz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Vegas baby!
Posts: 1,066
Default

Originally Posted by nodsetse
Originally Posted by elwaylite
If its a sub thats designed for it, not as big a deal (home theater has many, and I have one). All will eventually sag, but the subs designed for it have that allowance for sag designed in.
Well, sort of.

Subwoofer Qualification Formulae For Downfiring Configurations

We are often asked if a particular driver is suitable for using in a down-firing configuration. Below is a formula that takes into consideration the effects gravity will have on the "sag" of the cone structure of any woofer. You will need the Fs, Vas, Sd (surface area of the cone), and the Xmax to determine the relative long term usefulness of up or down-firing any woofer.

You can calculate the sag of a driver from:

Percentage of Sag = 24,849 / ( Xmax * Fs²)
where

- 24,849 is a constant value based on the relationship of acceleration due to gravity and Pi.
- Xmax is the maximum linear excursion of a loudspeaker voice coil while remaining within the magnetic flux field (mm).
- Fs is the free-air resonant frequency of the woofer (Hz).

The following is the same formula, including the relationship of acceleration and Pi in this case:

Percentage of Sag = 981,000 / (Xmax * (2 * Pi * Fs)²)
where

- 981,000 is acceleration due to gravity (mm/S²) * 100 (for the percentage).
- Xmax is the maximum linear excursion of a loudspeaker voice coil while remaining within the magnetic flux field (mm). - Fs is the free-air resonant frequency of the woofer (Hz)
- Pi is the ratio of a circle's circumference and diameter, usually rounded to 3.14.

As a general rule of thumb, any time the sag exceeds 5% of the driver's Xmax, it's not recommended for a down-firing subwoofer application.
URL to source: http://www.parts-express.com/resourc...nt-up-down.cfm

HTH!
you know, after reading that I had this sudden urge to take a sawzall to my front bumper
lvbitwiz is offline  
Old 04-19-2009, 11:24 PM
  #10  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Dark12h8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Massachussets
Posts: 10
Default

wow now my brain hurts

I am going to be running a JLaudio 8w7 and a JLaudio 250x1 amp i am sure it will be fine.... then again it may take off


thanks to everyone who replied


Wish me luck.....
Dark12h8 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
carid
Exclusive Sponsored Sales
3
02-10-2019 10:46 PM
EVILDAVE
Introduction Forum
4
09-15-2015 06:54 AM
JymmyTheSaint
Scion tC 2G Owners Lounge
6
08-26-2015 03:44 PM
5N1PE5
Scion tC 2G Owners Lounge
4
08-03-2015 11:25 AM
StxArOne
Introduction Forum
3
07-13-2015 06:25 PM



Quick Reply: pros and cons of a downfiring sub?



All times are GMT. The time now is 07:19 AM.