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Compact 12 inch bass

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KWB75 View Drop Down
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    Posted: 10 August 2025 at 9:16pm
Looking to build a compact 12 inch bass/sub for house parties, is the BMS 12 still the king of compact reflex builds?

Not looking for massive spl, just something solid at 40ish hz and more importantly - a box I can tuck away into a corner.

Thanks!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FOO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 August 2025 at 9:37pm
https://www.lean-business.co.uk/SPEAKER_PLANS/CIARE%2012SW%20Bass%20Reflex.pdf

This should fit your bill. It's a good sounding driver. Maybe not as good as BMS, but still good.


Edited by FOO - 10 August 2025 at 9:37pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KWB75 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 August 2025 at 9:50pm
Thanks, forgot about that plan.

I don’t have a massive amount of amp power on hand (500w @4ohm) so won’t really do the big boy drivers justice, in small boxes they need a lot of power…

Still tempted by the Tony Wilkes Q12 with BMS, it’s so compact Clap


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fudge22 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 August 2025 at 12:00pm
Quote Still tempted by the Tony Wilkes Q12 with BMS, it’s so compact



If you can get the search function to work, the thread discussing the origins of the Q12 here on the forum. If I remember correctly the suggestion for the BMS driver was a 40 ltr cabinet tuned to 42Hz.

The above plans for the Ciare cabinet are 40 ltr tuned to 37Hz.

Both the Ciare and BMS drivers will perform similarly in either of the cabinets. I would suggest 40 ltrs at 40Hz, simply because the tuning is not that critical, and the measured tuning will be in the 38 – 42Hz range which is good enough.

I have a friend who has used both these drivers in such a cabinet. He says that in in use they are difficult to distinguish, and suggests going with whichever drive unit is either cheaper or more readily available. As a lighter option, the faital Pro 12RS1066 will also work in the same design.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote levyte357- Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 August 2025 at 5:46pm
Originally posted by KWB75 KWB75 wrote:

Looking to build a compact 12 inch bass/sub for house parties, is the BMS 12 still the king of compact reflex builds?

Think I'd be leaving a house party early, if the sub was provided by a single 12" reflex.. 




Edited by levyte357- - 16 August 2025 at 5:50pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SamV Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 August 2025 at 9:21am
I'm a big fan of the Q12s. Make for a great house party rig.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Teadub Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 August 2025 at 2:27pm
Pretty sure the q12 called for a big boost at tuning frequency, if you've got limited amp power available that may be an issue. I built a small reflex 12 with a beyma 12lx60v2 in it which is great for small house parties and the like. The size ended up being based on what ply I had leftover, I think it's around 45l internal. Just had a play on hornresp and ended up tuned to 40hz and it sounds sweet.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote levyte357- Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 August 2025 at 4:42pm
For me the, absolute minimum single cabinet solution for a house party, would be something similar to a B&C 1x18, loaded with PD186 (Mk1), or better.

This cab works with so many 18" drivers unmodified, but guess would be even better with full 200L internal chamber.




Edited by levyte357- - 25 August 2025 at 4:42pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FOO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 August 2025 at 6:09pm
Originally posted by levyte357- levyte357- wrote:

For me the, absolute minimum single cabinet solution for a house party, would be something similar to a B&C 1x18, loaded with PD186 (Mk1), or better.

This cab works with so many 18" drivers unmodified, but guess would be even better with full 200L internal chamber.



But it's not all of us who wants to shoot birds with Cruise missiles.


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KWB75 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KWB75 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 August 2025 at 7:14pm
Yeah, i guess we all different views on what constitutes a house party - my needs are more for background music at a decent level that can be turned up if we fancy a dance.

Speakers are always indoors, so with some corner loading a 12 inch bass will definitely do the job.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lucasdude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 August 2025 at 8:09pm
Originally posted by KWB75 KWB75 wrote:

Yeah, i guess we all different views on what constitutes a house party - my needs are more for background music at a decent level that can be turned up if we fancy a dance.

Speakers are always indoors, so with some corner loading a 12 inch bass will definitely do the job.


I've done a house party with a single 15" reflex and bridged 1k amp behind it. It was a Klipsch KI-115, which used something made by Eminence. Probably similar to a Kappa Pro 15LF, but it had a bigger magnet. It was rated at 400w RMS and it had all the bass the house needed!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote levyte357- Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 August 2025 at 8:35pm
Originally posted by FOO FOO wrote:

But it's not all of us who wants to shoot birds with Cruise missiles.


Also birds..Wink

Some of us "older" Reggae dudes, had pair of Realistic Mach IIs, ADC Soundshaper Eq's, and Technic Class A Amps in our bedrooms as teenagers, rattling the letterbox on the Front door, from our back bedrooms.

So the thought of a house party, with sub provided by 1x12" cab, is simply unthinkable.
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