I am usually not a big fun of somebody refer to eBay Items and I myself do it very seldom. Still, here I am as I think it is an interesting deal for someone. There is a guy out there that is damping a few of Aura RS-8.1 bass modules.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/310366786386?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.goodsoundclub.com/pdf/AuraSub_1808.pdf

They are Aura 1808 drivers in already built-in, accurate and nice looking enclosures. The price I think is reasonable for the pair of the boxes and since they are in crates then it will be assurance that they will be delivered in pristine shape. The guy will ship, I spoke with him. Use tracking freight service and ship on pallets if you go for it.

What I find is interesting in that that for $1.5K somebody will have right out of shelf, ready to go ULF channels with very good drivers. Do not think that you will be able to run them to 100Hz. Well, sure you will be able to but if you like THAT sound then you is a deaf Moron. This configuration is not for bass generally but for sub 30Hz bass. Also, they are ported, so do not do fantasize about midbass from those woofers.

If you have 40Hz-60Hz horn then you might play with Aura RS-8.1 bass modules and it is possible that it will do very well, crossing them at let say 30-35Hz and to have pain-free and none expensive implementation. I do not know how good the boxes constructed, I do not know if the ports are re-tunable, in fact I do not know anything about them but frankly if I had space for them than I would try them myself. All investment that needs to be done is to replacement the red front grill with black fabric and it is under $10. I do not want to use this configuration in my room – 22” wide it too wide for me, otherwise I would bite it.

Anyhow, whoever is interested – it is all your. Since the guy has a lot of them he might be flexible in price and if you can pick them up than I am sure he will be more accommodating. If you get them then post how you employ them and how they sound.

Paul S wrote:

In the Christmas Spirit, a couple of notes in passing: 1) These units might need a LOT of power to make ULF in those cases... B) "Conventions in Vegas" re: pro speakers = "Little  Old Lady From Pasadena" re: used cars.

noviygera wrote:

I thought I'd let you know that I ordered four of those Aura subs. Thanks for the advice, if I receive them (I hope so), I will install them into my new listening room. This will take a while because I still have a few months away from completing the construction and moving in, but as soon as this happens I will post my findings. My expectations are not set too high, as I was initially planning on building vertical arrays with eight 12" vifa NE bass drivers per side but the ready made Aura solution seemed more practical. We'll see...

Yep, it is interesting how you find them. I need to warn you however, that most frequently people who follow my advise in audio do end up with disappointments as they foolishly feel that following somebody’s path eliminates a need for them to spend own efforts. Anyhow, for all intended purposes I think you got a very good deal.  I pay for my Auras $500-$700 each and it was 10 years back. You got your for $1400, including the boxes and shipping crates – not bad at all. In addition it is my observation that the drivers installed in enclosure are generally in better shape then those that lived non-mounted.

When you get the speaker you would wan to rotate then 180 degree and to break them in a little. Put the speaker face to face, let say 3-4 inch apart, wire then in opposite phase, and driver write noise through then for a few days. Do not overcook them and do not get too loud, user moderate volume. This will softer the suspension for 5-15Hz.

You will need to fine a right power amp to drive them. The power amp type that I use for my ULF I would not user for your Auras, particularly if you have more or less large room at LF. You would need a high current amp able to deal with reverse current and with impedance dive that will coming from that very strong motor when the cabinet port hit its resonance. Also, please, do acknowledge my experience about the crossover – it is very important.  If you remember I did not like at all the harmonics of my bass when I went line level with my SS driving my ULF. I did like the result and it is what I use now when I put a tube crossover into the game. So, the conclusion that I made for a long time ago is that SS can’t drive bass – it has shape but it has no taste or smell. In my case I used the 2-tubes 12AX7 crossover to override with own distortions the tonal impotence of my SS bass amp. The best would be of cause to has a good tube DSET with ultra low output impedance to drive your Auras but good lack to find 250-400W DSET.

Do not even attempt to use them over 35-40Hz. They will work but they will sound not good. Those drivers are 30Hz solution with sharp filter and it is where they need to be used. You might experiment with closing the port.  Aura must be used in sealed box and the ported solution is not good no matter what. For the sealed box you will need 12 cub feet and up. I heard contradictory comments about it and I do not have my own opinion about it. If I did it I would go with 18-20 cub feet but do not hold me labile.

Romy the Cat wrote:

fiogf49gjkf0dI am observing an interesting and surprising fact – I am begging to like my active Marchand crossover. I did a number of modifications to it and it looks like the parts are broken-in now – it does sound very pleasant for my ULF. I feel it is a bit too soft then I would like to have in my final version and I will go for line-level passive what my second B2 will be fixed but this slightly tweaked Marchand today showed off some spectacular result.   I had today a VERY interesting Erotica’s funeral march, played with so much complexity that I thought that Marchand will lose it. To my surprise the Marchand show off very extravagant ULF sound. The slight of softness of Marchand tubes combined with very idiosyncratic bass of old Brunswick orchestra made some spectacular sounds, truly addictive… Who knows, if to spend some attention to this active crossover, perhaps to put better tubes in then it might be a nice devise to use all time. The way how delicate it opens notes is still in my head…. The Cat