Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Structural Damage

I am running a SVS PB2plus . Being that the setup has recently just been installed, I find myself giving demos regularily. Friends and family keep bringing people over. I can not resist the urge to display the full capability of the system. This usually involves a showing of the first part of matrix reloaded (for example) when the ship is moving down the sewers and "docks" to the side. I watch as people rotate their heads and fight the urge to rotate their bodies as the ship turns. When it docks most viewers immediately respond, "Holy [censored]!". This includes my quite religous mother. The output of the sub gives the sensation of moving the room. During scenes of Jurassic Park, You expect the dinasaur's foot to come through the ceiling any second. It's not because you hear and see the dinasaur coming, it's because you feel the ground moving as it steps. Now during demo's volume is of coarse higher than normal movie watching. The output of the sub is tremendous.

This may be quite stupid question, but is it possible to damage your home. My wife seems to think I am going to cause cracks in the drywall. I have, of coarse, told her otherwise, but I am not really sure I am right. I am definately sure the explanation I gave her is totally bogus cause I made it up. So just in case, what do you think.

now this is truly a hilarious question!!! i couldnt help but laugh.. i have no idea, as far as an answer.. but it will be fun to see what kind of responses you get.

i can tell you this, i got my 350lb body stretched out over the support beams in my attic, so i would say, in general, that your ceiling WILL NOT collapse.. as for the drywall, i havent a clue.

i think i need to get one of those SVS subs.. mine has good bass, at least i think so.. but i have no fear of damaging my home with it.. HHHMMM, i have upgradeitis!!

bigjohn

Sturcural damage? I highly doubt it unless something is on the verge of giving way already. Drywall and the wood faming behind it are pretty tolerant of vibration. The majority of homes in California use these materials and they are able to easily absorb moderate earthquakes with no damage. Earthquakes definitely stress a home's structure more than any sub could aspire to.

Just make sure your pictures are hung securely and you don't have any fragile objects sitting on shelves in the same room as the sub (or on any adjoining walls) and you'll be fine.

If your house was built by Kaufman & Broad (KB Home) you should probably turn it down.

I figured it was a stupid question, but if I would have cracked the walls, I would have never heard the end of it from my wife. I am relatively sure it will crack a window eventually but thats no biggie. If I am safe to play I want to see if I can cause ripples in my inground pool outside. There is alot of volume that has not been explored. Any soundtrack recomendations for this attempt?

maybe burn a cd with some repeated LFE percussion on it.

Whatcha Need by Bootsauce
Far Too Frail by Skinny Puppy
Dead Souls by Nine Inch Nails

Can test out the low end without looking like an O.G. to the neighbours.

Bren R.

So if you found some authority that structural damage could result, what would you do? Move? Turn the volume down? Neither of those is really acceptable, right?

I think you should continue with the bogus, made-up stories. In fact, I think you should tell your wife that after further investigation, you have learned that sonic vibration is actually GOOD for your house, because:

1. the vibrations equalize stress among the structural elements;
2. the sound waves drive off termites and other destructive pests, preventing dry rot;
3. dust that might otherwise cling to walls falls off, keeping your paint fresh;
4. sedimentary deposits won't form in your water pipes;
5. anything else you can dream up.

LOL. That's awesome. Don't foget about:

The vibrations will cause the house to settle into its foundation better.

And just think... if you play some annoying dance stuff for an extended period of time at high volumes - you get to meet so many interesting people...

Constable Bill and Officer Mike, a lynch mob of your neighbours wearing earplugs...

Bren R.