SUB12 Out Now
Imagine the powerful, precise bass, the clarity of horn-loaded compression drivers, and the immersive sound of a well-designed commercial theater—all in the comfort of your own home.
The Challenge
A few years ago, we set out to design a family of high-performance DIY speakers specifically for home theater use. Many existing designs came with compromises: enclosures that were too deep for baffle-wall installations, limited low-frequency output, or reliance on horn tweeters instead of true compression drivers. Very few options were modular enough to scale across different room sizes while maintaining consistent voicing and performance.
After developing the SUR08, it became clear that for smaller rooms, the SUR08 was more than capable of handling LCR duties. What was missing was a subwoofer that matched its compact footprint and installation flexibility while still delivering the performance expected from a dedicated home theater system. We wanted to offer a solution for users with tighter space constraints, without forcing them into compromises elsewhere.
The Solution
The SUB12 was created to expand the Series 8 lineup with a compact, high-performance sealed subwoofer designed to pair seamlessly with the SUR08 when used as LCRs in shallow baffle-wall systems. With an enclosure depth of just 22 cm and an internal volume of 26 L, the SUB12 delivers strong low-frequency output from a very small footprint. Two driver options are available, each optimized for clean, controlled bass performance, allowing usable extension down to 30 Hz or lower.
Built around a single optimized sealed enclosure, the SHC SUB12 balances size, performance, and installation flexibility. Its compact form makes placement easy behind an acoustically transparent screen or below the screen, and its shallow depth allows a complete Series 8 system to fit behind screens as small as 100″. Construction follows the same straightforward, DIY-friendly approach used in the SUB15, scaled to match the SUR08 for consistent system integration.
Because we couldn’t offer fully finished speakers from the start, our goal was to make high-performance cinema sound accessible through a simple, well-documented build process. The SUB12 guide is designed for both first-time builders and experienced DIYers, providing the tools and insight needed to build a powerful, adaptable subwoofer that fits your space, budget, and vision for a true home cinema experience. We’re proud of the results and hope you enjoy building and listening to the SUB12 as much as we enjoyed designing.
Comprehensive Subwoofer Speaker Building Guide
- 45+ pages of design, prep and assembly withclear pictures to show you what to do.
- You can build a speaker even if you have never attempted to do so before.
Build Your Own Baffle Walll
- Minimize sound reflections and interference, improving clarity in the lower midrange and upper bass for a more accurate audio experience.
- Improve the phase/ time domain response of your front sound stage.
Simple Box Design!
- Single compact sealed enclosure designed to integrate seamlessly with the Series 8 line
- Straightforward, easy-build construction approach as the SUB15
2 Driver Options Included!
- Dayton Audio UM12-22 12″ Driver
- Higher SPL capability
- Stereo Integrity SQL12 12″ Driver
- More infrasonic output
See the difference in the Spec section below
Fully Dimensional Drawing Package Included
- Full Dimensioned Drawings for Cutting the MDF panels Manually
- DXF Files for CNC cutting included for both 18mm and 19mm (.75″) material
$29.99 $75.99
SHC SUB12 DIY Home Cinema Speaker Guide
Bring the Magic of Commercial Cinema Home!
Comprehensive Guide for building the SUB12
SUR08 Guide Sold Separately.
- SUB12 Dayton Audio UM12-22 :
- Size (WxDxH):
- 54 cm x 24 cm x 43 cm
- Recommended Power:
- 800W RMS @ 4ohms (1600W Max)
- Sensivity: 88 dB@2.83V/1m
- Frequency Response (+/- 3dB)
- Nearfield: 46 Hz* to 300 Hz
- *See below table for actual in-room values!!!
- Nearfield: 46 Hz* to 300 Hz
- Size (WxDxH):
- SUB12 Stereo Intergrity SQL12 Series 2 :
- Size (WxDxH):
- 54 cm x 24 cm x 43 cm
- Recommended Power:
- 1000W RMS @ 4ohms (2400W Max)
- Sensivity: 83 dB@2.83V/1m
- Frequency Response (+/- 3dB)
- Nearfield: 47 Hz* to 300 Hz ( 50L, Dual Driver 102L)
- *See below table for actual in-room values!!!
- Nearfield: 47 Hz* to 300 Hz ( 50L, Dual Driver 102L)
- Size (WxDxH):
- Cost of Build: 1 SUB12 would cost around USD 600–900 to build (USD 1200-1800 altogether for two subs)
- MUST BE USED WITH ROOM EQ – Since bass is highly influenced by the acoustic characteristics of the room, it is highly recommended that all subwoofers are calibrated using some form of DSP before use.
A Note a Response Data Below: Many manufacturers boost their subwoofer specs by providing in-room response data under unspecified conditions or using heavy DSP out of the box. While this can make performance look better on paper, it often compromises aspects like max SPL or group delay. At SHC, we believe in giving you control. We avoid shaping the response all the way down to 20 or 25 Hz, so you can choose between more bass extension or higher SPL for your room. We provide estimated room gain for typical 5m, 6m, and 7m rooms.
SUB12 SQL 12 vs Dayton Driver
SUB12 With The Dayton Driver
SUB12 With The SQL12 Driver
Note: SPL measured at -30dB using the LFE channel from 3.5m away with 2 subs in the baffle wall. This graph does not show Max SPL; refer to the guide for that information.
Estimated in Room Bass Extension
What’s In the Book?
- Complete CNC and Manual Drawings for cutting the MDF panels: you can either have the speakers “printed” by a CNC shop or create them manually with the tools you have at home.
- Guide on how to create a full baffle wall with matching LCRs (SUR08) and 12″ subs (Guide sold separately)
- Complete list of materials and tools required to create the speakers
- Step by step guide on how to cut, assemble and connect the speakers up
- Detailed discussion on design principles and performance characteristics of the speaker including power requirements and expected behavior at listening distances from 3m to 7m.
- SUB15:
- Woofer: Dayton Audio UM12-22 Or Stereo Intergrity SQL12 Series 2
- Recommend Amplifier: Amplifier: Behringer NX6000D or spec equivalent: Note: If you do not have an external DSP (to apply the recommended EQ filters) it is recommended that you get amp with one built in.
- CNC machine (for CNC plans) OR Sliding Mitre Saw OR Table Saw (For manual plan)
- MDF, wood glue, screws, and finishing materials
- Complete list is in the guide
Guaranteed Results – Or Your Money Back!
We are so certain of the benefits our guides bring that we offer a full money back guarantee. Please contact us within 30 days of purchase to start the refund process. No questions asked.
How To Get Support With Your Purchase?
Please note that we are here to help, should you run into any trouble with your purchase. We will locate your purchase and resolve any issue as soon as we can.
Please use the contact form on our contact page to get in touch. Our response times are below for your reference:
- Payment and delivery-related issues: 4hrs within business hours (Mon – Fri 9am to 6pm – AEST Time Zone), 24hrs outside of business hours
- Guide questions: 48hrs within business hours (Mon – Fri 9am to 6pm – AEST Time Zone), 3 days outside of business hours
If you have any questions on the checkout or delivery process, please refer to this page.
Thank you for your business!
Lost Your Copy?
If you have lost your copy for whatever reason, please email us with the email you purchased the manual with and we will send you a new copy.
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