line array cabinets are finished

[chipco3434]

So, how is it sounding?

Well, I embarrassed to say, I think they sound fantastic. I know they are way, way, too bright, but the sound is fantastic. I have truly heard things I have never heard before. I have only previewed a few selections to date. One is Sony's Digital Masterpiece CD (with some classical favorites), some Beatles, The Band. It's real impressive sound. Let me put it this way. Thrity five years ago I walked into a high end stereo store. They had a Marantz/ Bose setup in "Quadraphonic" playing Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001 overature). Well, if that didn't kick your ***, then you were already dead. That's what this is like...the feeling at least. An eye opener. A new day and a different experience. Lastly, I am virtually certain that one of the key contributing factors is the sound is NOT ON THE FLOOR.

As for the brightness, I am pretty much doubled up on the drivers from 5100 on up to the top. There is NO crossover, just high pass caps. I am still undecided about what to do on the crossover. I understand the circuits, but I am unsure of the outcome. From an economic standpoint, it doesn't make any sense to drop 40 bucks in caps & coils for a hundred dollar speaker. And that's if you get it right the first time! Why not spend the two hundred and make a very nice active kit (that will be around for the HORN PROJECT!!).

Maybe I have a tin ear, but the issue of combing/interference/baffle step compensation I'll have to leave up to somebody else (an audiophile) to descern.

They are also pretty nice to drive at very high volumes. I'm running a Adcom 2535 (60-90 @ 4-8 ohms) into these arrays. (I didn't want to smoke the 5500 on a test flight) Let's just say that the CD starts skipping when the 2535 is cranked up.

My advice to the moderately interested... build this project!

 

[navin]

As for the brightness, I am pretty much doubled up on the drivers from 5100 on up to the top.....
Maybe I have a tin ear, but the issue of combing/interference/baffle step compensation I'll have to leave up to somebody else (an audiophile) to descern

do you hear a recessed treble. theotriccally assumeing a c-c of 25mm you should be ok till 14k or so. in fact serious cancelations might occur only outside the audible spectrum.

can you post the c-c distance of the tweeters?

 

[chipco3434]

can you post the c-c distance of the tweeters?

~2.275"

 

[eStatic]

Cool! Congratulations!

 

[navin]

2" about 50mm so you should experience interference / cancelation about 7k or so. definitely by 14k. but theory is only so good. practice is what we are looking at.

 

[thylantyr]

If you haven't done so, add an equalizer to your system, more
bands the better

Feel free to tweak until you hit sonic happiness.

 

[BAM]

I think that once we come up with a notch filter thing for the NSBs and then mate them with a Dayton planar tweeter, then you'll have even better sound. The recessed mounting of the tweeters is probably causing some peaking in the highs as a column of air is formed inside the hole cutout. With the Dayton planar tweeter, there will be no such phenomenon.

 

[usekgb]

One thing I was meaning to ask is, what is the volume of the cabinet you mounted the 4" drivers in? When I modeled a cabinet for 20 drivers, it ended up pretty big. Also, is you cabinet sealed or ported?

Thanks,
Zach

 

[chipco3434]

what is the volume of the cabinet you mounted the 4" drivers in? When I modeled a cabinet for 20 drivers, it ended up pretty big. Also, is you cabinet sealed or ported?

It's an open baffle design. I have no particular reason for that construction method, I stole the idea.

 

[chipco3434]

open baffle

Not pretty, but no cold joints...

 

[navin]

which speakers were u using before u made this line array. how does the imaging compare. i am also interested in line arrays but being in India (high duties and import hassles) we have to be a bit sure about what we are doing before we order drivers.

 

[chipco3434]

how does the imaging compare.

The speakers next to the project are a set of JBL's and a set of Klipsch.

My listening preference is to be overwhelmed by the sound. These hit hard in the midbass reqion. So, I like that. The only problem with India is the shipping to get these there.

 

[Bricolo]

chipco, what's the size of the corners?

 

[chipco3434]

chipco, what's the size of the corners?

The corner stiles (échalier??) are 3/4" x 1-1/2" ~ 19mm x 38mm. The side supports taper from 3" to 9" in 80".

 

[JeffN]

4x4x42 line array

Here's my attempt (actually its the second attempt) at a line array. The first one stunk. This one's a little better, but needs some help in the high end.

4x4x42 line array construction pics

Probably the cheapest line project you'll ever see.

 

[chipco3434]

Does it sound like a $25 speaker???? I bet not. These things really hammer don't they?

 

[Stephen D]

Re: 4x4x42 line array

Here's my attempt (actually its the second attempt) at a line array. The first one stunk. This one's a little better, but needs some help in the high end.

4x4x42 line array construction pics

Probably the cheapest line project you'll ever see.

Hehe.. small world. A couple months ago I was scoping those
sleeves out at Home Depot & thinking of doing the same thing.