I had originally asked this in the full range speaker area but as I tend to listen
to rock music I was informed that traditional speakers would suit me better
I've been away from any serious music for some time now so
now I'm building up a small system for my Den / Home office.
I purchased an 8 watt per channel tube amp kit. and now I'm looking for a
small set of speakers to fit an area (max) 10" wide, 15" tall and 15" deep.
I will be sitting approximately 3' to 4' away from the speakers as they will be on the
ends of a 7' long desk (monitors in the middle) and the speakers will be as ear level.
Note: Sadly my hearing had taken some abuse from working around
Naval aircraft in my youth. So now I tend to like a little crisper sound.
I still like some base as long as it's clear and not muddy.
I'm not opposed to building but I would much prefer a kit as over scratch building.
As for budget I will say $1000, but I would prefer to come in under that
but I realize that the speakers are a key part of my sound quality.
Suggestions?
Thank you
to rock music I was informed that traditional speakers would suit me better
I've been away from any serious music for some time now so
now I'm building up a small system for my Den / Home office.
I purchased an 8 watt per channel tube amp kit. and now I'm looking for a
small set of speakers to fit an area (max) 10" wide, 15" tall and 15" deep.
I will be sitting approximately 3' to 4' away from the speakers as they will be on the
ends of a 7' long desk (monitors in the middle) and the speakers will be as ear level.
Note: Sadly my hearing had taken some abuse from working around
Naval aircraft in my youth. So now I tend to like a little crisper sound.
I still like some base as long as it's clear and not muddy.
I'm not opposed to building but I would much prefer a kit as over scratch building.
As for budget I will say $1000, but I would prefer to come in under that
but I realize that the speakers are a key part of my sound quality.
Suggestions?
Thank you
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Maybe start somewhere near here...
Share proven or your small designs for PC/Bedroom - Techtalk Speaker Building, Audio, Video Discussion Forum
Though some of those designs use NLA drivers.
Share proven or your small designs for PC/Bedroom - Techtalk Speaker Building, Audio, Video Discussion Forum
Though some of those designs use NLA drivers.
Re:'my hearing had taken some abuse" - I find that a 3 way is easier to voice for those who have some hearing loss; however, there are very few small 3-way designs out there... (I've made one myself as a studio monitor, however it uses a Foster mid which is unobtainable)
something like a 6" Wavecor or SB woofer, a 4" SB wide range unit for the mids & a super tweeter (I used a piezo) should be suitable.
My are ~ 30 L each, maybe not 'small' in your world? the space you've mentioned is ~ 36L
something like a 6" Wavecor or SB woofer, a 4" SB wide range unit for the mids & a super tweeter (I used a piezo) should be suitable.
My are ~ 30 L each, maybe not 'small' in your world? the space you've mentioned is ~ 36L
Do you like the classic BBC monitor sounds ? If so the Bagby Continuum's may be a good choice.
The LM-1 I developed are designed to be flat on a desktop, or bookcase but not really a lot of bass.
https://speakermakersjourney.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-lm-1-bookshelf-version.html
The crossover page has instructions on using different tweeter resistors, so you can alter the treble balance significantly to suite yourself:
https://speakermakersjourney.blogspot.com/2016/05/lm-1-bookshelf-crossover.html
One advantage of the LM-1 is sensitivity is significantly higher than normal for a small two way. Makes them really nice for small desktop amps. I just paired them with an NAD D3020 though, and have found the bass boost setting helpful.
Best,
E
The LM-1 I developed are designed to be flat on a desktop, or bookcase but not really a lot of bass.
https://speakermakersjourney.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-lm-1-bookshelf-version.html
The crossover page has instructions on using different tweeter resistors, so you can alter the treble balance significantly to suite yourself:
https://speakermakersjourney.blogspot.com/2016/05/lm-1-bookshelf-crossover.html
One advantage of the LM-1 is sensitivity is significantly higher than normal for a small two way. Makes them really nice for small desktop amps. I just paired them with an NAD D3020 though, and have found the bass boost setting helpful.
Best,
E
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here's a kit with all parts and baffle to made a cabinet that's 14" tall
The Hitmaker - Speaker Kits DIY Sound Group
box adds another $20 per side .5 cu ft Flat Pack - Speaker Cabinets DIY Sound Group
The Hitmaker - Speaker Kits DIY Sound Group
box adds another $20 per side .5 cu ft Flat Pack - Speaker Cabinets DIY Sound Group
This would be my choice:
https://meniscusaudio.com/product/carrera-full-kit-pair/
However, I would delete the passive crossover and bi-amp it.
https://meniscusaudio.com/product/carrera-full-kit-pair/
However, I would delete the passive crossover and bi-amp it.
maybe not a kit but today programmable MiniDSP active XO and a cheap Class D amp for the bass drivers seems the easy way
not that I believe just slapping drivers in a box and EQing gets you near the top tier of audio but...
how about 4x stack of 3" FR drivers on the front powered by the tube amp
and 2x 8" woofers on opposite sides driven by, say, a $100 Lepai LP7498E 200W Class D Stereo Amplifier - box volume, alignment? - who cares, EQ the bass, use the Power
for the woodworking challenged lots of guys have Shopbots in their garage, will cut anything you have CAD file for - moving a mouse is a lot safer than pushing sheet through a table saw
not that I believe just slapping drivers in a box and EQing gets you near the top tier of audio but...
how about 4x stack of 3" FR drivers on the front powered by the tube amp
and 2x 8" woofers on opposite sides driven by, say, a $100 Lepai LP7498E 200W Class D Stereo Amplifier - box volume, alignment? - who cares, EQ the bass, use the Power
for the woodworking challenged lots of guys have Shopbots in their garage, will cut anything you have CAD file for - moving a mouse is a lot safer than pushing sheet through a table saw
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The 6" midbass drivers in these designs will reach in-room -F3 ~40Hz in a ported 0.6-0.7cuft volume.
Google Satori Kairos and Adelphos for "hi-praise" reviews.
Best Kit: Satori Adelphos kit from Meniscus full kit $715/pair, bare bones $689:
https://meniscusaudio.com/product/adelphos-pair/
https://meniscusaudio.com/product/adelphos-bare-bones-pair/
Google: Mandolin for Jeff Bagby write up.
Very Good Kit: SBAcoustics Mandolin from Meniscus full kit $330/pair
https://meniscusaudio.com/product/mandolin-kit-pair/
Very Good diy: Purchase separate SB Acoustics drivers from Madisound : $240/pair
Purchase crossover parts from Parts Express:
Crossover schematic from PartsExpress designers attached.
--------------
Smal'ish low Cost Cabinets to keep on budget even with great drivers.
$63/pair 0.5cuft Dayton Audio BR-1CAB BR-1 Cabinet pair with 6-1/2" 2-Way cut-outs. The cabinets are made of 5/8" MDF finished in a "black ash" vinyl laminate and include grills with black cloth, ports, and binding post terminal cups. Outside dimensions: 14-1/4" H x 8-5/8" W x 11" D.
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-br-1cab-br-1-6-1-2-2-way-speaker-cabinet-pair--300-645
--------
The cost of attractive finished cabinets can equal or surpass the cost of the main drivers!
You will need a router, drill, and hand tools to build these speakers.
-Good quality Black Gloss 0.75cuft cabinet to match your monitors = $148 = $300/pair
0.75cuft in black or wood Dimensions: 17" H x (10" Front, 4.5" Back) W x 14.5" D.
https://www.parts-express.com/dayto...y-curved-speaker-cabinet-gloss-black--302-731
0.5cuft in black or wood Dimensions: 14" H x (8.5" Front, 4.5" Back) W x 13" D. = $125 each
https://www.parts-express.com/dayto...y-curved-speaker-cabinet-gloss-black--302-721
Google Satori Kairos and Adelphos for "hi-praise" reviews.
Best Kit: Satori Adelphos kit from Meniscus full kit $715/pair, bare bones $689:
https://meniscusaudio.com/product/adelphos-pair/
https://meniscusaudio.com/product/adelphos-bare-bones-pair/
Google: Mandolin for Jeff Bagby write up.
Very Good Kit: SBAcoustics Mandolin from Meniscus full kit $330/pair
https://meniscusaudio.com/product/mandolin-kit-pair/
Very Good diy: Purchase separate SB Acoustics drivers from Madisound : $240/pair
Purchase crossover parts from Parts Express:
Crossover schematic from PartsExpress designers attached.
--------------
Smal'ish low Cost Cabinets to keep on budget even with great drivers.
$63/pair 0.5cuft Dayton Audio BR-1CAB BR-1 Cabinet pair with 6-1/2" 2-Way cut-outs. The cabinets are made of 5/8" MDF finished in a "black ash" vinyl laminate and include grills with black cloth, ports, and binding post terminal cups. Outside dimensions: 14-1/4" H x 8-5/8" W x 11" D.
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-br-1cab-br-1-6-1-2-2-way-speaker-cabinet-pair--300-645
--------
The cost of attractive finished cabinets can equal or surpass the cost of the main drivers!
You will need a router, drill, and hand tools to build these speakers.
-Good quality Black Gloss 0.75cuft cabinet to match your monitors = $148 = $300/pair
0.75cuft in black or wood Dimensions: 17" H x (10" Front, 4.5" Back) W x 14.5" D.
https://www.parts-express.com/dayto...y-curved-speaker-cabinet-gloss-black--302-731
0.5cuft in black or wood Dimensions: 14" H x (8.5" Front, 4.5" Back) W x 13" D. = $125 each
https://www.parts-express.com/dayto...y-curved-speaker-cabinet-gloss-black--302-721
Attachments
I have parts left over for a small bookshelf pair 6.38w x 8.25d x 13.25h.
Might even have the panels cut (need to be joined and box finished).
Mine are hooked up to a KT88 SE amp, which has 6 to 8 W output. The impedance load is very friendly for the tubes.
PM if interested.
Might even have the panels cut (need to be joined and box finished).
Mine are hooked up to a KT88 SE amp, which has 6 to 8 W output. The impedance load is very friendly for the tubes.
PM if interested.
Attachments
86 dB sensitive.
This is the impedance curve from the similar Kairos. The tube amp isn’t going to get along with tha big peak just above 1 kHz.
Cant’t find a sensitivity. Maybe as high as 90 dB but Jeff’s graph is a flat ~85 dB. Impedance cutve could have similar issues as above.
Those Satori drivers sure are nice looking.
Those are OK. MDF plywood sides. Th efinish is easy to damage. PE’s rectangular cabinets need sufficient retrofit that one might as well start from scratch.
dave
Attachments
Yes series, you may recall hearing these before Dave. I brought them to VI diyfest a couple of times in the past.
Drivers are from about 12 (or 15?)years ago. Vifa/JBL midwoof 4-1/2" and Audax 3/4" tweeter. I would guess maybe 87 or 88 dB. Decent sound for their size.
I've been reading specs and plans until my brain is mush
(well more mush than normal)
The amp comes in tomorrow then I need a few days to build it
so I can make a better assessment.
I have a a pair of RCA branded Minimus 7 that may help me to get a
better idea of what I'm looking at. (they may be 85 db speakers).
I have some ham radio gear here that the receiver puts out 2 Watts.
I hooked those RCA speakers up to that radio and at 2 watts it hurts my ears.
But it's not the best test because the bandwidth is so tight
(think 2 watts of land line telephone audio).
I did look at some taller than 15" speakers but when I mocked it up
with a box on the end of my desk anything over 15" looks pretty bad.
(I have about 15" tall x 10"wide X 15 " deep available)
I'm still led to believe the 8 watts will be enough for this room.
Thank you
(well more mush than normal)
The amp comes in tomorrow then I need a few days to build it
so I can make a better assessment.
I have a a pair of RCA branded Minimus 7 that may help me to get a
better idea of what I'm looking at. (they may be 85 db speakers).
I have some ham radio gear here that the receiver puts out 2 Watts.
I hooked those RCA speakers up to that radio and at 2 watts it hurts my ears.
But it's not the best test because the bandwidth is so tight
(think 2 watts of land line telephone audio).
I did look at some taller than 15" speakers but when I mocked it up
with a box on the end of my desk anything over 15" looks pretty bad.
(I have about 15" tall x 10"wide X 15 " deep available)
I'm still led to believe the 8 watts will be enough for this room.
Thank you
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