Need a couple of links for mini speakers

[kentga]

I've been away from DIY's for several years (been into photography) and my wife has agreed to a new HT for the bedroom but wants to get rid of the "big" speakers we have now. It will be a secondary system the the HT we have in our family room. I'd like links for drivers, crossovers and box sizes for some SMALL boxes for a 2 way system with 4, 4.5 or 5" woofers. I'd like to keep the box size around 7" wide, 10" tall and 7 or 8" deep. I will have a sub with the system.

Also a link for center channel kit.

Since this is a secondary system, I'd like to keep the cost of the first mentioned system for each kit (one speaker) about $ 100- 125 for the drivers and crossover.

Thanks, Kent

[chrisb]

Well, this is technically the "Full Range" forum, generally meaning single driver systems, but of course many of the DIY regulars will have experience with both.

Having said that, many here might agree that there's really no reason by a decent single driver system couldn't work well for a "small secondary system" - indeed of over half a dozen pairs of loudspeakers in my own personal harem, (not counting computers) only one pair has more than a single driver.

What of course you won't find consensus on, is what driver type/size and enclosure design to consider.

[Pit Hinder]

Kent, take Chris with a pinch of salt - there IS consensus amongst us...insofar as we all agree to disagree.

As to your project: why the 10" max height? If you don´t have to fit them into a shelf you need a stand - having the boxes go all the way down doesn´t take up more space but gives you more freedom as to choose what to build.

OK, delete my ramblings if WAF or furniture limit your choice.

[chrisb]

personally, I kinda like these



plans at:
http://homepage.mac.com/tlinespeaker...-0v999-map.pdf

While several dB lower efficiency than the FE127 used in above designs, the CSS EL70 (by Mark Audio) can also work well in a similar size box ( i.e. approx 4.5 litres 12"Hx6.5"Wx8" D with 1/2" material, slightly larger with 5/8")

http://www.creativesound.ca/pdf/mMar...map-250809.pdf



Either are small and light enough for wall or soffit mounting.

The FF85K or Alpair5 would also be candidates for an application like this were a sub can do the heavy lifting from 100Hz or so, and even smaller boxes are required.
,

[Godzilla]

I never heard the speakers above chrisb suggests but i'll bet they sound great! I just wanted to add another option for you to consider...

http://www.zillaaudio.com/tb-1320-bamboo.htm

I really like the TB drivers for home theater because they seem to be able to take more power than the Fostex drivers without sounding as strained. They have a bit more of a mellow sound so watching long movies won't be as fatiguing and they sound better (to my ears) with cheaper solid state receivers.

But a Fostex 127e in a ported box works too... as does just about any Tangband.

Godzilla

[Ian444]

Originally Posted by chrisb

while several dB lower efficiency than the FE127 used in above designs, the CSS EL70 (by Mark Audio) can also work well in a similar size box ( i.e. approx 4.5 litres 12"Hx6.5"Wx8" D with 1/2" material, slightly larger with 5/8")

http://www.creativesound.ca/pdf/mMar...map-250809.pdf

Chris,

Would a CHR-70 work OK in this box, or just go the EL70 because that will make it work correctly? I am looking for a Fonken for CHR-70 for my small workshop, is this the way to go? I need to satisfy BAP (boss appeal factor) so small and stealthy at low volume and close range listening is what I am looking for, but I want to turn it up just a little bit when the boss isn't around

Ian.

[chrisb]

Originally Posted by Ian444

Chris,

Would a CHR-70 work OK in this box, or just go the EL70 because that will make it work correctly? I am looking for a Fonken for CHR-70 for my small workshop, is this the way to go? I need to satisfy BAP (boss appeal factor) so small and stealthy at low volume and close range listening is what I am looking for, but I want to turn it up just a little bit when the boss isn't around

Ian.

Some minor variations are required in tuning of enclosure loading between the CHR & EL70, but either can be made to work well in the small (approx 4 liter) "milli" sized box - as well as no doubt would a (13 liter) "Prime" enclosure, with appropriate revisions to port dimensions and bracing, etc.

hmm, we need to build some of them

And there is also the matter of personal taste in drivers - between the two, mine favors the EL70 paper cone - but of course YMMV. Both drivers luv them "dots".

I think either would satisfy your listening needs "when the boss isn't around"; but if I'm reading the sub-text correctly, and that's a "she", you might just be surprised at a new found tolerance on her part for levels higher than with other systems.

For several years my wife had a pair of MkI Buschorns with Fostex FE108ESigmas in her living room, and they were always played at background levels. Now that they've been replaced with a pair of the "castle-tower" dual EL70 enclosures, she'll ask me if the volume's too loud when I sit to read the newspaper. "Honey, you're right, there's so much more coming out of those new boxes "

[Ian444]

Chris,

Actually it really is for at my workplace where I am employed My wife is very accepting of the speakers at home where we have BVR Lotus with CHR-70 and Dave's dots too, so I guess we're both lucky in that respect. I reckon its always a good sign when the wife likes the sound of the speakers or amp or whatever got changed last.

So, back on topic! Could I build the "P70 mMar-Kel70 0v99", approx 4.5 litres, approx 12"H x 6.5"W x 8"D with 1/2" material, CHR-70's, and then vary the size of the port to suit by making some different width centre slots for the port, and slide them in and listen? Is that what you mean by different loading, or is this not such a good idea? The other option is use some EL70's, I presume the "P70 mMar-Kel70 0v99" plan is for this driver, is that right, or is it a work in progress or for some other driver? I don't mind either way, it all adds to the sense of adventure Sorry for all the q's.

Ian.

[chrisb]

Ian:

As you can imagine, I have access to a lot of preliminary and prototype development designs that may evolve several generations before final "official" release, and get to build/ hear many along the way.

I tend to get confused myself with the ever changing alpha-mumeric soup that Dave uses to title individual drawings, but yes the one you named is appropriate for the EL70, and with appropriate changes in driver cutout and bracing, the Alpair6 as well. Our CHR70 box this size is sealed.

As always if in doubt, contact Dave via PM or e-mail through P10 website for most current drawing versions, as well as with any other questions.

For a small (circa 5liter) desk-top / mini monitor design, my personal choice in driver flavoring would be the determining factor - between the two drivers in question, I happen to prefer the EL70.

[Ian444]

Thanks a lot for that Chris, I'll see if I can get hold of some EL70 and try that EL70 box. Been curious to hear some form of Fonken for a while, so I will try this one for now. Thanks for your time, much appreciated.

Ian.