Full range for home theatre?

[Kimi]

Hello all,


I found some similar threads, like this one: Full Range Home Theater but it's mostly about Fostex products which is a bit of a problem for me so I decided to open a new thread.

So, I'm wondering if I should replace my current 2-way speakers in my HT set with some DIY floor standing full range speakers. There are some limitations, though, most of them come from the wife so there is very little room for error... Please see below.

I have a HK AVR 230 amp for the speakers and a 12"+PR DIY sub with a separate amp to handle lows.

The FR speakers would have to go down to approx 80 Hz or so with with decent SPL. I usually don't use very high SPL levels because I have a rather small apartment and I don't want to disturb the neighbours.

As for the drivers I'm pretty much limited to the following manufacturers: CSS, MarkAudio, Tangband, Vifa and Visaton.

The speakers design is an important factor. They would have to be pretty slim looking, about max. 20 cm wide. Optimum height would be around 120 cm and depth max. 40 cm.

The driver would have to be located near the top of the enclosure.

All openings, ports, etc would need to be on the BACK side of the box.

I'm pretty good at working with wood so I'm not worried about a complex box as long as it looks very simple and clean. The insides can be as complex as needed.


So, what can you guys recommend for me? Any plans out there that I could easily modify to fit my design requirements?



One more thing: After the floor standers I'd also make some surround speakers preferably using the same driver or at least similar sounding ones. Any ideas for these? Would have to be very small and work well near walls.

Thanks in advance!

[planet10]

Have a look at the microTower for CSS EL70 or Mark Audio CHR70. The CHRs also have an accompanying HT appendix -- the CHRs are particularily versatile in that they will work well in a small sealed box (5-7 litre) and get down to 80 Hz.

planet_10 hifi

Personally i prefer the slightly more expensive EL70, i haven't worked out centre or surround for them, but millSize boxes all way round would be doable.

dave

[Kimi]

Thanks for your reply Dave.

The Towers look interesting to me. Is it possible to modify the shape? I'd like to make it narrower and taller. Would that ruin the sound?

For example I'd like to attach the driver to the short side of the halfTower. What would happen to the sound?

[Kimi]

In addition to my previous message: When I say modify the dimensions I'd of course keep the volume the same.

[Scottmoose]

It would need a complete redesign. The Microtowers, like all tall, slim vented enclosures, are not bass reflex boxes but mass-loaded quarter-wave resonators. Ergo, vent tuning and driver location would all have to change to maintain the alignment and ensure acceptable performance.

[Kimi]

Oh well no luck with the microTowers then.

[Mayuri]

I have a HT setup with 4x Cyburgs Stick with TB W4-655SA -elements and a center speaker with the same element.

First DIY speakers I have build, but from my listening experience, I'll say that they have a very good quality/price ratio. Sincere recommendations of these speakers.

And an offtopic question, is your subwoofer Peerless XLS 12" paired with the 12" XLS PR? I am going to build this kind of subwoofer this summer

[Kimi]

Originally Posted by Mayuri

And an offtopic question, is your subwoofer Peerless XLS 12" paired with the 12" XLS PR? I am going to build this kind of subwoofer this summer

Hey fellow Finn.

My sub is a 12" TC Sounds TC2+ with a 12" Peerless PR. Works pretty well in my "concrete cube" apartment.