CHR-70 Cabinet Decision

[testproggie]

Long time lurker, first time poster (I think anyway). I recently ordered 4 CHR-70s and am trying to finalize which cabinet to put them in. I've already decided on 2 per side for the following reasons. I will be using a solid state amp and I don't require a "sweet spot" as I want to be able to sit about anywhere in the room (about 25ft X 15ft X 8ft) and still enjoy them. This seems to require at least 1 speaker that does not face forward. The micoTower and Wessex ML-TL (with 1 driver in a different location) seem to be suitable candidates, but I have found another called the Chillingham although I haven't found any plans - free or available for purchase. The decription of the sound from the Chillingham fits what I am looking for. I'm open to suggestions and correct me if I've mistated something. My current speakers are JBL L-40s that I have been listening to for 30 years now. I have no intention of parting with them, but I think they don't give me the detail that I believe is missing. Subs can be a consideration, but I don't want to start with them for now. I also don't expect them to reach the ear bleeding volumes the JBLs can put out. I want something that I can say WOW to - how can that small driver put out that kind of sound.

Robert

[italynstylion]

Everyone knows what I'm going to say....Lotus^2

Of all the designs I've built thus far it's the only one I've built twice (3 times if you count the very similar Coniston^2)

The micro towers are also a great choice. Both the Micro Towers and the Lotus^2 can be played without a subwoofer and will really make you smile when you hear the bass response. It's quite surprising sometimes.

Do you have any space constraints?

Lotus^2 Plans
Micro Tower Plans

[chrisb]

Originally Posted by testproggie

Long time lurker, first time poster (I think anyway). I recently ordered 4 CHR-70s and am trying to finalize which cabinet to put them in. I've already decided on 2 per side for the following reasons. I will be using a solid state amp and I don't require a "sweet spot" as I want to be able to sit about anywhere in the room (about 25ft X 15ft X 8ft) and still enjoy them. This seems to require at least 1 speaker that does not face forward. The micoTower and Wessex ML-TL (with 1 driver in a different location) seem to be suitable candidates, but I have found another called the Chillingham although I haven't found any plans - free or available for purchase. The decription of the sound from the Chillingham fits what I am looking for. I'm open to suggestions and correct me if I've mistated something. My current speakers are JBL L-40s that I have been listening to for 30 years now. I have no intention of parting with them, but I think they don't give me the detail that I believe is missing. Subs can be a consideration, but I don't want to start with them for now. I also don't expect them to reach the ear bleeding volumes the JBLs can put out. I want something that I can say WOW to - how can that small driver put out that kind of sound.

Robert

IINM, the Chillingham was essentially an enlarged version of Dave's "Castle" microtower design - one of the drivers upward firing. I built both versions of the microtowers shown on on the P10 website documentation, and prefer the castle version to the (more) conventional bipole. I also prefer the paper EL70 to the CHR, but that's just me.

If you want detailed working drawings of the Chillingham, contact the builder c/o

audio-talk :: View topic - Chillingham MLTL CHR70


and with all due respect to the JBLs - you might listen to them far less than ever if you construct any of the by now well tested designs using mr Fenlon's wonderful drivers.

and finally, to echo Steve's above question, as many of the dual driver enclosures discussed have non-conventional driver locations/dispersion characteristics, a specific recommendation needs to be informed by any room placement issues (i.e. rear or side firing "bipoles" have have special considerations, and the tall double mouth BVR's / horns have a minimum recommended listening distance)

[planet10]

Welcome to the forum Robert.

Chillingham is a proprietary design Scott did for a semi-commercial builder in the UK. I've not even seen details, althou i suspect it is similar to Thirlmere.

Another design worthy of consideration is the Lotus^2. I think i have the notes for a dual driver Metronome as well.

I can say that we get tremendous bass out of the microTower, what the larger boxes should do is get more.

dave

[testproggie]

Meant to reply earlier, but got tied up.
Lotus^2 - can't believe I missed that one and it is definitely something to consider. Space constraints - I guess you mean within the room. No corners are available, but I wanted to place them on either side of a large picture window on the long wall. They would still be 6ft from the nearest corners. And I don't mind bringing them into the room 18 inches or so. Listening area would still be 8 to 15 ft away from them. Size of the speaker - my wife had already given permission for the curvy changes before I made the jump to Mark Audio.
I will pursue more information about the Chillinghams in a day or 2. As for the JBLs, you're right. I've heard better, but they are like the old, comfortable shoes you can't part with
So, is the Lotus^2 with a side firing driver appropriate? Or should I look closer elsewhere, keeping in mind I'm very curious about a upward firing driver.
Guys, I really appreciate the help. While I don't mind experimenting, my funds are limited and I hope to get something I can be satisfied with for awhile
Robert

[testproggie]

Haven't figured out how to edit a post yet. Curvy changes was supposed to be Curvy Changs. Oops...

Robert

[testproggie]

Well, it took a little while and I've been listening to them for over a week now. They are very impressive. I thought that maybe they would be a little bass shy, but not so. I consider it much better than my JBLs - clean and very solid. DSC_2547 reduced.JPG
I do notice one thing though. Most other speakers grow weak in the bass when the volume is low (whether it the speakers or the ears ), but these don't need any bass boost at low volumes. What am I hearing here? Could they actually have too much bass and I don't realize it? Or is something else at play here?
Anyway, I love them. They are not finished yet, needing paint and terminals on the back side. They're also not perfect - this is my first attempt at furniture quality woodwork. I think once they are painted they will look very good indeed. Thanks for these forums and the knowledge they impart and thanks for the Lotus^2. They are definately worth the time I put into building them. Robert

[planet10]

Good to hear that you are enjoying them. Interesting treatment of the bottom back (and the top)... i like it. If you are willing, a full set of hi-rez pictures for the web site would be appreciated.

What you are hearing as the level is reduced is good downward dynamic range (both in the speaker and because the amp has an easier load to drive).

dave

[Rullknufs]

Nice to see those speakers. Beatiful!
I was very close to building either Lotus or Lotus^2 but i decided to go with something else.
As Dave says, it would be nice with some high-res pics.
And, did you build them in MDF?

[planet10]

Originally Posted by Rullknufs

did you build them in MDF?

From the picture, looks like plywood to me.

dave