1 Chang complete...AND WOW!!!

[madmonda]

Hello all,
This is my first post (well 2nd if you count my intro post) and I want to confirm what mostly everyone here already knows...BiB's ROCK!!! I just completed one frugal horn, Chang speaker with the Pioneer B20 w/ helper tweeter and was blown away! I actually built the cabinets over a year ago, but just ordered and installed the speakers/wiring today. I fired it up on my old school Onkyo in the garage (in the middle of the floor) and first thought "OK, what's the big deal?" Then I moved it into the bedroom, placed it in the first open spot and about 6-8 inches from the wall. I plugged it up to my Accurian amp and was shocked!!! This is just one speaker that cost less than 30 bucks! ARE U SERIOUS?! It's pumping out as much bass as my 12" Kicker in my trunk. I don't have any fancy measurement equipment but this thing sounds good for what it is. My woodworking skills are less than amateur, my dimensions are probably off a bit, and the speaker probably isn't in the optimal position (not to mention, I haven't fired up the 2nd one yet), but I'm a true believer now in BiB speakers. I'll post some pics in a bit (the wife and kids are in the car waiting for me as I type). Thanks to all the great posters on this speaker topic that started my new obsession with DIY speakers/audio...Next stop will be the Cyburg's Needles.

[planet10]

Welcome to the forum. Good to see you've had a positive 1st experience

Note that the Changs are a BVR (Big Vent Reflex), and not a BiB (Bigger is Better -- a tapped pipe horn)

dave

[madmonda]

Note taken. I've been looking at so many designs over the past year that I start to get certain design types mixed up. But really, why wouldn't the design just be considered a variation of a slot ported cabinet? Or is it? It's very similar to the boxes I'm accustomed to from the car audio world. But I'm still a newbie learning the ropes. If the Changs sound this good for the price vs performance ratio, I can't imagine what a mid-level priced or even no compromise design sound like. But anyways, thanks for learning the kid on a thing or two.

[defect9]

Here's a B20FU BiB thread: Pioneer 8" BOFU BIB

for laymans descriptions (or how it seems in my head), the chang is a box with two rambunctiusly flared ports. The BiB doesn't really have a box so much, and is all one long folded flare with the speaker placed at a certain spot along the flare.

but yes, being bigger, the chang is better. Also noting that a picture of the chang was posted in the Pioneer BiB thread makes me suspect that to be a possible cause of confusion.

[Scottmoose]

...with two rambunctiusly flared ports.

Hardly rambunctious, given that this would mean they are unnecessary, pointless, and uncontrolled.

[Godzilla]

>>> I can't imagine what a mid-level priced or even no compromise design sound like.

Caution, sometimes you spend more and get less than the B20 + helper tweeter. They grunt better than many full rangers that are considered better... but they gloss over the details somewhat. Depends on how you listen and what your priorities are. I love mine but they are currently face down on the floor, protected and waiting for their next cabinet... Maybe a Half Chang is in their future?

[gychang]

any chance on pictures and your final thoughts?

gychang

Originally Posted by madmonda

Hello all,
This is my first post (well 2nd if you count my intro post) and I want to confirm what mostly everyone here already knows...BiB's ROCK!!! I just completed one frugal horn, Chang speaker with the Pioneer B20 w/ helper tweeter and was blown away! I actually built the cabinets over a year ago, but just ordered and installed the speakers/wiring today. I fired it up on my old school Onkyo in the garage (in the middle of the floor) and first thought "OK, what's the big deal?" Then I moved it into the bedroom, placed it in the first open spot and about 6-8 inches from the wall. I plugged it up to my Accurian amp and was shocked!!! This is just one speaker that cost less than 30 bucks! ARE U SERIOUS?! It's pumping out as much bass as my 12" Kicker in my trunk. I don't have any fancy measurement equipment but this thing sounds good for what it is. My woodworking skills are less than amateur, my dimensions are probably off a bit, and the speaker probably isn't in the optimal position (not to mention, I haven't fired up the 2nd one yet), but I'm a true believer now in BiB speakers. I'll post some pics in a bit (the wife and kids are in the car waiting for me as I type). Thanks to all the great posters on this speaker topic that started my new obsession with DIY speakers/audio...Next stop will be the Cyburg's Needles.

[planet10]

Originally Posted by madmonda

Note taken. I've been looking at so many designs over the past year that I start to get certain design types mixed up. But really, why wouldn't the design just be considered a variation of a slot ported cabinet?

Exactly. A slot port loaded by a conical horn (the Big part). A variation on the traditional BVR that borrows from a number of designs to come up with something -- that to the best of my knowledge is unique -- hence the extended classification of Moose BVR.

And if you didn't catch the ref, the name caught from a variation done for Mr gychang, just above this post (his was the 3rd MBVR designed, but far from the last, they have proven to be an extremely effective design)

dave

[Godzilla]

It was neat having an upgrade path with the Chang from the B20 to the Fostex 207e... what if the upgrade bug bites?

[madmonda]

The Changs are my second favorite speakers. I bought a pair of fisher xp-55s from the thrift store for $9.99 and they make you wanna cry when you listen to some Patti Labelle through them. But for my hip-hop...I can't imagine any high end speakers making the music sound better. And these things take a beating. But, even for hip hop my friends agree, the Changs shouldn't sound as big as they do, with a 8" speaker! I bought 2 more pioneers since building them. I think I may do some half-Changs, but take my time and do them proper. As for the Changs, I still haven't decided if I'll finish them or continue to let them handle garage duties. They were my first speaker attempt, so the woodwork isn't the best. I have em in the garage acting as speakers/shelves until I figure out what I'm gonna do with them. Here's a link with some pics (hope this works):
Pictures by madmonda - Photobucket

And by the way...gychang...i get inspired by your work. What projects have you tackled lately?