Full range speaker recommendation

[buzzforb]

I am looking to build my first diy system and was looking for some recommendations to pair with my new gainclone. My room is 14 x 15 and opens up to the left of the wall where the speakers will be placed. Placement is somewhat negotiable. I like the frugal horn mke look as well as the pencil 7. Let me know anything else that you want to know that ma steer your decision.

[Racket Scientist]

Other helpful info for recommendations would be:
1. Type music you listen to predominantly, and how loud
2. Is having deep bass very important to you?
3. How much are you willing to spend?
4. How much space are the speakers allowed to take up?

For a very cheap system that sounds pretty good and is extremely easy to build, I'd get a pair Pioneer BOFU full range drivers and some Parts Express piezo tweeters, read up on Zilla's site and here, and mount them on a fairly large open baffle (like 35 inches wide by 31 inches tall). Downsides to that plan are - not the "best sounding at any price" (although they'll destroy most speakers you can get at Best Buy), take up lots of room, and NO deep bass. Total price should be no more than $150 for the pair.

[buzzforb]

I listen to musicians/bands like Sting, Dire Straits, PinK Floyd, Steely Dan, Bela Fleck, Avett Brothers, Johnny Cash. I listen to just about everything besides rap and country. Not trying to blow the doors off the house. Bass is important but i am more concerned with overall sound. Looking at other speakers in the 750-1000 range. I still need to be able to use the living room! Here are the speakers i am looking at;

http://www.speakerbuilder.net/web_fi...ct/erosmk2.htm

[planet10]

I'm certainly pleased with my FH3

The XO on the eros ii is certainly interesting.

dave

[Racket Scientist]

Those are a nice design, but I thought I'd point out that they're "multi-way" speakers - this is the "full range" section and focus is on speakers where the bulk of the musical spectrum is reproduced by a single driver. Based on the types of music you listen to, you might be happiest with a good multi-way.

I'm assuming since you have a gainclone that your amp is in the 15 to 60 watt per channel range.

Unless you're set on doing things "from scratch" you might get the best results with a kit - less to go wrong. Some possibilities:

TriTrix MTM TL Speaker Package: Cabinet Kit and Components | Parts-Express.com

Tang Band D4-1 DIY Back Horn Speaker Kit (this one is a "full range" design - it won't play loud, but will let you hear what the fuss is about)

https://www.madisound.com/store/prod...oducts_id=8691
(this is closer to your stated price ceiling, but might be too "big" for your room size)

You might also consider an "Econowave" speaker; if I wasn't into open baffle fullrangers this is what I'd probably build:
AK Design Collaborative - Econo-Waveguide Speaker - AudioKarma.org Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums

Hope that helps.

[planet10]

Originally Posted by Racket Scientist

Tang Band D4-1 DIY Back Horn Speaker Kit (this one is a "full range" design - it won't play loud, but will let you hear what the fuss is about)

Not a particularily good one. Even if the driver is good (i don't know), the enclosure is decorative as opposed to functional.

dave

[chris661]

A single full-range driver might not go low enough in the bass for some people's liking, but the crossover less midrange is something to behold.

I'd recommend a system with a pair of full-range drivers (something from Mark Audio, perhaps?), backed with a stereo pair of subwoofers for the low stuff. Crossover at around 80Hz, so the FRs see little cone movement (so there's less distortion), and I suspect you'll be happy.

I have a similar set-up (Fostex FE126eN used, with a sealed sub with plenty of eq to get low), and it's brilliant. Handles everything I've thrown at it.

The entire project would come in reasonably cheap, but the FR magic is still there, along with the low-end response of a dedicated woofer.

Chris

[buzzforb]

The mark audio stuff looks nice, but does anyone have any experience with the drivers or speaker designs. I was thinking of a frugal horn mkIII or a bibk. Can anyone offer any measurements of these or the mark audio speakers? Also, how easy would it be to use lowther drivers in place of the fostex that many of these designs specify. I was going to pair a MyRefC gainclone with a tube or b1 preamp but if there any suggestions in this area,they are appreciated. I have also looked at pass and tube amps.

[sreten]

Hi,

This seems to be in the wrong forum, there are loads of choices.
See some of the links below and see if anything appeals. I'd go
fairly budget if on your first build and then be more ambitious.

IMO a high value match to a high value (4 ohm capable) gainclone
might be the floorstanding Zaph|Audio - Bargain Aluminum MTM
Not disimilar in size to the Eros, but a lot more bang for buck.
(Note the bass powerhandling will be fine. I don't why such a big deal is made out of it in this design,
many other speakers are just as limited, and its the price you pay for subwoofer like bass extension.)

rgds, sreten.

undefinition
Zaph|Audio
FRD Consortium tools guide
RJB Audio Projects
Speaker Design Works
HTGuide Forum - A Guide to HTguide.com Completed Speaker Designs.
Humble Homemade Hifi
Click below to go to
Quarter Wavelength Loudspeaker Design
The Frugal-Horns Site -- High Performance, Low Cost DIY Horn Designs
Linkwitz Lab - Loudspeaker Design
Music and Design

[buzzforb]

Why am I in the wrong forum? I have spoken of things that i have looked at and considered, but as I continue to read my interest widen. I am putting together a system. THis includes speakers, amps, and possibly preamps. I may end up doing two different types of systems. Please give recommendations and reasons for giving them. If you try to redirect me, just explain WHY. If your reasoning makes sense, then i will listen and go another route.