Why DIY ??

[Leonidas]

We had a lot of fun last 2 days.
Comparing several microset loudspeakers and a diy design !!
Most of the story is by pics.

I asked the people to sit and switch loudspeakers as long as they liked and then choose ONE for themselves, if they must make a choice for themselves.They were free in repositioning the speaker sets by themselves.

First pics are for the set-up and the contenders.

[doubtingthomas]

Don't keep us in suspense, who won?

[Leonidas]

The used microset was a Philips MZ-1 (2001?)
And the black round shape speakers came with it.

Next there were 2 JVC speakers ; a very small plastic cone set and :
the "wood-cone" JVC speakers ( they come with a pretty expensive mini-set ; once saw on the Internet a diy kit for ~~ 296 dollars for the speakers!!)

[Leonidas]

I don't have a pic of the Sony 2 way but they were abandonned by everyone very quick!!
And last an old Foster 085K (Fe83?) in an "half-onken"design by me.

[Leonidas]

5 out of 6 people preffered the diy half onken, by , what they said , a large margin!!
Most open sounding, best low range , most natural sound etc.
One person actually owned the cheap JVC's and wanted to take them (the half onken's) with him to a new home!!

Only one person preffered the woodcones, because they reproduced MP3's better!

We most listened to 3 songs: ( and every ones own choice added)
1 Jennifer Warnes - Way down deep (the Hunter)
2 Eva Cassidy - Songbird (Eva by heart)
3 The Eagles - Hotel California (Hell freezes over)

The listeners listened one by one , and were unable to talk to each other!!
Untel the last session finished!!

As a refference for "good"sound , every body has listened before the small speakers to :

1 my iBR108 backloaded horns and
2 lowther dx3 on open baffle with a "Final"subwoofer.

conclusion(?) : DIY is worth it if you want to improve your mini set!!

[Godzilla]

Thanks for the comparo test! How do you like the Lowthers on ob + sub?

Zilla

[Leonidas]

Hé Zilla,

The lowthers were in the box for a long time.
I build several enclosures for them, never satisfying.
Wasn't willing to do a 2 meter horn!!

So decided on a sub which was able to hold up with the lowthers.

Finally found a decent sub from "Final".
They were developped for their electrostatics!! so very fast.

But "Final"is no more!!

Got the last pair 60% off!!

I'm a lucky man so I don't have to choose (see pics)!!
I own both of them!!

Both sound exellent!! ...........but I'm working on a new 3-way design :
Eton 11 inch , visaton AL130m mid and Neo CD3

8 out of 13 people prefer my desing over the Eidoclone!!

(Do hope that you are okee personally?? read some wierd things on the forum??)

best wishes Leon.

[Godzilla]

Thanks Leon! Nothing weird really. I am divorcing my wife of 17 years for giving money to her brother for several years without telling me (I always wondered why we never had any savings). I had a stomach tumor about 4" x 2" removed (benign) in 2008 and fully recovered... and now, unfortunately, tore the meniscus in both knees during Krav Maga training. I am walking around like an 90 year old man the past two months and hoping (with anti inflame meds) that i can prevent surgery! Otherwise, everything's fine. Looking at your projects is encouraging. I see you have a nice collection of interesting speakers.

[Leonidas]

Thank's for the answer.

I do now understand beter.

Wish you the best.

About my projects I often think : "Am I the only one???"(see pics)

[ra7]

My god Leon! I think you may be in the running for "most completed projects by a member at diyaudio."

Can you describe the design with the front horn, sitting next to the Lowther OB?

Wish you the best Zilla!