Advice on a CSS FR125S aperiodic studio monitor? total newbie here...

[Matthew P.]

Hi There,
I've been reading this forum for a couple of months now and have also been looking driver specs, trying freeware speaker design software,etc.. There are some really wonderful speaker designs and carpentry that I have seen here - quite inspiring. I've only built myself a small rectangle sub cabinet for my car and didn't put much thought into it except that it had to be a certain size which happened to be the minumum volume recommended. It sounds fine. looks alright, minus the carpet.

Okay - so I've read that a lot of people have worked with the FR125s in various horn, BR, OB designs, but only seen one aperiodic design (the MAPD). I am thinking about something *substantially* less ambitious than any of those. I have a little, super basic, computer based home recording studio in my apartment (read: a computer with a good soundcard, but no environmental changes, damping, etc...). I would like to replace my sh*tty computer speakers but i've not been impressed with any active studio monitors *anywhere* near my price range. In fact, to get performance that offers a notable increase in listenability (transparency, detail, etc...) over my home speakers (monitor audio bronze's to a denon SS 2-way - that i use as reference after mixing on my sh*tty comp speakers) I'd have to spend a lot. That's why I thought about this DIY thing.

So the speakers will reside on my desk, so they need to be small and will be within a foot of the wall. these are the dimensional limits I was thinking of - H:10.5" W:8.5" D:11.5" with a Seas SSV aperiodic vent (check madisound). The inside would be basic, with some bracing similar to Northcreek studios bracing, and stuffed with polyfill. So the volume would be 12.7 (internal) and a virtual 15.4 (if the madisound website is true that the SSV increase depth by 20%) the Q would be roughly 6.5. should I aim for a Q of .707 for utter transperency and detail? I sit within 3 feet of the speakers, so SPL is not important. I don't want to think about X-overs yet, so I thought the FR125s would be simple and do a good job, considering what people are saying about them.

I just thought I'd ask people with knowledge and experience about this, since i don't want something that is resonant (like everybody else, i guess). What do you think of speakers like this for a mixing and recording application? Thanks for any help,
Best Regards,
Matt

[badman]

The lower Q will be better, IME. Enjoy! I just recently did a sealed set in 9Litre (ish) enclosures (.707) , plugged them in today, they sound great.

[Matthew P.]

Thanks, Badman.
How did you design your speakers? did you use the thiele ratios? did you do anything wacky to the interior, like the MAPD thing. Do you get a fairly flat response in those cabinets? how about the LF extension?
Best,
Matt