High efficiency hi-fi speakers, DIY suggestions?

[Pirium]

After taking a closer look on Klipsch, I'd really like to build my own speakers with efficiency over 95db/1w, but can't find any kits or suggestions... Klipsch is really overpriced here in Norway, RF82 cost 1850 US dollars.. My goal is a speaker not (much) bigger than the rf82, but as loud and with the same hifi-quality. I'm a bit suprised that the web isn't flooded with DIY-kits like that, am I the only one that wants to play loud, without monster amps or monster speakers, or is Klipsch making "unbeatable" speakers? Like the aspect of DIY, and would like to save some money too.

Sorry if the title is misleading or anything, I'm not used to writing in english.

[Jay_WJ]

High efficiency is not always the key to good sound even with a low wattage amp, unless your amp has really low power, say, less than a few watts.

Klipsch uses some trick to increase their speakers' efficiency. They use a smalll amount of BSC and compensate it with bumped bass reflex tuning (i.e., emphasis on midbass). So, this results in a wide dip in the midrange.

What kind of amp do you use?

[ttan98]

Originally posted by Jay_WJ
High efficiency is not always the key to good sound even with a low wattage amp, unless your amp has really low power, say, less than a few watts.

many people are moving in that direction,ie high efficient speakers, even Nelson Pass who build high powed amp., he believes the 1st watt is the most important.

I build amps before and it is much easier to build low powered high quality amp than corresponding high
powered amp.

commercial high quality and high power amp are very expensive. they are many high quality low power amp to choose from at reasonably low price including tube amp. A 85dB speaker needs at least 100watt amp to sound good. I have a 95dB speaker driven by a cheap 15watt commercial solid state, it sounds very good.

Jay try listening or build one yourself a pair of high efficient speakers you would be pleasantly surprised, eg improve sound stage, dynamics, etc.

[ttan98]

Originally posted by Pirium
After taking a closer look on Klipsch, I'd really like to build my own speakers with efficiency over 95db/1w, but can't find any kits or suggestions... Klipsch is really overpriced here in Norway, RF82 cost 1850 US dollars.. My goal is a speaker not (much) bigger than the rf82, but as loud and with the same hifi-quality. I'm a bit suprised that the web isn't flooded with DIY-kits like that, am I the only one that wants to play loud, without monster amps or monster speakers, or is Klipsch making "unbeatable" speakers? Like the aspect of DIY, and would like to save some money too.

Sorry if the title is misleading or anything, I'm not used to writing in english.

try these websites, I heard from users the speakers sound quite good.

1. http://www.pispeakers.com/

2. http://www.omegaloudspeakers.com/

there are many more.

Try these forums under high efficiency speakers you may learn a few more ideas.

1. http://www.audioasylum.com/index.html
2.http://audioroundtable.com/

cheers

[John L]

Originally posted by Jay_WJ
High efficiency is not always the key to good sound even with a low wattage amp, unless your amp has really low power, say, less than a few watts.

Klipsch uses some trick to increase their speakers' efficiency. They use a smalll amount of BSC and compensate it with bumped bass reflex tuning (i.e., emphasis on midbass). So, this results in a wide dip in the midrange.

What kind of amp do you use?

Jay, in case he is not a veteran here, it may be best to explain the "BCS" acronym. You assume that everyone knows what you are talking about, but that may not be so.

I just accidentially did that yesterday, when I referred to Nelson Pass as just "Nelson" and I was asked to explain.

[Paul90Alex]

A cheap (inexpensive) solution would be Beyma's 3 way kit with 12BR70+5M30+T2030 and F-300 as crossover.

[Pirium]

Originally posted by John L


Jay, in case he is not a veteran here, it may be best to explain the "BCS" acronym. You assume that everyone knows what you are talking about, but that may not be so.

yeah, what's BCS???

[Jay_WJ]

Originally posted by ttan98
Jay try listening or build one yourself a pair of high efficient speakers you would be pleasantly surprised, eg improve sound stage, dynamics, etc.

Yes, subjective experience tells much. But it is easily biased as well since it is ALways limited. That's why we need to be more scientific.

As for this issue, I see two different kinds of opinions from veteran DIYers. One is like yours and the other is not. I don't listen very loud. To me, low distortions (both linear and nonlinear) are more important design choices than high efficiency.

[winslow]

BSC is baffle step compensation.

[Jay_WJ]

Originally posted by Pirium

yeah, what's BCS???

It's BSC: baffle step compensation as stated above.

BTW, you didn't answer my question. What kind of amp are you using?