Zaph's SR-71 vs B&W 3 and 6 series

[ppchiu]

Hi All,

I'm really interested in building my own speakers and Zaph's SR-71 seems to be a really good design judging from all the discussions on the net. The best speakers that I own currently are the B&W DM 303s and I was wondering how the SR-71's would compare.

[peter_m]

Just looking a specs, the Zaph design has a larger woofer, so it will give you access to lower frequencies then the B&W. Also Zaph's frequency responce graph looks smoother (ref ) other then that it's hard to say.

Peter

[ppchiu]

That doesn't sound very promising for Zaph's design given the B&W's are entry level.

[peter_m]

What doesn't sound very promising?

[sdclc126]

Unless you compare distortion measurements for the drivers used in each speaker you're comparing apples to oranges. If there are no published measurements on the B&W drivers your only choice is to build the Zaph design and decide for yourself.

[ppchiu]

Well, the Sr71's kit costs $360 not including the enclosure and the DM303's retail for $300. From what I've read so far on the forum, DIY speakers give much more performance/value. So I thought that it would be clear the Sr71's would outperform the DM303s.

[tktran303]

The DM303 is a reasonable budget speaker.

Having both heard it and seen measurements of the 303, I would say it a decent little entry level speaker. Despite the shelved off-axis response there's nothing particularly objectionable about its sound.

Now if you have to compare the SR71 to a commercial speaker, judging by size, ingredients and design alone is a bit difficult.


I have not built Zaph's SR71, but I have built the all-aluminium equivalent (All Metal System), and it is incredible value.
The SR71 should be no different, perhaps even lower distortion and easier on the ears.

Why don't you slap together ome scrap MDF boxes, built the SR71 XO with correct crossover and driver layouts.

If I was a betting man I'd say it's easily competitive with the B&W 705...

[rabbitz]

The DM303 is a nice speaker and great value. I think it was an EISA winner at the time.

I used to own a pair and used to use it as a reference to beat for budget speakers. I have also heard a speaker which is the similar to the SR71 but with a different xo and it's no contest.... a SR71 type speaker does win easily, as it should as the money is in the drivers unlike the the DM303 that is handicapped by commercial restraints.

[ppchiu]

Thanks for all the inputs guys. I know it all comes down to the enclosure and such. Ultimately I'll have to build it to know but just wanted to know what to expect.

[Cal Weldon]

Originally posted by ppchiu
From what I've read so far on the forum, DIY speakers give much more performance/value.

That holds more water in the higher price ranges.