Please recommend a large 3 or 4 way design

[Semisentient]

I am trying to decide on a proven large 3 or 4 way design. I want speakers that will rock, and move lots of air. I have made a few pairs of single driver speakers, which was fun, but they don't generally do well with the music I listen to.

I would want these speakers to play heavy metal (think more in the line of technical death metal like Opeth).

-I would like to keep the cost under $1000
-Size is not a big issue. The wife allowed my old JBL 4435s so she is used to large speakers.
-I would like it to include a 15" or even 18" driver. Good impactful bass is important.
-I will use a digital active crossover.


I wanted to go open baffle, but was afraid they wouldn't have the bass impact I am looking for.

Any suggestions?

[Dr.EM]

This may interest you:

Humble Homemade Hifi

Though it looks like a tough build and changing it to active probably won't be trivial.


EDIT: Oops, didn't notice budget. Those are probably a fair bit over.

[pos]

Originally Posted by Semisentient

-Size is not a big issue. The wife allowed my old JBL 4435s so she is used to large speakers.
-I would like it to include a 15" or even 18" driver. Good impactful bass is important.

This is going to be a real challenge to outperform your 4435s in the bass department!

[doug20]

Do you like waveguide designs? Or ribbons?

For open baffle how about the NAO II designs from John K. ?

NaO

btw, Im a HUGE rock fan and nothing is better then waveguides for rock n' roll

Pick your waveguide build from here

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/sh...d.php?t=215536

Then add another woofer in a bass bin and you have an incredible 3-way with dynamics that kick the crap out of wussy audiophile dome designs

[Cal Weldon]

You can do it but they're not going to be like your 4435's. May we ask why you no longer have those?

[Semisentient]

Yeah, that is a nice one. I don't mind a complicated build as I have a CNC router.

Budget is pretty open, but I would lean towards lowest possible. I mostly enjoy the building.

Originally Posted by Dr.EM

This may interest you:

Humble Homemade Hifi

Though it looks like a tough build and changing it to active probably won't be trivial.


EDIT: Oops, didn't notice budget. Those are probably a fair bit over.

[Semisentient]

Originally Posted by pos

This is going to be a real challenge to outperform your 4435s in the bass department!

Yeah, they were beasts. I sold them a few years ago, so it's not like I can do a direct comparison now.

[Semisentient]

I don't really know much about waveguides. I will have to research. Can't say I have every heard a ribbon speaker.

I like the idea of open baffles, but I have heard enough contradicting info on them playing metal that I am hesitant.

I guess I will have to go through the thread you linked, thanks!

Originally Posted by doug20

Do you like waveguide designs? Or ribbons?

For open baffle how about the NAO II designs from John K. ?

NaO

btw, Im a HUGE rock fan and nothing is better then waveguides for rock n' roll

Pick your waveguide build from here

Flex Your PCD Mettle: - Techtalk at Parts-Express.com

Then add another woofer in a bass bin and you have an incredible 3-way with dynamics that kick the crap out of wussy audiophile dome designs

[tinitus]

This is so far just mindwork, and not tested
it is calculated tho, and matches drivers
its relatively cheap
though intended for bass guitar, I thought with a tweeter horn on top it might be a nice PA/party speaker too

[Semisentient]

Originally Posted by Cal Weldon

You can do it but they're not going to be like your 4435's. May we ask why you no longer have those?

I wasn't listening to them much, and something else came up that I wanted, but couldn't justify buying (old marine diesel engine) without selling something else.

For some reason I just didn't like them for heavy metal. Maybe I am just not a horn guy. Once I realized I was changing what I was listening to because other stuff just sounded so much better on my system, I realized I had to rethink my audio setup.

I do miss the JBLs. They actually sounded almost perfect for me when I had them in my garage. I had them just inside the door, so they would play totally open in my driveway. They never sounded better. Awesome. Clear, detailed, powerful. But I wanted them in my house.

Once I got them in there, I just couldn't get them to sound the same. I bought a Behringer DEQ2496 which helped, but still always lacked, compared to how they sounded outside.

Also, at the time I had the option to buy a pair of Altec Model 19s in case I really missed the JBLs.

I ended up getting more into headphone for the last few years - love my Grado SR255i.

After listening to my New Large Advents for a while I realized I like the oldschool sound. I guess I am not an audiophile. I want to enjoy my speakers, not have them tell me how I am supposed to listen to music...

Wow, I didn't mean to write my whole biography...