Before I order the parts for the Zaph Seas L18 / Seas 27TBFCG speaker

[mr_push_pull]

long time no post (again).

so, short background: this would be my third DIY speaker project. first was a ready-designed tower with Visaton drivers. sounded nice but nothing special.

second was a bookshelf that I designed myself and used Morel MW144/MDT32S. with these I was willing to give up the bass the towers had for added midrange clarity and soundstage. but... although I invested quite a lot of effort into measuring and designing everything (I even built a measurement rig just for these) the sound is still mediocre and in some ways worse than that of the towers. the midrange is muddy and I can easily tell the location of the speakers while listening. I rarely find myself listening to the Morels because they don't bring the musical enjoyment I'm seeking.

now you can tell that I'm kind of reluctant about venturing again into the world of speaker DIY. I'm even considering buying a pair of Dynaudio X12s

but... a few days ago I remembered about Zaph's website and gave it another look. and turns out his all metal Seas design is quite praised and the price would be a fraction of that of the Dynaudios. and to be frank for me there is hope that they may sound even better (I've heard Dynaudios in the past and I do like their sonic signature).

all in all I've reached the point where I'm man enough to admit that my speaker designing skills have a lot to improve and as far as $$$ goes I'd rather trust someone who knows what he/she is doing.

now I realize that this is not a question but rather a rant

anyway, what do you think/advise?

[PeteMcK]

the Seas drivers would be a big step up from the Morel... go for it...!!!
But, part of the fun is solving problems, tell us about the cabinet and crossover you used for the Morels if you want...???

[Jonasz]

I would look at Mark K's ER18DXT.

The Seas ER18DXT ported two way

[mr_push_pull]

Originally Posted by Jonasz

I would look at Mark K's ER18DXT.

The Seas ER18DXT ported two way

you suggested this design in response to my initial proposal. I'm assuming you built it? and that it shines in the midrange in soundstage areas?

[wolf_teeth]

If you want an alternative, I modeled these up for another builder to try in the same cabinet and driver set. I've never heard either one, but know I don't really care for the L18 personally. The person who tried these said it was a dynamically different design, and both versions have their tradeoffs.

That said, this is just my different approach to this driver set.

"Black Knights":
Black Knights- for GOWA pictures by wolf_teeth_speaker - Photobucket

Later,
Wolf

[mr_push_pull]

Originally Posted by PeteMcK

the Seas drivers would be a big step up from the Morel... go for it...!!!
But, part of the fun is solving problems, tell us about the cabinet and crossover you used for the Morels if you want...???

sure, let me dig for the files a bit.

found them. box volume is 9 liters. as for the port specs (box tuning) I'll have to dig some more.
here's the XO:

[mr_push_pull]

Originally Posted by wolf_teeth

...but know I don't really care for the L18 personally. The person who tried these said it was a dynamically different design, and both versions have their tradeoffs.

you mean someone built both Zaph's and your design?

[wolf_teeth]

Originally Posted by mr_push_pull

you mean someone built both Zaph's and your design?

Yes, and he stated he preferred mine.
Later,
Wolf

[mr_push_pull]

Originally Posted by wolf_teeth

Yes, and he stated he preferred mine.
Later,
Wolf

could you please detail some more?
what I'm missing with my current speakers is midrange transparency and a good soundstage. and a bit more low end wouldn't hurt too. all in all they sound kind of flat and boring, they don't really draw you in.

bear in mind that I own a pair of Grados and they are my reference for midrange clarity, I've yet to find a pair of speakers that can reveal that much. but nevertheless I'm sure you can do a lot better than with the Morels.

[wolf_teeth]

I find personally some of zaph's stuff to be too 'reserved' or 'dull/polite' in the midrange, and I have to have the midrange right for me. Granted, I have not heard this design so it may need some minor tweakage from where it rests.

Morel being the Damped Polymer Composite cone structure typically, it has a very neutral and easy/laid-back sound on a lot of things. This makes them non-fatiguing, and I like Morel drivers at times. A very highly damped cone will do that, but not lack in detail necessarily.

FWIW- you have lots of options. Let me know if I did not answer your question.
Later,
Wolf