I would like assistance building a Passively X-Overed 3 Way Speaker.....

[Istoc]

I am looking into building a TMW 3 way. To start things off I would like to ask the resident builders here what they believe might be closest in terms of audio output to a Boston Acoustic HS-450 Midrange and Tweeter in the available market. I love the sound of their drivers but wish to build a set from slightly higher quality components that will deliver solid 2.0 Stereo Production without having a separately powered Sub, thus the 3 way Woofer choice over conventional 2 way.

I have experience with cabinet building so with workable numbers or dimensions I can figure out enclosures. However I have never soldered a damn thing in my life...Sad I know but it just hasn't come into play. Thus I would have to practice that before attempting to make a X-Over, I've done a great bit of reading on X-Overs so I understand some of the basics but things like using Ohm Resistors etc is a bit above me still. So if you go into that please elaborate on why they are used etc.

Thanks in advance for Replies guys,

Cristian

[kbgl]

Originally Posted by Istoc

I am looking into building a TMW 3 way. To start things off I would like to ask the resident builders here what they believe might be closest in terms of audio output to a Boston Acoustic HS-450 Midrange and Tweeter in the available market. I love the sound of their drivers but wish to build a set from slightly higher quality components that will deliver solid 2.0 Stereo Production without having a separately powered Sub, thus the 3 way Woofer choice over conventional 2 way.

I have experience with cabinet building so with workable numbers or dimensions I can figure out enclosures. However I have never soldered a damn thing in my life...Sad I know but it just hasn't come into play. Thus I would have to practice that before attempting to make a X-Over, I've done a great bit of reading on X-Overs so I understand some of the basics but things like using Ohm Resistors etc is a bit above me still. So if you go into that please elaborate on why they are used etc.

Thanks in advance for Replies guys,

Cristian

Maybe someone can post some links to more x-over fundamentals for you. Picking drivers is the fun part of a new project, but you have to understand why you might pick one driver over another. It takes some experience, or guidance to get good combinations on the cheap. You can always spend more, and buy very versatile drivers. Some drivers are simply a safe bet. The x-over will make or break the design. Without some serious learning, you will be in the dark. With limited knowledge, you could still make a speaker that will work, but the results are likely to be relatively poor compared to what the speaker could sound like with a good x-over. But sometimes you can get lucky. I know I have even recently.

[sdclc126]

Wanting to build a speaker that sounds like a commercial one really requires using the same drivers, cabinet and crossover design; perhaps you might try rethinking your goals. What type of sound are you really looking for? Do you have a particular budget? Are you willing to build a design or kit that is already available?

You might want to look into something like this:

Zaph|Audio - ZDT3.5

There are lots of 3-way designs on these sites also:

www.humblehomemadehifi.com and

www.troelsgravesen.dk

Also look at RJB Audio Projects

There are a lot more resources but these are good places to start.

[tinitus]

Originally Posted by kbgl

Maybe someone can post some links to more x-over fundamentals for you.

pointless

you really should look at designs made by experts...real experts

alone that it might not be easy to find tells how difficult it is
without experience a 3way is impossible
a 2way or 2.5way could be an option
but still not easy
expect years of work
learning about measurements, etc

that is if you expect good quality
if you only want something that makes some kind of noise, anyone can do that
but ofcourse its your decision

but even if your goal is to learn, then you should still start with a proven design
to learn, and to have a good reference speaker to compete with
and the best reference speaker might well be 2way
and the one to beat

sorry if it sounded rough

[kbgl]

Originally Posted by tinitus

pointless

you really should look at designs made by experts...real experts

alone that it might not be easy to find tells how difficult it is
without experience a 3way is impossible
a 2way or 2.5way could be an option
but still not easy
expect years of work
learning about measurements, etc

that is if you expect good quality
if you only want something that makes some kind of noise, anyone can do that
but ofcourse its your decision

but even if your goal is to learn, then you should still start with a proven design
to learn, and to have a good reference speaker to compete with
and the best reference speaker might well be 2way
and the one to beat

sorry if it sounded rough

Don't automatically underestimate someones abilities. What takes you years to learn, might only take someone else a few weeks. I built my first 3-way almost 30 years ago. I didn't measure anything. It had outstanding bass, and sounded great with the rock music I listened to at the time. Was it flat? Probably not. Did it distort the music? No, I don't think so.

[Francec]

without experience a 3way is impossible

An active 3 way can be easier to design and build than a passive AND sound better.

See Rod Elliott's ESP Audio Pages.

Frank

[MJL21193]

Originally Posted by kbgl

Don't automatically underestimate someones abilities. What takes you years to learn, might only take someone else a few weeks.

Every time a new thread opens like this you get the same comments over and over: 'Don't build that, build this one designed by this 'expert' or that 'expert'. If those 'experts' were polled, I'll bet not one of them started building their first speakers from someone else's 'expert' plan.

[tinitus]

Originally Posted by kbgl

Don't automatically underestimate someones abilities.

no, ofcourse not

but I think its only fair to note the kind of difficulties he is facing

what is meant by assistance ?
I would like to know ?

I would like assistance building a Passively X-Overed 3 Way Speaker.....

links ? guiding ? expectations ?

how many designs have we actually seen completed ?
its fun to design a speaker, absolutely
but its not fun to see the money wasted

dreams are good, illusions are not

yesterday I heard a funny saying, in German
it sounded like

If you know nothing, you believe anything

so, it all start with knowledge

[MJL21193]

Originally Posted by tinitus

but its not fun to see the money wasted

The first serious drivers I bought have been used in 3 different projects! Waste money? This is supposed to be a hobby, that we do for enjoyment, not to save money. Anyone who wants to save money should turn around and go back now.

[tinitus]

Originally Posted by MJL21193

If those 'experts' were polled, I'll bet not one of them started building their first speakers from someone else's 'expert' plan.

MJL, now I think you underestimate them "experts"
and Im sure you also worked hard to learn

but I basicly also aggree with you
we should not scare members from building, absolutely not
and its boring
but also a question about responsibility
is there a sensible balance ?

my point is
is it to "just" build himself a very nice speaker, to have and listen to
a one time event


or is it to learn how to
and build more speakers in the future