Any DIY Speaker Builders in MD/DC/VA - Need $1000 DIY Speaker Recommedation
 

Hi All,

I am looking to build a speaker with a proven design and I was hoping there would be DIY speaker enthusiasts in the MD/DC/VA area that would allow me to come audition a pair of speakers they may have built. I've read quite of few "newbie" threads looking for DIY speaker suggestions here - and I was overwhelmed by the number of good options available. Thus, I thought it may be best if I actually go out and listen to few designs before selecting one that will best for my selection of music.

My budget is $1000 (excluding cost to construct the cabinet). I was actually thinking about Zaph|Audio SB12.3, but am just as open to other designs. I do prefer full range speakers though (or some seriously capable monitors). I used to own a pair of SR-71s and although I was really really really pleased with them, I missed having the full range sound that only a large floor-stander speaker can deliver. I haven't tried any of Troels Gravese's designs, but have always herd good things about his designs - I also love the fact that they are well documented.

These will be used strictly for 2-channel music and will be more than likely used (for the time being) with a Scott 296 tube receiver. My expectations are realistic. I don't plan on building state-of-the-art 2-channel music system with these speakers. I just want to building a decent speaker that I can mate with my Scott 296.

Any suggestions/recommendations will be much appreciated.

Thanks,
D

I don't know how well your amplifier performs so it's tough to really suggest anything in all honesty. Even a very efficient speaker like that troels dtqwt may not gel with a colored amplifier.

Do you have any measurements of it?

I'm sorry, but I do not have any measurements for the Scott 296. The unit was fully refurbished by Craig Ostby of NOSValves approximately 2-years ago. I believe it is 40 WPC.

In regards to the link you posted, did the the designer include drawings of the cabinet? (-I may have totally missed it).

You can try contacting him to see if he ever designed a cabinet. That particular design was more of a "budget plop-in" for the Seas Thor, which is why he said the transmission line may be slightly long:


WPC is one thing, but I'd be concerned about the linear response and output impedance of the amp. If an amp is invariably messing with a speaker's sound, then you may never actually hear the speaker. That's why I'm unsure of what you could build, because most speakers are not designed to be altered by electronics. Perhaps it's a perfectly fine amp on that note though. I don't know.

The Scott, properly biased, will be fine. It will give a linear response when combined with any competently designed loudspeaker. If the loudspeaker has wildly varying impedance and reactance, find another design.

Does the impedance / phase profile on the speaker I suggested seems appropriate? I'm really unsure when it comes to tubes... never messed with em and never will.

D,

I'm soon to be moving to that area and have more speakers than I know what to do with. I'm a full range guy. I have Fostex, AN, hemp, and Tang Band speakers around my place. Although I am trying to downsize the amount of speakers I have, I'll be moving up there in June.

Josh

A PP pentode with GFB would have no problems with the Thor.

your loss

er..I didn't link the thor, just a build that can be used in the Thor cabinet.
I linked this:

:rolleyes: whatever man. I'm not exactly concerned about it.

The Scott 296 should be full functional to my knowledge (-at least I hope so since I spent nearly $700 getting it refurbished - maybe I got ripped off but it doesn't matter now). I believe the Scott 296 also has outputs for 4ohm, 8ohm, and 16ohm speakers - I don't know if that helps anything. The Scott was previously hooked up to a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls and the combination was excellent. I know I can easily pick up a pair of Cornwalls for much less than $1,000 - but I would love to try something different and wish to pursue the DIY route. Again, I am not really technically competent and 9/10 times I just buy whatever is popular (i.e., jump on th band wangon). I can however copy a well documented design (I know thats not saying much).

My building experience includes: Zaph HiVi 3" fullrange, Paul C.'s Overnight Sensations, and JBL 4345 Studio Monitor clones (currently being used in my main "hifi" system).

Josh,

I look forward to you moving to the area. Please keep me posted....hopefully we can meet up.

-Dhar