Wolverines on an OB

[jonirvine]

Hi all, got a diyaudio/OB newb here, but from the great discussion I've always seen here, I can tell I'm in good company.

I've recently acquired a set of ElectroVoice LT-12 Wolverine drivers (similar to these) which I've heard are good for Open Baffle designs. Well first, any thoughts on these drivers in general? Secondly, I'm sketching out my plans for the baffle and am wondering if there is some sort of way to calculate the ideal dimensions for these drivers. I've read some general rules of thumb but can't seem to find a calculator out there. In addition, I'm a designer by trade and also have access to a CNC machine. So, if possible and beneficial, I can make them any shape I want with great accuracy. I'm planning on making them out of nice 3/4" ply with a nice veneer. I won't be adding any helper subs or anything, just these EV's. Thoughts? Ideas?

[GM]

Greets!

One needs measured specs to do an optimum design, but the specs I have ideally requires a ~85" square baffle minus however much room gain might shrink it. I would want to use the baffle to damp the driver's high Qt some though, so factoring in a bit of room gain, a ~60" high x 21.25" wide baffle is what I would try and add wings as required if more bass is desired.

GM

[Pano]

Moved to Multi-way

[phivates]

You will be adding helper subs.

[jonirvine]

Thanks GM! How did you figure that out by chance?

The main issue is that this is for my office, which is small. I'm not sure if I can fit something that large. Hmmmmm.... I was hoping to be around 48"h x 18"

Oh and I may be adding helper subs later, just not right now. I want to see what these sound like first. btw phivates, I'm in the Portland area too. Nice weather lately aye?

[jonirvine]

So here's where I'm at per GM's dimensions. Any thoughts?

[GM]

You're welcome! I have a roundabout way to calculate it based on the area of a sound wave plus some experience tossed in, but others have compared it to Basta! IIRC that calculates close enough to the same, so recommend you get it to do basic sims: Basta

Obviously, you can make the baffle any size you want or just mount the driver in open air, just the more baffle area, the more low end output within the driver's ~linear excursion limit, though the driver should be offset in a golden or acoustic ratio in both planes to average out its eigenmodes.

Also, this driver has a high Qts, so the baffle should be very lossy to help damp it, ergo for at least a test baffle you can use fiberboard, drywall or similar.

GM

[jonirvine]

Ok here are the almost final results. I plan on staining it in ebony and sealing with a satin poly. They sound great btw!

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY HERE