Hi, I'm working on a project in which I need a speaker design for a very specific use. I'm hoping someone can recommend a driver or drivers + x-over network as well as an amp to fit the bill! The main requirements are that the speaker be:
- Relatively small depth no greater than about 7" , but can be very wide and tall, up to about 13" in either measurement. This limits internal volume to about 15 liters or less.
- Needs to be very loud with high PEAK wattage handling, RMS not as important.
- Needs to sound as natural as possible while still being relatively cheap and LOUD. Going for KRK/Yamaha quality here, not Proac/Barefoot.
- Good off-axis response is preferred, if possible. A coax or full-range driver would be ideal.
- Cost needs to be under about $200 per side for driver(s), x-over and amp....again, we're talking KRK quality and bang/buck level here.
- Doesn't need amazing full-range response, around 50hz - 18k @ -6dB is fine.
- Can be either ported or unported.
I've been searching Madisound and the Seas Loki MKII w/ x-over network for $212 looks like it might work, but it's a bit over my budget, and probably more speaker than I really need. If I went with a full-range driver, I could eliminate the cost of the x-over, which might help?
I'd love to hear your recommendations, especially if there's a great bang-for-the-buck solution that could be had for closer to the $100 mark per side. I know this is a tall order, natural sound, loud and cheap, but I'm open to any and all suggestions! Thanks so much!!!
- Relatively small depth no greater than about 7" , but can be very wide and tall, up to about 13" in either measurement. This limits internal volume to about 15 liters or less.
- Needs to be very loud with high PEAK wattage handling, RMS not as important.
- Needs to sound as natural as possible while still being relatively cheap and LOUD. Going for KRK/Yamaha quality here, not Proac/Barefoot.
- Good off-axis response is preferred, if possible. A coax or full-range driver would be ideal.
- Cost needs to be under about $200 per side for driver(s), x-over and amp....again, we're talking KRK quality and bang/buck level here.
- Doesn't need amazing full-range response, around 50hz - 18k @ -6dB is fine.
- Can be either ported or unported.
I've been searching Madisound and the Seas Loki MKII w/ x-over network for $212 looks like it might work, but it's a bit over my budget, and probably more speaker than I really need. If I went with a full-range driver, I could eliminate the cost of the x-over, which might help?
I'd love to hear your recommendations, especially if there's a great bang-for-the-buck solution that could be had for closer to the $100 mark per side. I know this is a tall order, natural sound, loud and cheap, but I'm open to any and all suggestions! Thanks so much!!!
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Eminence Beta 8-CX (or Beta 10-CX) plus PSD 2002S compression driver = $135. Plenty $$$ left for crossover and amplifier.
Indeed, I think this might come under budget with Eminence drivers:
Using coaxial products for DIY monitors and home hi-fi applications | Eminence Speaker
Using coaxial products for DIY monitors and home hi-fi applications | Eminence Speaker
Can you be more specific? Coaxials and full range drivers can have worse horizontal off axis performance than a conventional setup. A full range speaker can have good off axis performance with the right drivers but they also narrow off axis which isn't a bad thing necessarily for a single listener.
Thanks everyone for the replies. I've updated my original post a little bit to clarify a couple things. Coaxial drivers may not be necessary, but since these speakers will need the ability to be close mic'ed (I know, it's strange), I'm afraid seperate HF and LF driver in different places could cause issues.
Also added a couple other little things. Thanks so much for the help so far! It's much appreciated! Checked out the 8CX and it looks cool! Any more suggestions? I'm all ears! Thanks!
Also added a couple other little things. Thanks so much for the help so far! It's much appreciated! Checked out the 8CX and it looks cool! Any more suggestions? I'm all ears! Thanks!
More questions, it seems the idea of recording the speakers conflicts with the need for high output and wide dispersion, so what is the use/purpose of these?
I know, it's very strange. I can't go into much more detail because I'm under an NDA, but their main purpose would be listening, hence the need for volume. An ancillary purpose would be the ability to be mic'ed....honestly, it's not a CRITICAL function. If there's a much better solution in a 2-way system with better bang/buck, I can live with a separate axis for HF and LF.
Wish I could reveal more....it's a very cool concept!
There are several good DIY designs around the world which use the $60 SB17NRXC35 with the SB29RDC or SB29RDCN or SB25STC tweeter for ported F3=45Hz. diyAudio has a few designs. Google with provide wider options and reviews, plus options for future 3-way extension(second product = woofer box?)
Your wood skills can increase the bang/buck.... you can shape a tweeter waveguide OR time-step-offset into the baffle to improve the close-mic polar response, plus strengthen the marketing and sales presentation. Personally, I would build the "Tweet wave" attached picture with a close offset=time delay.
Jeff Bagby Mandolin Kit (Pair) $375.00 with very expensive Xover parts
Mandolin Speaker Kit / Pr
Your wood skills can increase the bang/buck.... you can shape a tweeter waveguide OR time-step-offset into the baffle to improve the close-mic polar response, plus strengthen the marketing and sales presentation. Personally, I would build the "Tweet wave" attached picture with a close offset=time delay.
Jeff Bagby Mandolin Kit (Pair) $375.00 with very expensive Xover parts
Mandolin Speaker Kit / Pr
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Looked into those drivers/designs and it led me down a path to some other drivers that I remember seeing in some Troels Gravesen designs a while back. Checked out his sight and found this, which appears to be in my budget (kit available w/ x-over for $148 USD), should have decent power handling (around 100W RMS, 300W peak), and appears to be pretty flat....designed for a 16L cabinet, which I could probably just barely eek out.
Does anybody have any experience with these speakers? I know Troels designs and builds some pretty great stuff. I'm kinda leaning in that direction right now.
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If you don't know how to do a crossover, or design a baffle and you want a good design first time you are probably limited to pre-existing designs.
Expensive crossover parts give only small benefits, the design is the important thing. Expensive drivers are similar, maybe a little more important but the design is moreso.
Expensive crossover parts give only small benefits, the design is the important thing. Expensive drivers are similar, maybe a little more important but the design is moreso.
I've built speakers before, but as far as designing a crossover circuit to correspond to a certain driver/cabinet combination, I am not that skilled. This will likely be a job that I'll outsource based on certain specs. Anybody know a good engineer who'd be up to the task and able to sign an NDA? Thanks!
A person only needs to know how the speaker should behave, not what planet it would be used on 😀 Sorry 🙄
Attached pic of cabinet closer to 13" x 13" x 7" goal. Large radius rounded front edges will reduce defraction and improve imaging, plus provide a "product style" MDF cabinets can be painted, or adhesive-vinyl can be glued to top and bottom, and then wrapped around the smooth radius front baffle and sides. Room for front port and volume.
Attached example Xover for SB17woof + SB29tweet so you can count parts and estimate price. Final design will come from measurements of completed box.
"Tweet wave" probably more popular cabinet shape. JBL waveguide speakers are $$popular.
Attached example Xover for SB17woof + SB29tweet so you can count parts and estimate price. Final design will come from measurements of completed box.
"Tweet wave" probably more popular cabinet shape. JBL waveguide speakers are $$popular.
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