Looking for input from people who have built the ACI Jaguar kit from subwoofers.com or similar two-way monitors using the Scanspeak D2905/9300 tweeter & the Scanspeak 18W/8545 7” mid/woofer?
I recently home auditioned a pair of ACI Sapphires for 30 days and just loved their sound. The only thing I would change if I could, would be for them to reach down a bit lower, which I’m told the Jag does.
In doing some research it seems that others have made DIY speakers using these same SS drivers. I’m fairly confident that I can make the boxes and assemble the speakers, my concern is the crossover? I know nothing about them and the learning curve appears to be more than I’m willing to tackle at this point.
I can buy the complete kit from subwoofers.com that includes pre-assembled crossovers along with everything else, less the grill fabric for about $769.00 OR I can order the drivers from someone like PE along with everything else needed for about $550.00, less the crossover, of which I have no idea of the cost.
I guess my basic question is that I’m wondering why more people haven’t made the Jags, or am I missing out on other such similar designs?
I recently home auditioned a pair of ACI Sapphires for 30 days and just loved their sound. The only thing I would change if I could, would be for them to reach down a bit lower, which I’m told the Jag does.
In doing some research it seems that others have made DIY speakers using these same SS drivers. I’m fairly confident that I can make the boxes and assemble the speakers, my concern is the crossover? I know nothing about them and the learning curve appears to be more than I’m willing to tackle at this point.
I can buy the complete kit from subwoofers.com that includes pre-assembled crossovers along with everything else, less the grill fabric for about $769.00 OR I can order the drivers from someone like PE along with everything else needed for about $550.00, less the crossover, of which I have no idea of the cost.
I guess my basic question is that I’m wondering why more people haven’t made the Jags, or am I missing out on other such similar designs?
Another design to consider would be the Dennis Murphy SSTS, it uses the Scan 8545k and Seas Excel T25-001 or Seas Millenium tweeter, either will work.
Here is his web site, plans are free.
http://murphyblaster.com/
It is located under projects and then choose the kit that interests you.
i have the box basically done, but I am waiting on the drivers and xover parts, so I cannot yet give a description. Those that have it, say it is a great sounding speaker, capable of competing with high end commercial speakers.
Of course the Jaguar also comes highly recommended. I have not heard it either.
Kits, or speakers using the Scan 8545 or k version will reach lower than the majority of 6.5's and 7's on the market, bass is its best quality.
Here is his web site, plans are free.
http://murphyblaster.com/
It is located under projects and then choose the kit that interests you.
i have the box basically done, but I am waiting on the drivers and xover parts, so I cannot yet give a description. Those that have it, say it is a great sounding speaker, capable of competing with high end commercial speakers.
Of course the Jaguar also comes highly recommended. I have not heard it either.
Kits, or speakers using the Scan 8545 or k version will reach lower than the majority of 6.5's and 7's on the market, bass is its best quality.
Cyclotronguy:
How would you compare the midrange between the Saph's & Jags? At times the Saph's to me sounded like they were "voiced" a little more towards say female voices vs. male voices, checking if the Jag's are voiced about the same or lower?
Has anyone ever compared the DIY Jags to a factory pair?
Phil
How would you compare the midrange between the Saph's & Jags? At times the Saph's to me sounded like they were "voiced" a little more towards say female voices vs. male voices, checking if the Jag's are voiced about the same or lower?
Has anyone ever compared the DIY Jags to a factory pair?
Phil
Phil,
This is all from memory. I've owned / built three versions of the Sapphire: The original Focal tweeter design, the early 2905/9200 Scan- Speak and the later 2905/9200 Scan-Speak with simplified crossover. The first was a little rough sounding, the latter lost some detail, the second was pretty special. Were I doing this again I would use the 9300 tweeter.
The Sapphire had less bottom end weight than the Jag, but overall IMHO a nicer top to bottom balance. Yes the Sapphire was a bit midrange forward, but it's soundstage was pretty special. The Sapphire gave height to the soundstage that the Jag, did not match. I always assumed this was because of the slightly forward mid.
My final solution was to bi-amp with a Vifa M-22 in a 1.4 cu/ft box. Don't remember the tuning, but it was right out of Vance's Speaker building manual. Think the port was 3 inches id X 11 inches long.
Amplification at the time was Hafler DH200's..... given the electronics the Sapphire was the more neutral choice. As I recall this was also the electronics that Mike Dzurko voiced the Sapphires with. Just one persons thought, but hope this helps.
This is all from memory. I've owned / built three versions of the Sapphire: The original Focal tweeter design, the early 2905/9200 Scan- Speak and the later 2905/9200 Scan-Speak with simplified crossover. The first was a little rough sounding, the latter lost some detail, the second was pretty special. Were I doing this again I would use the 9300 tweeter.
The Sapphire had less bottom end weight than the Jag, but overall IMHO a nicer top to bottom balance. Yes the Sapphire was a bit midrange forward, but it's soundstage was pretty special. The Sapphire gave height to the soundstage that the Jag, did not match. I always assumed this was because of the slightly forward mid.
My final solution was to bi-amp with a Vifa M-22 in a 1.4 cu/ft box. Don't remember the tuning, but it was right out of Vance's Speaker building manual. Think the port was 3 inches id X 11 inches long.
Amplification at the time was Hafler DH200's..... given the electronics the Sapphire was the more neutral choice. As I recall this was also the electronics that Mike Dzurko voiced the Sapphires with. Just one persons thought, but hope this helps.
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