I got the bug! Now I want awesome!

[JeffG]

Hi guys.. Pretty new to DIY speakerbuilding.. But I have compketed two projects - Dayton DIII from PE, and the BK16 Kit from Madisound - Pretty awesome sound by the way on both!! The BK-16 is absolutely impressive. However, I am now officially Speaker Building Addicted! I want to learn all I can, and now want to attempt something truly amazing. My woodworking skills are above average, and I have my own shop.

I am looking for suggestions on plans for a failry large scale floor standing system. I want something perhaps in the 36" to 48" height area, and want something very effecient. Am using ZEN tube amps - very nice! Theefore the need for efficiency. Looking for top quality drivers, and crossover that is fairly simple and yet straight forward. I am open to all types of enclosures, but i want a true furniture quality conversation piece for my main listening room.

Any suggestions would be most welcomed. Looking to stay in the 2-3k price range for drivers and crossover components.

Also, is it realistic to build something truly world-class in this price range?? Anyway - ALL suggestions welcomed, and I will also update this thread with progress and pictures, once the project begins - WHICH IS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!! Once again, thanks for your time, and consideration. Please let me know what you think.

Thanks a lot!

Jeff

[JeffG]

please any ideas?

[Timn8ter]

For that price you should be able to come up with something fairly outstanding. Have you seen the recommended speakers for the Zen amps? You may notice that many of them are based on Fostex drivers. Others include the Moth Cicada and Lowther drivers. If you're serious and like a challenge, a full range horn or TL design would probably work well. Examples would include Bob Brines FT-1600 or any of Terry Cain's designs.

[thylantyr]

High sensitivity is tricky because the design is slighty
abnormal, but could be sweet if done right.

I'm not going to mention horn systems.

Maybe the best way to tackle the problem is to figure out if you
want a 2 way design, 3 way design or larger line array, in either
case you probably need a seperate subwoofer to complement
the system.

One example of a 2 way might resemble this;
http://www.e-speakers.com/products/diy.html

One example of a 3 way might resemble this;
http://diyaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?postid=122858

or this;
http://members.shaw.ca/lcleven/home_page1.html

One example of line array might resemble this;
http://www.pesupport.com/cgi-bin/config.pl?read=175073

The 2 or 3 way system will probably use the G ribbons
or Ravens, you can get more info here;
http://www.e-speakers.com

The midrange could be 6.5", 8", 10", maybe 12" too.
PHL Audio has great sounding midranges with high
sensitivity ratings but in doing so they lack low end
on the smaller diameter midranges.

6.5" - PHL 1120 (97db ?)
6.5" - PHL 1240 (94 db ?)
8" - PHL 2520 (100 db)
10" - PHL 3450 (3451) - 101 db
etc.

It's a game of compromise so figure out what is more important
to you.

If you want the high high sensitivity then you should look at the
bigger G ribbons or Ravens and the 8" PHL minimum, perhaps the
10" is even better to go lower in response.

But in doing so you need a good quality woofer to keep up with
this top end. I would say at least a 12" or 15" woofer to build a
good 3 way. This type of setup would work well if you operate
the top end (mids/tweeters) off the tube amplifier but you should
consider biamping and drive the woofer with more power, a
decent high powered solid state amplifier would be sweet.

If you don't like large diameter midranges, then you may
want to explore using two smaller midranges, perhaps
MTMW or TMMW. If the ribbon you choose is large, then I would
lean towards TMMW. The 6.5" midranges would work nice,
1120 for higher senstivity or 1240 for a better low end sacrificing
some sensitivity, but you need a better sounding woofer
if you use the 1120 so you can cross it over higher.

Read this thread for ideas.
http://diyaudio.com/forums/showthrea...327&highlight=

The line array is sweet too, an array of inexpensive drivers
can sound pretty good at the expense of making large cabinets.

And you can also wander into the realm of horns. /hehe

Figure out what concept you like then focus on that plan.

[Hybrid fourdoor]

Couple Hi-Vi ribbon tweeter (94db claimed sens) flanked with an array of 3-4" midbass drivers



Or several of those Vifa Ring Radiator tweeters, those seem to a fantastic freq response graph, and then the array of midbass



Maybe a driver like this Davis one;



looks pretty stable out to about 3K with a 4th order crossover. An the above tweeter should easily handle a 3K 4th order crossover.


Just giving ideas here

[Josephjcole]

I'm going to second Timn8ter's recomendation, especially if you like the BK-16s, you should check out the upper range of the fostex line, or if you want to take the plunge you should look into Lowthers....
just my two cents
Joe

[454Casull]

Originally posted by Hybrid fourdoor
Couple Hi-Vi ribbon tweeter (94db claimed sens) flanked with an array of 3-4" midbass drivers

http://mfk-projects.com/tweeter_data_1.htm#RT2H

[454Casull]

It's too bad you're driving the speakers with those amps, because $2-3000 should be enough for a DIY Orion.

[GazzaFloyd]

How about these the Ariel i am going to build a pair

there are lost of options

[URL=http://www.nutshellhifi.com/Arieltxt1.html#top]http://www.nutshellhifi.com/Arieltxt1.html#top

http://www.nutshellhifi.com/Ariel.html

[JeffG]

I really appreciate the input guys. That Omegarray Design looks mighty impressive. I had considered the orions. Wife approval was definitelty not there on those. She does not mind large speakers. Just wants something a little more conservative. I will investigate the Line Array theory a little more for now. However, if you have heard something that just blows you away, please let me know. Although I have the Zen amps, and are really pleased with them, I have done a couple of Gainclones that are pretty sweet too. I could use those if I get in a pinch for using a less efficient speaker design.

Oh, BTW as stated earlier I have recently done a set of BK-16's from Madisound, and I can fully reccomend them to anyone looking for a very efficient design. I do have on eslight problem, and am not sure if it was my assembly or what. While the BK-16' are a little weak in the low area, they are presumably rated to 70 WPC - fine for my flea amps. However, when I drive them to any reasonable level at all, I get a "PLOP, PLOP, PLOP" from the right side woofer. Only with media that has substantial low end... but I am not driving them really hard at all.. Any ideas??

Thoughts ive had...
1.) Bad Driver???
2.) Stuffing ???
3.) have no idea!

Please any thougts appreciated!

Jeff