Finished the line array

[AJ]

I finished my open baffle, 69 cent PE line array so I thought a picture was in order.



I haven't really had a chance to tweak the setup yet but so far they're pretty nice. Thanks to everyone that gave me some feedback - it was a fun project.

Allan

[Hybrid fourdoor]

Wow, those are monsters!

My calculations show that to be a 15" woofer??


So your happy so far?

[AJ]

My calculations show that to be a 15" woofer??

You're not even close. They're only 8 inch and I'm a midget living in a doll house. (sorry, couldn't resist)

Actually they're 18 inch Daytons in an MLTL ported out the top.

So your happy so far?

Yeah, I think so. It's been so hot around here lately I haven't been able to play them much - gotta keep the fans running till 2:00AM and by then, I'm ready for bed. I'm still messing with XO points, output levels and I'll want to play around with attenuating the backwave...I know, I know, if i wanted to do that, why'd I make them dipole?

One thing that's really amazing to me is how smooth they are. I mean it's like silky smooth and I haven't gotten past reconciling the visual effect of all those drivers with the coherent sound I'm hearing. It's pretty promising so far.

[rcavictim]

AJ.

Jaw drop wow doesn't adequately describe my initial reaction. You are definitely a DIY Maniac and I mean that in the best way.

[Fenris]

Wow AJ. I just finished mine about two weeks ago. Almost the exact same design. 16 of the Pioneer 4" woofers, but I used only 7 of the Dayton planar tweeters (with a 4:3 power taper). Mine's on a narrow 12" wide U-shaped open baffle. I've got two 8" Peerless DVC subs on the bottom of the line, but they're not hooked up yet.

What XO are you using? Mine will eventually be powered by an active 4th order XO (125 Hz and 3000 Hz XO points) with Gainclone amps. Right now it's running with a guesstimate second order passive XO at 3000Hz.

First thing I noticed about them was their high sensitivity and a very large, open soundstage. Very good imaging, but a bit "hollow" sounding due to the backwave reflections of the open baffle design. The active XO might help, as well as re-positioning the speakers and applying some absorbant material.

I'll try and post a picture tonight when I get home.

[AJ]

You are definitely a DIY Maniac and I mean that in the best way.

Thanks RCA. I can get away with it because I'm not married.

What XO are you using? Mine will eventually be powered by an active 4th order XO (125 Hz and 3000 Hz XO points) with Gainclone amps. Right now it's running with a guesstimate second order passive XO at 3000Hz.

I'm using an Ashly XR2001 3-way, 4th order and an Outlaw 7 channel amp. Very nice and convenient setup. I've got the bass boxes (there's actually two of those beasts, but I can't get back far enough away from them to get them both in the picture) crossed at ~170hz and the tweeters are currently set at ~3.5Khz. Honestly, I couldn't tell much difference between 3.5 and 7khz but as I said, I haven't really had a chance to listen closely yet.

First thing I noticed about them was their high sensitivity and a very large, open soundstage. Very good imaging, but a bit "hollow" sounding due to the backwave reflections of the open baffle design. The active XO might help, as well as re-positioning the speakers and applying some absorbant material.

That has been pretty much my impression so far too, along with a very wide sweet spot. The hollowness is exactly what I'm hearing and I can't tell if it's because I've got them right up against a wall or what. I had the same problems with other open baffles I've tried in this room, so for whatever the reason, I'm probably gonna end up doing the same thing you are - attenuate the backwave with something. I don't have alot of positioning options so it's about all I can do. My active XO doesn't change the hollowness so I wouldn't expect much help there.

Overall, I like it. At least as far as I've been able to hear it. I'll try and get some quality time with them this weekend so I can get a better feel of them.

Allan

[chipco3434]

Outstanding job. A-B 'em with a box speaker. You'll sell the boxes.

[planet10]

BIG...

For your next DIY project you should move the corners of your house out at least 4 ft (since you can't move the speakers out into the room)

dave

[lucpes]

Dipoles need at least 3ft from walls to sound at their best.

[sqlkev]

outstanding!!!

i was the one who was asking you about the 4" woofers a few weeks ago...mine came out nothing like yours..

how do you think the 18" blend in with the line array??
I'm considering 2 8"s perside or a single 12" per side...but i think itd be an overkill for my living room

how did you wire them up though?

i cant imagine how having 8 ribbons per side sound..

a few things i noticed about my setup...i think it might also apply to you..

the line array sounds better in open air..it sounds more transparent than having them close to the walls with limited space in the back..
there's also a slight peak somewhere but i havent figured out yet (no spl meter)

do a thorough review later pleeeeease!!