Please sugest partner for Aleph 30 and Gainclones

[vossie]

Hi,

I have been auditioning commercial speakers for the last two months. I've listened to just about all the good brands in the $800-$1300 range. I'm seriously looking for good partners for my original Aleph 30 and the number of Gainclones than seemed to "hatch" when I'm bored... The absolute best speakers I listened to was the Paradigm Reference Studio 60 (and the Studio 40). The B&Ws did not come close, same goes for the Royd Abotts.

Now, being a DIYer I thought of rather putting this money into a very good pair of speakers that I can build and finish to my own standard and liking. I realize I can probably get a very good result for much less and this is what appeals so much to me.

My listening room is 28ft X18ft. I was thinking od floorstanders but now that I've heard those Studio 40 standmounters I think something similar will fill the room more than enough.

I want to build a proven design that I can be sure will sound excellent. My budget for the drivers and X-over is $800. I can't go higher as I need to ship to Cape Town, RSA and pay import duty. I like the MTM configuration in oversize standmounters. I want as much bass as possible because I don't have a sub (well... err...yet) but this is not the most important. I want good mids and highs with the best detail.

Please give me some direction as I'm getting itchy and can't wait too much longer... you know the feeling... THANKS

[vossie]

Hi there... I would really appreciate a response from you guys to give me some direction - thanks!!

[jdybnis]

There was a thread in the chip amps section about a week ago that covered this topic.

[tomcat9]

I have two ideas that I have considered building. I have had an Aleph 3. One of the best amplifiers every built. But you need an effecient speaker.

First idea:
An 8 inch 2 way using a PHL 8 inch driver. They are high quality and very effecient. After crossover, the speaker's SPL should be about 93 db at 1 watt.

Second idea:
If the midbase driver you want to use is not that effecient, use 2 or 4 in one speaker to gain effeciency. I like the idea of using 4 Peerless 6.5 inch HDS drivers stacked in a column, with a high end tweeter on top. The HDS's are very good drivers for the money. If you just use 2, don't do a layout as MTM. Do a MMT. Less space between the drivers playing the same frequencies is better.

[vossie]

jdybnis - thanks - I'll see if I can find it.

tomcat9 - thanks for your suggestion. I have been looking at the EROS design which is 91.5 dB. The Aleph 30 would benifit from a sensitive speaker but this is not an absolute. I'm using 89dB now and it is more than fine. ... I don't listen at loud levels anyway.

I've build speakers before but havn't used very good drivers (it was my first pair of speaker that I build) and it did not come out too wonderfull... Anyway, I'm very interested in a proven design that I can simply build and be sure that it would perform as good as I would want.

...more help?

[agrobler]

Hi Vossie

We're in good old Pretoria and EE friend of mine designs and builds Loudspeakers, amps etc. He has good MTM design with locally available mid-drivers and ribbons he builds, will easily come in under your price - especially if you do the cabinets yourself. Even going active - with all the GC's you have lazy-ing about... would be affordable - at the top of your budget...

Must say cabinets aren't easy though.... mine are sealed with 20mm granite panels - centre brace - with 36mm Imbuia baffles - still have 50 Hz resonance... very small, but still... We now have friend with woodwork factory - his are built very nicely...

If you travel here for business - lemme know if you want to take a listen...

No web-site - will find pics and post them asap

[agrobler]

Pics as promised...

[agrobler]

Another pic...

Oh yes - side, rear, top and bottom are granite, baffle real wood. Not as extreme as John Tophams Trapezoidal Granite boxes, but getting there...

EE dude says if you have the amps go active, I agree... There is just no comparison when comparing passive to decent linear phase active set-up... the directness is startling...

I have huge passive X-O you can have....

[Jozua]

"Vossie"

Why not consider building a ProArc clone ? There is one pair nearing completion within the next week or two in Cape Town.




Jozua

[vossie]

Hi Agrobler,

Thanks for your response - the pics look very good indeed!!! The granite must be lekker heavy and quiet. I'll probably use a combination of MDF and natuaral wood - no veneer... maybe a granite footpiece.

What drivers does this design use? Where do you get them in SA. The local agents for Scanspeak, Vifa and SEAS all seems to have dwindled... Have you got any measurements? Sounds like you're running them active? What x-overs do you use?

I'm up and down (CT and JHB) often. Where in PT are you, maybe I can pop in some time?

Do you have plans for the x-over and cabinet? Please mail them, I'm very interested.

Jozua, dis Stephan hier... Johan and I have spoken to Pierre (who is building the ProAc). according to Pierre importing those drivers is a huge risk - he lost some before and nearly lost the onse for the Proacs at customs. I would build the Thor if I can get the drivers locally (or a friend can bring them down for me).

Anyway, I'm not convinced about the Proacs, there are a number of versions and the latest one seems to get lots of different "opinions" about its performance. How's your ribbons going? Seems like the club hasn't met for months now - any news?.