10k PA System drivers?

[grimslater]

Hi guys,
I'm looking at putting together a 10K Pa system.
I have two main questions:

1. Will it be cheaper to build it myself or will I get more value for money buying a "off the shelf system?"

2. What drivers would people recommend?

I'm looking at 4 subs each with 2 18" drivers and 4 tops.
Powered by 4 Behringer Ep2500

Thanks

Grim

[Tim Moorman]

I would build at much as I could to save money.

I would use bass horns instead of direct radiators. The savings would be in the ability to provide as much acoustic power using one horn sub as multiple 18s (at least a pair), and with smaller/fewer amplifiers.

The Labhorn that Tom Danley designed is archived at the Live Audio Board site. Uses a custom designed Eminence-built pair of 12" drivers for each horn (Lab 12). Massive output per box.

http://www.prosoundweb.com/lsp/

Also, Adire has a design using the 15" Tempest subwoofer as a driver in a smaller enclosure. Click DIY, and scroll to bottom.

http://www.adireaudio.com/

I like the idea of the BMS coax drivers like the 4590 paired up with their new 15" L15N620, but I have not heard these. Looks like quality stuff with excellent response.

http://www.assistanceaudio.com/02_bms.html

Aside from these diy ideas, the Unity design from Tom Danley is marketed by Yorkville, and offers the whole package in a single or dual 15" design. You will probably still need subs, but these are fairly affordable.

http://www.yorkville.com/products.asp?type=29&cat=38

Tim

[OMNIFEX]

Hey Dude!

You must be on a budget, since you are trying to get 10k out of four Behringer EP 2500 amps. The most I can tell you is to buy
used.

Its cheaper

[BAM]

Behringer amps look like QSC amps internally, but there are lots of cost-cutting measures that affect performance and reliability. Go with Crown XLS Series amplifiers, or Crown CE series amplifiers. Get the quality power and build two LABs per side and use one Yorkville Unity top per side.

[Tim Moorman]

No idea where the measurements came from, but here are the designer's:

http://www.prosoundweb.com/lsp/response1.gif

It was built with the intent of stacking in multiples outdoors, or used with multiples/ boundary reinforcement inside.

This unit is capable of near 135 dB at 60 Hz, probably 130 dB at 50 Hz with 450 watts applied. No idea what the Tuba will do.

Tim

[Tim Moorman]

I couldn't get the link to work.

I have only heard the LAB sub, and I built a similar horn sub myself. I can only vouch for it. The Tuba designs are fairly new in the larger sizes, so not much out there yet.

If Bill or someone can get decent measurements posted here and on the LAB site, I'm sure a lot of people would be interested. Light and simple is good.

Just looking at displacement, the LAB drivers can 800 watts, the 15" 600, the 15" would have to have about 20mm excursion to match displacement of the twin 12s with 13mm each.

The original poster is in England. What woofer is used? Available across the pond for diy like Eminence?

Tim

[grimslater]

The tuba30 look amazing on paper, but whats the catch?

[dangus]

See also http://www.speakerplans.com

Judging by the quotes I received from a couple of PA companies, "K" often comes from adding up the model numbers on the amps, and does not necessarily mean the actual RMS watts they have on tap.

[synergy]

first off what music are you playing? that'll determine the sort of cabs you require

it's more than possible to get exactly what you want by building it yourself and alot cheaper than off the shelf but talking in terms of watts is only half the story it's how efficient the boxes are at converting those watts into sound that matters

those EP2500's aren't bad amps we installed two running the subs in our local club pretty much as soon as they came out and they've been thrashed every weekend since by DJ's fresh out of their bedrooms without complaint

dave