Extremis / ??? 2 way mains

[Mr Teal]

Ok, here is my situation. I'm looking to complete a whole bunch of projects I have laying around, namely a couple of amps, a set of bookshelf/computer speakers, a sub and a set of mains. So, funds are a little on the short side, I'm afraid.

I do have quite a bit already however, including for the mains two Adire Extremises (Extremii?) in the closet and an Avalanche 18" on it's way for sub duties. The box for the Avalanche is ready to go, it's 7.5 cubes (212 litres).

What I'm looking for some advice with is my mains. The room that they're going into right now is medium sized, but it'd be nice for them not to be dwarfed should my listening room get bigger. I'm interested in trying an open baffle project, but I worry about the Extremises running into issues with extension with no box and a low (~60Hz) crossover point.

For the upper crossover point, I'm unsure where to put it. I think I'd like to keep it out of the 500 Hz area to avoid it affecting vocals too much, but want to avoid beaming issues off-axis, so a crossover much above 2500 is probably a bad idea. I've been looking for drivers to fill the top range, and have come up with some small wide range units.

The Tang Band W2-880SC is low cost and seems like it could cover the range I need, though it's a little ragged on top.

The Hi-Vi B1S is even less expensive and is alot smoother on top.

Can anyone help steer me in a productive direction so that the time my young wife does let me spend messing with different configurations is better spent?

Thanks alot guys.

[BassAwdyO]

with the extremis you're definately OK up to 2.5Khz.

I cross mine around 3k to some vifa tweeters. I forget which series tweeter, but they're not very expensive (~$30 each) and I'm using 12db/octave crossovers that I made myself with some electrolytic caps and air core inductors that I would myself. I do think the crossover could use a bit more tweaking to perhaps get better alignment in the time domain, but I really lack serious testing equipment.

The extremis is a good choice for midrange... except that horrid efficiency

[BassAwdyO]

For an enclosure the extremis is pretty versitile. Since you're running an avalanche below it I'd suggest sealed boxes for the low group delay and higher F3. Open baffle doesnt sound like a bad idea either and I think you might be able to make it down to 60hz in a Uframe or something, but I'm not really very experienced with OB

[Mr Teal]

Thanks for the reply BassAwdyO. Maybe I'll fire an email to Adire asking about their recommendations for an OB.

Another fullrange I noticed is the Aura NS3-194-8E. Anyone have any experience with this unit?

[audiobomber]

Originally posted by Mr Teal
Thanks for the reply BassAwdyO. Maybe I'll fire an email to Adire asking about their recommendations for an OB.

It doesn't look like a single pair of Extremi will give you a viable system. Efficiency is l-o-w!

http://adireaudio.com/Home/KITDDR.htm

[BassAwdyO]

I have my extremises in a TL right now and I'm satisfied with the performance. It was my first TL and I designed it myself(so its definately not optimal) but it still sounds decent. Now.... if you could get GM to design you an extremis TL I'm sure you would love the results!

If you wanna spend an extra 200 dollars and can live with 80db effiency then go for the OB!


Why does adire use a dipole tweeter above 1.8Khz? I thought linkwitz said using dipole above 2khz was detrimental to sound quality.

[DanWiggins]

Originally posted by audiobomber


It doesn't look like a single pair of Extremi will give you a viable system. Efficiency is l-o-w!

http://adireaudio.com/Home/KITDDR.htm

That's not a function of of the Extremis, as much as it is a function of a dipole speaker. The DDR has a low efficiency because the crossover supplied compensates for the roll-off on the low end, to achieve flat response down to 100 Hz on a 12" wide baffle. ANY dipole system with a 12" wide baffle will have low efficiency when extended down to 100 Hz.

Dan Wiggins
Adire Audio

[BassAwdyO]

no comment on the dipole tweeter above 2k Dan?

I might have to buy another pair of extremises and a Neo3pdr(plus a nasty long list of crossover components) and try it out.

I find it interesting that the tweeter is in reversed polarity with the extremises also.... Did you design this yourself Dan?

[Luke (Uof Iowa)]

Originally posted by BassAwdyO
no comment on the dipole tweeter above 2k Dan?

The NaO's, use a rear-firing tweeter, so it may be a matter of differing opinion.

[Mr Teal]

So Dan, using one Extremis per side OB wouldn't give anywhere near the extension I'd need. What would you recommend for an enclosure Dan? The 33Hz 21L box would allow me to cross it over before the phase and group delay really rise.

Are their any graphs of the 30 degree FR of the Extremis anywhere?