Reccomendations on speaker build

[Binaural]

Hey all, first I must say i LOVE the wealth of information on this site!

Ok now down to business, I'm looking to build my first set of speakers (actually 3 LCR configuration) I have a pretty limited area to put them so i'm looking at bookshelf size. I'm really going for maximum sound quality. Really i'm trying to gather ideas here so if you have any reccomendations throw them at me!

I guess i should state that i'm an audio engineer by trade so i have a good understanding of acoustics/electronics and have access to a decent wood working shop to make the enclosures.

Thanks everyone!

[joe carrow]

I think you'll need to add some more details to narrow it down some. To consider:

-budget
-size (be specific)
-listening pattern? (home theater, music, studio, etc)
-amplifier wattage, number of channels, etc.
-musical taste
-commercial offerings you'd like to imitate

I think there's a lot on here if you search thoroughly.

[Binaural]

Sorry for the lack of specifics, see if this is a little more help.

As far as size of the drivers, i think i've decided on a 2 way setup with no larger than a 6" low range. I'd really like to use a ribbon tweeter because i like their transparency and upper harmonics, all in a small ported box.

The speakers would be used in a home theater setup but i also listen to a lot of vinyl, dvd-audio, SACD, and binaural recordings that would be stereo only.

Powering these is a Sony V333ES with 6 channels and 120 watts per channel. Eventually i will be upgrading to 6 homemade triode/pentode monoblocks, so i'd like to build one that would be most compatable with both.

I listen to everything from Joe Satriani to boroque played on period instruments.

As far as speakers i'd like to emulate, perhaps the Jean-Marie Reynaud Twin Mk.III loudspeaker minus the dual voice coil woofer. I love the stereo image of these speakers and how true to life they are, or maybe the PSB New Stratus Mini for realism.

Is this asking too much? I intentionally left out $$ so i don't completely limit myself at first. Also to get that kind of sound is the ribbon tweeter the right way to go?

[planet10]

Originally posted by Binaural
a 2 way setup with no larger than a 6" low range. I'd really like to use a ribbon tweeter because i like their transparency and upper harmonics, all in a small ported box.

RAW HT1s? CSS WR125 + Al's version of the Aurum Cantus 2Gsi.

dave

[Binaural]

Hey Dave,
I've done some research on the Aurum Cantus and it looks great so i think i've found my tweeter. Now the WR125 seems to be a bit small (in size yes, but what about sound?) how does this compare to say a swan m6a?

Now on to the nitty gritty. Enclosure design, what materials work the best, MDF or solid wood? Crossovers, i was looking at just building a good one, do you know where i can find plans for one? Thanks for helping me get this far.

[planet10]

Originally posted by Binaural
Now the WR125 seems to be a bit small (in size yes, but what about sound?) how does this compare to say a swan m6a?

Because of the XBL technology it performs much larger than its size*. Because it is small it reaches up higher. The price paid is its efficiency.

*(ie i think of the Exremis 7" in the same places i'd think of a 10")

It sounds very good.

dave

[Cal Weldon]

Originally posted by Binaural
MDF or solid wood?

I would recommend plywood

Cal

[xyrium]

Originally posted by Binaural
Hey Dave,
I've done some research on the Aurum Cantus and it looks great so i think i've found my tweeter. Now the WR125 seems to be a bit small (in size yes, but what about sound?) how does this compare to say a swan m6a?

Now on to the nitty gritty. Enclosure design, what materials work the best, MDF or solid wood? Crossovers, i was looking at just building a good one, do you know where i can find plans for one? Thanks for helping me get this far.

The AC ribbons are nice, however it sounds like you should do a predesigned build. That's what I'm doing for my first speaker. AFAIK, MDF is the way to go, especially if you're going to do your own veneer. MDF (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) is better damped (lower resonance) than solid, or ply wood. It creates a TON of dust when you route and cut it though.

I'm doing Zaph's L15/27TDFC design right now. I highly recommend you check out his site for a nice design on the L18/27TBFC all metal system which sounds like it will fit your description quite well.

www.zaphaudio.com

Rgds,
Paul

[xyrium]

Then again, if you're an audio engineer and have access to a good deal of space and tools, I would have to agree with Planet 10, because I find those ribbons so darned intriguing. Though I would still go with MDF (1" front, 3/4 everywhere else).

[planet10]

Originally posted by xyrium
The AC ribbons are nice, however it sounds like you should do a predesigned build. That's what I'm doing for my first speaker.

Agreed... unless you really know what you are doing

AFAIK, MDF is the way to go,

I've given up on MDF. Use plywood. We get all the free MDF we could ever use and will still go out and buy a sheet of Baltic Birch, using MDF only for less critical subwoofers.

We did matching bi-poles with plywood & MDF, and, to the ones with better trained ears, the plywood was clearly superior. Some preferred the MDF, and the reasons why shed some interesting light on people's perception of what was happening (i keep threatening to editorialize on this)

dave