New project, NSB Array.

[2litre]

Hi All,

I've pretty much finished my last project, some 3-ways very similar to the Visaton NoBox, and am now eying my case of NSB's. I'm thinking line array with a pair of 10 woofers to help out with the bass.

I'd like to make something similar to Bruce's Array

http://www.partsexpress.com/projects...cts.html#bruce

in the NSB projects on PE's website. I was thinking 8 NSB's per side with a pair of these

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=299-138

per side for bass. (mmmm t mmmm ww configuration). I might even do a Linkwitz Dipole woofer arrangement.

I never really thought about the tweeters when I bought the NSB's but I did buy a pair of the closeout BIC Venturie tweeters PE had at the time. I'm thinking of using one per side at approximately throat level while seated. Although I'm pretty much set on the woofers, I think I will need better tweeters to make the project sound nicer.

Keeping with the cheap nature of all the drivers so far, and the fact that I don't have active equalization and will be using passive crossovers in the 125-150 and 2500-3k ranges, do any of you have suggestions on budget tweeters that may work well here? Say $40US or less per side.

Designated room size is very small (10'x13') and, although I haven't been able to measure my normal listening SPL, I bet it's easily sub 100, possibly in the mid 80's.

Any suggestions on the plan, especially tweeter implimentation, would definately be appreciated.

R/

Jim

[chipco3434]

My first array used those onkyo buyouts. PIA. The next used Dayton PT-2's. My next arrays will use Neo 8's. Just my two cents.

Looks like the Bruce array is a decent project. Most people like the sound of OB's.

[jadenlinkletter]

if ya want guaranteed results, a year or two ago i built line arrays with 16 nsb's per side with two dayton 1 1/8" silk dome tweeters in the middle, so mmmmmmmmTTmmmmmmmm

The results we're astonishing, i let the nsb's run fullrange and i think i crossed the tweeters at 3k but i cant remember, wicked wicked speakers, you need 16 to keep your impeedence regular..


taker' easy

[chipco3434]

A small line of the Dayton Neo's wold work nicely also...

nine NSB's would work nicely ~ 8 ohms
eight would give you 7.2 ohms in a 3-2-3 config.... that's OK too.

[2litre]

Thank you all for the responses so far.

jadenlinkletter - I have 34 of them and have seriously thought of doing a 16per side array. I've learned with the NoBoxes to not let my eyes or desire get me into trouble with my floorspace. I might even have to make them boxed to minimize their footprint. Minimum height on just the array of 16 would be what, 72"? I'd love to do it but no, 8-9 per side will be the limit. I've been looking at the DA 1 1/8" silk tweeters for some time. They would allow a lower crossover point and I think I'd like textile tweeters more than mylar or metal. Would just one cut it in a line of 8-9? If I used 2, do they fight each other in any way?

chipco3434 - I'm not sure about 8 or 9 NSB's. The planned woofers have an Re of 3.35. Simply in series the raw math is 6.70 then I add the 10mH inductor, right? Probably right near 7.0ohms. Would it be better to use 8 NSB's at 7.2 ohms or 9 at 8 ohms to keep output levels close to the same as the woofers? Paired, the woofers 93SPL should increase slightly, right? As for the DA Neo tweeters, do you mean the pressfit ones or the back mounted ones?

As for tweeter configurations, I've seen 2 basic versions of arrays. One has multiple tweeters alongside the NSB's and the other has one tweeter somewhere in the line of NSB's. Is there an advantage to one over the other or, for a less than critical listener, either one will work? Logic says the tweeter is mounted at or about face range when sitting but I can rarely stay in one place for long so I'd be more concerned with overall sound rather than perfect sound in one small sweet spot.

Thanks for all the help so far. I'm no audiophile or great woodworker so I don't delve to deeply into the electronics or fancy cabinetry, but I like to get the basics right or make a design based on a proven formula.

R/

Jim

[chipco3434]

Sixteen would put you at at least 76" with a foot of open space on the bottom. Your woofers... have you considered rear firing? They'll sound better that way.

The footprint... the woofer box's will define that. As you will only need about 6 or 8 " in front of the baffle from keeping them from falling over forward.

I was talking about the pressfit one. Consider that two tweeters would at least provide HF at sitting and standing positions.

[2litre]

chipco3434.

I did an author search and saw your v1 and v2 NSB LA's. Nice!
I'm going to read those posts more indepth, lots of good info there. I also saw 3 or 4 other designs applicable to my old house too.

My Wife is cool about all the impulses (shifting from old VW's to speakers) but my room sizes are my big constraints right now. My eyes have been bigger than my space! I've already built one speaker that is more suited to bigger rooms, don't want to do it again.

Thanks for the big help so far.

R/

Jim

[thylantyr]

My NSB array needs no woofers, but does need a seperate subwoofer.
The reason it works is because I have 16 NSB per tower in a ported
box design and I wire it for lower impedance and feed it kilowatts.
Works nice, I can knock stuff off the shelves with over 126dB[c]
of upper midbass. NSB design on steriods - fun
http://home.pacbell.net/lordpk/robarray/

[chipco3434]

FYI...

My next project will be 32 NSB's with a row of BG Neo8's. Each base will incorporate a Tuba 18 with its own 100 watt plate amp or a pair of Dayton DVC's mounted back to back for front rear firing.

I have the walnut mdf in stock so I'm ready to go.

[chipco3434]

thylanter:

What do you reckon is the 3dB down frequency on your ported box design?