Simple, cheap, and decent TLs?

[Spasticteapot]

Transmission lines have been employed for ages with fullrange drivers.

Why would'nt they work just as well for standard drivers?

Having tinkered with fullrange drivers, I've found very good performance with a driver placed in a PVC pipe transmission line - treble was less than amazing, but bass and midrange was good.

As a result, I'm looking at building a simple 2-way with a good woofer and good tweeter - yeah, pretty minimalist.

I'm looking at the following drivers:

-Dayton RS125 (fits in 4" pipe, I think)
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=295-370

-Silver Flute W14RC25 (requires 5" pipe - but I live near Madisound!)
http://www.madisound.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?cart_id=6118558.8160&pid=1074

-Aurasound NS4-255-8D1 (probbably the worst of the lot - but it's easy to mount in a 4" pipe, and shpping is not a cost. )
http://www.madisound.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?cart_id=8951168.24231&pid=2040

Peerless woofer, unknown model ($10 ea. - CHEAP!)
http://www.madisound.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?cart_id=8951168.24231&pid=1897

The tweeter of choice is a 27TBFCG, except that they're $32 each - a bit much for a "I'm learning how to do this" pair of speakers. I'd prefer instead to use a cheaper tweeter - the ApexJR ribbon is certianly cheap, but perhaps the Hi-Vi K1 would be less hassle. (I'm open to using almost anything on the Madisound "sale" list.)

 

[MJK]

Why would'nt they work just as well for standard drivers?

In some ways I think a TL works better with a two way system. Having a dedicated woofer with a medium Qts value makes the bass stronger then a full range driver which probably has a lower Qts value. My first TL was a two way Focal design and it worked really well, probably better bass then any of my full range drivers speakers I have built since then. I still prefer the full range drivers overall but the Focal two way was very good. I regret having sold that speaker a few years ago.

 

[Spasticteapot]

In some ways I think a TL works better with a two way system. Having a dedicated woofer with a medium Qts value makes the bass stronger then a full range driver which probably has a lower Qts value. My first TL was a two way Focal design and it worked really well, probably better bass then any of my full range drivers speakers I have built since then. I still prefer the full range drivers overall but the Focal two way was very good. I regret having sold that speaker a few years ago.

Any comments on the drivers? Which should I use?

(Seeing as how you're the reigning expert on TL speakers, I figure you're the guy to talk to.)

 

[planet10]

The popular use of FRs in TLs is actually a fairly recent phenominum... most classic TLs were multi-ways (3 & 4 way very typical)

From a quick look at the T/S:

the Peerless & dayton Q is kinda high, the Aura probably has too small a Vas, the Silver Flute would be interesting. It isn't going to work in a 5" pipe. A 6" pipe at the minimum... bigger would probably be more appropriate.

Download Martin's tables & plug the numbers in for a ballpark.

dave

 

[tinitus]

These new squared spiral are interesting

http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~hanbei/eng-angular.html


This new oem hemp/adire driver seems interesting for TL, but expencive

http://www.rawacoustics.com/item__RA1658_,805.html

 

[planet10]

This new oem hemp/adire driver seems interesting for TL, but expencive

http://www.rawacoustics.com/item__RA1658_,805.html

I hadn't realized that those had hemp cones... i have a pair of those.

dave

 

[tinitus]

looks good - how is the top end FR

 

[planet10]

looks good - how is the top end FR

Don't know yet. Haven't listened to them.

dave

 

[sreten]

Hi,

for the silver flutes use Zaph's design :

http://www.zaphaudio.com/audio-speaker13.html

/sreten.

 

[MJK]

Any comments on the drivers? Which should I use?

Sorry, I really don't know anything about any of the drivers that you listed. I can't be of much help in driver selection.

 

[planet10]

for the silver flutes use Zaph's design

That sorts the XO and gives you an easy tweeter for HF... then you just need to sim up a TL - should give you more LF & allow the cab to reach the floor without a stand.

dave

 

[Spasticteapot]

That sorts the XO and gives you an easy tweeter for HF... then you just need to sim up a TL - should give you more LF & allow the cab to reach the floor without a stand.

dave

So I'm not just a little crazy? I'm really very new to all of this - I'm currently trying to order a box of NSBs.

Zaph's design looks excellent - it looks to be the "sub-$100 speaker" we've all been asked for on a regular basis.

A TL (I'm fond of PVC - but 6" PVC is not cheap!) might do funny things to the frequency response - I'm not sure. The question is wether it constitutes an improvement.

Anyway, a few ideas I'd like to toss out:

1. Old-school MTM TL:
http://users.d-web.com/dbrown/db616tl2/db616tl2.htm

2. TL that looks...well...appropriate for a kitbash of Zaph's excellent plans:
http://www.t-linespeakers.org/projects/chris/index.html

3. A simple 2-way old-school TL:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/cmelhuish/speakers.htm

4. A really, really simple TL with a tweeter. Definitely the most sanity friendly option.
http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~tyuuou/enbi/180921aki.htm


5.As stated earlier, the twisty-foldy-horn-thing. This also looks like a good bet for getting yet more bass out of these small and cheap drivers.

http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~hanbei/eng-angular.html


A notable feature of these drivers is their bass performance - it's impressive. A TL might help boost this to the level where you don't need a subwoofer for HT duty, which would be ideal.

In fact, if anyone could help me figure out which driver would be appropriate, perhaps I could just build a 2-way BiB? People have been using "helper" tweeters for ages on these, and it might help cancel some funkiness with the treble.

Bigger is Better:
http://www.zillaspeak.com/bib.asp