I'm new to speaker DIY, but after reading about BG planars I got really interested in building my own speakers using them. FYI, my room has concrete walls, but I have quite effective dampening in the >100 Hz range. The room is about 12 feet across at the listening position, and about 17 feet wide. I can place the speakers quite freely in the room.
I'm uncertain about which setup I should go for. I'm considering a dipole using either a BG Neo 10 + a BG Neo 3 or a BG RD 50. One obvious disadvantage of the RD 50 is the cost being twice as expensive as the the 10+3 combo. Of course, the 10+3 would require a crossover filter which has its disadvantages.
Some questions:
- What differences are there in sound between the RD 50 and Neo 10 + 3?
- Both the Neo 10 and the RD 50 are speced to go down to 150 Hz. Is it realistic to go this low in a dipole construction? Is one of them better suited for lower frequencies? Would two Neo 10's make it possible to go lower?
- What type of passive crossover filter is recommended for a 10+3 combo? What's the typical cost of the filter components?
- I'm not very familiar with the different mounting possibilities like open baffle, dipole etc. What advantages/disadvantages do they have? Any links to builds are appreciated.
- I've never heard a planar speaker, how does the sound compare to a good electrostat like ML ElectroMotion (which I like a lot)?
Any links to descriptions of builds involving these drivers would be appreciated.
Thanks.
I'm uncertain about which setup I should go for. I'm considering a dipole using either a BG Neo 10 + a BG Neo 3 or a BG RD 50. One obvious disadvantage of the RD 50 is the cost being twice as expensive as the the 10+3 combo. Of course, the 10+3 would require a crossover filter which has its disadvantages.
Some questions:
- What differences are there in sound between the RD 50 and Neo 10 + 3?
- Both the Neo 10 and the RD 50 are speced to go down to 150 Hz. Is it realistic to go this low in a dipole construction? Is one of them better suited for lower frequencies? Would two Neo 10's make it possible to go lower?
- What type of passive crossover filter is recommended for a 10+3 combo? What's the typical cost of the filter components?
- I'm not very familiar with the different mounting possibilities like open baffle, dipole etc. What advantages/disadvantages do they have? Any links to builds are appreciated.
- I've never heard a planar speaker, how does the sound compare to a good electrostat like ML ElectroMotion (which I like a lot)?
Any links to descriptions of builds involving these drivers would be appreciated.
Thanks.
The difference between the 10, 3 combo and the RD50 is the same as the difference between a point source and a line source speaker. They both energize the room differently, which translates into two very different experiences at the listening seat..
As far as dipole vs monopole is concerned, it depends on your listening room situation. If your speakers are going to be relatively close to the sidewalls, but have several feet behind them to the front wall, dipoles would be a very good choice. If you have the exact opposite situation (Like mine) you would probably be better off with a monopole setup.
Ultimately though, like Greg said, Google is your friend. Take full advantage of it. Truckloads of info at your fingertips. Learning this stuff is fun!
As far as dipole vs monopole is concerned, it depends on your listening room situation. If your speakers are going to be relatively close to the sidewalls, but have several feet behind them to the front wall, dipoles would be a very good choice. If you have the exact opposite situation (Like mine) you would probably be better off with a monopole setup.
Ultimately though, like Greg said, Google is your friend. Take full advantage of it. Truckloads of info at your fingertips. Learning this stuff is fun!
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An interesting note concerning Martin Logan is that they used BG neo 3's in that product line before switching over to the AMT type. From an objective measurement perspective, I have never seen an AMT that outperforms the Neo 3. There are several reasons why they could have switched, including "flavor of the year" marketing decisions. AMT's are "hot" at this moment.
I believe that this is the Amt model that ML uses.(Without the round faceplate)
http://meniscusaudio.com/airborne-rt4001-p-1201.html
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Yes, they look very similar. At least the frequency response looks good for this unit.
If you look closely though, you will notice that some Chinese manufacturers (Like this one) 'squish' the graphs in order to make their drivers appear flatter than they actually are..
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Typical electrostatics energize the room differently than either BG type. Much wider than the RD50 and much taller than the Neo's..
I suppose in general they would also have less distortion given the larger driver area.
in general, no, I dont think so
I expect it to be frequency related
being bigger you might try to cross it lower
and distortion rise again, relatively
but, it might still handle it better, yes
no clear case yet
but still, I expect a bigger driver to distort more at higher frequencies
but I dare not say 'in general'
could be a 'simple' matter of power handling
and/or size, in some cases
but still, very much frequency related, surely
I see electrostatic panels, from a high frequency perspective, as absolutely humongous tweeters. The problems associated with absolutely humongous tweeters are obvious. For all intents and purposes,the (gimmicky)cool looking, curved ML panel will make no difference in regards to lateral high frequency dispersion. This is one of their primary downfalls, in my opinion. Another problem with large panel speakers and high frequencies have to do with timing related errors. Your ears will first hear the transient from the panel at the point closest to your ears. Then you will hear that same transient played out over time from from that point to(Eventually)the points on the panel farthest from your ears. Messy. Quads are the only ESL's that don't have that problem..
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Martin Logan Montage
Martin logan speaker with dipole Neo 3 review & measurements..
MartinLogan Montage loudspeaker Measurements | Stereophile.com
Brochure
http://www.martinlogan.com/learn/advanced-thin-film.php
Martin logan speaker with dipole Neo 3 review & measurements..
MartinLogan Montage loudspeaker Measurements | Stereophile.com
Brochure
http://www.martinlogan.com/learn/advanced-thin-film.php
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Well, curved metal panels have other advantages like increased stability. To me it seems that straight line source would have the same problem with delayed transients (although slightly less). The only source that would not have this problem is where the entire source is equidistant from the listener position. A point source is the best in this regard of course.
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