Best DIY dipole speakers?

AlliumPorrum · 25th December 2012, 01:36 PM

What would be the best DIY dipole speakers you have ever heard?

I'm interested on building some OB speakers, and the clear purpose is to get better sound quality than with current Magneplanars. I'm quite happy with their true ribbons, so it wouldn't be a problem using Maggie's ribbons for the highs. Basses is the biggest problem with Maggies for me; no matter what the model is, there is always something missing from the bottom end with music such as pop/rock or classical. I think that mids are quite good, but if there are any ways for improvement, I'll more than glad to hear your suggestions.

I also think that I will be using DEQX for crossovers and corrections.

Thank you!

phazer99 · 26th December 2012, 10:43 AM

I guess ESLs are not an option?

AlliumPorrum · 26th December 2012, 01:56 PM

At this stage I just want to hear ideas & experiences on best possible DIY speakers, no matter of the technology.

Are ESL- drivers/kits really available somewhere?

Kelocyde · 26th December 2012, 02:37 PM

Have you considered building two separate "bass cabinets" that are tuned a little on the more musical side (rather than extreme LFE) to fill in that impact/warmth?

CharlieM · 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlliumPorrum

At this stage I just want to hear ideas & experiences on best possible DIY speakers, no matter of the technology.

Are ESL- drivers/kits really available somewhere?

An Australian company called ER Audio sells very fine ESL kit speakers. Another company called Just Real Music (Michigan/USA) sells complete ESL speakers and components for DIY'ers at very reasonable prices-- I hear the owner Russ is a really nice guy who won't cheat you but sometimes has more work than he can do quickly-- so it might take a while to get an order filled.

The great thing about ESL's is that, if you're moderately handy, you can build your own hybrid ESL's for not a lot money. The website below is a pretty good resource for a newbie ESL builder. The ESL panels and power supplies shown there are simple and easy and could adapted to practically any hybrid ESL speaker design.
Jazzman's DIY Electrostatic Loudspeaker Page

deicide67 · 26th December 2012, 02:43 PM

My Acoustic Elegance will make bass that will rattle the china cabinet, and they are fully passive.

StigErik · 26th December 2012, 04:53 PM

The best I've heard, with a very large margin is:
B&G RD-75 from 200 Hz and up.
Large H-baffles from 200 Hz and down.

Bob Richards · 27th December 2012, 12:33 AM

Check out my "Aurium Waveguide" open baffle speakers. Woofers are in separate cabinets. The system as a whole is triamped, and measures acoustically flat at the couch from 20HZ to 20kHZ, +/- 3dB. Watch out for the Behringer products. Some of them have really bad analog circuits. See my web page on the one I redesigned and rebuilt, after Gary Pimm brought the design problems to my attention. Bob's Website
http://www.spiritone.com/~rob_369

tinnitusintx · 27th December 2012, 02:37 AM

I understand exactly where you're coming from. I have MG-IIIa's and love so many things about them but their lack of LF prowess is a definite handicap. I tried supplementing them with subs (sealed and ported in a variety of sizes) but never thought anything integrated all that well. Then I built a pair of OB H-frames with 15" Eminence Alpha LF driver and it was a match made in heaven. The H-frame subs are everything they say they are....musical as all hell with a robust, fat as well as punchy character with speed and clarity unlike any any boxed sub I've ever heard. I've never measured mine but I'm sure their fairly flat down into the upper thirties, at least....possibly lower. Provided you have the space to accommodate them along with the Maggies (the H-frames need to be about four feet out from the front wall to sound their best) it's a very impressive combination.

- Michael

Jonasz · 27th December 2012, 07:05 AM

Without a doubt the NaO Note. Seamless in the highs and plenty of low bass (made my pair with AE IB15 in H baffles).

Strongly recommended!

25th December 2012, 01:36 PM	#1
AlliumPorrum diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2011	Best DIY dipole speakers? What would be the best DIY dipole speakers you have ever heard? I'm interested on building some OB speakers, and the clear purpose is to get better sound quality than with current Magneplanars. I'm quite happy with their true ribbons, so it wouldn't be a problem using Maggie's ribbons for the highs. Basses is the biggest problem with Maggies for me; no matter what the model is, there is always something missing from the bottom end with music such as pop/rock or classical. I think that mids are quite good, but if there are any ways for improvement, I'll more than glad to hear your suggestions. I also think that I will be using DEQX for crossovers and corrections. Thank you!

26th December 2012, 04:53 PM	#7
StigErik diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2008	The best I've heard, with a very large margin is: B&G RD-75 from 200 Hz and up. Large H-baffles from 200 Hz and down. __________________ dipoles dipoles dipoles dipoles dipoles dipoles dipoles dipoles and dipoles

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26th December 2012, 10:43 AM	#2
phazer99 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sweden	I guess ESLs are not an option?

26th December 2012, 01:56 PM	#3
AlliumPorrum diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2011	At this stage I just want to hear ideas & experiences on best possible DIY speakers, no matter of the technology. Are ESL- drivers/kits really available somewhere?

26th December 2012, 02:37 PM	#4
Kelocyde diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Pontiac, MI	Have you considered building two separate "bass cabinets" that are tuned a little on the more musical side (rather than extreme LFE) to fill in that impact/warmth?

26th December 2012, 02:43 PM	#6
deicide67 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2008	My Acoustic Elegance will make bass that will rattle the china cabinet, and they are fully passive.

27th December 2012, 12:33 AM	#8
Bob Richards diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Portland Oregon, USA	Check out my "Aurium Waveguide" open baffle speakers. Woofers are in separate cabinets. The system as a whole is triamped, and measures acoustically flat at the couch from 20HZ to 20kHZ, +/- 3dB. Watch out for the Behringer products. Some of them have really bad analog circuits. See my web page on the one I redesigned and rebuilt, after Gary Pimm brought the design problems to my attention. Bob's Website http://www.spiritone.com/~rob_369

27th December 2012, 02:37 AM	#9
tinnitusintx diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2011	I understand exactly where you're coming from. I have MG-IIIa's and love so many things about them but their lack of LF prowess is a definite handicap. I tried supplementing them with subs (sealed and ported in a variety of sizes) but never thought anything integrated all that well. Then I built a pair of OB H-frames with 15" Eminence Alpha LF driver and it was a match made in heaven. The H-frame subs are everything they say they are....musical as all hell with a robust, fat as well as punchy character with speed and clarity unlike any any boxed sub I've ever heard. I've never measured mine but I'm sure their fairly flat down into the upper thirties, at least....possibly lower. Provided you have the space to accommodate them along with the Maggies (the H-frames need to be about four feet out from the front wall to sound their best) it's a very impressive combination. - Michael

27th December 2012, 07:05 AM	#10
Jonasz diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Kristinehamn	Without a doubt the NaO Note. Seamless in the highs and plenty of low bass (made my pair with AE IB15 in H baffles). Strongly recommended!