Officially introducing my new speaker build. This one is "mostly" done, but unfortunately I won't be done with the second cabinet in time to make it to the Parts Express speaker competition. But I am far enough along that I have something to show.
My goal is to introduce an idea that is attainable for DIY, and I think it has the potential to change the way we do multiple subwoofers. It is not my idea, but I haven't seen anyone else in the DIY space attempt to do an active speaker like this. The idea is multiple active subwoofers incorporated into the main speakers. (It turns out to NOT be cardiod. I pursuied that angle, but did not end up with any promising results.)
My finding so far is that I can effectively control low frequency response in my room with DSP adjustments to the 4 subwoofers. I also get incredibly clean and detailed bass. I don't know if this configuration will work as well in every listening room or home theater, but I am optimistic. I would like to see other people explore the idea and see if their results are similar. I think that it is possible to use 8" or 10" drivers to achieve the same results, but in a smaller cabinet.
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The story behind the build is that approx 1 year ago I was inspired to build a DIY version of the Genelec W371A. I was inspired because I saw it as a clever implementation of multiple subwoofers. Normal multiple subwoofer systems employ multiple subwoofers that are external to the main speakers, and placed around the room. But then Genelec made a speaker that to my eyes appeared to combine the subwoofers into the main speaker cabinets. I didn't know if it was really a multiple subwoofer system or something different, but I wanted to find out if it did work.
My intention was to build a W371A, but in a form factor that is more suitable for a living room. I chose to use 12" woofers for the front, and a 10" subwoofer in the rear. (Genelec used a 14" front woofer and a 12" rear woofer.) I built a couple prototypes to test the viability of the idea, and I quickly found that the concept of placing 2 subwoofers in the same cabinet was effective.
The next evolution happened when I was researching what studio monitor I wanted to use with my cabinets. I was hoping to find a pair of Genelec 8050s. But as I researched this project, I decided it would be more cost effective to make the speakers full range. I thought to myself that I might add a coaxial driver. Then a member suggested adding a 12" pro audio coaxial driver.
Now the origin of my design is slightly confusing with Genelec's recent announcement of the 8381A. My design has ended up being something like a smaller 8381A, which is kind of cool. (I don't presume that the performance of my design rivals that of Genelec's, but mine was slightly cheaper!)
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The cabinet is 16" x 16" x 52", and made of moisture resistant MDF with a skin of carbon fiber cloth (carbon is primarily for aesthetics.) The drivers I'm using are B&C 12FHX76 12" Coaxial, Lab 12 12" woofer, and RSS265-HF-4 10" subwoofer. It is powered by an Emotiva XPA 8 channel amp (6 high power channels + 1 stereo channel). The signal processor is a Peavey VSX 48E. (Cooling fan delete is a critical mod to the Peavey processor!)
The subwoofer plays down to 20hz, and the front woofer has a steep high pass at 50hz. The mid woofer crosses to the horn at 1,200hz. I keep experimenting with the crossover points for the subwoofer, woofer, and mid, so I can't specify what works best.
The port design is something I'm proud of. Early on I decided I wanted the speaker to be 16"x 16", so the radius port design was the only solution that seemed viable. A lot of thought and experimentation went into the port, but I'm not sure what to say about it here. In terms of port noise and resonances, it seems to be as quiet as a Genelec "laminar spiral enclosure" subwoofer. I'm not sure what else to say. Ask if you have questions.
I'm powering the speaker through Speak-On connectors. It's a super clean way to power a 4 way speaker.
Remaining issues: The finish is OK from a distance, but needs a good polish. Maybe needs to be sprayed again to be "perfect". (Automotive 2k clear.) I still have to make the bezels to cover the edges of the drivers. Originally I was going to do aluminum, but now I'm leaning toward black. Black will give a subtle contrast to the carbon.
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Below are some photos from the build.
















