Speaker & amp advice.

[grakka]

I'm looking to build a pair of fullrange speakers but i am a bit concerned about which one to build. I'm currently using a pair of Cerwin Vega DC-10 with a poor amp and analog source from computer. The main priority who is a must with the new speakers is better sound quality and soundstage.

My budget is around 1000€ and should cover a pair of speakers including construction materials, a new appropriate amp and a dac if needed. I have great potential when it comes to building so i think that any construction will be fine.

I have read a lot of good things about Mark Audio Alpair series and even though I have never listened to any Mark Audio, I feel that there is a speaker that I would like to try and use for my project. I've read about the pros and cons of various speaker sizes and I think that the Alpair10 is what I'm looking for (but I'm not sure).

My room is about 4 meter wide and 6 meter deep. One wall is made of cloth and the other is of plaster, walls are made of concrete (living in the basement). I am usually listening about 4-5 meters away from the speakers, some few times closer (2-3 meters). I'm listening to all kind of music but mostly rock and acoustic/live.

My question is, which speaker, design and amp may fit my room and requirements best? All suggestions are welcome!

 

[nigelwright7557]

I would go for a mix of speakers.
15 inch or 18inch for the bass from rock music.
You also need mids and highs, so tweeters (or horn) and maybe 10 inch mid range speakers.

 

[planet10]

My budget is around 1000€ and should cover a pair of speakers including construction materials, a new appropriate amp and a dac if needed. I have great potential when it comes to building so i think that any construction will be fine.

I have read a lot of good things about Mark Audio Alpair series and even though I have never listened to any Mark Audio, I feel that there is a speaker that I would like to try and use for my project. I've read about the pros and cons of various speaker sizes and I think that the Alpair10 is what I'm looking for (but I'm not sure).

Being one of the few who have heard the Alpair 10.2 i can say it is a fantastic driver. I'm also privy to what these will sell for, i don't know if the prices have been officially announced but they are very aggressive. With your significant budget, you should have lots left over for DAC, amp & boxes -- unless you choose to build Silbery out of bamboo plywood and especially if you diy the electronics, in the latter case their might even be room for a (sub)woofer(s) to get a truly full-range system (in the right box A10.2 is good for 9 octaves, more if you include the above 20k performance)

As for amp, what did you have in mind? What kind of music?

Source will be computer?

dave

 

[grakka]

I would go for a mix of speakers.
15 inch or 18inch for the bass from rock music.
You also need mids and highs, so tweeters (or horn) and maybe 10 inch mid range speakers.

I'm afraid that a speaker in that size will be too big for my room, and cost a lot.

Being one of the few who have heard the Alpair 10.2 i can say it is a fantastic driver. I'm also privy to what these will sell for, i don't know if the prices have been officially announced but they are very aggressive. With your significant budget, you should have lots left over for DAC, amp & boxes -- unless you choose to build Silbery out of bamboo plywood and especially if you diy the electronics, in the latter case their might even be room for a (sub)woofer(s) to get a truly full-range system (in the right box A10.2 is good for 9 octaves, more if you include the above 20k performance)

As for amp, what did you have in mind? What kind of music?

Source will be computer?

dave

No worries, there wont be any cabs build of bamboo . I've been thinking a lot of diy the amp and electronics actually, but I have no clue about which kind of amp that may fit me. The only amp kit I've been looking at is a 300B valve amp kit (however, very expensive). About a subwoofer, I prefer to keep the speaker in a pair of cabinets. I don't want to use a separate subwoofer beside the other speakers due to the space it takes. I don't mind at all to use several drivers as long as I'm able to keep them in the same cab. I also prefer to not have a port backwards to the wall due to the frequency gain (I don't want it to be boomy).

I don't mind what kind of amp there will be as long as i can afford it. Diy or not don't matter. I am listening to most kind of music but mostly rock. The music should not be colored, i want to keep the sound as transparent as possible. If anything, probably a bit warm and dynamic.

The source will be my computer. Probably optical or coaxial to a DAC (probably Cambridge Audio DACMagic) and on to the amp.

 

[Rullknufs]

I've been helping grakka a little the latest month with his plans but my knowledge is limited
I think something like a pair of Alpair 10.2 would be fine. I think they would do well enough for rock music without a subwoofer. Right now i'm listening to old Metallica songs on my EL70 without no real problems.

 

[510audio]

If you are not looking for the audiophile sound might i sugest a pair of powered speakers , mackies ,jbl, or ev , you can more than likley get these realitive cheap second hand in good working order .

 

[sreten]

Hi,

IMO your already answering your own question and don't have an open mind.
If you want something different IMO MJK's open baffles are worth a look.
http://www.quarter-wave.com/OBs/OB_Design.pdf
http://www.quarter-wave.com/Project08/Project08.html

rgds, sreten.

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