Hi All. For the last number of years I've run a JE Labs 2a3 SET amp into Altec 604's. It sounds great. Like any good hobbyist I think I'm ready to move on to the next thing and build a little bit more.
Like many other people I am planning on building an Aleph J / M2 / F6. Haven't decided on the model yet, leaning toward the Aleph J.
I originally intended on powering KEF LS50's with a Firstwatt style amplifier, but it appears that the LS50 load is decidedly not a good match for an amplifier like that.
So I am now looking at high quality speaker kits. I am hoping to find something more modern (compared to my Altecs) and something that is physically smaller. Shouldn't be hard to do, right? Here's what I'm looking for in a speaker:
- DIY / kit
- ~90db/w/m or above sensitivity
- Reasonable load
- 10" driver or less
- 2 way
- Floor standing or bookshelf ok. Preference for floor standing but it's not a must.
- Ballpark ~$2k USD or less
I am aware of kits from Madisound and Solen. Interested in what I see from SEAS and ScanSpeak. Not interested in full range / Fostex / Lowther style setups.
What else should I be aware of?
Like many other people I am planning on building an Aleph J / M2 / F6. Haven't decided on the model yet, leaning toward the Aleph J.
I originally intended on powering KEF LS50's with a Firstwatt style amplifier, but it appears that the LS50 load is decidedly not a good match for an amplifier like that.
So I am now looking at high quality speaker kits. I am hoping to find something more modern (compared to my Altecs) and something that is physically smaller. Shouldn't be hard to do, right? Here's what I'm looking for in a speaker:
- DIY / kit
- ~90db/w/m or above sensitivity
- Reasonable load
- 10" driver or less
- 2 way
- Floor standing or bookshelf ok. Preference for floor standing but it's not a must.
- Ballpark ~$2k USD or less
I am aware of kits from Madisound and Solen. Interested in what I see from SEAS and ScanSpeak. Not interested in full range / Fostex / Lowther style setups.
What else should I be aware of?
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Just a few weeks ago, another member completed the "Uluwatu" kit, and was very happy with it. High efficiency and high output, moderate impedance load. It might meet your needs.
Floorstander kit
Speaker Design Works
Floorstander kit
Speaker Design Works
Thanks for the recommendations. I am looking into all of this.
Also investigating the Dynaco / Snell family. It appears there are plenty of plans or kits for building A26's (and @planet10 's revised A26). AudioNote has graciously agreed to email me blueprints for their AN E cabinets. Jantzen is in the UK but has an interesting 8008 driver "high efficiency" kit in conjunction with Troels Gravesen. All interesting tweaks on a more traditional speaker design.
I'm intending to use this project as an opportunity to purchase some good woodworking tools. Maybe a nice router and table saw.
Also investigating the Dynaco / Snell family. It appears there are plenty of plans or kits for building A26's (and @planet10 's revised A26). AudioNote has graciously agreed to email me blueprints for their AN E cabinets. Jantzen is in the UK but has an interesting 8008 driver "high efficiency" kit in conjunction with Troels Gravesen. All interesting tweaks on a more traditional speaker design.
I'm intending to use this project as an opportunity to purchase some good woodworking tools. Maybe a nice router and table saw.
2-way and max 10", I'd say, go for a design with a horn or waveguide. Otherwise your directivity pattern will likely be way off.
If you want a "1-vendor" design....
---- 94db/watt 2-way with the Faital Pro 12PR320-8( 2.2cuft ported -F3~50Hz ) + Fatial Pro HF108-8 with Faital LTH-102 horn, crossover ~1,200Hz are used in EconoWaves with positive reviews. I used the 12PR300. The 1" HF108 tweeter is smooth to 18Khz. The response graph proves smooth controlled directivity transfer between the 12PR320 and LTH-102 horn with a 1.2kHz crossover.
---- 94db/watt 2-way with the Faital Pro 12PR320-8( 2.2cuft ported -F3~50Hz ) + Fatial Pro HF108-8 with Faital LTH-102 horn, crossover ~1,200Hz are used in EconoWaves with positive reviews. I used the 12PR300. The 1" HF108 tweeter is smooth to 18Khz. The response graph proves smooth controlled directivity transfer between the 12PR320 and LTH-102 horn with a 1.2kHz crossover.
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"I've run a JE Labs 2a3 SET amp
I am planning on building an Aleph J"
asilker would likely get the most benefit from bi-amping just the woofers with a solid state amp in a 3-way speaker configuration.
Powerful deep bass requires either a large horn or a high power amplifier. Klipsch size horns increase bass down to ~40Hz, and benefit from corner gain. Even a ported 18" woofer with 96db/watt SPL will need a high current output amplifier to produce crisp bass down to ~30Hz.
I am planning on building an Aleph J"
asilker would likely get the most benefit from bi-amping just the woofers with a solid state amp in a 3-way speaker configuration.
Powerful deep bass requires either a large horn or a high power amplifier. Klipsch size horns increase bass down to ~40Hz, and benefit from corner gain. Even a ported 18" woofer with 96db/watt SPL will need a high current output amplifier to produce crisp bass down to ~30Hz.
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Thanks for the recommendations everyone.
I'm not interested in deep bass. If it happens, great, if not then also great. I've run Altecs and BBC style minimonitors for a long time, my taste is oriented a little more toward the midrange freq.
I've considered bi-amping, I think I'd like to build one amplifier first and perhaps go from there. To be honest, I'm more attracted to running a fully balanced setup with two monoblocks than splitting things up into a biamp scheme. I'd like to have a very simple balanced DAC -> balanced monos setup eventually.
Editing to clarify:
Learning how to build properly has become about half the hobby for me. I want my gear to sound good but I'm not chasing the end-all, be-all. I've done some room treatment before, I've built a number of tube amplifiers. The next goals for me are to get more familiar with solid state builds and to develop some woodworking skill.
I'm not interested in deep bass. If it happens, great, if not then also great. I've run Altecs and BBC style minimonitors for a long time, my taste is oriented a little more toward the midrange freq.
I've considered bi-amping, I think I'd like to build one amplifier first and perhaps go from there. To be honest, I'm more attracted to running a fully balanced setup with two monoblocks than splitting things up into a biamp scheme. I'd like to have a very simple balanced DAC -> balanced monos setup eventually.
Editing to clarify:
Learning how to build properly has become about half the hobby for me. I want my gear to sound good but I'm not chasing the end-all, be-all. I've done some room treatment before, I've built a number of tube amplifiers. The next goals for me are to get more familiar with solid state builds and to develop some woodworking skill.
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Linesource, would you want to share the crossover and box design for this? I'm very interested in both of these drivers. Glenn.
Faital 12PR320 HF108 LTH102 has been used in DIY econowaves for a few years.
Faital 12PR320-8 in 2cuft ported volume produces -F3 ~ 50hz with 4" dia pipe 4" long port(PVC pipe). OR 3" dia pipe 1.7" long
A larger volume is often tuned into a bass shelf which uses room gain for deeper bass.
FAME...POPULARITY... Humble Homemade Hifi designed the Mezzo Calpamos using Faital 12PR320 HF108R LTH102
Google "Mezzo Calpamo" for example constructions, and modifications.
Google "Troels Galvensen" for example woofer cabinet constructions using Faital 12PR320.
For DIY...
Goal: 3.5-4.0cuft empty 4-walls volume. ~2.2cuft open with drivers, crossover, plus bracing and stuffiing
Exterior width = 16" ...Interior width = 14.5" using 0.75" thick plywood
Exterior height = 44" ...Interior height = 42.5" using 0.75" thick plywood
Exterior depth = 12" ...Interior depth =10.5" using 0.75" thick plywood
BW3 crossover circuits at ~1350Hz
Faital 12PR320-8 in 2cuft ported volume produces -F3 ~ 50hz with 4" dia pipe 4" long port(PVC pipe). OR 3" dia pipe 1.7" long
A larger volume is often tuned into a bass shelf which uses room gain for deeper bass.
FAME...POPULARITY... Humble Homemade Hifi designed the Mezzo Calpamos using Faital 12PR320 HF108R LTH102
Google "Mezzo Calpamo" for example constructions, and modifications.
Google "Troels Galvensen" for example woofer cabinet constructions using Faital 12PR320.
For DIY...
Goal: 3.5-4.0cuft empty 4-walls volume. ~2.2cuft open with drivers, crossover, plus bracing and stuffiing
Exterior width = 16" ...Interior width = 14.5" using 0.75" thick plywood
Exterior height = 44" ...Interior height = 42.5" using 0.75" thick plywood
Exterior depth = 12" ...Interior depth =10.5" using 0.75" thick plywood
BW3 crossover circuits at ~1350Hz
