I don't want to reinvent the wheel, I want to build something someone else has already figured out that sounds really great.
Honestly, these speakers are going to be 95% HT, as I don't have time at home to sit around listening to music (and I do that all day at work), and I have several pairs of great headphones. I do want them to sound amazing for music, because in my opinion most "HT" speakers are loud and don't sound great. With a newborn, loud isn't in the future plans anyways. Currently, I have a Paul Carmody Sunflower Center Channel tucked in the entertainment center. As you can see from below photo, I don't have a lot of room between the entertainment center and the wall.
What I'd like to do, is build a pair of Rythmik 12" subs for each side so I get stereo bass, and stack something on top. I think I'd like to build something that I can modify the cabinet dimensions to make it shorter, so once it's on the subs it'll be the correct height. Is this a bad plan?
Any recommendations? I'm sort of leaning towards the Zaph ZRT 2.5 way, but I'm okay with something a bit less expensive.
Thanks!
Honestly, these speakers are going to be 95% HT, as I don't have time at home to sit around listening to music (and I do that all day at work), and I have several pairs of great headphones. I do want them to sound amazing for music, because in my opinion most "HT" speakers are loud and don't sound great. With a newborn, loud isn't in the future plans anyways. Currently, I have a Paul Carmody Sunflower Center Channel tucked in the entertainment center. As you can see from below photo, I don't have a lot of room between the entertainment center and the wall.
What I'd like to do, is build a pair of Rythmik 12" subs for each side so I get stereo bass, and stack something on top. I think I'd like to build something that I can modify the cabinet dimensions to make it shorter, so once it's on the subs it'll be the correct height. Is this a bad plan?
Any recommendations? I'm sort of leaning towards the Zaph ZRT 2.5 way, but I'm okay with something a bit less expensive.
Thanks!
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Your description fits most hi-fi speakers. Try the search function to find what speaker kits are great.
It is a good idea to get the speakers at the correct height. Decreasing the cabinet height usually is not a problem, if the speakers are not tasked to play back bass. Cabinet width should remain the same to keep baffle step effects similar.
The Zaph ZRT 2.5 seems to be a good execution of an 'old school' loudspeaker. More recent designs with waveguides pay more attention to directivity, which we now know is important. The dual bass midranges are not necessary if you do not need bass or high SPL. This is an example of a well executed modern design: Heissmann Acoustics | DXT-MON-STAND | Tower speaker , though there are many more.
It is a good idea to get the speakers at the correct height. Decreasing the cabinet height usually is not a problem, if the speakers are not tasked to play back bass. Cabinet width should remain the same to keep baffle step effects similar.
The Zaph ZRT 2.5 seems to be a good execution of an 'old school' loudspeaker. More recent designs with waveguides pay more attention to directivity, which we now know is important. The dual bass midranges are not necessary if you do not need bass or high SPL. This is an example of a well executed modern design: Heissmann Acoustics | DXT-MON-STAND | Tower speaker , though there are many more.
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Linking to an image in your G-Drive isn't the best way of sharing it with us (especially as it looks like you might not have enabled sharing yet) - it's a lot better to attach the file directly here to the forum.
Ahh, attaching images to posts is much more difficult than I anticipated, hopefully this is the ticket.
Thanks! There are just so many designs, and it's really difficult (without building/listening to all of them) to figure out which ones are really good. I've probably spent 40 hours thus far searching and reading and have ended up more confused than I was at the beginning!
Thanks! There are just so many designs, and it's really difficult (without building/listening to all of them) to figure out which ones are really good. I've probably spent 40 hours thus far searching and reading and have ended up more confused than I was at the beginning!
Attachments
Take a look at some of Jeff Bagby's designs. Particularly the Kairos or Adelphos to sit on top of a sub. There is a compatible Kairos bass module as an alternative to a regular sub.
There are lots of good choices. Check out the websites for Meniscus Audio and Madisound if you haven't already done so. Also call them to get good input on the various kits.
You also might want to check out this thread before settling on the Zaph ZRT 2.5 Way.
Zaph / Madisound ZRT 2.5 Problem
There are lots of good choices. Check out the websites for Meniscus Audio and Madisound if you haven't already done so. Also call them to get good input on the various kits.
You also might want to check out this thread before settling on the Zaph ZRT 2.5 Way.
Zaph / Madisound ZRT 2.5 Problem
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Another option you might want to consider is the new Phiharmonic Audio BMR by Dennis Murphy. It is reported to go down to 34 Hz and could possibly eliminated the need for separate subwoofers.
Plus it fits well within your budget.
Philharmonic Audio BMR Speaker Kit - Meniscus Audio
That page includes some links to reviews that you might want to read as well.
Plus it fits well within your budget.
Philharmonic Audio BMR Speaker Kit - Meniscus Audio
That page includes some links to reviews that you might want to read as well.
These SP2-XT are 410 miles from Minneapolis west of Chicago, for $200 ea. PEAVEY SP 2XT SPEAKERS (15463-1 ER) ELK | eBay You can't get new good 15" drivers for that. 50-17500 hz +- 3 db, horizontal dispersion 85 deg 500 hz to 16 khz -6 db. 3 db points horizontal are charted, 45 deg wide. Walk around the room, they sound as good, no beaming even though 15" woofer supplies up to 1200 hz. Low distortion; I tested mine with piano CD Beethoven Appassionata before purchase. I ran them at 1/8 w (1 Vpp) base level with peaks of 70 W. They are 101 db 1w1m. Suitable for a 35 w/ch tube amp. I loved mine, and the burglar liked them so much he carried them off. I replaced them with SP2(2004) for same price, but the horizontal dispersion is not as wide since the woofer supplies up to 2000 hz. I didn't have to drive to Chicago, the SP2(2004) were 10 mi north of TerraHaute.
Dimensions are on the spec sheet, check to see if they would fit in your car. local pickup only.
Dimensions are on the spec sheet, check to see if they would fit in your car. local pickup only.
spots25 said that he wants to build speakers that match his requirements. Not purchase something commercially built.
Since this is a DIY forum his post makes perfect sense. Suggestions to buy something already built really don't.
Since this is a DIY forum his post makes perfect sense. Suggestions to buy something already built really don't.
See, that link about the ZRT is exactly what I'm worried about. I guess I should search for "problems". I've always wanted to use SS Revalators for something, but I'm not interested in trying to sort out problems in $2000 speakers.
I would actually rock some huge pro audio speakers, but my wife would not be happy. I should also update my location, because I live in Utah now.
I really like the look of that Philharmonitor BMR, but I'm not sure I've ever heard a pair of speakers that didn't need a subwoofer. I guess if I build something like the BMR I could also build stands, and if needed build new subwoofer stands!
Any thoughts on Jeff Bagby's Testarossa?
I would actually rock some huge pro audio speakers, but my wife would not be happy. I should also update my location, because I live in Utah now.
I really like the look of that Philharmonitor BMR, but I'm not sure I've ever heard a pair of speakers that didn't need a subwoofer. I guess if I build something like the BMR I could also build stands, and if needed build new subwoofer stands!
Any thoughts on Jeff Bagby's Testarossa?
I don't have much experience with kits but it would make sense if you could give a bit more specifics to what you look. Each designer/design has a philosophy to it. Example, you want it narrow, wide, high efficiency, constant directivity, line array, horns, ribbons, budget, dynamic, wide range drivers etc?
1) You can check out troels gravesen webpage. One of the designs he particularly like is the Faitalpro 3WC based on pro drivers. Very high efficiency... should go crazy loud for HT. They are big though.
2) Uluwatu using SB acoustic drivers a line array in a MLTL gives one of the lowest and punchiest bass I have heard. Tall and slim. Goes down to 20Hz I believe.
Oon
So
1) You can check out troels gravesen webpage. One of the designs he particularly like is the Faitalpro 3WC based on pro drivers. Very high efficiency... should go crazy loud for HT. They are big though.
2) Uluwatu using SB acoustic drivers a line array in a MLTL gives one of the lowest and punchiest bass I have heard. Tall and slim. Goes down to 20Hz I believe.
Oon
So
Repackaging 2 SP2-XT's to pass the wife test would be a great starter project in woodworking. They look like they belong on a dark stage with a neon JAX Beer sign in the back. The sort of dive with chicken wire in front of the stage to keep the beer bottles from hitting the artists. They are refined enough to sound like a Sohmer or Acrosonic console piano, but the styling suits a band whose lead singer flew his plane right onto the band bus. That rocket Peavis logo on the front would drive any wife crazy.
FS: Satori TW29RN-B and MW16P (i.e., drivers from Jeff Bagby Kairos) -
Techtalk Speaker Building, Audio, Video Discussion Forum
These are being sold at half the price of new drivers. If you want small and don't need LOUD, you could build the slant baffle Kairos, or the standard Adelphos. Pida and Joachim Gerhard have 4 ohm variants of these drivers. Go the add on woof for three way, or run dual subs, and you could have a really nice system for what you're describing. Jeff stated that most wouldn't hear much of a difference between the time align slant Kairos vs. the standard cabinet Adelphos. Glenn.
Techtalk Speaker Building, Audio, Video Discussion Forum
These are being sold at half the price of new drivers. If you want small and don't need LOUD, you could build the slant baffle Kairos, or the standard Adelphos. Pida and Joachim Gerhard have 4 ohm variants of these drivers. Go the add on woof for three way, or run dual subs, and you could have a really nice system for what you're describing. Jeff stated that most wouldn't hear much of a difference between the time align slant Kairos vs. the standard cabinet Adelphos. Glenn.
Paul Carmody's Carreras use Revelators.
You didn't mention budget...Carreras would be good but Drummer's driver's for Kairos is a steal. I believe Meniscus will sell the xo schematic and parts if you already have the drivers. Also Joachin Gerhard's Kalasan used the same drivers.
Just so there is no confusion, I'm not the one selling the drivers. I was just sharing the link. If I were wanting a small hifi speaker, I would snatch them up in a heartbeat. Glenn.
