Nominations, Please: What is the best full-range sealed-box loudspeaker available "new," today?
By which I do not mean, Duntech Sovereign 2001, or any Dunlavy speaker. A sealed-box loudspeaker for studio use that is in production today.
Any ideas?
TIA,
john
By which I do not mean, Duntech Sovereign 2001, or any Dunlavy speaker. A sealed-box loudspeaker for studio use that is in production today.
Any ideas?
TIA,
john
Best for what? Accuracy of tone and timbre, realistic portrayal of musicians playing instruments, effortless reach in the bass register, whip crack dynamics, able to play from a whisper to a roar, able to fill big rooms to PA levels?
What are you looking for, because no one speaker does it all, there are tradeoffs with every choice...
What are you looking for, because no one speaker does it all, there are tradeoffs with every choice...
Ugh, you do know this place is about DIY, right ?
The one that you design and build yourself! DIY, you know 😉
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AFAIK, it is allowed here to discuss about non-DIY loudpeakers, too. OP asked specifically for "A sealed-box loudspeaker for studio use that is in production today".
Well, honestly... perhaps everyone should be flattered that I respect their knowledge bases to that extent--seriously.
I assume that at least some DIY'ers pay attention to the loudspeaker biz, to see what is new and different... such as TPCD cones (such as used in Rockport's own drivers).
Furthermore, as a last resort, I think the people who asked me very well might have to settle for a DIY solution, because sealed boxes are so out of fashion.
I have already alerted them to one possibility:
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.c...o-sb12.3-sb-acoustics-12-dual-midrange-3-way/
That design appears "mature," in that the tweeter seems to be NLA, and the mids could be replaced by SBA TeXtreme 5-inch drivers. Requiring a new crossover, of course.
My first suggestion was to put today's new drivers in yesterday's old Dunlavy cabinets, but, they want (in an ideal world) to audition before they spend money.
ciao,
john
We need more info on your requirements. Like sensitivity, max SPL, amp impedance and power, room size, type of music you intend to play, etc.
To clarify, it sounds like you are asking for a commercially available speaker and not a DIY based speaker?
There are not very many sealed monitors because manufacturers want to give customers that deeper bass extension that so many people like. It’s no coincidence that most (maybe as high as 99%) of commercial speaker designs all use reflex ported alignments since it is cost effective and able to dig deeper.
But sealed box bass is tighter with less group delay so great for percussion when paired with a time aligned or transient perfect cross over.
If this is for smaller spaces and in near field, any of the number of licensed BBC LS3/5A’s that are still in production would be excellent, albeit pricey at around $4000 new. There are other less well known sealed near field monitors along the lines of the LS3/5A that sound excellent - perhaps even better for a lot less.
The ATC SCM12 Pro 6in monitors are sealed and can produce higher SPL than the LS3/5A. They are $2000.
Hope this helps.
To clarify, it sounds like you are asking for a commercially available speaker and not a DIY based speaker?
There are not very many sealed monitors because manufacturers want to give customers that deeper bass extension that so many people like. It’s no coincidence that most (maybe as high as 99%) of commercial speaker designs all use reflex ported alignments since it is cost effective and able to dig deeper.
But sealed box bass is tighter with less group delay so great for percussion when paired with a time aligned or transient perfect cross over.
If this is for smaller spaces and in near field, any of the number of licensed BBC LS3/5A’s that are still in production would be excellent, albeit pricey at around $4000 new. There are other less well known sealed near field monitors along the lines of the LS3/5A that sound excellent - perhaps even better for a lot less.
The ATC SCM12 Pro 6in monitors are sealed and can produce higher SPL than the LS3/5A. They are $2000.
Hope this helps.
THANK YOU for your very thoughtful reply.
To clarify, at first I asked only for commercial loudspeakers because the people I am trying to help would prefer to listen before they spend money... but given the marketplace, they might not have that choice.
I did in fact find a Madisound "Kit minus cabinets" as noted above, that was a sealed design--circa 7 cubic feet, is my guess.
After that, I found that PBN Loudspeakers is willing to build custom versions of that kit, so--that is a "hybrid" of DIY and in some sense, "commercially available."
https://pbnaudio.com/custom-speakers/ (scroll down to the bottom)
The use is for medium sized spaces, far field; and surround sound, as well as stereo. Efficiency not that important. Mastering engineers usually don't listen at loud levels; it's the clients who want to crank it up. Bob Ludwig, who is rapturously happy with his Eggles. Ivys, so this is not about him, listens at an average level of 85dBA. If someone wants it louder, he might ask, "How long are you planning on being in this business?" And for crazy levels, he just leaves the room.
The music is naturally-recorded (usually location live) classical music. They are working on my piano project right at this minute:
I also subsequently was reminded that Magico makes sealed boxes. My only exposure has been at audio shows, so, perhaps I have not heard Magico speakers to best advantage.
Thanks again,
john
If you are open to DIY, I have an homage to the LS3/5A that sounds excellent.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/rst28f-and-dc130a-foamcore-homage-to-ls3-5a.359176/
You can listen to videos of it here.
Uses readily sourced cost effective drivers and a simple 6 part crossover that preserves the step response of the famous LS3/5A speaker. Full plans in the thread linked above.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/rst28f-and-dc130a-foamcore-homage-to-ls3-5a.359176/
You can listen to videos of it here.
Uses readily sourced cost effective drivers and a simple 6 part crossover that preserves the step response of the famous LS3/5A speaker. Full plans in the thread linked above.
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I suppose if cost was not a consideration at all, I would build a listening room with appropriate acoustical treatment, and install a pair of these perhaps...
https://barefootsound.com/minimain12/
VintageKing.com is offering them at a discount... $24,995/pair.
j.
https://barefootsound.com/minimain12/
VintageKing.com is offering them at a discount... $24,995/pair.
j.
You’ve asked about a commercial full range speaker in a diy multi way forum.
I assume the term full range is used because enthusiasts of wide bandwidth drivers want to use that term. I have little-to-no interest in wide bandwidth drivers myself and so tend to use the term full range for full range. Since I am not an enthusiast for wide bandwidth drivers my views on how such enthusiasts should name things should quite rightly carry little weight within their community. If they want to redefine the meaning of words to promote their enthusiasms then fair enough. It is very widely practised in the audiophile field and even to some extent on the technical acoustics side (e.g. naming things power that are not power).