I remember reading about B&W flagship clone speakers at hifiwigwam forum but can't find the thread. Can someone help with this?
There is some info on Focal utopia speaker clone with active x/o in the same forum.
There is some info on Focal utopia speaker clone with active x/o in the same forum.
In (positive) response to andy19191 above I'd like to admit being an audiophile turned "amateur" speaker-diyer-since-covid-era, in contrast to more "audio-engineering" diyers using mathematical modelling software (as well as their ears and experience) to achieve a more standard set of instrument-measurable criteria. Which approach is more "objective" is probably an unnecessary debate. With the preamble out of the way, it is easy to notice that typically TOTL (1) shared the same mid-and-high-frequency technology/solutions as the stand-mount member of the line, and (2) for deep bass, arrayed many relatively small drivers of the same technology as midrange, instead of much larger drivers that had to be quite different. This trivial observation suggests, audiophile purchasers demanded a "uniformity of sound" that is not an indispensable component of the standard technical measurements practiced by diyers -- though doable I'm sure. Ditto other "audiophile" attributes (I've made an ontology of them and translated them to Chinese). So again, the criteria of success in audio terms are far from consensus.
Technical Merit / Artistic Impression?
Technical Merit / Artistic Impression?
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Have a look at this: https://www.lautsprechershop.de/hifi/audimax_en.htm
If you wanted similar but different, you could go active with DSP and use any drivers that you fancied (in appropriate enclosures).
If you wanted similar but different, you could go active with DSP and use any drivers that you fancied (in appropriate enclosures).
You want large, heavy, dynamic slam...check out Inlow sound designs. A fully horn loaded system such as this would barely be breaking a sweat, while your hifi driver based uber priced speakers would be screaming for mama!
I've heard a beautifully made pair of the Galactica. They were a wonderful sounding speaker, fluid and unstrained at all volumes. These don't seem to be on his website any longer (not sure why) but here is a DIYA thread
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/galactica-masive-build.162638/
These are possibly the inspiration (though one cannot be sure).
https://www.avalonacoustics.com/models/signature/isis/
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/galactica-masive-build.162638/
These are possibly the inspiration (though one cannot be sure).
https://www.avalonacoustics.com/models/signature/isis/
Luckily, on the net, things do tend to still be available every once in a while...
https://web.archive.org/web/20100412155927/http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Galactica.html
Just a quick note that (while working on behalf of a fairly big name in commercial HiFi speakers) I've spent quite a lot of time building/testing/repairing "high-end" speakers. The expensive ones were well over £100k, but the models I spent the most time with were £20k/pair, and £50k/pair.
Suffice to say, some of them sound better in the photos.
"Never mind the quality - feel the weight!"
Chris
Suffice to say, some of them sound better in the photos.
"Never mind the quality - feel the weight!"
Chris
"This site can’t be reached, web.archive.org took too long to respond". Haven't had any luck accessing it lately. 🙁
The part I'm sure most DIY'ers won't as readily recommend is sourcing out production to a cabinetmaker. You haven't brought up woodworking skills, so I would guess they aren't a part of your repertoire @wanderer47. The best part is, even if you source production and finishing, it will often be a better value to build a DIY speaker than to buy retail at the higher price points.
One company that is as close to this as I can think would be Salk Sound or Philharmonic Audio. Both produce top quality speakers at relative bargains. All parts and designs are available to everyone.
Another great build on this site is Troels' TL1 in a custom cabinet. Just shows what you can do with a proven design and an open mind
@wesayso should bring his line array towers to a hifi show with a $150k price tag on them. See if they sell.
One company that is as close to this as I can think would be Salk Sound or Philharmonic Audio. Both produce top quality speakers at relative bargains. All parts and designs are available to everyone.
Another great build on this site is Troels' TL1 in a custom cabinet. Just shows what you can do with a proven design and an open mind
@wesayso should bring his line array towers to a hifi show with a $150k price tag on them. See if they sell.
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15" + 6.5" + planar tweeter, first order series xo (no resistors in signal path, only two coils and two caps crossover) in 150L ported cabinet, 95 db/1w/6 ohm
look up my system.
id put it against any 100k commercial speaker
I had never seen the shadow of the collususThere sure are DIY projects that turned out big... The thread from Stig Erik comes to mind...
View attachment 1110416
It may compete with large commercial speakers, but it may not have the 'refined look'... it's all business...
Then there's Legis's "Shadow of The Colossus" that can impress with size and sound...
Legis went after the "big sound" obviously...
But I don't think that's the kind of thing you are looking for. I bet they both could sound pretty impressive though...
I 'only' have the height part right, but not the weight...
View attachment 1110419
Sure I'll tell you it sounds like a million bucks 😀...
Then there was a guy with a full horn 5 way system, I forgot the name...
View attachment 1110420
Something with "Steve" in it?
When thinking of people selling kits, that did do large speakers at some point, Bert comes to mind...
I bet none of these are what you're looking for... 🙄 but DIY-ers do "big" at times...
OMG
Most of the expense in those ultra-high end speakers is in the complex shaped cabinets & finishes...."tinsel"..
Plenty of DIY from scratch or DIY from an existing kit & build speakers that will compete with the ultra high end speakers...
Or you could go with small craftsmen who design & build good speakers:-
"Reference fidelity" build several different speakers...the "biggest" is the RFC Canterbury based around the Tannoy HPD315 Dual Concentric drive unit...total weight of 70kgs per cabinet.....only £8,750 the pair....
All info here:-
https://www.referencefidelitycomponents.co.uk/loudspeakers/reference-canterbury-loudspeakers/
Ok so not as "fancy" looking as the ones you mention...but I thought its the sound thats important??...
Plenty of DIY from scratch or DIY from an existing kit & build speakers that will compete with the ultra high end speakers...
Or you could go with small craftsmen who design & build good speakers:-
"Reference fidelity" build several different speakers...the "biggest" is the RFC Canterbury based around the Tannoy HPD315 Dual Concentric drive unit...total weight of 70kgs per cabinet.....only £8,750 the pair....
All info here:-
https://www.referencefidelitycomponents.co.uk/loudspeakers/reference-canterbury-loudspeakers/
Ok so not as "fancy" looking as the ones you mention...but I thought its the sound thats important??...
I have just copied the important bits (including crossover). (No pictures). If requested I will post it here.
Thanks! All I know is it kept timing out same as the other day before getting some sort of server error, though just now loaded ~instantaneously! May a current hacker target?
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...-bass-mids-and-tweeter-big-boy-system.189377/
Got the Steve part right 😉. Sadly, a lot of these older threads lost a lot of pictures....
