Hi. I’m planning a multi room audio system with standard speakers downstairs (all mark audio at the moment). And want to add some ceiling speakers upstairs. Mainly for radio/background music so not critical listening or active Dolby, just really to keep audio in sync across multiple rooms.
Downstairs I have a Roon Core Server which in some form will handle different zones, and would probably drive from a simple dac and Hypex amps or a Bluesound Node/Edge as this has streamer and amps integrated.
So…what would you pick from the current line up of Mark Audio drivers. My main requirements would be;
1. Smallest easiest back box for installation, the house is on the small side of an English home. Sealed cabs to avoid extra space for ports.
2. Lowest cost for highest quality. Ie: would 4-6 CHN-50’s be ‘better’ than a single Alpair 11.
3. Better than an off the shelf system from many of the offerings from install companies (b&w, kef etc)
4. Lower in overall cost than installing one Zuma Lumisonic which although expensive do seem to tick a lot of boxes.
Hope to hear your thoughts.
Downstairs I have a Roon Core Server which in some form will handle different zones, and would probably drive from a simple dac and Hypex amps or a Bluesound Node/Edge as this has streamer and amps integrated.
So…what would you pick from the current line up of Mark Audio drivers. My main requirements would be;
1. Smallest easiest back box for installation, the house is on the small side of an English home. Sealed cabs to avoid extra space for ports.
2. Lowest cost for highest quality. Ie: would 4-6 CHN-50’s be ‘better’ than a single Alpair 11.
3. Better than an off the shelf system from many of the offerings from install companies (b&w, kef etc)
4. Lower in overall cost than installing one Zuma Lumisonic which although expensive do seem to tick a lot of boxes.
Hope to hear your thoughts.
I have dine at least a couple ceiling boxes for MA. CHR70 IIRC.
Sealed makes sense, as long as they go low enuff for the application.
Surprisingly, CHN50 is not that far behing the A11ms in terms of bass extention. As to 4 vrs 1, it would depend.
dave
Sealed makes sense, as long as they go low enuff for the application.
Surprisingly, CHN50 is not that far behing the A11ms in terms of bass extention. As to 4 vrs 1, it would depend.
dave
Thanks Dave. What made you pick the CHR-70?
I have the CHN-50s in some small 3l? Enclosures and they do an adequate job for tv and movies.
I see a lot of the install speakers don’t have back boxes as default. Could any of the mark audio be run ‘open/infinite baffle’ in the ceiling without the need for a box?
I have the CHN-50s in some small 3l? Enclosures and they do an adequate job for tv and movies.
I see a lot of the install speakers don’t have back boxes as default. Could any of the mark audio be run ‘open/infinite baffle’ in the ceiling without the need for a box?
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So Dave, Would you recommend the CHN-50 then? I could probably vacuum form some little rear cases with ease.
If I use the Bluesound there is a nice subwoofer option which cuts out bass, selectable between 40-120hz which is nice as a basic low filter.
If it was your house what would you choose?
If I use the Bluesound there is a nice subwoofer option which cuts out bass, selectable between 40-120hz which is nice as a basic low filter.
If it was your house what would you choose?
If you popped a few in a ceiling is there a sensible way to wire a few up to keep the ohms suitably easy to drive?
Following the OP's thread, are there any Markaudio driver models that can be ceiling-mounted without a box (free-air in the ceiling)?
Application for these are usually only for Dolby Atmos (and similar FX use), so cut-off usually for them are around 80hz (with AV Receivers).
Will those work without any issues?
Application for these are usually only for Dolby Atmos (and similar FX use), so cut-off usually for them are around 80hz (with AV Receivers).
Will those work without any issues?
If you popped a few in a ceiling is there a sensible way to wire a few up to keep the ohms suitably easy to drive?
Based on my own experience of using Markaudio drivers, when it comes to loudness or dynamics (if that's what you're after), I find the 5.25-6.5 inch versions easier to driver (due to their higher sensitivity), so it gets to louder levels easier
The smaller drivers, while I also like them, can only sing so much (depending on the size of your room as well as your listening levels), and usually requires to up the volume more to get the most out of them
DISCLAIMER: I haven't tried out all of the Markaudio drivers, as there are so many new models to choose from currently, and the lower-end models are actually getting better and better (trickle-down technology?).
If you popped a few in a ceiling is there a sensible way to wire a few up to keep the ohms suitably easy to drive?
It should be doable. Numbers that are the square if somehing (4/9/16/25…) can be series/paralleled ro retain the impedance of a single driver. Other configuartions can be tricky.
How naby do you have and how many channels do you need to make?
dave
Following the OP's thread, are there any Markaudio driver models that can be ceiling-mounted without a box (free-air in the ceiling)?
Not really. Maybe. A driver with a Q of >0.5 should work.
dave
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