I posted a while ago about taking the drivers and crossovers from my audio excite revelation 2 monitors and building a 3 way floor stander.
My plans are to keep the passive x over and add active amps for the new bass drivers. Due to WAF I have agreed to use two 6.5" bass drivers per side (narrow cabinets with curved sides).
As the existing speaker uses a scan speak 15w4531g00 I thought that it would be a good idea to use 18w8531 as bass drivers as these are likely to integrate well with the 15w units that I already own. After having to put this project on hold due to personal reasons, I am now able to start up again 🙂
My main dilemma however is that when I searched for prices on these units, a couple of websites stated that they are being discontinued! Do I snap up four of these units while I can or would it be wiser to look for alternatives of a similar quality? If so, any recommendations?
Thanks
Paul
My plans are to keep the passive x over and add active amps for the new bass drivers. Due to WAF I have agreed to use two 6.5" bass drivers per side (narrow cabinets with curved sides).
As the existing speaker uses a scan speak 15w4531g00 I thought that it would be a good idea to use 18w8531 as bass drivers as these are likely to integrate well with the 15w units that I already own. After having to put this project on hold due to personal reasons, I am now able to start up again 🙂
My main dilemma however is that when I searched for prices on these units, a couple of websites stated that they are being discontinued! Do I snap up four of these units while I can or would it be wiser to look for alternatives of a similar quality? If so, any recommendations?
Thanks
Paul
Are you sure it won't be better to just add an active sub woofer or two to aid the low end of the monitors? If not, you will have to rebuild the entire crossover. New baffle means new crossover, and it will all have to be measured and simulated as such, otherwise it will sound way way worse than just the monitors on their own.
I've modelled new cabinets in CAD and the new baffle is only 8mm wider than the existing one and I have kept the spacing between the units and the top of the baffle the same.
One of the main reasons for changing from monitors is a house move has meant a noticeably larger room. This is fine at low volumes but when you play louder with music that has layers of bass the little 5" drivers lose their wonderful sound and dynamics. I figure I will be best rolling of the lower freq's to this unit, effectively using it as a mid and letting 6.5" drivers take care of the bass.
One of the main reasons for changing from monitors is a house move has meant a noticeably larger room. This is fine at low volumes but when you play louder with music that has layers of bass the little 5" drivers lose their wonderful sound and dynamics. I figure I will be best rolling of the lower freq's to this unit, effectively using it as a mid and letting 6.5" drivers take care of the bass.
You are experimenting so no harm in using a SCANSPEAK 18W/8531G00 (88 SPL driver) you mention in a 43L/29Hz with a heavy inductor in series to cross the lower SPL 2way.
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Hi inductor. Thanks for the link.
I have taken the plunge and now purchased four 18w units as planned. I am in the process of cutting mdf as we speak.
My plan is to use the 15W in a sealed cab as a mid. I was then thinking of using the 18W units in ported 40L cabs and crossing over around the 250 to 300hz area and seeing how it sounds.
I plan on using the existing passive x-over for the 15W/tweeter and active for the 18W/15W. This will be my first time with active so expect more posts and questions later!��
I also have another option. I have four SB acoustic SB23MFCL45-8 subwoofer units. Maybe I could put the 18W units in sealed cabs and build 2,3 or even 4 small subwoofers to compensate for the reduction in bass that the 18W's in sealed cabs will give.
Opinions on which option to follow would be welcome!
I have taken the plunge and now purchased four 18w units as planned. I am in the process of cutting mdf as we speak.
My plan is to use the 15W in a sealed cab as a mid. I was then thinking of using the 18W units in ported 40L cabs and crossing over around the 250 to 300hz area and seeing how it sounds.
I plan on using the existing passive x-over for the 15W/tweeter and active for the 18W/15W. This will be my first time with active so expect more posts and questions later!��
I also have another option. I have four SB acoustic SB23MFCL45-8 subwoofer units. Maybe I could put the 18W units in sealed cabs and build 2,3 or even 4 small subwoofers to compensate for the reduction in bass that the 18W's in sealed cabs will give.
Opinions on which option to follow would be welcome!
Thanks Draki. A very sobering read. It seems that the idea of taking mini 2 ways and simply turning them into 3 ways is fraught with problems.
Having said all that Troels does seem to parallel my thoughts by saying if you do follow this route then active (to deal with the driver sensitivity differences) x-overs and filtering some of the bass duties away from the current small bass driver is the way to go before supplementing with subs to fill the bass back in.
I can see this is going to be a long involved series of experiments to get something that will work well. I guess this is all part of the challenge and fun of Diy!
For the time being, my instinct is saying I should keep the mini 2 ways as they are, actively filter some of the low end away from them and then build a separate cab with the 18w's and try and integrate them acoustically with active x-overs.
Does this sound like a common sense,workable plan or am I missing something here and walking into a disaster?
Having said all that Troels does seem to parallel my thoughts by saying if you do follow this route then active (to deal with the driver sensitivity differences) x-overs and filtering some of the bass duties away from the current small bass driver is the way to go before supplementing with subs to fill the bass back in.
I can see this is going to be a long involved series of experiments to get something that will work well. I guess this is all part of the challenge and fun of Diy!
For the time being, my instinct is saying I should keep the mini 2 ways as they are, actively filter some of the low end away from them and then build a separate cab with the 18w's and try and integrate them acoustically with active x-overs.
Does this sound like a common sense,workable plan or am I missing something here and walking into a disaster?
The R2 Monitor from Goran seems like a very well designed system. Looks like it doesn't have a full baffle-step which works in your favour.
The 18W8531 is very bass-capable. I use them (single) in a 35 L BR tuned to 35 Hz, and sometimes I stuff the ports with wadding, since the bass can be overwhelming (in my room). I can imagine a pair will be even more potent. And I would choose closed boxes.
Going active in your case is the right way. You probably know, but let's repeat, active is not easier than passive. You still need to measure and verify. What simulation program are you using? Vituix V2 is highly recommended. And REW or ARTA, for measuring.
The choice of active crossover is important. At least be able to choose xo frequencies and slopes independently. Option for some EQ will be even better.
Lastly, since you mentioned you also have SB23 subs: with a suitable active xo, you can create multiple small-box subs setup, look for "Geddes multiple sub" subject.
Good luck. There is a lot of potential there.
The 18W8531 is very bass-capable. I use them (single) in a 35 L BR tuned to 35 Hz, and sometimes I stuff the ports with wadding, since the bass can be overwhelming (in my room). I can imagine a pair will be even more potent. And I would choose closed boxes.
Going active in your case is the right way. You probably know, but let's repeat, active is not easier than passive. You still need to measure and verify. What simulation program are you using? Vituix V2 is highly recommended. And REW or ARTA, for measuring.
The choice of active crossover is important. At least be able to choose xo frequencies and slopes independently. Option for some EQ will be even better.
Lastly, since you mentioned you also have SB23 subs: with a suitable active xo, you can create multiple small-box subs setup, look for "Geddes multiple sub" subject.
Good luck. There is a lot of potential there.
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