Hey Community,
I am researching some drivers to use in a 2.1 system. Has anyone used the GR Research M165 drivers? I can't find a lot of data on them. I was thinking on using GR Research X-SLS Encore Kit as the basis for my next project.
Any thoughts?
G
I am researching some drivers to use in a 2.1 system. Has anyone used the GR Research M165 drivers? I can't find a lot of data on them. I was thinking on using GR Research X-SLS Encore Kit as the basis for my next project.
Any thoughts?
G
You can find Zaph's review of this driver here:
http://www.zaphaudio.com/6.5test/
If you want to use this driver, why not just buy the kit; I assume GR Research knows how to get the best out of it and the crossover work's already done.
There are plenty of other 6" 2 ways out there to choose from if you want something different.
Geoff
http://www.zaphaudio.com/6.5test/
If you want to use this driver, why not just buy the kit; I assume GR Research knows how to get the best out of it and the crossover work's already done.
There are plenty of other 6" 2 ways out there to choose from if you want something different.
Geoff
Last edited:
I would honestly advise against it. A fellow local builder used them and was less than enthusiastic with their arrival, fit and finish, and measurements. I'm also not certain the M165X are still available because he supposedly received the last 3 units on the shelf.
I have no opinions on the GR Research drivers. Danny has been good about keeping the prices low; they sell today for about what they sold for, when they were released over ten years ago. From speaking to Danny, it sounds like he builds 1000+ drivers at a time, so he probably bough these by the pallet back in the day.
IE, if you wanted comparable quality in 2024, it would likely be more expensive because everything costs more than twice as much today than it did in 2014, and Danny hasn't raised his driver prices very much.
Don't sleep on the Exodus Audio Anarchy Drivers. Exodus Audio is long gone, but diysoundgroup still has a few in stock: https://www.diysoundgroup.com/speaker-parts.html?dir=asc&order=price
I have both the 6" and the 7" woofers and they're really nice. I've posted measurements of the 6" here. It's kinda funny that the manufacturers own web site don't have the specs, but maybe that's why they're still available! (You can find the specs elsewhere; Vance Dickason put 'em on the Klippel.)
IE, if you wanted comparable quality in 2024, it would likely be more expensive because everything costs more than twice as much today than it did in 2014, and Danny hasn't raised his driver prices very much.
Don't sleep on the Exodus Audio Anarchy Drivers. Exodus Audio is long gone, but diysoundgroup still has a few in stock: https://www.diysoundgroup.com/speaker-parts.html?dir=asc&order=price
I have both the 6" and the 7" woofers and they're really nice. I've posted measurements of the 6" here. It's kinda funny that the manufacturers own web site don't have the specs, but maybe that's why they're still available! (You can find the specs elsewhere; Vance Dickason put 'em on the Klippel.)
If the modest cost is attracting you, for the same damage as the GRs, you could get the SB16 mid woofer:
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.c...sb16pfcr25-8-6-paper-cone-woofer-8-ohm-round/
Widely used, sounds very good, works well with a variety of tweeters.
You haven't mentioned room size, budget, desired cabinet size etc, which will have a bearing on your choice of woofer. Further, if you're using a sub you could even consider a 5" two way.
Geoff
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.c...sb16pfcr25-8-6-paper-cone-woofer-8-ohm-round/
Widely used, sounds very good, works well with a variety of tweeters.
You haven't mentioned room size, budget, desired cabinet size etc, which will have a bearing on your choice of woofer. Further, if you're using a sub you could even consider a 5" two way.
Geoff
I have the T26, M130 and M165s. I used the T26 and M130s in a build for the Parts Express speaker building competition in the under $300 category. I only briefly tried the M165s in a test enclosure. They were very good for $35. If you are looking for a kit and not doing the crossover, I think the X-LS Encore is a great option at bottom dollar.
If you are going to do the crossover yourself, you have a ton of options.
As mentioned above, the SB PFC line is the same cost as the M165 and are great drivers as well.
Above that, I've used and like the SB Ceramic line and the Seas ER18RNX.
Everything mentioned (including X-LS Encore) works pretty well in the Parts Express .56ft3 enclosure.
https://www.parts-express.com/Knock-Down-MDF-0.56-ft-Bookshelf-Cabinet-300-5004?quantity=1
If you are going to do the crossover yourself, you have a ton of options.
As mentioned above, the SB PFC line is the same cost as the M165 and are great drivers as well.
Above that, I've used and like the SB Ceramic line and the Seas ER18RNX.
Everything mentioned (including X-LS Encore) works pretty well in the Parts Express .56ft3 enclosure.
https://www.parts-express.com/Knock-Down-MDF-0.56-ft-Bookshelf-Cabinet-300-5004?quantity=1
Thank you for the responses.
A couple of answers.
I don't have a room size in mind, these would be general purpose 2 ways, for a "medium sized" room paired with a subwoofer and satellite rear speakers.
I will be paring these speakers with a Dayton Ultimax DVC 12" subwoofer. So bass should be covered.
I am looking for a kit so I don't have to do as much crossover design.
I think 6 to 7 inch mid woofers and a compatible tweeter will be the best compliment.
I will build the speakers to the volume specified by the kit.
The Catch:
The subwoofer is a pyramid (similar geometry as the Great Pyramid of Giza), with a base of 26"x26" (670mm x 670mm. The two speakers will be similar, just scaled for the driver volume.
I am about half way through the subwoofer build. So now I'm starting on the plans for the two speakers.
A couple of answers.
I don't have a room size in mind, these would be general purpose 2 ways, for a "medium sized" room paired with a subwoofer and satellite rear speakers.
I will be paring these speakers with a Dayton Ultimax DVC 12" subwoofer. So bass should be covered.
I am looking for a kit so I don't have to do as much crossover design.
I think 6 to 7 inch mid woofers and a compatible tweeter will be the best compliment.
I will build the speakers to the volume specified by the kit.
The Catch:
The subwoofer is a pyramid (similar geometry as the Great Pyramid of Giza), with a base of 26"x26" (670mm x 670mm. The two speakers will be similar, just scaled for the driver volume.
I am about half way through the subwoofer build. So now I'm starting on the plans for the two speakers.
By "kit", do you mean a retail product with pretty much everything included, or a design with a Bill of Materials (BoM) which specifies what you need including the crossover schematic and you buy the bits yourself, perhaps from different suppliers?
Another question is the suitability of whatever design you choose for your pyramid cabinets, no idea on that I'm afraid.
Geoff
Another question is the suitability of whatever design you choose for your pyramid cabinets, no idea on that I'm afraid.
Geoff
I was hoping to save a little design time over the last set i built. I don't want to spend hours or days looking at xsim and WinISD making crossover calculations and that whole process.
I'd rather start with a kit that has the drivers and crossover parts and the network all figured out, I don't need the cabinets. Then I'll put the parts into my new cabinets and then do the testing and modify the ports and crossover to optimize the sound.
I'd rather start with a kit that has the drivers and crossover parts and the network all figured out, I don't need the cabinets. Then I'll put the parts into my new cabinets and then do the testing and modify the ports and crossover to optimize the sound.
The kit xovers (if they are designed well)will take in consideration the baffle size, so if the cabs you make are of a different shape it may well effect the end result
Responding to Harry72: Yes I realize that the XO network will not directly translate to the baffle. I have some testing equipment so I can get measurements and then customize the XO to match.
Responding to AllenB: Once I get a basic XO built, then I can use REW to test the speakers and see what I can do in the XO network.
Generally I am attempting to get something done that plays decent sounding music that can be dialed in later. First is the proof of concept, I'm imagining there is a valid reason that no one builds pyramid shaped speakers. They are going to have a large base and take up real estate, and the drivers will have a time delay issue that will require some XO network design to "correct." Then there is the listening position, generally the design is upward firing, so distance from the speakers means the soundwaves are going over the listeners' heads.
But they might look interesting and be conversation pieces.
Normal is boring.... 😉
Responding to AllenB: Once I get a basic XO built, then I can use REW to test the speakers and see what I can do in the XO network.
Generally I am attempting to get something done that plays decent sounding music that can be dialed in later. First is the proof of concept, I'm imagining there is a valid reason that no one builds pyramid shaped speakers. They are going to have a large base and take up real estate, and the drivers will have a time delay issue that will require some XO network design to "correct." Then there is the listening position, generally the design is upward firing, so distance from the speakers means the soundwaves are going over the listeners' heads.
But they might look interesting and be conversation pieces.
Normal is boring.... 😉
Oh! Neat. Just subs? I am building a sub right now using a Dayton Ultimax 12" DVC. I am also designing a pair of two ways to accompany the sub.