Hi, I'm hoping some kind folks will be able to provide me with some pointers for a project that I'm building. Basically it's an electronic organ, with the sound created by PC software, to go in my home (room size 4x4x3 meters). The finished thing should look a bit like this:
[IMGDEAD]http://www.sdewit.nl/elec/johannus/monarke/rubens.jpg[/IMGDEAD]
My plan is to use the two organ pipe "towers" either side of the keyboards to hide speakers. Actually they are a bit bigger than what the photo suggests, they are 8 feet high, 2 feet deep and 20 inches wide, and the decorative pipes start 30 inches above the ground.
There are a few design caveats and parameters. I'm using an eight-channel soundcard and for starters I have an old 8 channel amp (actually a PA amp, but it's silent and can output around 100W per channel at 8 ohms). Two channels are for rear surround speakers, leaving up to six channels available for the main speakers.
If I go for multiple drivers rather than full range, do I actually need any crossover circuitry, since the input to the speakers is entirely digital via the soundcard and I have multiple sources and amp channels available. Is there freeware that can send specific frequencies through specific channels, which would be amplified via the amp channels and sent to individual drivers? Wouldn't this be a great way to "tune" the speakers to the room and iron out any imperfections? Or should I be looking at full range speakers?
Finally, bass must go down to 16Hz even if it's pretty quiet.
Some of my thoughts:
In a "real" organ the sound comes from above the player, and is pretty omnidirectional. Should I mount the speakers towards the top of the towers? Flat against the back wall of the tower? Pointing backwards to maximise reflections? Pointing up towards the ceiling? Would an open baffle increase the soundstage? What drivers would you recommend?
How about a line array of perhaps a dozen full range 4 inch drivers either side? Would that give better spacial presence and greater dynamic range?
Should I go for a separate sub in the corner of the room (or base of one of the towers)?
Clearly there's a few different ways it could be done - maybe buy a secondhand sub off Ebay so the DIY speaker part doesn't have to go right down to the very bottom for instance - but in total I'm limited to around £500 / $800 max so money spent on a professional sub would reduce what is available for the other speakers. On the other hand if I can get away with a digital crossover by using the six channels from the soundcard, that buys more driver or cabinet.
As the speakers are covered by a row of decorative metal organ pipes, I don't frankly care if they are made of MDF, PVC drainpipes or alienjuice, it's the sound that is everything here. How they look isn't an issue, it's how to get the most authentic sound from them that matters.
Final thought is for the rear surround speakers: I'm thinking either an "off the shelf" el cheapo bookshelf, or full range driver in DIY bookcase cabinet but open to suggestions.
Thanks for your advice and I'll keep you updated with progress.
[IMGDEAD]http://www.sdewit.nl/elec/johannus/monarke/rubens.jpg[/IMGDEAD]
My plan is to use the two organ pipe "towers" either side of the keyboards to hide speakers. Actually they are a bit bigger than what the photo suggests, they are 8 feet high, 2 feet deep and 20 inches wide, and the decorative pipes start 30 inches above the ground.
There are a few design caveats and parameters. I'm using an eight-channel soundcard and for starters I have an old 8 channel amp (actually a PA amp, but it's silent and can output around 100W per channel at 8 ohms). Two channels are for rear surround speakers, leaving up to six channels available for the main speakers.
If I go for multiple drivers rather than full range, do I actually need any crossover circuitry, since the input to the speakers is entirely digital via the soundcard and I have multiple sources and amp channels available. Is there freeware that can send specific frequencies through specific channels, which would be amplified via the amp channels and sent to individual drivers? Wouldn't this be a great way to "tune" the speakers to the room and iron out any imperfections? Or should I be looking at full range speakers?
Finally, bass must go down to 16Hz even if it's pretty quiet.
Some of my thoughts:
In a "real" organ the sound comes from above the player, and is pretty omnidirectional. Should I mount the speakers towards the top of the towers? Flat against the back wall of the tower? Pointing backwards to maximise reflections? Pointing up towards the ceiling? Would an open baffle increase the soundstage? What drivers would you recommend?
How about a line array of perhaps a dozen full range 4 inch drivers either side? Would that give better spacial presence and greater dynamic range?
Should I go for a separate sub in the corner of the room (or base of one of the towers)?
Clearly there's a few different ways it could be done - maybe buy a secondhand sub off Ebay so the DIY speaker part doesn't have to go right down to the very bottom for instance - but in total I'm limited to around £500 / $800 max so money spent on a professional sub would reduce what is available for the other speakers. On the other hand if I can get away with a digital crossover by using the six channels from the soundcard, that buys more driver or cabinet.
As the speakers are covered by a row of decorative metal organ pipes, I don't frankly care if they are made of MDF, PVC drainpipes or alienjuice, it's the sound that is everything here. How they look isn't an issue, it's how to get the most authentic sound from them that matters.
Final thought is for the rear surround speakers: I'm thinking either an "off the shelf" el cheapo bookshelf, or full range driver in DIY bookcase cabinet but open to suggestions.
Thanks for your advice and I'll keep you updated with progress.