Looking at either the,
GR Research X-LS Encore kit. Built into the Small Tower, or Paul Carmody's Amiga for my pirst build.
Matched to a Sub (Next Project).
The GR kit is quite reasonable even with shipping from the states. I've roughly priced the components to build the Amiga, and it adds up quick. Still in budget, but quite a bit more expensive.
That said, the upgraded XO's and options for the GR kit brings it closer to the price of building the Amiga.
I'm a little undecided. Any advise would be awesome.
GR Research X-LS Encore kit. Built into the Small Tower, or Paul Carmody's Amiga for my pirst build.
Matched to a Sub (Next Project).
The GR kit is quite reasonable even with shipping from the states. I've roughly priced the components to build the Amiga, and it adds up quick. Still in budget, but quite a bit more expensive.
That said, the upgraded XO's and options for the GR kit brings it closer to the price of building the Amiga.
I'm a little undecided. Any advise would be awesome.
As I see it, the main differences between the two designs are bass extension and sensitivity: better bass for the Amiga and higher sensitivity for the GR.
For the GR kit I'd buy the base kit without the fancy cap/resistor/connector options, and if you don't need/want the spikes, you can also leave out the X-SLS option, and for 169$ the kit is hard to beat.
Ralf
For the GR kit I'd buy the base kit without the fancy cap/resistor/connector options, and if you don't need/want the spikes, you can also leave out the X-SLS option, and for 169$ the kit is hard to beat.
Ralf
Ralf,
There's a difference that is dependent of model/year of driver for the Dayton Audio RS180. Some of them are very close to the GR-research driver M-165.
I have here two models. Actually the shielded S version is the one figuring in the crossover layout.
RS180-8 7" Reference Woofer 8 Ohm link@daytonaudio
Dayton Audio RS180S-8 7" Reference Shielded Woofer 8 Ohm link@PE
OP,
Also as of reference check both Sd's for diaphragm for both drivers.
Dayton Audio RS180 7" - 124.7 cm²
GR-research M-165 - 137.07 cm²
Also as of reference check both Sd's for diaphragm for both drivers.
Dayton Audio RS180 7" - 124.7 cm²
GR-research M-165 - 137.07 cm²
Hi,
The Amiga makes a lot of sense if you don't have a sub.
IMO the XLS Classic kit is better value than the Encore.
I'd build it sealed if your determined to add a subwoofer.
No need for tower speakers if you adding a subwoofer.
rgds, sreten.
The Amiga makes a lot of sense if you don't have a sub.
IMO the XLS Classic kit is better value than the Encore.
I'd build it sealed if your determined to add a subwoofer.
No need for tower speakers if you adding a subwoofer.
rgds, sreten.
RS180 is aluminum and the GR Research is paper. To generalize, aluminum drivers seem to be known for detail while some say paper drivers can be "smoother", but take that with some salt.
The RS180 is renowned as one of the great performance bargains in diy audio.
Zaphaudio has measurements for both. (I think its the same GR driver). There was some controversy over these reviews but I would personally be ok making a decision based on this info.
Personally, given Paul's reputation, personality, and the popularity of his other designs, and the quality of the RS180, I'd build that.
As a bonus, the RS180 is used in many other projects if your interested in trying other things. Look at the Modula MT.
Id also look very hard at zaphs kits at Madisound. Theres a link on his site. I cant remember the name.
The RS180 is renowned as one of the great performance bargains in diy audio.
Zaphaudio has measurements for both. (I think its the same GR driver). There was some controversy over these reviews but I would personally be ok making a decision based on this info.
Personally, given Paul's reputation, personality, and the popularity of his other designs, and the quality of the RS180, I'd build that.
As a bonus, the RS180 is used in many other projects if your interested in trying other things. Look at the Modula MT.
Id also look very hard at zaphs kits at Madisound. Theres a link on his site. I cant remember the name.
Also check out Meniscus. They have kits by various diy designers. Jeff Bagby has a sub and several small monitors. In fact, the sub was designed to work with the soprano speakers which would probably be quite nice and are inexpensive, although different from what you've been looking at.
Baby Boomer
Baby Boomer
Thanks for all the informative replies guys. I'll do some more reading on the info provided.
I've kinda got my heart set on a 2.1 or 2.2 system.
I mainly listen to early Metal/Rock. Think Sabbath, Fogat, Ted Nugent ect. Some classical. Also a lot of QOTSA, Tool. Occasional electronica, Daft Punk, Chemical Bros, Georgia Moroder.
I was leaning towards the Amiga sealed. Paired with either a single or pair of subs.
I've kinda got my heart set on a 2.1 or 2.2 system.
I mainly listen to early Metal/Rock. Think Sabbath, Fogat, Ted Nugent ect. Some classical. Also a lot of QOTSA, Tool. Occasional electronica, Daft Punk, Chemical Bros, Georgia Moroder.
I was leaning towards the Amiga sealed. Paired with either a single or pair of subs.
Hi,
FWIW forget the subs and go directly to the Tarkus :
https://sites.google.com/site/undefinition/tarkus
rgds, sreten.
FWIW forget the subs and go directly to the Tarkus :
https://sites.google.com/site/undefinition/tarkus
rgds, sreten.
It shouldn't matter, a well made speaker can work well with any kind of music. Personal preferences can be implemented in EQ but when the speaker is good this shouldn't be necessary.
That said, heavy treble presence, midrange that isn't clean, poor crossovers or tweeters that fall apart with level can let down this genre of music IMO.
I'd build a WLM La Scala clone here:
6moons audio reviews: WLM La Scala
That's a rock speaker, no replacement for displacement an' all that!
Visaton W200S-4 and Visaton TW 70 tweeter. Model it for yourself! Downloads
The best stunningly simple series crossover in a 30L box is below. Visaton give you the port details with the W200S data. It'll go loud! 😎
6moons audio reviews: WLM La Scala
That's a rock speaker, no replacement for displacement an' all that!
Visaton W200S-4 and Visaton TW 70 tweeter. Model it for yourself! Downloads
The best stunningly simple series crossover in a 30L box is below. Visaton give you the port details with the W200S data. It'll go loud! 😎
Attachments
The Tarkus would be an awesome DYI. Perhaps a little too ambitious for a first build though? I'd love to do something similar down the line, maybe with a nice external XO to tie everything together.
Thanks everyone for all the great info and suggestions. I'll do some more reading before I decide, this is a good start though, cheers.
Oh, and Inductor "Ted Nugent - Physics of Spirituality Part Two ". TUNE!! 😀
Okay. Decision made. Going with the GR Research X-LS encore kit.
Enclosure will be based off the recommended small tower.http://gr-research.com/pdf/X-SLS Encore box.pdf But with dimensions tweaked for local metric standard size boards
For this build I will also be getting all the MDF CNC'd to save time and hassle. It may cost more, but the lack of, tools, experience and time means this is my only real option at the moment. If the DIY bug bites me hard, I may well look into setting up a router (I still have my car audio baffles/enclosures to make too) but for now, I'll let a machine do the hard work.
As this is my first build, I went the tried and tested route. Danny's kit comes with everything I need to complete a set of speakers. including built and tested XOs. Building my own seemed a daunting prospect without first acquiring some basic technical knowledge (I'm reading everything I can get my hands on) and some basic testing equipment.
It also meant there was no need to stuff around with several different suppliers. Sourcing specific parts for more interesting designs was painful and infuriating! Why are do all DIY audio web
sites, look and function like they were designed in the 90's!! Freight was also starting to add up to source specific drivers (some overseas). A kit just seemed simpler.
Plus. In my travels through the interwebs, I stumbled across the story of the X-LS. Its creation, and the unfortunate fate of AV123. I think it admirable that Danny is trying to help Santiago and his family.
But all that babble aside. The most important thing remains. The X-LS, from all reports, is an excellent sounding speaker, and will be huge step up from the ageing Pioneer towers that currently reside in my living room.
Enclosure will be based off the recommended small tower.http://gr-research.com/pdf/X-SLS Encore box.pdf But with dimensions tweaked for local metric standard size boards
For this build I will also be getting all the MDF CNC'd to save time and hassle. It may cost more, but the lack of, tools, experience and time means this is my only real option at the moment. If the DIY bug bites me hard, I may well look into setting up a router (I still have my car audio baffles/enclosures to make too) but for now, I'll let a machine do the hard work.
As this is my first build, I went the tried and tested route. Danny's kit comes with everything I need to complete a set of speakers. including built and tested XOs. Building my own seemed a daunting prospect without first acquiring some basic technical knowledge (I'm reading everything I can get my hands on) and some basic testing equipment.
It also meant there was no need to stuff around with several different suppliers. Sourcing specific parts for more interesting designs was painful and infuriating! Why are do all DIY audio web
sites, look and function like they were designed in the 90's!! Freight was also starting to add up to source specific drivers (some overseas). A kit just seemed simpler.
Plus. In my travels through the interwebs, I stumbled across the story of the X-LS. Its creation, and the unfortunate fate of AV123. I think it admirable that Danny is trying to help Santiago and his family.
But all that babble aside. The most important thing remains. The X-LS, from all reports, is an excellent sounding speaker, and will be huge step up from the ageing Pioneer towers that currently reside in my living room.
That kit looks very well thought out!
X-LS Encore kit
A very flat 6" paper bass and good soft dome waveguide tweeter. I quite approve of polymer frames on woofers too. I think you'll have fun with them. I hope shipping from the US isn't too exorbitent to your little (well, quite big really!) island in the South Seas.
As it goes things like Pioneer towers aren't too bad, but a different sort of speaker. I'm always impressed with lively Japanese drivers, if not their crossovers which tend to the simplistic.
X-LS Encore kit
A very flat 6" paper bass and good soft dome waveguide tweeter. I quite approve of polymer frames on woofers too. I think you'll have fun with them. I hope shipping from the US isn't too exorbitent to your little (well, quite big really!) island in the South Seas.
As it goes things like Pioneer towers aren't too bad, but a different sort of speaker. I'm always impressed with lively Japanese drivers, if not their crossovers which tend to the simplistic.
Freight was quite reasonable I thought. It's just a pity the AUD is not a little stronger against the green back.
The Pioneer towers have been a great speaker for the price. The SQ falls over at any sort of volume but considering they were part of a $1200 amp and speaker package. They are not bad really.
The surprise was the amp. For a cheapish five channel, it punches well above it's weight. Had a pair of Dali Zensor towers (on loan from a mate) connected for an audition, and it powered them loud and clean.
The Pioneer towers have been a great speaker for the price. The SQ falls over at any sort of volume but considering they were part of a $1200 amp and speaker package. They are not bad really.
The surprise was the amp. For a cheapish five channel, it punches well above it's weight. Had a pair of Dali Zensor towers (on loan from a mate) connected for an audition, and it powered them loud and clean.
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