Hi,
I already have two subs (SVS 3000 Micro's) and I'm thinking of making some bookshelf speakers to go with them, sealed bookshelf so I have more flexibility around placement.
So I have two Fountek Neo X3.0 Ribbon Tweeters here that I will probably use.
What should I be looking for to cover the area between roughly 100Hz and 2KHz?
I'm going to use CamillaDSP and an 8ch DAC for the crossover.
Room is here.
Thanks.
I already have two subs (SVS 3000 Micro's) and I'm thinking of making some bookshelf speakers to go with them, sealed bookshelf so I have more flexibility around placement.
So I have two Fountek Neo X3.0 Ribbon Tweeters here that I will probably use.
What should I be looking for to cover the area between roughly 100Hz and 2KHz?
I'm going to use CamillaDSP and an 8ch DAC for the crossover.
Room is here.
Thanks.
You cannot use the Fountek below 3.5k…..far too much harmonic distortion. 4K would be better.
There‘s not many drivers that can cover 100hz to 4K effectively. Pro Audio 6-8” midranges can do it but you’ll have a directivity mismatch at the crossover point since the larger drivers will begin to beam where the useful diameter of the driver matches the wavelength…..for an nominal 8” driver who’s typical cone surface diameter is 7”, that’s about 2khz.………3khz for the 6” variety. But I really don’t think a single 6” will get to 100hz and you can’t use two of them for better extension or power handling……now the center to center of the drivers gets too large and lobing will be terrible.
So here’s your options with the Fountek tweeters
Build a 3 way……small 3-4” cone mid or 2” dome mid with an 8” woofer. This option offers you the least amount of sonic compromise. Cost is not much more as there are plenty of 8” woofers that can play to 100hz in a sealed box for not much $$$. Compromise the other way would be the complexity of building a crossover
Next best option would be a 2.5 way TMM…..with two smallish midwoofers say 5.25-6.5” size. In this case the bottom woofer is low passed with a simple inductor……not too difficult to calculate or design.
Last option would be to accept the directivity mismatch and build a two way with a pro audio 8” midwoofer. You’d need to choose one whose upper end has no cone breakup since you’ll be crossing so high……there’s less than a handful of drivers that can do that. The one that comes to mind and I’ve used before is the B&C 8pe21.
This driver as you can see is VERY smooth and steady in its break up……you might even get away with a single component low pass filter to mate up with the Fountek Ribbons. It’s also very efficient at 98db which means you won’t have to pad down the ribbons to match…..your end result will likely be a speaker with an average sensitivity of 94db or so…..
But there’s a catch……I think you’ll have to keep your SVS subs close in location to the bookshelf’s and I would cross a little higher……say 120hz. The SVS can play cleanly no problem and has the functions to cross nicely. I wouldn’t go much higher than 120hz though as now the distance from the sub drivers to the bookshelf becomes an issue where the sub woofer will be locatable…..and with the side firing woofers down on the floor, that’s gonna be a problem
There‘s not many drivers that can cover 100hz to 4K effectively. Pro Audio 6-8” midranges can do it but you’ll have a directivity mismatch at the crossover point since the larger drivers will begin to beam where the useful diameter of the driver matches the wavelength…..for an nominal 8” driver who’s typical cone surface diameter is 7”, that’s about 2khz.………3khz for the 6” variety. But I really don’t think a single 6” will get to 100hz and you can’t use two of them for better extension or power handling……now the center to center of the drivers gets too large and lobing will be terrible.
So here’s your options with the Fountek tweeters
Build a 3 way……small 3-4” cone mid or 2” dome mid with an 8” woofer. This option offers you the least amount of sonic compromise. Cost is not much more as there are plenty of 8” woofers that can play to 100hz in a sealed box for not much $$$. Compromise the other way would be the complexity of building a crossover
Next best option would be a 2.5 way TMM…..with two smallish midwoofers say 5.25-6.5” size. In this case the bottom woofer is low passed with a simple inductor……not too difficult to calculate or design.
Last option would be to accept the directivity mismatch and build a two way with a pro audio 8” midwoofer. You’d need to choose one whose upper end has no cone breakup since you’ll be crossing so high……there’s less than a handful of drivers that can do that. The one that comes to mind and I’ve used before is the B&C 8pe21.
This driver as you can see is VERY smooth and steady in its break up……you might even get away with a single component low pass filter to mate up with the Fountek Ribbons. It’s also very efficient at 98db which means you won’t have to pad down the ribbons to match…..your end result will likely be a speaker with an average sensitivity of 94db or so…..
But there’s a catch……I think you’ll have to keep your SVS subs close in location to the bookshelf’s and I would cross a little higher……say 120hz. The SVS can play cleanly no problem and has the functions to cross nicely. I wouldn’t go much higher than 120hz though as now the distance from the sub drivers to the bookshelf becomes an issue where the sub woofer will be locatable…..and with the side firing woofers down on the floor, that’s gonna be a problem
Thanks, this is SO helpful, 3-way it is then, I'm using a digital crossover...
3-4” cone mid or 2” dome mid, would one suit the ribbon better?
8” woofer check.
Any driver model recommendations, for a budget of say $400?
3-4” cone mid or 2” dome mid, would one suit the ribbon better?
8” woofer check.
Any driver model recommendations, for a budget of say $400?
Depends on your desired max SPL.
If you don't need the speakers to play loud you could use a 4-5" driver that can cover 100 Hz - 4 kHz.
Alternatively a 2.5 way, again with two 4 - 5" drivers for a bit more SPL headroom.
Edit: just saw that mayhem13 was quicker with the 2.5 way suggestion!
Thanks, my system probably runs around 50% volume most of the time, I've never thought that I needed things louder.
Amp: Class A, RCA 50KΩ, 25W (8Ω), 40W (4Ω)
Speakers: 88dB, 4Ω minimum, 6Ω average
Amp: Class A, RCA 50KΩ, 25W (8Ω), 40W (4Ω)
Speakers: 88dB, 4Ω minimum, 6Ω average
My current 2-way MTM TL tower speakers have two Seas CA15RLY 5" and an lCY-110 ribbon.
I like the idea of two 4" drivers in a sealed 2.5 way bookshelf
I like the idea of two 4" drivers in a sealed 2.5 way bookshelf
You don't have a lot of reserve amp current so i think a high efficiency design is where you need to be......consider the B&C 8" two way option then.......at 94db 1w/1m even 40 watts will chase most folks out of the room and 25w avg current is MORE than adequate. But as i said before , keep the SVS subs right under them.
......or upgrade your amplifier. It's important to remember that hifi drivers are typically critically damped, lower sensitivity and harder to drive......while pro audio drivers are typically light cones and very efficient as their use case dictates high SPL and current capacity. That DOESN'T mean poor or less than hifi performance..........the higher end pro stuff like the B&C are exceptionally well made and the 8Pe21 because of it's perfected cone material and design is one of the finest midrange drivers i've ever heard regardless of price.
......or upgrade your amplifier. It's important to remember that hifi drivers are typically critically damped, lower sensitivity and harder to drive......while pro audio drivers are typically light cones and very efficient as their use case dictates high SPL and current capacity. That DOESN'T mean poor or less than hifi performance..........the higher end pro stuff like the B&C are exceptionally well made and the 8Pe21 because of it's perfected cone material and design is one of the finest midrange drivers i've ever heard regardless of price.
Just to widen the net a bit, any recommendations for a 4" driver that will be happy sealed and can cover 100-5000Hz well in 2.5-way DSP crossover, available in Australia for no more than $175AUD per driver?