I was set on buying a pair of these kits until work got in the way of funds. Then, upon hearing about Jeff Bagby’s untimely passing impulsively purchased the Helix dome MTM kit. Still assembling them but I still have the Vortex in mind for future use.
You may be able to reduce that hump in the upper bass by tuning the cabs lower. 65hz is pretty high. 40-45 hz might flatten things out.
That's a good idea - next time I place a Parts Express order I'll grab a new set of ports and try it out.
Anyway, I finished my build over the weekend. Very happy with how these came out overall. They sound great.
Any updates on folks re: their experiences with these? I'm very close to ordering the Vortex-15's.
Thanks,
Jim
Thanks,
Jim
That's a good idea - next time I place a Parts Express order I'll grab a new set of ports and try it out.
Anyway, I finished my build over the weekend. Very happy with how these came out overall. They sound great.
Nice finish!
DIY Sound Group has a sale on the Vortex 15 (b-stock) at the moment. Substantial discount. I couldn’t help myself and just ordered a pair.
The B stock deal is perfect for anyone who was planning on using a grill anyhow. The blemish is probably barely even noticeable.
I looked at the b-stock 15" deal and you're not saving much really since you don't get the crossover parts and free shipping (I don't think).
I usually upgrade the crossover parts anyhow, such as swapping the iron core inductors with aircore, Mills resistors, film & foil tweeter caps, etc., so this is perfect for me.
Also (and I probably shouldn’t let this secret out): In my ordering experience, Erich’s opinion of what is b-stock is incredibly nitpicky and many vendors would disagree that it warranted a discount.
Also, you still get free shipping:
Also (and I probably shouldn’t let this secret out): In my ordering experience, Erich’s opinion of what is b-stock is incredibly nitpicky and many vendors would disagree that it warranted a discount.
Also, you still get free shipping:
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Do you really think that air core inductors better iron core inductors?
Asians have the opposite view.
Asians have the opposite view.
I don’t think there’s any question that if size cost and weight are not a factor and the DCRs are equal, then yes the air core inductor is technically superior to its iron core counterpart.
Subjectively I’ve never done a DBT so I wouldn’t proclaim air cores as definitively sounding superior but yes, in sighted A/B tests I did succumb to the suggestion that such is the case.
I personally would use them in *any* passive crossover where the driver in the network is being used below 80hz but would be much more conservative when consulting others (ie loudspeaker power demands).
Subjectively I’ve never done a DBT so I wouldn’t proclaim air cores as definitively sounding superior but yes, in sighted A/B tests I did succumb to the suggestion that such is the case.
I personally would use them in *any* passive crossover where the driver in the network is being used below 80hz but would be much more conservative when consulting others (ie loudspeaker power demands).
Where would the crossover point need to be set if these are run open baffle or no baffle (i.e., suspended)?
Thanks,
Jim
Thanks,
Jim
It's too bad the there wasn't enough support for the Vortex project. It's a good idea. I bought 4 of these, and needed 3 more to complete 7 channels. Never finished the project. Now I went a different way.
1. The 3015cx is similar but not the same.
2. The 1731 compression driver is no longer available.
There are ways to make this all work ok with some substitutions.
Originally, I was going to use the Vortex15's, with added Denovo15's, as bi-amp surrounds with the Titan 615-LX's I have for LCR. The tweeters for all are the Celestion 1731 CD's, and the match in the treble would be ok, though the crossover to the tweeter in the Titan is different.
Then I wanted to add 3 more Vortex15's to the front to replace the Titan MT Top. All channels would have been the same, and bi-amped. I missed the Vortex15 bare kit blow out by a day. Now, people want more.
It was a grand scheme. I was amassing parts and built boxes. Needed 2 more Denovo15's and 3 more Vortex15's to make it all work. Neither are available anymore. People want both. It just didn't come together.
I wanted to try the same thing in all 7 base channels. Bi-amped. I decided to go another way. Parts are bought. Will be my winter project.
Meanwhile, I have a few drivers to play with. 🙂
2. The 1731 compression driver is no longer available.
There are ways to make this all work ok with some substitutions.
Originally, I was going to use the Vortex15's, with added Denovo15's, as bi-amp surrounds with the Titan 615-LX's I have for LCR. The tweeters for all are the Celestion 1731 CD's, and the match in the treble would be ok, though the crossover to the tweeter in the Titan is different.
Then I wanted to add 3 more Vortex15's to the front to replace the Titan MT Top. All channels would have been the same, and bi-amped. I missed the Vortex15 bare kit blow out by a day. Now, people want more.
It was a grand scheme. I was amassing parts and built boxes. Needed 2 more Denovo15's and 3 more Vortex15's to make it all work. Neither are available anymore. People want both. It just didn't come together.
I wanted to try the same thing in all 7 base channels. Bi-amped. I decided to go another way. Parts are bought. Will be my winter project.
Meanwhile, I have a few drivers to play with. 🙂
Yes. The same Driver in the Titan-615LX. Sold as the MBM-15LX. I bought 2 more kits, and the narrow Flat Packs. Then Eric ran out of the drivers, and the Flat Packs. I recall that he said the drivers were too expensive to keep producing. I was buying them too slowly and the stock dwindled.
I should have been more clear. DIYSG did have a 15" sub for a while.
I should have been more clear. DIYSG did have a 15" sub for a while.
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