I have a burr under my saddle to change the sound of my system through a DIY speaker project. Other than that itch, I don’t have a good reason why because my current system is quite good, even excellent, IMHO. I am thinking of going from a 7 + 1 2-way supported by subs to an open baffle or a horn-type design. Specifically, Troel Gravesen’s OBL-15 or DTQWT. My budget, with carpentry is $2,500. Read on, please, and tell me what you think.
I currently have Merlin VSMs for main speakers, Merlin TSMs for center and surrounds, and a pair of JL Audio Fathom f113 subwoofers. I do not use Merlin’s BAMs (an electronic equalizer). The 37 Hz tuned bass reflex VSMs have a ScanSpeak 18W/8545 woofer and a Dynaudio Esotar T330D tweeter crossed over at 2200 Hz. Crossover to the subs is at 40 Hz set by both a Marantz 7702 Pre/Pro and the JL Audios.
This system has to do all my audio: music (2 channel and multichannel), TV and movies. I want to just replace the Merlin VSM 2-way LR floorstanders.
The system is resolving, clean, transparent, and with good soundstaging. I use Acourate room correction software on all speakers. It measures flat with Acourate correction from 20 Hz+. It can bring goose bumps.
I have a big room. Speakers are set on a 20 foot long wall. The room is 14 foot deep, but is really open to the rest of the house. There are 14 foot openings in the back wall. The ceiling is 10 foot, going to 8 feet in the rest of the house. There are no specialized acoustical treatments.
I read that and to think I have to be crazy for wanting better. What I am missing is the sense of immersion you get at a live concert. I have subscribed for years to symphony and opera, and have gone to numerous rock and jazz concerts, so I know the real thing. I read about “boxy” sound, and there may be some of that in my system, but it would be limited to certain frequencies. Most all of the time, the speakers disappear.
I think another boxed system makes no sense. No matter 2-way, 3-way or 4-way, etc. Reading suggests open baffles to get me there rather than the performers being in my room.
I’ve read about the Linkwitz systems, NaO, Hawthorne, Bagby Statements and Finalists. Some of those can be eliminated for cost reasons. I also have been reading Troel’s website and am intrigued by the OBL-15s and DTQWT. Both could be done for less than $2,500. What I cannot really get a handle on is the fundamental sound difference between the two. To me, the DTQWT is a variant of the bass reflex. I am thinking that is a big mistake and there are big differences in the sound, but I am not sure. I would appreciate getting input on their sound differences, if anybody knows.
Am I crazy to look for something better? Will the grass really bring greener?
I currently have Merlin VSMs for main speakers, Merlin TSMs for center and surrounds, and a pair of JL Audio Fathom f113 subwoofers. I do not use Merlin’s BAMs (an electronic equalizer). The 37 Hz tuned bass reflex VSMs have a ScanSpeak 18W/8545 woofer and a Dynaudio Esotar T330D tweeter crossed over at 2200 Hz. Crossover to the subs is at 40 Hz set by both a Marantz 7702 Pre/Pro and the JL Audios.
This system has to do all my audio: music (2 channel and multichannel), TV and movies. I want to just replace the Merlin VSM 2-way LR floorstanders.
The system is resolving, clean, transparent, and with good soundstaging. I use Acourate room correction software on all speakers. It measures flat with Acourate correction from 20 Hz+. It can bring goose bumps.
I have a big room. Speakers are set on a 20 foot long wall. The room is 14 foot deep, but is really open to the rest of the house. There are 14 foot openings in the back wall. The ceiling is 10 foot, going to 8 feet in the rest of the house. There are no specialized acoustical treatments.
I read that and to think I have to be crazy for wanting better. What I am missing is the sense of immersion you get at a live concert. I have subscribed for years to symphony and opera, and have gone to numerous rock and jazz concerts, so I know the real thing. I read about “boxy” sound, and there may be some of that in my system, but it would be limited to certain frequencies. Most all of the time, the speakers disappear.
I think another boxed system makes no sense. No matter 2-way, 3-way or 4-way, etc. Reading suggests open baffles to get me there rather than the performers being in my room.
I’ve read about the Linkwitz systems, NaO, Hawthorne, Bagby Statements and Finalists. Some of those can be eliminated for cost reasons. I also have been reading Troel’s website and am intrigued by the OBL-15s and DTQWT. Both could be done for less than $2,500. What I cannot really get a handle on is the fundamental sound difference between the two. To me, the DTQWT is a variant of the bass reflex. I am thinking that is a big mistake and there are big differences in the sound, but I am not sure. I would appreciate getting input on their sound differences, if anybody knows.
Am I crazy to look for something better? Will the grass really bring greener?
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