So the weekend is over and responses have slowed down. Here's what I've heard so far:
- "Party Speakers" -- I'd probably just get the BIC Eviction 15" w/ horn coffin speakers. I don't think I have the patience to comb through weeks of local listings for good party speakers.
- Klipsch Cornwalls -- I'd have to get lucky and find a really good used deal locally, and then find room in my budget for an amp.
- Yamaha DXR12 Powered PA speakers (or similar) -- Wide dispersion and high SPL. This specific model has distortion that would agree with the frequencies and recording methods commonly used for metal.
- Cambridge Soundworks speakers designed by Kloss -- they're well designed speakers and many are sealed, making them a better choice for my placement options.
- Rese66 and his Asathor design - several endorsements for this high end sound in a refined and sealed cabinet. I'm excited about this option but might have to reach out to Rese66 to see if there are alternatives to the Tymphany drivers as their availability is limited in the US.
- A 15" Karlson cabinet -- I haven't been able to understand what role this has. Full range? Add a tweeter or horn? Power requirements? If anyone can point me to a fitting 15" full range design that I can copy, Ill feel better about assessing its viability based on my budget and time constraints.
Can anyone weigh in on maybe the top 2 options and help me figure out what else I'll need to get sound out of them? I'm down to DIY but I've heard countless places that its best to build an established design before iterating or modding on your own. Cabinet/drivers/xover components/amp recs would make me feel like I can get a list together and on order.
I appreciate the enthusiastic responses and discussion thus far.
- "Party Speakers" -- I'd probably just get the BIC Eviction 15" w/ horn coffin speakers. I don't think I have the patience to comb through weeks of local listings for good party speakers.
- Klipsch Cornwalls -- I'd have to get lucky and find a really good used deal locally, and then find room in my budget for an amp.
- Yamaha DXR12 Powered PA speakers (or similar) -- Wide dispersion and high SPL. This specific model has distortion that would agree with the frequencies and recording methods commonly used for metal.
- Cambridge Soundworks speakers designed by Kloss -- they're well designed speakers and many are sealed, making them a better choice for my placement options.
- Rese66 and his Asathor design - several endorsements for this high end sound in a refined and sealed cabinet. I'm excited about this option but might have to reach out to Rese66 to see if there are alternatives to the Tymphany drivers as their availability is limited in the US.
- A 15" Karlson cabinet -- I haven't been able to understand what role this has. Full range? Add a tweeter or horn? Power requirements? If anyone can point me to a fitting 15" full range design that I can copy, Ill feel better about assessing its viability based on my budget and time constraints.
Can anyone weigh in on maybe the top 2 options and help me figure out what else I'll need to get sound out of them? I'm down to DIY but I've heard countless places that its best to build an established design before iterating or modding on your own. Cabinet/drivers/xover components/amp recs would make me feel like I can get a list together and on order.
I appreciate the enthusiastic responses and discussion thus far.
Seems a reasonable choice for your app, while the Cornwall is a bit overkill unless it can be had for the BIC's price based on this opinion from a forum known for loud/thumping systems and assuming it hasn't been cheapened up since 2018: BIC RTR EV-15`s Heavy hitter on a budget | AVS Forum
The K15 was designed for 15" co-ax such as the Altec 604/605, so will need a wide range horn when loaded with just a wide BW woofer.
The K15 was designed for 15" co-ax such as the Altec 604/605, so will need a wide range horn when loaded with just a wide BW woofer.
If you're moving to that direction, B&C speakers do offer some nice designs (with parametric EQ-ing included to get the designs ruler straight).
A coaxial 15in with compression driver is probably easiest way to implement full range with K15.
Just wanted to update you all -
I found a pair of single-owner 1984 Cerwin Vega D9's. I plan to refoam and upgrade the caps. I'm supposed to pick up a Crown XLS1502 tomorrow. Anything else I should add to ensure a quality chain of transmission? Is there a recommended bluetooth receiver, or are all the chinese ones on ebay good enough?
Thanks again for all the input, I learned about a lot of cool speaker tech and I'd love to revisit this thread once I can turn my attention to my den home theater.
I found a pair of single-owner 1984 Cerwin Vega D9's. I plan to refoam and upgrade the caps. I'm supposed to pick up a Crown XLS1502 tomorrow. Anything else I should add to ensure a quality chain of transmission? Is there a recommended bluetooth receiver, or are all the chinese ones on ebay good enough?
Thanks again for all the input, I learned about a lot of cool speaker tech and I'd love to revisit this thread once I can turn my attention to my den home theater.
Three things I would consider "MUST HAVES" in your application:
1) ACOUSTIC TREATMENT. $$$ spent here will make a HUGE difference.
2) BI-AMPING This will also make a huge difference, especially at LOUD volumes.
3) EQUALIZATION Whether it be done via DSP or by analog means, EQ deficiencies from either speakers or room quirks can make otherwise excellent components sound poor. Personally I prefer sorting it out via a DSP and then applying that info to an analog equalizer.
1) ACOUSTIC TREATMENT. $$$ spent here will make a HUGE difference.
2) BI-AMPING This will also make a huge difference, especially at LOUD volumes.
3) EQUALIZATION Whether it be done via DSP or by analog means, EQ deficiencies from either speakers or room quirks can make otherwise excellent components sound poor. Personally I prefer sorting it out via a DSP and then applying that info to an analog equalizer.
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I wasn't sure if you were looking for a Diy project or something already built.
Over time, much like the cerwin vegas you found.
There is likely countless classic 3 way speakers from the 80's / 90's
that probably pop up
As you soon find out many unfortunately have the foam surrounds that degrade.
But some survive, others have paper surrounds.
Basically many 3 ways with 10" , 12" or 15" woofers.
My favorite bargain finds were the 3 way Pioneer speakers
the surrounds seem to hold up.
They use to be easy to find at thrift stores.
I had countless pairs, many with the white cone woofers.
Keep in mind, there is also countless old home theatre systems
you get good highs and mids from the " satellite " speakers
and the bass would come from a 10" or 12" subwoofer
We have used old 5.1 surround speakers for party setups.
Since often the front and rear speakers were the same.
We would just run all 4 speakers for stereo, with the sub.
and stack them tweeter to tweeter like a generic MTM
Over time, much like the cerwin vegas you found.
There is likely countless classic 3 way speakers from the 80's / 90's
that probably pop up
As you soon find out many unfortunately have the foam surrounds that degrade.
But some survive, others have paper surrounds.
Basically many 3 ways with 10" , 12" or 15" woofers.
My favorite bargain finds were the 3 way Pioneer speakers
the surrounds seem to hold up.
They use to be easy to find at thrift stores.
I had countless pairs, many with the white cone woofers.
Keep in mind, there is also countless old home theatre systems
you get good highs and mids from the " satellite " speakers
and the bass would come from a 10" or 12" subwoofer
We have used old 5.1 surround speakers for party setups.
Since often the front and rear speakers were the same.
We would just run all 4 speakers for stereo, with the sub.
and stack them tweeter to tweeter like a generic MTM
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