Hi Dave,
This is the proper forum for this disscusion. So I posted here to garner the knowledge from the speaker gurus 🙂.
My system now consists of diy JE labs 300b monoblocks, Foreplay preamp, Ah Tjoeb CD player and JBL L5 speakers.
Being that I am getting into this 'Do It Yourself' audio thing, ( and loving it! ), I am wanting to build some speakers.
Although, it seems to me, I did not follow logic in my construction of audio componets, I can now match my build of speakers to match my amps.
I am open to just about everything from horns to linearrays, but wanting to keep the cost for speakers and electronics for speakers in the $2k range.
I have looked at full range, lowthers, fostex and others, but have never listened to any 🙁
Line arrays intrique me and the BottleHead offering, ' Straight Eights' looks cool. Although I want to build something of a little more value.
My listening room is a medium to hard room. I have young children and the celings are vaulted. As of now, I do not have
optimum placement of my speakers, but all sounds well.
Anyway, as I said, I am open to just about anything here, so suggestions anyone? please?
Hi, I built some high efficiency loudspeakers: one is a TQWT with a Supravox bicone 215 and the other is a three way dipole with Eminence, Vifa and B&C loudspeakers.
You can see more detail on my site
ciao
Filippo
www.audiofanatic.it
You can see more detail on my site
ciao
Filippo
www.audiofanatic.it
maybeim said:
Before you decide on an experiment with these, ask around and see if you can get to hear some. They can be a bit of an aquired taste for some, and whilst they are really loved by some people, they have way too many limitations for others (like me). It depends on the type of music you listen to, and how loud. You might be able to get a set of cheapish songle drivers, and experiment for a while with some simple open baffles, or build a TL out of scrap timber to see what you think. If you hate them, it's only cost a little time (resell the speakers on ebay) and money. If you like them then further experimentation, or construction of a known design using a Fostex etc driver. Even a set of Fertins on baffles would be within your budget (see previous thread on this topic). The single driver forum has a wealth of info, as does our own dave (planet 10) site.
http://melhuish.org/audio/
http://www.tl-loudspeaker.org
http://www.geocities.com/sc00byd0159/q/quarterwave.html
I've never heard the S8's, but have built a number of line arrays in the past. Initially impressive, after extended listening, I've always found them "fuzzy". (IMO)
I find rooms with vaulted ceilings take a lot more energy to fill than a standard 8 or 10' ceiling, much more than the simple room volume differences. probably due to a more diffuse reverberant field not reinforcing the direct sound. I would suggest borrowing, or spending the $40 or so to buy the Rat Shack SPL meter, and measure how lous you're actually listening, to get an idea of the sort of sensitivity you require in a speaker. After all, you only have 8W or so, and a glorious sounding 84dB/W speaker is going to sound a tad constipated with that little power. When you measure you're SPLs, plat it as loud as you could ever envisage playing it, then try to allow 3dB of headroom in the amp so it doesn't quite sound so strained on peaks.
For lots of info on high efficiency speakers, mine the audioasylum high eff speaker board (and archives) for info. There are many great and knowledgable posters there; djk, str8aro, tomservo, Bruce Edgar, Tom Brennan, Wayne Parnham etc.
A set of La Scala, suitably updated with 'djk' mods might be suitable. The parts are available from Klipsch as spares, I have a set of plans I can email you if you like. They take about 5 8 x 4 sheets of ply, very simple to make.
With some really careful shopping, a set of Edgarhorns might just be within your budget too.
<img src=http://community-2.webtv.net/KerrB/VINTAGETUBEAMPHORN/media/captureD19.jpg>
Tannoys in better enclosures (standard ones are a pox) and updated enclosures can sound fabulous. I've had a couple of different pairs. Gold 15" would be my choice, though Gold 10 with subs would be good too. More excellent Tannoy stuff. Don't ignore the DMT 215 II.
A set of Jensen Imperial horns, with a modern coax driver like some of the PHL, Maccauley, Fane or PAS is another option. These work best up against a wall, or even better, back in the corners, so although physically large, they take up less real estate then mini monitors on stands well out into the room. Plans here http://home.earthlink.net/~lotusblossom/_wsn/page3.html
<img src=http://community-1.webtv.net/KerrB/VINTAGETUBEAMPHORN/media/captureD35.jpg>
As with single drivers, horns are often a love / hate thing, so try to listen to some. IME, there's nothing better than full range horns. I can provide more info / ideas on horns later if you're intersted. I have quite a few ideas, plans and experience with them.
Lastly, although I don't think you have enough power for them, have a look at the Ariels and read Lynn's piece of designing and tuning speakers. Very informative and lucid. Here's a sub implementation for them.
Go for the highest efficiency you can.
No matter what you decude to make, I bet they'll look disgustingly good.
HTH
Cheers
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