Just to be clear, the new Icepower 200AS amps are not the same amps as the old AC or ASC amps. They’re based on the TI3255 chip and are much better than the old AC or ASC modules.
Kevin; aside from the FUD in a contemporaneous thread in the multi-way forum, I think most of us here would certainly agree that your goal is attainable with a DIY speaker design and kit/modular amp; perhaps at lower than your upper limit of $6000. One question not yet posed I think, is what type of system is this replacing? That’d provide good direction for suggestions.
While now retired from active DIYing, I quite enjoyed building / assembling amps, but most of my DIY builds over the past 20yrs have been single and multi driver speakers, of which my favourite sonically was a 2-way MTM with Mark Audio Alpair drivers. They were designed by DaveD at Planet10, and he’s posted photos of them numerous times. They can certainly dig well into the low 40s and played more than loud enough for my room.
During the prototype stage, they were configured with wiring intended for bi-amping via external XO and power amps, but I eventually found that a well designed passive and single 2 channel amp* worked just as well, although by that time the boxes were buttoned up and veneered, so the passives had to be black boxed.
*spoiler alert; my amp of choice for these was a class AB/chip amp by Neurochrome - Modulus 686. Tom does have some lower powered modules that I’d imagine could be incorporated into a powered / active speaker, should that still be your preference
While now retired from active DIYing, I quite enjoyed building / assembling amps, but most of my DIY builds over the past 20yrs have been single and multi driver speakers, of which my favourite sonically was a 2-way MTM with Mark Audio Alpair drivers. They were designed by DaveD at Planet10, and he’s posted photos of them numerous times. They can certainly dig well into the low 40s and played more than loud enough for my room.
During the prototype stage, they were configured with wiring intended for bi-amping via external XO and power amps, but I eventually found that a well designed passive and single 2 channel amp* worked just as well, although by that time the boxes were buttoned up and veneered, so the passives had to be black boxed.
*spoiler alert; my amp of choice for these was a class AB/chip amp by Neurochrome - Modulus 686. Tom does have some lower powered modules that I’d imagine could be incorporated into a powered / active speaker, should that still be your preference
Pulled the trigger on a pair of the Cobra’s with Mundorf caps. I’ll use my ears and analyzer to compare with the Hypex.
