Help me with or show me some towers for my Dad

[PoorSound]

I need help designing, or finding a set of towers for my Dad. He likes his music VERY LOUD so we are going to need something that can take some abuse. I finished building a set of Joe's Elsinore Speaker Project and we are both extremely impressed, having used Peerless components years ago. He is not opposed to building a set of his own, but I thought, why not try something different? We are in the custom office furniture business, so having cabinets built isn't an issue. I thought of possibly using some scan speak drivers, but don't know anything about them, therefor don't know where to begin when choosing components. Can anyone suggest any? Or show me some finished designs using Scan Speak drivers?

Also, another quick question, our furniture we have built is all made using a melamine particle board. Is that acceptable for building cabinets? I had the cabinets built using MDF when I built the Elsinores, but if you can use melamine, we can get it in a variety of finishes.

Thanks!

 

[Cal Weldon]

If you like loud you will want to consider PA drivers (pro). They offer high sensitivity. What amp do you have?
What's the budget?
How large can they be?
What speakers are you listening to now?

 

[PoorSound]

Right now he just has a set of bookshelves. They sound decent, but wants to upgrade. He's just using a Yamaha receiver.

I should clarify, he likes his music loud, but not concert loud. He really likes my Elsinore speakers, and while building them is still an option, we would like to see what else is out there that's similar. That's why I mentioned possibly using some scan speak drivers. I'm sure the budget could go up to $2000...but open to any and all suggestions.

 

[69stingray]

Using Dayton RS drivers from Parts Express.

http://htguide.com/forum/showpost.php4?p=203855&postcount=537

 

[PoorSound]

how are you dayton components? are they comparable to seas, scan speak, peerless, vifa etc?

 

[John L]

Parts Expresses Dayton brand has a reputation of being the best speakers for the buck out there.

 

[PoorSound]

I wasn't aware that Dayton was a parts express brand. Cool! I'm from Canada and would like to stick to ordering from Solen, as we are set up as a dealer for them and get the dealer discount.

 

[MJL21193]

I'm from Canada and would like to stick to ordering from Solen, as we are set up as a dealer for them and get the dealer discount.

There's Q Components here in Ontario. They have some very nice high efficiency drivers from Eminence and B&C (and now Fane).
An all B&C three way with a 10" or 12" woofer ($160.00 - $200.00), a 6.5" mid ($90.00) and compression driver plus horn flare ($150.00) would be quite nice. Efficiency in the high 90's, it wouldn't take much power to shake the place.

 

[Jay_WJ]

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Diy_Loudspeaker_Projects.htm

 

[PoorSound]

Very cool! Great links guys. I'll be looking through these for some ideas.

I've seen your Peerless HDS bookshelf project come up quite a few times Jay, how does it sound? Could you possibly use the Dayton pre-built cabinets for that project?

 

[Jay_WJ]

You can use a PE .5 cu ft cabinet as I mentioned in the design page.

I haven't given them a listen. That's why it's under "preliminary designs."

 

[JRace]

Check out the Raw Acoustics RA8 kit:
http://www.rawacoustics.com/item__RA8_speaker_kit,872.html

On clearance, only $799cdn

Amazing speaker for that price.

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

Al is a great guy to buy from - in Canada to -boot-

 

[happy.gringo]

You might also want to have a look at the Magna Cum Laude at Parts Express:

http://www.partsexpress.com/projectshowcase/indexn.cfm?project=MagnaCumLaude

 

[PoorSound]

awesome stuff guys!

Like I mentioned earlier tho I would like to stick from brands available from Solen.

Great looking designs so far!

 

[BlueWizard]

Well, as long as someone already mentioned Parts Express Projects, these look pretty impressive -

Millennium III
MP-3s
Vince's VHT

all found on this page -

http://www.partsexpress.com/projectshowcase/projectindex.cfm

Also, consider the 'TriTrix' project.

Steve/bluewizard

 

[badman]

The parts express designs are generally weak, lacking baffle step correction, properly designed crossovers, and good overall design.

There are better options, some of which have already been mentioned.

 

[PoorSound]

Line Arrays are looking somewhat appealing right now. What are some good bang for you buck designs? I know they can be quite expensive to build.