I would like to create a modern console unit, inspiration is here:
The goals of the project would be good sound with some punch and dynamics. This would not be a critical listening system. Lots of music genre's.
Overall cabinet dimensions will be 72" long x 17" deep x 21" high, this will give an overall height of of 29 to 30 inches, with a 7" to 8" leg under the cabinet. These dimensions optimize a 4 x 8 sheet of veneer board. These dimensions lead to approximate internal speaker volumes of up to: 19" high, 15" deep, and 18" wide. These will be pointing right at my knees so there may be an advantage to leaning the baffle back ( behind the cloth)
I do not need / want a turntable. I have a couple of decent quality power amps originally designed for distributed sound, so four channels of power. I could put a preamp / DAC / Bluetooth in front of a minidsp-hd and have a great deal of control and room correction, this would eliminate the need to develop a crossover. ( 2 way speaker) I would be open to other front end advice. Maybe a Cambridge AXR100, or DIY with PCB modules from Parts express. I would be willing to add a separate powered subwoofer in the room if needed.
This would be placed in a 12' x 14' x 8' high room, centered on the 14' wall.
I like the following attributes in the sound:
Dynamic and punchy when turned up, not muddy when turned down.
Good sound everywhere in the room, I will trade away pinpoint soundstage for better sound elsewhere. I'm not going to have a " listening chair." I've noticed that what sounds good to me even sounds good in the next room.
Budget:
Id like to be all in on the materials for $ 1,000.00. $ 250 of this will be cabinet materials. This leaves 750.00 for for source and drivers.
MiniDSPHD and the mic are $ 300, so $ 450 for drivers and preamp.
Cambridge receiver is $ 540, leaving $ 210 for drivers and passive crossover components.
Where would you start?
Gary
The goals of the project would be good sound with some punch and dynamics. This would not be a critical listening system. Lots of music genre's.
Overall cabinet dimensions will be 72" long x 17" deep x 21" high, this will give an overall height of of 29 to 30 inches, with a 7" to 8" leg under the cabinet. These dimensions optimize a 4 x 8 sheet of veneer board. These dimensions lead to approximate internal speaker volumes of up to: 19" high, 15" deep, and 18" wide. These will be pointing right at my knees so there may be an advantage to leaning the baffle back ( behind the cloth)
I do not need / want a turntable. I have a couple of decent quality power amps originally designed for distributed sound, so four channels of power. I could put a preamp / DAC / Bluetooth in front of a minidsp-hd and have a great deal of control and room correction, this would eliminate the need to develop a crossover. ( 2 way speaker) I would be open to other front end advice. Maybe a Cambridge AXR100, or DIY with PCB modules from Parts express. I would be willing to add a separate powered subwoofer in the room if needed.
This would be placed in a 12' x 14' x 8' high room, centered on the 14' wall.
I like the following attributes in the sound:
Dynamic and punchy when turned up, not muddy when turned down.
Good sound everywhere in the room, I will trade away pinpoint soundstage for better sound elsewhere. I'm not going to have a " listening chair." I've noticed that what sounds good to me even sounds good in the next room.
Budget:
Id like to be all in on the materials for $ 1,000.00. $ 250 of this will be cabinet materials. This leaves 750.00 for for source and drivers.
MiniDSPHD and the mic are $ 300, so $ 450 for drivers and preamp.
Cambridge receiver is $ 540, leaving $ 210 for drivers and passive crossover components.
Where would you start?
Gary
I'd plan detachable baffle so you can "change the speakers" if need be, without hacksaw 🙂 200$ budget isn't much, maybe some cheap pa coaxials or used small pa speakers repurposed, JBL or something.
I am a bit confused about some of your choices. You have a MiniDSP-HD listed, but you will use a passive crossover? Also you list a Cambridge Receiver for $540. If you use the MiniDSP fully, you do not need a receiver. I currently am using the HD as input from my turntable, CD player and music streamer via USB. The outputs go directly into amplifiers. I would recommend either some used old-school integrated amps or some class D-amplifier modules (Hypex or ICE). The econowave is a good way to go if you want loud, but make sure your amps are very low noise.
If you do want an AM/FM tuner, the best way to go would be to buy a high quality used tuner from the '80s. The big analog dial will look the part, and the sound quality will be far better an anything made today.
Yes, a pair of bookshelf speakers could be set on the base, refinished so they would match.
I suggest finding a used pair of Dynaco A25, which sound quite good, and would likely need little repair,
maybe new tweeter capacitors and grill cloth. The butyl rubber woofer surrounds seem to last forever.
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I know this is an old thread........but I'd like to share some of my own project work in this same space....
This is an original console design. The exterior surfaces are solid hardwood. The interior surfaces are MDF with hardwood veneer. This design is around 6' long. This gives lots of space for speakers. The speakers in this design are custom based on the Dynaco A25 - but loosely. The drivers are Seas of course and I'm using the A26 woofer. But cabinet volume is a lot higher than the original A25 design. The design employs considerable bracing. The speakers are powered with 2 channels of Hypex nCorex power and passive filters (crossovers). Adding a turntable is, well, romantic. But not a good idea. So, have included a Pi-based streamer running MoOde. And currently considering a DAC (and re-clocking) from Ian Canada. And potentially a relay based volume control. It will not be a critical listening system. But I expect it to be very good - and lots of fun.
This is an original console design. The exterior surfaces are solid hardwood. The interior surfaces are MDF with hardwood veneer. This design is around 6' long. This gives lots of space for speakers. The speakers in this design are custom based on the Dynaco A25 - but loosely. The drivers are Seas of course and I'm using the A26 woofer. But cabinet volume is a lot higher than the original A25 design. The design employs considerable bracing. The speakers are powered with 2 channels of Hypex nCorex power and passive filters (crossovers). Adding a turntable is, well, romantic. But not a good idea. So, have included a Pi-based streamer running MoOde. And currently considering a DAC (and re-clocking) from Ian Canada. And potentially a relay based volume control. It will not be a critical listening system. But I expect it to be very good - and lots of fun.
