Those are gorgeous!
I'm a decent woodworker, and I've been tempted to build a vintage-style console. I even have a suitable spot for it in the room, but the big problem is that the most commonly used seating would be in a position similar to the armchair on the right.
If I can design one capable of flinging a big omnidirectional "stereo" sound into the room, while still maintaining acceptable intelligibility, that would be quite good enough for me.
I agree, matrix stereo works amazingly well. But YES, it's fiddly, and only works well with the right placement, in the right room.
I did my matrixing experiments with an unsuitable amp, which cut out when the volume got anywhere near loud. I probably didn't do that poor amp any favors!
Since then I've figured out how to do it at line level, with passive transformers. This helps a lot, now I can use any amp, since it just needs to amplify basic mid and side signals. By adjusting the L/R balance on the amp, you can control the stereo width. And you can run mismatched 2 or 3-way speakers for each side, if you choose. Or even a subwoofer on the mid channel.
But none of it matters if you don't have suitable symmetric (-ish) walls to bounce the side component sound.
Thanks! My favorite was this one - the Brasillia. I made a lot of those.
As for getting stereo in a big omni sound, I don't think I've even achieved that. Perhaps it takes 3 or 4 drivers in some sort of matrix? Phase can do some surprising things. That may be my next project after we move house.
As for getting stereo in a big omni sound, I don't think I've even achieved that. Perhaps it takes 3 or 4 drivers in some sort of matrix? Phase can do some surprising things. That may be my next project after we move house.
That Brasilia cabinet is just gorgeous!... love it!
I'm planning out a small stereo phono "consolette" in a similar way -30 inshes wide-18 inches deep - 12 iches high, on a set of angled black painted iron legs.
Like this...click to see details
Oval woofer/mids, 2" tweeters, a 10//10W STK amp and a vintage new-in-the-box but never installed 1967 Admiral Ensign changer.
The top lid and bottom will extend 1/2 inch out from the vertical walls like that Brasilia style.
Rear "aux in" RCA jacks for versatility
Attachments
Actually, the photo's coloring is for detail, the cabinet is going to be stained red mahogany with light tan woven speaker panels.
And yes, I've had no problems with STK's, mainly because I run them at less slightly than their suggested voltages. This little consolette will use an STK 430 running on about 26 volts.
That very similar to what I was building. I used 8" woofers and 3" mid/tweeters. The angle of the speakers made a noticeable difference for me. IME it's worth experimenting with that angle to find what give you the stereo effect you want. IIRC the sweet spot on mine was 30 degrees each.
If you end up having 2 drive units fairly close together on the same baffle, do try the effect of reducing sound radiation between the drivers. Even a strip of felt on the baffle between them can make an audible improvement in perceived channel separation.
Ya know, I had considered angling the speaker systems outward just a bit, not sure at this time.
The whole cabinet is to be 3/4 inch either clear pine or maybe poplar, which has a nice grain.
As for the angling, I did that sort of thing with an AM/FM stereo radio project back in 2019 with good results, those panels were on a 45 degree angle. - bit of a pain making the two-sided grilles though.
See my (rough) photos for more details.
Attachments
These all are low-powered projects.
The AM/FM stereo radio uses 4 tiny (2.5 inch) woofers (sealed air suspension) and 2 piezo tweeters driven by a TDA2009A (10W-10W) chip.
The phono consolette will have a pair of 5x7 high compliance, high sensitivity mid/woofers and 3 inch tweeters driven by an STK 430 (7+7 watts), also in sealed chambers.
Testing this system on the bench it'll provide more than ample volume for "normal" listening purposes.
So my 2030 kit is going to be in the same range, not too wild.
Planning ported enclosures, sealed off from the rest of the drivers, each speaker in a single enclosure with a vent.
Perforated plastic mesh grill... a known factory makes all sorts of mesh, so not an issue to source, less resonance than metal.
Planning ported enclosures, sealed off from the rest of the drivers, each speaker in a single enclosure with a vent.
Perforated plastic mesh grill... a known factory makes all sorts of mesh, so not an issue to source, less resonance than metal.
We had a couple of posters here from my country wanting to put 21" subs and so on.
Have not seen them around here for a while.
Maybe they went deaf...
Have not seen them around here for a while.
Maybe they went deaf...
The thing is, about monster subs like that, it's gotten pretty rediculous.
This relatively insane desire for earth-shaking bass and kilowatt amps is a goofy trend IMO, and not healthy for the ears.
Bass is good, it's part of most music, but kept in a reasonable perspective.
I just tested that out on a small bluetooth boombox I built for my wife. Those speakers are only about 12" apart, and when I propped up a scrap MDF board between the speakers, the separation did get noticeable better. Very useful!
That's really nice. I see you disguised the angled speakers, clever. 
The angled baffle is something of a PITA, but I like the way it sounds on my builds.
The angled baffle is something of a PITA, but I like the way it sounds on my builds.
I just noticed this on my record shelf. @wiseoldtech Is that your RCA record player with a remote speaker?