Hello all.
I am using at this time a Sony SS-LA500ED as my PC speakers/near-field monitors.
What I like about these is the sturdy build, all metal enclosure (heavy, well damped), nice bottom end, sparkling highs.But.....
But they do lack something. I can't describe what it is.I was tinkering with the Foobar equalizer, with other equalizers etc...Until I bought dirt cheap KEF Hts1001 satellites.
These house only a 75mm aluminium cone and a 15mm tweeter in coaxial arrangement. No bass to speak about, starts at around 120-150Hz. But the mids and highs...how to describe it...Point source works in them pretty great. I like the crisp highs and the voices are also amazing.
I played 5 min ago Michel Godards Trace of Grace...just wonderful.
I will use these or the bigger 4" Uni-Q (courtesy of a great forum member sippy) drivers in a near-field monitors for PC (probably coax out of PC into a DAC into a T-class amp).
120Hz is their stated resonance frequency, and up to 30kHz. How low can I get them?
What I was thinking about is to build a F.A.S.T. system in the shape of Swen Boenicke W5 type with Tang Band W1138SMF woofer firing sideways.
Or what about some BLH? Or other?
Your thoughts on this?
Anyone with Uni-Qs playing with the idea to build something from them?
Danny
I am using at this time a Sony SS-LA500ED as my PC speakers/near-field monitors.
What I like about these is the sturdy build, all metal enclosure (heavy, well damped), nice bottom end, sparkling highs.But.....
But they do lack something. I can't describe what it is.I was tinkering with the Foobar equalizer, with other equalizers etc...Until I bought dirt cheap KEF Hts1001 satellites.
These house only a 75mm aluminium cone and a 15mm tweeter in coaxial arrangement. No bass to speak about, starts at around 120-150Hz. But the mids and highs...how to describe it...Point source works in them pretty great. I like the crisp highs and the voices are also amazing.
I played 5 min ago Michel Godards Trace of Grace...just wonderful.
I will use these or the bigger 4" Uni-Q (courtesy of a great forum member sippy) drivers in a near-field monitors for PC (probably coax out of PC into a DAC into a T-class amp).
120Hz is their stated resonance frequency, and up to 30kHz. How low can I get them?
What I was thinking about is to build a F.A.S.T. system in the shape of Swen Boenicke W5 type with Tang Band W1138SMF woofer firing sideways.
Or what about some BLH? Or other?
Your thoughts on this?
Anyone with Uni-Qs playing with the idea to build something from them?
Danny
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They cannot be crossed low because this causes large movements of the midrange cone which modulates and interferes with the sound radiation from the tweeter.
My next build, or perhaps the one after, will use the 5" coaxial from the R300 shown here. It will be an on wall design but I am currently dithering about the woofer configuration. The crossover from woofer to midrange will initially be around 400-500 Hz.
I was waiting when you show up sippy 🙂
Next year January or February I'll be ordering a measuring microphone to have some real world data at hand.
Then have to get a second amp, probably a t amp and a miniDSP and I start playing with the Uni-Q drivers with some whatever woofers I can find, just to give me an idea...have couple of old Sony drivers here, should be enough as a fill-in-bottom-supplement-whatever helper.
Danny
Next year January or February I'll be ordering a measuring microphone to have some real world data at hand.
Then have to get a second amp, probably a t amp and a miniDSP and I start playing with the Uni-Q drivers with some whatever woofers I can find, just to give me an idea...have couple of old Sony drivers here, should be enough as a fill-in-bottom-supplement-whatever helper.
Danny
I do have a mic which I used for Skype...Is that any good to make some measurements? I know its not calibrated and the results would be useless but at least I could learn how to measure.
Which brings up another request for help....
What software? Free if possible...xmas comming so a little skint...
Danny
Which brings up another request for help....
What software? Free if possible...xmas comming so a little skint...
Danny
KEF UniQ SP1498
🙂
Here are some pictures of the KEF 'Egg' 2001 dismantled and close up of the SP1498 drive unit.
These drive units are also available in Black enclosures and the drive unit has a black cone - I've not managed to find any for sale as yet.....
These 'Eggs' can be found on Auction sites for as little as £20 ex postage, I have seen them for sale NIB as singles for £75 / £80, 'Bang for Buck' is high even at the upper end, shame about 'That CHUFFING pipe'.
I've found barackuda's experience about the mid / treble performance to be the same Even though 'our' units are differing size.
Amazing..... and thats with the 100mm unit behind the nasty metal grill.
'Free Air' listening improved matters as I didn't have to listen to the ports 'chuffings' and cabinet 'zizzings'.
This lead to me phoning KEF International and striking up correspondence with their Engineering dept.
As we know, long ago they sold 'DIY' kits and much to my surprise said:
"Your project sounds most interesting, send us a link when done."
Once things get a bit more under-way with this thread, I'll be sending KEF the link......
If thats ok with barackuda?
I have a 'beta' Planet10 design called 'Kef-Ken' to build AND my 'own design' which is, atm, a few conceptual scribbles on some paper..... some where......
🙂
Here are some pictures of the KEF 'Egg' 2001 dismantled and close up of the SP1498 drive unit.
These drive units are also available in Black enclosures and the drive unit has a black cone - I've not managed to find any for sale as yet.....
These 'Eggs' can be found on Auction sites for as little as £20 ex postage, I have seen them for sale NIB as singles for £75 / £80, 'Bang for Buck' is high even at the upper end, shame about 'That CHUFFING pipe'.
I've found barackuda's experience about the mid / treble performance to be the same Even though 'our' units are differing size.
Amazing..... and thats with the 100mm unit behind the nasty metal grill.
'Free Air' listening improved matters as I didn't have to listen to the ports 'chuffings' and cabinet 'zizzings'.
This lead to me phoning KEF International and striking up correspondence with their Engineering dept.
As we know, long ago they sold 'DIY' kits and much to my surprise said:
"Your project sounds most interesting, send us a link when done."
Once things get a bit more under-way with this thread, I'll be sending KEF the link......
If thats ok with barackuda?
I have a 'beta' Planet10 design called 'Kef-Ken' to build AND my 'own design' which is, atm, a few conceptual scribbles on some paper..... some where......
Of course its OK with me Sippy, them more we share the better.
I will stick to the "uni-q up front+side firing woofer" concept of mine, want to keep it narrow for placement near the pc monitor, and will keep probably the 75mm unit. I think I end up buying new units from KEF (45 punds per one unit) as new is new isnt it 🙂
Picture shows you how near they are, the table is not so much deep as normal pc tables. Honestly not missing that much bass, I know when it will be there it will be different, but the imaging is pretty spot on, depth also...
Note the "higher-end" speaker stands 😀 both alu discs for the egg enclosures to be used later + the wooden block courtesy of my work place scrap bin 😀
Danny
P.S.: sippy try to download hifi downloads TRACE OF GRACE
24bit/192kHz or DFF file (right click and save as) and play throu KEFs and tell me what you think...I cant stop listening to the song hehe
I will stick to the "uni-q up front+side firing woofer" concept of mine, want to keep it narrow for placement near the pc monitor, and will keep probably the 75mm unit. I think I end up buying new units from KEF (45 punds per one unit) as new is new isnt it 🙂
Picture shows you how near they are, the table is not so much deep as normal pc tables. Honestly not missing that much bass, I know when it will be there it will be different, but the imaging is pretty spot on, depth also...
Note the "higher-end" speaker stands 😀 both alu discs for the egg enclosures to be used later + the wooden block courtesy of my work place scrap bin 😀
Danny
P.S.: sippy try to download hifi downloads TRACE OF GRACE
24bit/192kHz or DFF file (right click and save as) and play throu KEFs and tell me what you think...I cant stop listening to the song hehe
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I use REW, IMO it is the best and most fully featured free software. Amazing it is free actually for what it does. Your sound card mic may be just fine for getting basic relative measurements. It turns out that most things use a standard electret condensor mic capsule which if it is the basic Panasonic WM61A is the basis for commercial measurment mics. You can also order the $2 capsules and play with them. I use the $70 Dayton UMM-6 and like it a lot. Nice to have calibrated ADC preamp built in so you don't have to worry about your sound card's calibration.
No problem barackuda, I really like the look of your idea and 'hope' you'll design / proceed for / with the 100mm unit, I think it would be a better match for a 6.5" woofer...... my conceptual scribbles are a teardrop over 'box' and didn't think of looking at a design like the Swen Boenicke W5 for inspiration.
And yes, new is new 😉 and my offer still stands.
Nice piece of music that..... my KEF's are all boxed / buried deep, but through a pair of Tannoy 8" DC's it makes me wish all recordings were like that.
Oh don't get me wrong sippy...still lusting after the 100mm units so I am taking you up on that offer for sure 🙂
I want to evaluate them for near-field listening, and if satisfied I will make some box for them 😉 you can never have enough toys to play with...
The reason I am thinking about the W5 clone is because the 75mm units need 0.5L closed box and the TB woofer needs only about 3L to get it down to 50Hz....
The 100mm units need 1.5L vented and would be a good match to 6.5 - 8" woofer. Perhaps a little bit big for desktop... just the right size for near-field on stands.
Yes that music is good quality, hunting and gathering now HighDef music all over the internet, bought my first album from LINN records...If someone interested, I can send...to share the experience 🙂
Danny
I want to evaluate them for near-field listening, and if satisfied I will make some box for them 😉 you can never have enough toys to play with...
The reason I am thinking about the W5 clone is because the 75mm units need 0.5L closed box and the TB woofer needs only about 3L to get it down to 50Hz....
The 100mm units need 1.5L vented and would be a good match to 6.5 - 8" woofer. Perhaps a little bit big for desktop... just the right size for near-field on stands.
Yes that music is good quality, hunting and gathering now HighDef music all over the internet, bought my first album from LINN records...If someone interested, I can send...to share the experience 🙂
Danny
I can see your point.
I wouldn't be using the 100mm unit vented as its far better with 'coax's' to keep the mid cone / wg from flapping about too much and wrecking 'that' sound, limiting bandwidth via cross-over and a sealed enclosure should see that.
To show of the naked driver....
here you go 🙂
Yes I know there is a dent on the tweeter....thats why I asked KEF if they stock the units...
Danny
here you go 🙂
Yes I know there is a dent on the tweeter....thats why I asked KEF if they stock the units...
Danny
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Apart from the dent in the tweet, they look like they have had a very hard life, I say this because of the step between the mid cone and the tweets metal surround.
Would be interesting to see a fresh run in unit's response curves v's well worn unit of either size.
They's pretty looking things, I find I get quite mesmerized by mine 😀😀
Would be interesting to see a fresh run in unit's response curves v's well worn unit of either size.
They's pretty looking things, I find I get quite mesmerized by mine 😀😀
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I have the same opinion. They had a lot of "smokers mush" on them when I got them. Thats why dirt cheap. Took me 30min to clean up the cones. Only got them to see whats all this "Dual-concentric" and "Uni-Q" rave is about 🙂
Well, think I will order new units from KEF 😀
Danny
P.S.: they have a hard life with me too, playing loud, bass, movies etc...
Well, think I will order new units from KEF 😀
Danny
P.S.: they have a hard life with me too, playing loud, bass, movies etc...
My first three were the same, nicotine beige..... my gf cleaned them using Turtle 'Ice Detailer', dunked them right in a pot of it.
No, she used Ice and a bit of clean silk wrapped round the finger of a micro fiber cleaning glove..... I've not looked at the others yet, they work cos I can hear port noise😡
Yes, thats research right there!
I've found that they wont go anywhere near 'loud', 100mm unit starts to sound very 'mushy', makes me wonder deeply about bass drivers......
I used foobar2000 and cut the freq at 110 to -20dB and I can drive them pretty loud....
Port noise is terrible..cork it mate 🙂
Now I am looking at some "woofer" choices.... 4-5" the most.
When i hear my Sony with 4.5" mid bass, I think that is plenty for near field. They can go crazy loud in a small UK room, you know what I mean do you sippy 🙂
Danny
Port noise is terrible..cork it mate 🙂
Now I am looking at some "woofer" choices.... 4-5" the most.
When i hear my Sony with 4.5" mid bass, I think that is plenty for near field. They can go crazy loud in a small UK room, you know what I mean do you sippy 🙂
Danny
Hi folks...
anybody used the Seas L16RNX in very small volume? Were talking 2.9L sealed here...
On lautsprecher.de site it states f3 @ 87Hz in 2.9L sealed with f8 @ 55Hz.
Will this be sufficient for nearfield?
Danny
anybody used the Seas L16RNX in very small volume? Were talking 2.9L sealed here...
On lautsprecher.de site it states f3 @ 87Hz in 2.9L sealed with f8 @ 55Hz.
Will this be sufficient for nearfield?
Danny
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