Looking for warmer sounding diy bookshelf kit. Budget $2k including cabinets.
So far been reading about GR research, parts express, madisound, creative sound solutions. Not sure which I should choose. Ideally something as high sensitivity as possible that would work with a 10-20 watt+ tube amp.
Thanks!
So far been reading about GR research, parts express, madisound, creative sound solutions. Not sure which I should choose. Ideally something as high sensitivity as possible that would work with a 10-20 watt+ tube amp.
Thanks!
Perhaps give us some guidance about what you mean by 'warm', and things like like room size, speaker placement, music preferences, listening volume, room size, etc. Will you be using a sub, and what's the maximum cabinet size you'd consider, please.
I take 'warm' to mean a slightly laid back treble, full bass and/or a less 'clinical' or 'clean' sound (whatever those terms mean) than studio monitor type speakers, is that your preference? Given you can't audition them, I'd stick to designs with a good number of builds and good reviews.
If you had a higher powered amp I'd suggest something much cheaper than your budget: Paul Carmody's Classix II, from PE or Meniscus. Flat packs are available.
GR speakers generally get good reviews but I think the tweeters used in its X-series kits are temporarily out of stock. CSS' kits are well reviewed, perhaps someone on this Forum has built them? There are some YouTube reviews around, too. Many designs out there but not that all come with cabinets, although someone can build them for you of course.
Good luck and don't be in a hurry
Geoff
I take 'warm' to mean a slightly laid back treble, full bass and/or a less 'clinical' or 'clean' sound (whatever those terms mean) than studio monitor type speakers, is that your preference? Given you can't audition them, I'd stick to designs with a good number of builds and good reviews.
If you had a higher powered amp I'd suggest something much cheaper than your budget: Paul Carmody's Classix II, from PE or Meniscus. Flat packs are available.
GR speakers generally get good reviews but I think the tweeters used in its X-series kits are temporarily out of stock. CSS' kits are well reviewed, perhaps someone on this Forum has built them? There are some YouTube reviews around, too. Many designs out there but not that all come with cabinets, although someone can build them for you of course.
Good luck and don't be in a hurry
Geoff
My 1st query too. when you say warm i think Alpair 10p, or the SEAS A26 kits (madisounds box is not great, Big Wood Studio does much better flat-paks. This thread covers off. abunch of options https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/seas-a26-devore-style-build.369124/
Fattish bottom, seductive midrange, vita etop end. FE108e∑ in the right box would also qualify.
IMO a lot of “cult” surrounding the GRs (Decware as well). I have had some indirect professional contact with Danny, all the XOs he designed had to be tossed.
dave
I was trying to be fair as I haven't heard GR speakers and never will as I'm in Oz, but GR also pushes those 'tube connectors' for $50.....hmmm
Music preferences are important: we have 'warm' sounding speakers - Classix II and Interdyn Pee Wee - and more 'accurate' - Slapshot MTMs - and each have their pros and cons. Less well recorded or highly compressed music sounds more listenable on the 'warm' sets but the MTMs provide a more detailed sound which is great with good recordings but no so great with lower quality recorded/mixed music as they bring out all the faults.
So, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Hendrix at the LA Forum 1970 and Basement Tapes on the Classixs, Pink Floyd, jazz and Bach on the Slapshots.
Geoff
i thot the idea was good, but the implementation, by the reviews, is not great.
dave
Don't know if you guys are into headphones but when I think of a warm transducer I think of the HD650... I love the tone and timbre of that headphone and combined with the Crack OTL amp it created a irresistible magic that I am trying to capture in my speakers. I guess i would describe it as mid forward with a relaxed but still detailed treble and ample but maybe slightly loose bass.
Thanks for the suggestions will research them!
Thanks for the suggestions will research them!
wanderer47,
I had a brief experience with a friend's HD650 - but that was many years back, so virtually no sonic memory... but have read descriptions of the HD650 being slightly "dark" sounding.
If I may ask what type of music genres do you usually listen to?
I had a brief experience with a friend's HD650 - but that was many years back, so virtually no sonic memory... but have read descriptions of the HD650 being slightly "dark" sounding.
If I may ask what type of music genres do you usually listen to?
Warm sound is mostly strong mid and midbass and slightly reduced treble in most people's opinion. A strong bass also helps with that. Also avoid very sharp tweeters (like Berrillium or compression drivers) or peaky response in the higher frequencies.
The Alpair 10 is warm sounding in most peoples opinion. The original Dynaco A25 (of which the A26 is a recreation) is it also. I neaver heared that seas tweeter in the kit altough, but it's published specs suggest it's right for that sound. I would probally change it for a bit more detailed tweeter with better dispertion (like the SB26ADC) but that is my preference...
An other way you could go is trying build a speaker like the old ESS Heil speakers with the Heil AMT. A friend has a speaker like that (with an old Vifa 10" paper cone woofer and the orignial ESS Heil AMT tweeter) and that is also a very warm sounding speaker but with a lot of detail in the higher frequencies.
The Alpair 10 is warm sounding in most peoples opinion. The original Dynaco A25 (of which the A26 is a recreation) is it also. I neaver heared that seas tweeter in the kit altough, but it's published specs suggest it's right for that sound. I would probally change it for a bit more detailed tweeter with better dispertion (like the SB26ADC) but that is my preference...
An other way you could go is trying build a speaker like the old ESS Heil speakers with the Heil AMT. A friend has a speaker like that (with an old Vifa 10" paper cone woofer and the orignial ESS Heil AMT tweeter) and that is also a very warm sounding speaker but with a lot of detail in the higher frequencies.
A good description of CHP-70.2, Alpair 10p/6p for a bit smoother. You won’t get a lot of bass out of the 3.5” but the other sin FHs or Pensils (or other TL) can get you to that description. Given a bookshelf is being called for one might need to use a bit of trickery (like the LS3/5A) to make it appear there is more bass than there really is (FH-Lite with A6p does this trick superbly).
dave
Carrera all day long! My Carreras are all.dressed up, ha! Striped pants and leather.
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I don’t listen to many commercial speakers anymore. Do a search for Carrera diy speakers and you'll see. They are known for being able to be listened to all day long. Yet they can be very full sounding when turned up. Both drivers are legendary. You can read about both. They have the traits you are looking for when combined especially. Most people consider these world-class two-way loudspeakers.
Of course Jazz, classical, ambient, acoustic, soft female vocals... and some house, edm.
I used the Carreras for a few years and enjoyed them.
The lowest power amp I paired with them was a 8 watt 300B tube amp, and as expected the output, dynamics etc. was understandably lower vs pairing with other more powerful amplifiers.
For cabinets you can connect with diyAudio member bobberner:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/flat-pack-speaker-kits-by-big-wood-studio.357763/
Personally I have no experience dealing with Bob, but looks like he is doing flatpacks for the DIY community and has happy customers. 🙂
The lowest power amp I paired with them was a 8 watt 300B tube amp, and as expected the output, dynamics etc. was understandably lower vs pairing with other more powerful amplifiers.
For cabinets you can connect with diyAudio member bobberner:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/flat-pack-speaker-kits-by-big-wood-studio.357763/
Personally I have no experience dealing with Bob, but looks like he is doing flatpacks for the DIY community and has happy customers. 🙂