What are the reasons to not be considering building 3-way active speakers over purchasing 2-3x priced 3-way Passive speakers

Vineet, try to understand that any module that does everything for you (without you having to do anything) would incur high costs, which I would call the "price of ignorance". Then there is the price of designing, licensing, brand value etc. that, together with importing, would make things really expensive to many in countries like India.

https://www.amazon.in/Sony-XMN502-Channel-500-Watt-Amplifier/dp/B00G9RCYAW

https://www.amazon.in/JBL-Stage-A60.../B07G4RLK38/ref=psdc_1389269031_t3_B00G9RCYAW

However, with your current knowledge level, you seem to have absolutely no scope for DIY (or savings) on the amplfier / processor side, and therefore, I suggest you focus on the only item that you can actually DIY, the 3-way loudspeaker.
 
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diyAudio Member
Joined 2007
Yeah, nah. It's not even remotely the same as having multiple large speakers capable of clean SPL.
Except that the OP was asking a price-based question not a "Cost no object system" query.
Stereo I do agree but HT isn't that important here in our own home, room restraints as well as budgetary ones
What's the cost of the 3-Way Hypex modules?
 
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@VINEET REDDY

Speaker/drivers:
If you are still interested in building 3 way active the speakers, you can consider a project like below but an active version of it.
http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Faital-3WC-10.htm
You may change the box that holds drivers from the plain cuboidal version shown in above project to one with chamfered/rounded baffle or one like this:
1654169551243.png

(Pic courtesy: member @nanou64000 . Taken from post here: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/a-3-way-design-study.376620/post-6805122)

The 10inch 10RS350 can be got from below or similar other places where Faital pro drivers are available:
https://www.paequipments.com/index.php/brands/faitalpro/faitalpro-10rs350.html
cost of 2 drivers = 2*11k = 22k

Since the 6RS 140 Mid is hard to get, you may consider this:
https://www.mdrelectronics.com/ProductDisplay.asp?PID=28991
cost of 2 drivers = 2*6k = 12k

For tweeter, I would have used a compression driver like this one: https://diyaudiocart.com/SB-Audience-Bianco-44CD-K-Compression-Driver-1? search=audience (or the PK version of this driver) on a 3D printed horn with the horn design generated using the ATH software or any other commercially available horn suitable for a driver like this.

You may use an SB26CDC tweeter with/without a waveguide (5ich waveguide can be 3D printed for this driver. Take one of augerpro's design's if interested):
https://www.audiofy.in/product-page/sb-acoustics-sb26cdc-c000-4-26mm-ceramic-dome-tweeter
cost of 2 drivers = 2*5.6k = 11.2k (without waveguides)

Total cost of drivers: 22k+12k+11.2k = approx. 46k

Amplifier/Amp+DSP:

You may use this 6 channel DSP (if you want only analogue ins/outs):
https://www.amazon.in/DBX-Pro-PA2-Loudspeaker-Management/dp/B00H90W3AE
Cost: 25.6k

You can either use this DSP (if you want more with analogue and digital ins):
http://electronicemporium.in/product/dbx-driverack-venu360-loudspeaker-management-system

Cost: 38k

Total cost with driverack PA2: approx. 72k
Total cost with driverack 360: approx. 84k

Throw in your favorite multichannel amplifiers for the rest of the money (50-60k)

You may also use DSP capable PA amplifiers (if you like them) like the SAMSON ones pointed out earlier in this thread. Anyway. the rough total cost of all parts will be less than Rs 1.3-1.4 lakhs.

Rest of the costs will be getting the boxes made (sheet material charges and manufacturing charges). Cost of ports, wiring, damping material, feets/stands. If you can get this all done within 15-20k. You can have a pair of 3 way active speakers for roughly less than 1.5 lakhs (even lower if you take the trouble to buy the parts from the right places).

Now if you really want to do speaker design well, at least to some extent, also invest in a good measurement mic/setup either like the MiniDSP UMIK-1 or Dayton EMM-6+soundcard

PS: I do not have any affiliation with stores mentioned in above links. I have bought equipment from them in the past. All links are just for showing the price estimates

Thanks
Vineeth
 
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Aha and I was considering 60K DSP+AMP combo for speaker pair. Aurum Cantus Air motion tweeter+SB Acoustic Aluminum Mid-woofer and Woofer combo. Which gonna cost me in range on INR1,30,000.

What are your thoughts on pairing Aurum Cantus tweeter with SB Acoustic Aluminum series drivers. AST2560 + SB15NBAC30-8(x2) + SB23NBACS45-8(x2)
 
In fact a lot of good pro audio drivers are available in India, if one puts in an effort to find them. Some examples below.

1) Faital pro:
https://www.soundland.in/products-categories/products?subcategory=loudspeakers
https://www.aeronsindia.com/main_cat.php?catagory=FaitalPRO&id=10

2) B&C, Lavoce, RCF etc
https://vmt.in/collections/speaker-spares

3) BMS, Eighteensound
https://gmaudio.co.in/proaudio/?categoyva=neodymium-cone-drivers

4) SICA
https://www.mdrelectronics.com/quicklinks.asp?SAppID=142

5) SB Audience
https://diyaudiocart.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=audience

and others
In general, once we contact these people, they let us know about stocks and availability of drivers etc. Websites are most often having outdated information.

@VINEET REDDY
I don't know about your tweeter. But I know your mids well. I have an SB15CAC30-8 driver myself. It is good for lower SPL applications (for music?) Clean sounding drivers with excellent distortion characteristics and good directivity when crossed over properly with a tweeter. I have used it with a SB26CDC004 tweeter in a 4inch elliptical waveguide designed by augerpro:
https://hificompass.com/ru/speakers/measurements/sbacoustics/sb-acoustics-sb15nbac30-4

Your woofers also may fit well an application where limited SPLs are involved. However I know someone who has used the exact same configuration of drivers as you mentioned except for the tweeter. This guy found that the woofers bottomed out when he really ramped up SPL while watching a movie. This maybe a case with bad system design for the application. and it could have been done better.
But if you really want to listen at higher SPL levels (often happens with movies?) with less compression/good dynamics etc, you should be looking at good pro audio drivers. They also respond well to EQ unlike many hifi drivers.

Ideally you should be making a list of characteristics that you want out of your speaker. SPL levels involved, box sizes you can tolerate, local driver availability, costs involved etc. The based on it, look at drivers that fit the application. Do basic simulations at least for some of them. Ask experienced people for relevant information/things you don't understand in system design process. Once you are happy with that process and short list some drivers that fit your requirements, buy them and implement the system.
It is really hard to do things starting with a driver shortlist and then asking what all it can do. I learn't it the hard way. You have the opportunity to be wiser.
 
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In fact a lot of good pro audio drivers are available in India, if one puts in an effort to find them. Some examples below.

1) Faital pro:
https://www.soundland.in/products-categories/products?subcategory=loudspeakers
https://www.aeronsindia.com/main_cat.php?catagory=FaitalPRO&id=10

2) B&C, Lavoce, RCF etc
https://vmt.in/collections/speaker-spares

3) BMS, Eighteensound
https://gmaudio.co.in/proaudio/?categoyva=neodymium-cone-drivers

4) SICA
https://www.mdrelectronics.com/quicklinks.asp?SAppID=142

5) SB Audience
https://diyaudiocart.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=audience

and others
In general, once we contact these people, they let us know about stocks and availability of drivers etc. Websites are most often having outdated information.

@VINEET REDDY
I don't know about your tweeter. But I know your mids well. I have an SB15CAC30-8 driver myself. It is good for lower SPL applications (for music?) Clean sounding drivers with excellent distortion characteristics and good directivity when crossed over properly with a tweeter. I have used it with a SB26CDC004 tweeter in a 4inch elliptical waveguide designed by augerpro:
https://hificompass.com/ru/speakers/measurements/sbacoustics/sb-acoustics-sb15nbac30-4

Your woofers also may fit well an application where limited SPLs are involved. However I know someone who has used the exact same configuration of drivers as you mentioned except for the tweeter. This guy found that the woofers bottomed out when he really ramped up SPL while watching a movie. This maybe a case with bad system design for the application. and it could have been done better.
But if you really want to listen at higher SPL levels (often happens with movies?) with less compression/good dynamics etc, you should be looking at good pro audio drivers. They also respond well to EQ unlike many hifi drivers.

Ideally you should be making a list of characteristics that you want out of your speaker. SPL levels involved, box sizes you can tolerate, local driver availability, costs involved etc. The based on it, look at drivers that fit the application. Do basic simulations at least for some of them. Ask experienced people for relevant information/things you don't understand in system design process. Once you are happy with that process and short list some drivers that fit your requirements, buy them and implement the system.
It is really hard to do things starting with a driver shortlist and then asking what all it can do. I learn't it the hard way. You have the opportunity to be wiser.
I will be using the sub for low frequency below 60/80hz wherever the selected woofer starts to give away or should I say for how low it is capable of. So will be crossing over the frequency to SUB through AVR anyways. But would like to go down to 60hz if possible. Are the woofers I selected not good for that low.

I am always open to advise to get a better woofer.
 
In fact a lot of good pro audio drivers are available in India, if one puts in an effort to find them. Some examples below.

1) Faital pro:
https://www.soundland.in/products-categories/products?subcategory=loudspeakers
https://www.aeronsindia.com/main_cat.php?catagory=FaitalPRO&id=10

2) B&C, Lavoce, RCF etc
https://vmt.in/collections/speaker-spares

3) BMS, Eighteensound
https://gmaudio.co.in/proaudio/?categoyva=neodymium-cone-drivers

4) SICA
https://www.mdrelectronics.com/quicklinks.asp?SAppID=142

5) SB Audience
https://diyaudiocart.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=audience

and others
In general, once we contact these people, they let us know about stocks and availability of drivers etc. Websites are most often having outdated information.

@VINEET REDDY
I don't know about your tweeter. But I know your mids well. I have an SB15CAC30-8 driver myself. It is good for lower SPL applications (for music?) Clean sounding drivers with excellent distortion characteristics and good directivity when crossed over properly with a tweeter. I have used it with a SB26CDC004 tweeter in a 4inch elliptical waveguide designed by augerpro:
https://hificompass.com/ru/speakers/measurements/sbacoustics/sb-acoustics-sb15nbac30-4

Your woofers also may fit well an application where limited SPLs are involved. However I know someone who has used the exact same configuration of drivers as you mentioned except for the tweeter. This guy found that the woofers bottomed out when he really ramped up SPL while watching a movie. This maybe a case with bad system design for the application. and it could have been done better.
But if you really want to listen at higher SPL levels (often happens with movies?) with less compression/good dynamics etc, you should be looking at good pro audio drivers. They also respond well to EQ unlike many hifi drivers.

Ideally you should be making a list of characteristics that you want out of your speaker. SPL levels involved, box sizes you can tolerate, local driver availability, costs involved etc. The based on it, look at drivers that fit the application. Do basic simulations at least for some of them. Ask experienced people for relevant information/things you don't understand in system design process. Once you are happy with that process and short list some drivers that fit your requirements, buy them and implement the system.
It is really hard to do things starting with a driver shortlist and then asking what all it can do. I learn't it the hard way. You have the opportunity to be wiser.
85-90db continuous and 105db peak is what I am aiming for. Nothing crazier than that. But having a capable system is not bad either. So yes. Will definitely be interested in pro stuff.
 
I will be using the sub for low frequency below 60/80hz wherever the selected woofer starts to give away or should I say for how low it is capable of. So will be crossing over the frequency to SUB through AVR anyways. But would like to go down to 60hz if possible. Are the woofers I selected not good for that low.

I am always open to advise to get a better woofer.
I already gave you suggestion for a complete system including drivers and a cost break down.
Now it is your chance to do some work.
Get a box modeling software, do some sims. See things that show up in the plots and ask people here.
Then get a crossover modeling software, do some sims with the drivers, just to familiarize with the process flow and learn what DSP can do given an opportunity.
I use VituixCAD for everything. Haven't found anything better so far.
 
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I already gave you suggestion for a complete system including drivers and a cost break down.
Now it is your chance to do some work.
Get a box modeling software, do some sims. See things that show up in the plots and ask people here.
Then get a crossover modeling software, do some sims with the drivers, just to familiarize with the process flow and learn what DSP can do given an opportunity.
I use VituixCAD for everything. Haven't found anything better so far.
Cool. Thanks for the software advise.
 
I already gave you suggestion for a complete system including drivers and a cost break down.
Now it is your chance to do some work.
Get a box modeling software, do some sims. See things that show up in the plots and ask people here.
Then get a crossover modeling software, do some sims with the drivers, just to familiarize with the process flow and learn what DSP can do given an opportunity.
I use VituixCAD for everything. Haven't found anything better so far.
And what makes you think that this will result in a superior outcome to simply building a speaker and crossover already designed by one of the experts who publish their work or make it available by purchasing it in kit form.
 
And what makes you think that this will result in a superior outcome to simply building a speaker and crossover already designed by one of the experts who publish their work or make it available by purchasing it in kit form.
That is for enclosure modeling right. I think it can do both. But my main usage gonna be Enclosure designing. Crossover. Even-though the Softwares have come a far way I still think that they only gonna take me 80% of the way where as tweaking the final 20% is going to be toughest part. Anyhow I plan to do Active for that reason.
 
The first criticism that comes to my mind about actively crossed over speakers is that I need 6 power amps, and there's lots of speakers wires (3 pair to each tower cabinet). Everything else with active crossovers is better. The main criticism that comes to my mind about passive speaker crossovers is that they can be time consuming to get right, because of the interactivity between the parts, and because the impedance of each driver is rarely the advertised "nominal" value, at the frequency you are likely to want to cross them over at. You tweak one part, and it throws off the value (or effect) of other parts within the passive crossover. With active crossovers, you design the circuit, build it, adjust relative levels with pink noise and a calibrated mic, and you're done. Personally, I'm a big fan of active crossovers and active EQ making closed box woofers somewhat flat down to below 30HZ. To be fair most people would be plenty happy with passive crossover speakers if they interact well with the listening room. Interaction with the room is as important as anything about the quality of the speaker system itself.
 
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And what makes you think that this will result in a superior outcome to simply building a speaker and crossover already designed by one of the experts who publish their work or make it available by purchasing it in kit form.
Oh.. We dont get many kits "designed by experts" so easily in India. Most of the time, the onlt option here is import. For that the cost of duty and other charges is 80+ percentage on top of the actual proce. The OP had a budget of close ro 1.5lakhs. The duty constraints automatically limit it to speakers he can buy in 75-80k for the kit. From that perspective, the value proposition is very very low. Then comes the abysmally low value that he will get feom the foreign currency to our convertion. To put all this into perspwcrive. He won't even gwt ro buy a kit that costs in the range of "Satori Ara" speaker kit from SB acoustics, which is a decent 2 way. That speaker itself is Rs 25000 more than his planned budget.
Now talk about 3 ways and active crossover and other things that the OP likes.
Simply put, in our country the value proposition of a kit speaker (unless availabile locally at decent costs) is very low.
 
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diyAudio Member
Joined 2007
So what is available from a local maker such as Peerless-India?
I've used smaller [ 4 to 5 inch] Peerless-India drivers a couple of times and they were reasonable performance.
Although if the factory doesn't allow you to view the data for each driver it does make it hard to make a decision
Cadence subwoofers are India made aren't they? Some of those were quite good
 
So what is available from a local maker such as Peerless-India?
I've used smaller [ 4 to 5 inch] Peerless-India drivers a couple of times and they were reasonable performance.
Although if the factory doesn't allow you to view the data for each driver it does make it hard to make a decision
Cadence subwoofers are India made aren't they? Some of those were quite good
See we can get some good drivers here for a very reasonable price. The issue is that we cannot get the full kits like what @classicalfan is recommending us unless we pay double or triple the price depending on the size and complexity of the package. Hence I am trying to figure out a way to select good drivers and get them working together.
 
That is for enclosure modeling right. I think it can do both. But my main usage gonna be Enclosure designing. Crossover. Even-though the Softwares have come a far way I still think that they only gonna take me 80% of the way where as tweaking the final 20% is going to be toughest part. Anyhow I plan to do Active for that reason.
I didn't understand the difference between enclosure modeling and enclosure designing you mentioned. I am assuming that with enclosure modeling, you mean the box modeling for box volume and bass alignment (sealed/bass reflex, something else) computations. VituixCAD can do this. In addition to box modeling, it can do baffle diffraction simulations with drivers in it, crossover simulations with proper directivity, power response and all sorts of other useful and important information, box size caused internal standing wave mode computations, and a whole lot of other functionality. I mean, it is so comprehensive that the applications of that software is just limited by one's imagination, level of knowledge and use case involved. There are a set of videos online which shows how to use the software. Once can then also read the manual
This helped me a lot:
The software is different and easier to use one (BASTA). But the principles involved in design are the same. So these days I use only VituixCAD.

By enclosure designing, I am assuming that you want to draw the box in 3D with required dimensions? If so, I personally use fusion 360. It is free for student/hobbyist license or one of those licenses. You can figure out if interested.

Have you designed any crossovers before? If not, to design a proper crossover, you need good measurements. With the actual drivers in its intended box or a prototype box. VituixCAD can be used to its full potential once you have angular frequency response data captured using a calibrated mic + soundcard (with provision for loopback) setup. This will help one understand the intricacies involved while tuning the crossover. Otherwise also, with a bit of guess work/more knowledge about driver behavior and its interaction with crossover and the overall construct, one can arrive at reasonably good crossovers if not the best optimized ones. But that may require a level of knowledge that you or I may not have at the moment. So let's leave that to the Pros. I have used Dayton EMM-6+ESI U86XT (6 output) soundcard and a small turntable set up to get quasi-anechoic measurements for different angles. You can see all this in my 3 way active speaker thread if interested. I also use the same soundcard+ Equalizer APO software on my PC to implement the DSP crossover. It has worked really well so far.

What kind of frequency response curves you want to achieve as target depends upon your tastes/experience etc. Generally followed practice is avoid abrupt transitions in directivity/power response etc and aim for smooth transitions all around. Since it is a DSP crossover, it is very easy to dial in the crossover. Hear the speakers and modify it if needed. But that part is much later in the process and is not your worry now.

If you really intend to continue with this project, get a box modeling software, come up with alignments for drivers you are interested in as the first thing, post here, ask questions and learn. Then you can go to crossover.
Sorry, but I cannot see any other way you are going to succeed in this attempt without putting in some effort and patience to learn all this either on your own or with the help of people here and start doing things other than the endless wondering about which drivers to choose.
 
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In fact a lot of good pro audio drivers are available in India, if one puts in an effort to find them.....

Thanks, and I would like to add to that list. However, business mainly works by way of telephone and not online button click / credit card.

Ahmedabad:
http://shahaudio.in/pro-audio.html

Bombay (PAudio, Dynatech, Mackie)
https://sonotone.in/

Chennai (Cinema products & AV consultant)
https://cinetekk.co.in/brands/

New Delhi (Subwoofer only)
https://ahujaradios.com/
 
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I didn't understand the difference between enclosure modeling and enclosure designing you mentioned. I am assuming that with enclosure modeling, you mean the box modeling for box volume and bass alignment (sealed/bass reflex, something else) computations. VituixCAD can do this. In addition to box modeling, it can do baffle diffraction simulations with drivers in it, crossover simulations with proper directivity, power response and all sorts of other useful and important information, box size caused internal standing wave mode computations, and a whole lot of other functionality. I mean, it is so comprehensive that the applications of that software is just limited by one's imagination, level of knowledge and use case involved. There are a set of videos online which shows how to use the software. Once can then also read the manual
This helped me a lot:
The software is different and easier to use one (BASTA). But the principles involved in design are the same. So these days I use only VituixCAD.

By enclosure designing, I am assuming that you want to draw the box in 3D with required dimensions? If so, I personally use fusion 360. It is free for student/hobbyist license or one of those licenses. You can figure out if interested.

Have you designed any crossovers before? If not, to design a proper crossover, you need good measurements. With the actual drivers in its intended box or a prototype box. VituixCAD can be used to its full potential once you have angular frequency response data captured using a calibrated mic + soundcard (with provision for loopback) setup. This will help one understand the intricacies involved while tuning the crossover. Otherwise also, with a bit of guess work/more knowledge about driver behavior and its interaction with crossover and the overall construct, one can arrive at reasonably good crossovers if not the best optimized ones. But that may require a level of knowledge that you or I may not have at the moment. So let's leave that to the Pros. I have used Dayton EMM-6+ESI U86XT (6 output) soundcard and a small turntable set up to get quasi-anechoic measurements for different angles. You can see all this in my 3 way active speaker thread if interested. I also use the same soundcard+ Equalizer APO software on my PC to implement the DSP crossover. It has worked really well so far.

What kind of frequency response curves you want to achieve as target depends upon your tastes/experience etc. Generally followed practice is avoid abrupt transitions in directivity/power response etc and aim for smooth transitions all around. Since it is a DSP crossover, it is very easy to dial in the crossover. Hear the speakers and modify it if needed. But that part is much later in the process and is not your worry now.

If you really intend to continue with this project, get a box modeling software, come up with alignments for drivers you are interested in as the first thing, post here, ask questions and learn. Then you can go to crossover.
Sorry, but I cannot see any other way you are going to succeed in this attempt without putting in some effort and patience to learn all this either on your own or with the help of people here and start doing things other than the endless wondering about which drivers to choose.
Would actually start by asking help to sort out drivers and then move further with it.