Hey folks 🙂
Not strictly a DIY query but I thought you guys are so knowledgeable as to be very well placed to answer it.
I have recently acquired a pair of Def Tech ST-L towers that have replaced Focal Domes for L/R duty in my 5.2.1 setup.
I'm currently still using a Dome as center speaker and was wondering if I could connect the other spare two with it (in my understanding, a mix of parallel and series should get me ~6ohm).
Below is a rough mockup...
Edit : Focal Dome white-paper (PDF)
What I'd hope to achieve is better dispersion, clarity (less "distortion" at higher volume?) and maybe even better/lower bass response.
The speakers have a base that can be used to fix them to a wall but I would fix them to a plinth of some kind.
They could be next to each other, separated by any amount of distance, straight inline, positioned in an arc (either inward or outward), etc etc...
They could even be vertically angled differently if it had any benefits.
Bad idea or a possible noticeable improvement to my "center channel"?
Not strictly a DIY query but I thought you guys are so knowledgeable as to be very well placed to answer it.
I have recently acquired a pair of Def Tech ST-L towers that have replaced Focal Domes for L/R duty in my 5.2.1 setup.
I'm currently still using a Dome as center speaker and was wondering if I could connect the other spare two with it (in my understanding, a mix of parallel and series should get me ~6ohm).
Below is a rough mockup...
Edit : Focal Dome white-paper (PDF)
What I'd hope to achieve is better dispersion, clarity (less "distortion" at higher volume?) and maybe even better/lower bass response.
The speakers have a base that can be used to fix them to a wall but I would fix them to a plinth of some kind.
They could be next to each other, separated by any amount of distance, straight inline, positioned in an arc (either inward or outward), etc etc...
They could even be vertically angled differently if it had any benefits.
Bad idea or a possible noticeable improvement to my "center channel"?
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What I'd wonder is what is it currently (with one speaker).. what should 'better' entail, and are these able to be arrayed that way?
I'd agree on the clarity provided these currently have trouble dealing with increasing levels, and as long as the dispersion remains smooth.
Mainly...
- I sometimes wonder how much more impactful some of the sounds other than dialogues (music, ambiance, effects...) could be with a "bigger" center speaker.
- There are times when dialogue requires a conscious effort to be understood, specially when seating quite off-axis from the speaker (could be room acoustic).
They are not designed to be arrayed that way, hence the "DIY" part. 🙂
I'd be connecting 2 of them in parallel and the 3rd in series with them, which should achieve ~6ohms impedance.
They be attached to a plinth, with an angle and a distance between them that would give me the best result (if a "best" result can be achieved).
The two in parallel will each be at -6dB and would make more sense as the sides. This will make the bass as though there are two speakers (1+0.5+0.5)
Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. 🙂
How about distance between them and their respective angles?
- Next to each other, their fronts aligned
- Next to each other, the right and left ones angled slightly away from the middle one?
- Next to each other, the right and left ones angled slightly towards the middle one?
- ...?
That's where I have no clue, from an acoustic/scientific perspective, and where your expertise is needed. 😉
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Q
I'd look into running them in a triangle shape with the top one full range, and the other 2 running as 0.5 ways to bring up the bottom end.
You'd probably have to play with some passive EQ to get it right. (I use active EQ / XO so can be of no help there, sorry!)
Rob.
I'd look into running them in a triangle shape with the top one full range, and the other 2 running as 0.5 ways to bring up the bottom end.
You'd probably have to play with some passive EQ to get it right. (I use active EQ / XO so can be of no help there, sorry!)
Rob.
Thanks, Rob. 🙂
If the "triangle shape" you suggest is vertical that wouldn't work for me I'm afraid.
You can see where the center speaker is located under the tv in the photo below...
P.S: Not sure what "running 2 of them 0.5 ways" mean. :/
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Basically you'd be running the other 2 drivers to enhance the bass performance. The 0.5 way points to rolling off the mids/treble of the 'helper' drivers.
The 3 speakers would have to be setup within 1/4 WL of each other.
I'd move the TV a few inches higher to get the drivers as close as possible if I was doing it.
Rob.
The 3 speakers would have to be setup within 1/4 WL of each other.
I'd move the TV a few inches higher to get the drivers as close as possible if I was doing it.
Rob.
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Thanks again for the reply, Rob.
If it is necessary to achieve a good result I'll have to drop the idea. 🙁
All 3 speakers would be connected to the same "Center speaker" output on my Denon AVR-H3600X, with no way of EQ'uing them separately.
If it is necessary to achieve a good result I'll have to drop the idea. 🙁
I understand what you're saying (they would have to be at a quarter wave-length of each other) but have no idea what it'd mean in practical terms.
If we are talking about having the speakers side by side they would fit easily.
Measurements. What you'll find is a reluctance to suggest arraying the higher frequencies without a plan. You ought to go ahead and just try this yourself and see whether it is worth expanding on.
On the other hand bass support, baffle compensation, these are closer within 'visual range'.
If you want to experiment you will need to invest in a UMIK and take some measurements. That way you can optimise speaker arrangement and spacing to achieve optimum response for all seating positions on the sofa.
If it helps, I've found the white-paper for the Dome.
I added a link in the first post.
It's an interesting read regardless. 😉
I added a link in the first post.
It's an interesting read regardless. 😉
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I've realised my calculations were wrong, that's what I think the nominal impedance would be...
Is one wiring "better" than the other?
Is one wiring "better" than the other?