I've some how managed to get my heart set on building a set of Zaph's ZD5's for a 5.1 home theater. Basically, when looking for a design to build, I wanted something small with top notch sound quality, but more importantly used drivers that are available in Australia (which basically limits me to Vifa/Scan Speak/Peerless as they are all I have managed to find so far).
One of the reason I wish to build the ZD5's, is that I will be building the cabinets out of Australian Hardwood (Marri), so with the many hour's that will be invested in the build, I need a high quality speaker that will have a sound to match the look of the finished product. My Wife is also strongly against large floor standers, and with the price of the wood alone, the smaller design of the ZD5's would be much better suited.
I intend on building sealed ZD5's for the front speakers and surrounds, but my only concern is what should I use as a center channel? My initial thoughts were to use a fifth ZD5, but i'm not 100% certain on this. Obviously I want to keep with the same drivers throughout all speakers, but I would prefer a center channel that will sit horizontal on a cabinet.
Has anyone managed to build an MTM design based on the Vifa XT25 and the Scan Speak 15W8530K00, that would work well and complement the ZD5 design? If not what modification's (if any?) would be required to use a ZD5 as a center channel?
While I have some great idea's on this and know what I would love to build, unfortunately I don't have the equipment or knowledge to do the design and implementation myself, and make it work well with Zaph's ZD5's
Full commendations to Zaph, on all of his work and making it available to others, he truly is a credit to the DIY audio industry!
One of the reason I wish to build the ZD5's, is that I will be building the cabinets out of Australian Hardwood (Marri), so with the many hour's that will be invested in the build, I need a high quality speaker that will have a sound to match the look of the finished product. My Wife is also strongly against large floor standers, and with the price of the wood alone, the smaller design of the ZD5's would be much better suited.
I intend on building sealed ZD5's for the front speakers and surrounds, but my only concern is what should I use as a center channel? My initial thoughts were to use a fifth ZD5, but i'm not 100% certain on this. Obviously I want to keep with the same drivers throughout all speakers, but I would prefer a center channel that will sit horizontal on a cabinet.
Has anyone managed to build an MTM design based on the Vifa XT25 and the Scan Speak 15W8530K00, that would work well and complement the ZD5 design? If not what modification's (if any?) would be required to use a ZD5 as a center channel?
While I have some great idea's on this and know what I would love to build, unfortunately I don't have the equipment or knowledge to do the design and implementation myself, and make it work well with Zaph's ZD5's

Full commendations to Zaph, on all of his work and making it available to others, he truly is a credit to the DIY audio industry!