I'm not super concerned about SPL right now. My main concerns are accurate sound, aesthetics (WAF), and cost. The SB65 drivers would actually be possible to make into an array that works in my space, but they would blow my budget by a lot. For this project/budget, the amp and Minidsp HD take up most of the cost ($350 out of $500), so I'm still thinking the FE85, in a QB5 enclosure, and then use the rest of my budget to make/buy a subwoofer. Then the next project would be a nice curved line array.
Perceval, I think it's going quite well really. You know how it is when evaluating options for the next build, and this is a first build.
Got to make sure you checked alternatives and all that, lots of new software to figure out.
Seems to me a decision has been made, based on cost/performance.
Got to make sure you checked alternatives and all that, lots of new software to figure out.
Seems to me a decision has been made, based on cost/performance.
Well, that's great news.
I only saw the first few posts, where it was a full range with small sub, then moved to curved arrays, then 5-driver horizontal arrays (no, no, no), and back to a full range driver.
A first build is always scarier... but once done, you realize, it's not the end of the world. Just like with other things in life, we rarely get it completely right the first time around.
But we do have to start somewhere.
I only saw the first few posts, where it was a full range with small sub, then moved to curved arrays, then 5-driver horizontal arrays (no, no, no), and back to a full range driver.
A first build is always scarier... but once done, you realize, it's not the end of the world. Just like with other things in life, we rarely get it completely right the first time around.
But we do have to start somewhere.
I think its going well so far. I've been out of town on weekdays the last 3 weeks so I have lots of time to do research and design, but not any time to build things. Also, I was waiting for my tax return so I can start buying stuff.
Overall, this is pretty typical for the early design phase on a project for me. Lots of rabbit holes and dead ends looking at and learning about cool stuff. Then going back to the simple tried and true design.
And yes, a decision has been made! Here is my (nearly) final build list/BOM:
* TPA3255 EVM board - $150
* Minidsp 2x4 HD - $200
* Peerless GBS-250F38CP01-04 - $80
* FE85 (x2) - $20
* LRS-150-48 - $20
* Binding posts and other stuff - $30-$50
Then I am going to 3d print all 3 enclosures, then prime and paint. I'm also going to provision the satellite enclosures for fabric grills since the driver cones are silver and the wife wants all black.
Overall, this is pretty typical for the early design phase on a project for me. Lots of rabbit holes and dead ends looking at and learning about cool stuff. Then going back to the simple tried and true design.
And yes, a decision has been made! Here is my (nearly) final build list/BOM:
* TPA3255 EVM board - $150
* Minidsp 2x4 HD - $200
* Peerless GBS-250F38CP01-04 - $80
* FE85 (x2) - $20
* LRS-150-48 - $20
* Binding posts and other stuff - $30-$50
Then I am going to 3d print all 3 enclosures, then prime and paint. I'm also going to provision the satellite enclosures for fabric grills since the driver cones are silver and the wife wants all black.
Parts are here!!!
I definitely underestimated the size of the TPA3255EVM in my head when ordering. D'oh!
Now to begin the process of making a final design for the enclosures. I'm experimenting with a new approach for printing the enclosures that my negate the need for the polyfill, and give me great stiffness for the sub enclosure. I will add some screen grabs once my experiments are ready!
I definitely underestimated the size of the TPA3255EVM in my head when ordering. D'oh!
Now to begin the process of making a final design for the enclosures. I'm experimenting with a new approach for printing the enclosures that my negate the need for the polyfill, and give me great stiffness for the sub enclosure. I will add some screen grabs once my experiments are ready!
So I finally have an update. I was able to print up some designs for the satellites as a fit test.
They are both the same volume, but one is rounded on the front and top corners. Unfortunately my wife is more a fan of the chamfered design.
I'm still having issues with my print quality, and there is heavy z-ribbing that I'm working on fixing.
They are both the same volume, but one is rounded on the front and top corners. Unfortunately my wife is more a fan of the chamfered design.
I'm still having issues with my print quality, and there is heavy z-ribbing that I'm working on fixing.
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I've been toying with several different sub designs and locations. I will be printing the sub, so the shape is flexible, and hidden would definitely improve the WAF. My only concern with placing it behind the TV is the potential impact on the sound. Its seems like only reflected sound would actually reach the couch, and idk if the shape of that empty space would cause any weird reverb.
Given the ease of making the enclosure, I could just run some tests in a rough box to see how the sub placement changes the sound.
Given the ease of making the enclosure, I could just run some tests in a rough box to see how the sub placement changes the sound.
Why not just forget about the fiddling with the minor stuff, and just use something like plastic padding filler?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/plastic-padding-filler/bn_7024958736
Then sand lightly, prime, and coat. Still much easier than woodwork.
I did not realize they had thicker fillers. That would've helped me finish up the speakers quicker! I'm gonna have to try and find a local place that carries some of that.
On a positive note, I think I finally fixed my issue with the ribbing. I did another speaker housing overnight last night, and the only texture on any of the sides is from the actual print layers! I've got a few gaps that need filling, but I'm confident that my spray on body filler can handle those.
At this rate (with all the other **** going on right now), I'll probably have the satellites done in a couple weeks, and the sub another month or so after that!
On a positive note, I think I finally fixed my issue with the ribbing. I did another speaker housing overnight last night, and the only texture on any of the sides is from the actual print layers! I've got a few gaps that need filling, but I'm confident that my spray on body filler can handle those.
At this rate (with all the other **** going on right now), I'll probably have the satellites done in a couple weeks, and the sub another month or so after that!
So I have a big update here! I got all the speakers printed, painted and assembled! The electronics are all mounted in the sub, and I'm currently working on REW tuning. That part's going a bit poorly because the phase alignment of the satellites is really wonky. I'm not sure if it's the mic or the speakers themselves though. I'll have some actual measurement screenshots next week
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Results!! I finally had some time to properly arrange my hardware, I got a clean dc-dc converter to power the MiniDSP, and I was able to take a bunch of measurements.
Here are some screenshots from REW. I've got the full system with and without EQ. Each driver with and without EQ, and then the full range response. The EQ filters for the sub were done using 1/48 smoothing, while the satellites used 1/6.
Due to impedance mismatch, I'm planning to put around -20 dB gain on the sub to better match the volume of the FE85 satellites. This will be done mostly by my wife's ear while we are watching movies. I've set the crossover point at 125 hz since the sub really drops off above that.
Also, what is the best way to share my actual measurement data?
Here are some screenshots from REW. I've got the full system with and without EQ. Each driver with and without EQ, and then the full range response. The EQ filters for the sub were done using 1/48 smoothing, while the satellites used 1/6.
Due to impedance mismatch, I'm planning to put around -20 dB gain on the sub to better match the volume of the FE85 satellites. This will be done mostly by my wife's ear while we are watching movies. I've set the crossover point at 125 hz since the sub really drops off above that.
Also, what is the best way to share my actual measurement data?
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