Hello,
I am finally finishing my home theater, and would build some speakers to go along.
Through the years I have collected some drivers that lie around, never managed to find the time to learn an build something, and now I would like to put them to a good use.
I am looking to build 5.1.2 Atmos setup and run it via Denon X2300W receiver.
Would like to build fronts, center, sub(s), surrounds and atmos ceiling or up-firing speakers on fronts. This system would also be used for music listening, of course, let's say 50 - 50%.
Now, I would like to make this on tightest possible budget, and would like to use some of the drivers I already have, with simplest possible crossovers as air core inductors are worth a fortune over here, and the other remodeling stuff drained me a bit.
I have on hand:
Woofers:
- Jamo X3M 20322, 4 pcs, 10", 4 ohm, Vas: 179,3, Fs: 33,7, Qts: 0,35
- Mission CP-168, 6.5", 8 ohm, 4 pcs
- Fountek FW168, 6.5", 8 ohm, 2 pcs
Fullrangers:
- Vifa TC9-FD18/08, 7 pcs
- Fountek FR88, 4 pcs
- Fountek FR88EX, 6 pcs
- Fountek FR89EX, 4 pcs
- Fountek FR135EX, 2 pcs
- Monacor spw-116/8, 2 pcs
Tweeters:
- Fountek Neo CD1.0, 4 pcs
- Generic soft dome tweeter, 4pcs
I only have doubts what to do with fronts and center (and sub), surrounds and atmos effect speakers are not so important.
Room is about 14x14 feets small, speakers have to be located near the wall in the middle of the room.
My concers are:
- Is it worthwhile to build big two way or three way fronts instead of single source full range for the room of this size and mainly home theater purpose?
- Is Jamo driver listed suitable as a sub? As I have 4 of them, any gain of using two per enclosure, and any gain of using multiple (2) subs in room of this size?
- I plan to use Nuvo P2100 d-class amp to drive the subs, it is rated as 100W in 4 ohm per channel - probably on a weak side, but it should be enough to add on a bottom end?
- Also, receiver has two preouts for subs, any way this could be connected with one stereo amp that would drive two subs, one on each channel?
Or there is no difference if I use only one preout and connect two subs?
- Any advice on sub enclosure type considering drivers and the room?
- Would it be possible to build something in a FAST arrangement for fronts, so it would be done with woofer (let's say Mission CP-168), and full range (let's say Vifa TC9), for the sake of crossover simplicity (first order?), and cross it to subs at 80Hz using receivers built in crossover? Pairing such fronts with center channel containing 2 x Mission and a tweeter to fill on the top? I could always tame the loudness differences using receivers built in control.
- Considering the drivers on hand and the room size, what would You build?
I know it's a lot to ask, but I am researching for several days now, and found so many opposing statements that I amost quit and went to buy myself some fnished speakers.
And I do not even know what to expect with going with any of the routes, life steared in a way I have almost zero real speaker or real speaker driver experience.
I would really like to build something myself now, been lurking for years, collecting gear, but never really find the time to do it. I have the tools, drivers, receiver, amp and the room, now I need You guys to push me in the right direction.
Many thanks in advance!
I am finally finishing my home theater, and would build some speakers to go along.
Through the years I have collected some drivers that lie around, never managed to find the time to learn an build something, and now I would like to put them to a good use.
I am looking to build 5.1.2 Atmos setup and run it via Denon X2300W receiver.
Would like to build fronts, center, sub(s), surrounds and atmos ceiling or up-firing speakers on fronts. This system would also be used for music listening, of course, let's say 50 - 50%.
Now, I would like to make this on tightest possible budget, and would like to use some of the drivers I already have, with simplest possible crossovers as air core inductors are worth a fortune over here, and the other remodeling stuff drained me a bit.
I have on hand:
Woofers:
- Jamo X3M 20322, 4 pcs, 10", 4 ohm, Vas: 179,3, Fs: 33,7, Qts: 0,35
- Mission CP-168, 6.5", 8 ohm, 4 pcs
- Fountek FW168, 6.5", 8 ohm, 2 pcs
Fullrangers:
- Vifa TC9-FD18/08, 7 pcs
- Fountek FR88, 4 pcs
- Fountek FR88EX, 6 pcs
- Fountek FR89EX, 4 pcs
- Fountek FR135EX, 2 pcs
- Monacor spw-116/8, 2 pcs
Tweeters:
- Fountek Neo CD1.0, 4 pcs
- Generic soft dome tweeter, 4pcs
I only have doubts what to do with fronts and center (and sub), surrounds and atmos effect speakers are not so important.
Room is about 14x14 feets small, speakers have to be located near the wall in the middle of the room.
My concers are:
- Is it worthwhile to build big two way or three way fronts instead of single source full range for the room of this size and mainly home theater purpose?
- Is Jamo driver listed suitable as a sub? As I have 4 of them, any gain of using two per enclosure, and any gain of using multiple (2) subs in room of this size?
- I plan to use Nuvo P2100 d-class amp to drive the subs, it is rated as 100W in 4 ohm per channel - probably on a weak side, but it should be enough to add on a bottom end?
- Also, receiver has two preouts for subs, any way this could be connected with one stereo amp that would drive two subs, one on each channel?
Or there is no difference if I use only one preout and connect two subs?
- Any advice on sub enclosure type considering drivers and the room?
- Would it be possible to build something in a FAST arrangement for fronts, so it would be done with woofer (let's say Mission CP-168), and full range (let's say Vifa TC9), for the sake of crossover simplicity (first order?), and cross it to subs at 80Hz using receivers built in crossover? Pairing such fronts with center channel containing 2 x Mission and a tweeter to fill on the top? I could always tame the loudness differences using receivers built in control.
- Considering the drivers on hand and the room size, what would You build?
I know it's a lot to ask, but I am researching for several days now, and found so many opposing statements that I amost quit and went to buy myself some fnished speakers.
And I do not even know what to expect with going with any of the routes, life steared in a way I have almost zero real speaker or real speaker driver experience.
I would really like to build something myself now, been lurking for years, collecting gear, but never really find the time to do it. I have the tools, drivers, receiver, amp and the room, now I need You guys to push me in the right direction.
Many thanks in advance!
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Hello,
I know it's a lot to ask, but I am researching for several days now, and found so many opposing statements that I amost quit and went to buy myself some fnished speakers.
Many thanks in advance!
What opposing statements have you heard about this project of yours?
I mean you have got a truck load of speaker units, enough for two life times.
Well, opposing statements in terms of that big floor standers are overkill or a absolute must for a smallish room, that subs are needed / not needed, that two subs are needed / not needed, that small full rangers could or not could be enough - and so on. I started looking for a project I would replicate as I do not have enough knowledge or experience to judge difference different projects would yield, but trying to find what would be the optimum regarding the drivers on hand, ht task and room size, I ended reading so many different opinions about what's good and what's not, that I really got lost.
There is recommendations and real experience testimonies to follow single full range driver in a BR box, FAST, two way, three way, single sub, dual sub, front facing, down facing... I know audio is not to be looked at objectively, as it's dependant on so many factors and the listener as the biggest one, but I did not hope to end this lost.
Thanks for the advice - will look at what iNuke. is
Vifas in small ported is one way I was considering to go, any reasoning why this would be prefered to multi driver arrangement in my case?
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I think I would build 3 of these Mini Karlsonator (0.53X) with Dual TC9FD's (haven't heard them though) and yeah, cross them at 80hz to 2 subs. Check your receiver's manual as I doubt you can choose the slope. Then I think I'd sell everything else and invest in some room treatment.
Yeah, room treatment is already being prepared, basic one with carpets, shelves and absorbers / wall pictures, but I am aware I will need to do more after the system will be finished...
Answers till now seem to steer in a full range way for fronts / center, is it cause of the build simplicity / cost or it's because of the room size?
Answers till now seem to steer in a full range way for fronts / center, is it cause of the build simplicity / cost or it's because of the room size?
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Ok, I might overemphasize the fact I do not want to spend a fortune on crossover. Inductors are indeed worth a fortune (more than the drivers), but I would manage if something would be worthwhile over the other...
It's not like I do not want to spend anything, but I would have to keep costs reasonable when compared to the expense of the rest of the system, not to spend more on crossovers than the whole project is worth.
I have an option to wind air cores by myself, I have some crossover components on hand, so if fronts / center would benifit a lot in this application when compared to full range, I would go for it.
It's not like I do not want to spend anything, but I would have to keep costs reasonable when compared to the expense of the rest of the system, not to spend more on crossovers than the whole project is worth.
I have an option to wind air cores by myself, I have some crossover components on hand, so if fronts / center would benifit a lot in this application when compared to full range, I would go for it.
Thanks for the advice - will look at what iNuke. is
Vifas in small ported is one way I was considering to go, any reasoning why this would be prefered to multi driver arrangement in my case?
Reasoning for the Vifas is quite simple: you have seven of them, and you're planning 7 surround channels.
Sounds will move more seamlessly between the speakers if they're all matching.
You might want to try bringing in a tweeter on the main 3 (front LCR) for a touch more brightness, but I'd try them as-is first.
Chris
I would say the Missions are really good combined with any of those full range drivers.
You can cross in a low range and create a really nice floor standing speaker.
Depending on your room you can put one of the FR on top firing upwards one front firing and two Missions for the bass section.
The Fountek CD 1.0 is really nice as long as you are horizontal with your ears on the same level (my opinion!).
I used a Fountek FE85 without problems as satellite speaker extended the bottom with a subwoofer; simple 5.1.
Later I changed to the BMR from Tectonic Elements, much better in vocal clarity and details like explosions and so on.
The Fountek woofer with the Neo CD 1 should work fine but I'm not sure; the Monacor will like the extended Treble of the Neo
You can cross in a low range and create a really nice floor standing speaker.
Depending on your room you can put one of the FR on top firing upwards one front firing and two Missions for the bass section.
The Fountek CD 1.0 is really nice as long as you are horizontal with your ears on the same level (my opinion!).
I used a Fountek FE85 without problems as satellite speaker extended the bottom with a subwoofer; simple 5.1.
Later I changed to the BMR from Tectonic Elements, much better in vocal clarity and details like explosions and so on.
The Fountek woofer with the Neo CD 1 should work fine but I'm not sure; the Monacor will like the extended Treble of the Neo
That's some constructive information, I like it! And it sure has some logic to it. In Your opinion, adding midwoofer to front / center Vifas would not be worthwhile to meet the subs low enough? Or there is an enclosure type that would enable Vifas to go low / loud enough to pair with subs? I read that prefered metod would be crossing to sub as low as possible, and I am not sure how low and still loud enough for HT purposes could Vifa get in a proper enclosure? i would build anything, I like to work with my hands, have the tools and years of accumulated/repressed will / passion to build speakers.
I would say the Missions are really good combined with any of those full range drivers...
...The Fountek woofer with the Neo CD 1 should work fine but I'm not sure; the Monacor will like the extended Treble of the Neo
Thanks for the opinion, I really appriciate it. FAST is the arrengement I am closest to, and You guys are confirming the way a leaned a little while digging through forums. Sounds like a plan.
I am still considering using tweeters only in central channel, I do not have enough knowledge, but as the lots of information gets trough central speaker, maybe Mission + Vifa fronts, Mission + NeoCD center, and Vifas as Atmos / surround would be possible - I feel center tweeter could add to the whole sound picture as it's the only one right in front of you, and involved in a lot of the content in HT? Even the effect of sound image switching left - center - right could be more pronounced this way, or I am only writing rubbish
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I expect the TC9s in a ported enclosure tuned quite high (say, 80Hz) would provide enough SPL for the room you're in, and you'd still get the crossover low enough that the sub should be difficult to locate (assuming it has reasonable distortion performance).
You could morph the subs into stands for the main left & right speakers and then the higher crossover point isn't such an issue - if you can locate the bass, it's coming from where the action is.
Ideally, you want the front main speakers (LCR) to be as identical as possible so that when something moves across the screen, the sound follows the image with no obvious changes. Imagine if something suddenly became honky or bright or bassy as it moved. I'd find that quite distracting.
Chris
You could morph the subs into stands for the main left & right speakers and then the higher crossover point isn't such an issue - if you can locate the bass, it's coming from where the action is.
Ideally, you want the front main speakers (LCR) to be as identical as possible so that when something moves across the screen, the sound follows the image with no obvious changes. Imagine if something suddenly became honky or bright or bassy as it moved. I'd find that quite distracting.
Chris
Some great info guys, really really appreciate it a lot.
No foam core boards or osb to buy cheap here, only specialised huge stores with a waiting lists, and it's expensive, believe it or not. Small market and no industry / production curse I guess. All import.
So no testing first, the project has to be though out well before ordering the mdf.
While at it, I kind of lean towards using plywood bit it costs a kidney over here, so mdf - but how thick? I was set on 1" for the build in case of two or three way, but with vifas only, in case I end chasing this path - thinner should be ok?
No foam core boards or osb to buy cheap here, only specialised huge stores with a waiting lists, and it's expensive, believe it or not. Small market and no industry / production curse I guess. All import.
So no testing first, the project has to be though out well before ordering the mdf.
While at it, I kind of lean towards using plywood bit it costs a kidney over here, so mdf - but how thick? I was set on 1" for the build in case of two or three way, but with vifas only, in case I end chasing this path - thinner should be ok?
I am thinking along these lines. I could help you model the fountek based speakers, mission and generic soft domes is an unknown to me, for now anyway.
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Bummer. Sorry I failed to grasp your situation. Cardboard has been used if you have access or interest. Wish I could help you more. Good luck.
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