General Speaker Advice and Recommendations

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by shotgunshane, Mar 7, 2017.

  1. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    Thanks guys.

    Not sure if we can link to other sites, but the DIY stuff on Parts Express looks like the wood here is already "pre-built" and the DIY part is just connecting stuff and finishing the wood? If so, that is something I can handle (may have to look up some general info such as how to route wires inside, etc but that should be it).

    Will probably get iloud or Vanatoo Transparent Zeros if I can find them on sale before year end though.
     
  2. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    You can link wherever you want

    diysoundgroup has pre-cut flat packs and even assembles crossovers for you as an option. You need to drill some holes for the speaker binding posts, but that should be pretty easy. You'll need to get some clamps to glue it all together.
     
  3. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Yep, those are precut kits with all the core parts - you just need glue, connectors, etc. Diysoundgroup is another source for a bunch of kits.
     
  4. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    For a budget stereo setup I would suggest something like my setup if you are good with a small sub, otherwise you may want bigger speakers.

    First, the speakers: Micca MB42X. Great mids and highs, good detail, good imaging. They are small and cheap but sound good. $80

    Subwoofer: Dayton audio Sub 800. 8"sub, goes low enough, disappears when crossed over correctly. Small but it can be a good thing depending on the music you like because it's fast. $99

    Amp: Here you can go with several different options, but I would suggest an SMSL SA-50 or similar small desktop amplifier. The SMSL AD18 is a decent choice if you want something with a ton of connectivity. $65-150

    With the higher priced amp that would bring you close to your budget.

    I really like the way this little system sounds and I use it more often than my headphone setup for listening to music.
     
  5. mitochondrium

    mitochondrium Friend

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    Looks like the Clearwave has a some sort of waveguide, which if designed properly should "fit" with the sloped position of the tweeter, not sure about the Boenicke though, the recess for the tweeter looks like it has rather sharp angles and not like a waveguide at all, can't imagine that this yields a nice dispersion pattern,
     
  6. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    For all the DIY speakers builders?
    What kinda of resistors and capacitors you use in your speakers.
    Currently in my very simple 5pc crossover I use good, but not expensive caps (Audyn Q400's) and 5W ceramic resistor for the tweeter. I know that for example Troels uses so pretty expensive crossover components ( also a lot of them).
    Would this be a waste of money to upgrade the basic 5W ceramic resistors to 10W MOX resistors?
     
  7. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    I wouldn't sweat the resistors too much, as long as they are reasonably low inductance (basically - not wirewound) and have the right power rating. As for caps, it's a matter of taste. I've heard decent speakers with stacked Wimas. Troels likes to go all out on caps and coils, because he's friends with Jantzen.
     
  8. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Shot in the dark here, but has anyone had experience with active monitors like Dynaudio BM15A or Quested S8R or their 2/3 ways in the V series?
     
  9. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    The money that he spends on caps, I could build one whole speaker.
    I assume that a 5W resistor for a tweeter is plenty?
     
  10. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    I was considering the S8R but went with the S7R with a sub, soon to be a second sub. Mainly for flexibility and also a bit financial. They amaze me every time i listen to them, i do lust for the V3110 though but 10k is too much for now...
     
  11. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    As do I. But 2nd hand I haven't seen them go for less than 5k.

    Depends on how much power you're planning to burn, but in most cases it should be okay.

    I like that Troels is moving speaker DIY, but his filters are one of the reasons why I'm a sucker for active speakers.
     
  12. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Yeah and rarely do Questeds even come up for sale used.
    Btw do you know which brand that softdome mid is? I know they use Morel for the tweeters.
     
  13. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    Looks like a Scanny. That's one thing that keeps me from loving them fully, they're charging ATC money for a Scanspeak mid.
     
  14. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Ah well I'll worry about that if i can ever afford it.
     
  15. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Quested is really not popular at all in Canada, getting a used pair is basically impossible. I spoke with a retailer about a loaner/demo and they said they sold 2 pairs of Quested speakers last year, despite offering the entire lineup! Everything is special order with no refunds.

    Actually in North America I'm not sure how popular they are.

    Quested seem along the similar voicing as ATC from what I've read, but these are monitors and not the "HiFi" editions so I'm not sure how that changes things (if at all).
     
  16. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    If you can't audition or return them i wouldn't buy them. Unless you're willing to sell at a loss. Don't get me wrong i think they're amazing but that's because they fit my preference.

    So what are your preferences? Might be some actives on your side of the pond that fit them.
     
  17. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

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    Typical wirewound is so low inductance, that it hardly matters (~as much as the wire coming in).
    Wirewound is usually more robust and better precision. As far as sound goes I haven't found much difference between film and wirewound.

    Caps make a helluwa difference, but it needs to be in context. No point throwing 100€ cap at a 30€ tweeter, unless it's some magic synergy. The other way around makes more sense.

    Consider how much you drop on the resistor (voltage divider and calc power). If it's 4 ohm tweeter + 4 ohm resistor and you ask it to do 20W, then it's a problem.
    More than needed by rating resistor dissipation doesn't hurt. Reduces some thermal memory effects, too. Good thing with music material is, unless it's some jungle or psy trance, that the RMS power will be quite low even with loud peaks. Big resistors have impressive short term overload capability.
     
  18. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    The MCTH + HD650 combo is really enjoyable, albeit with a slightly lighter tilt.

    Had a Jolida 502 integrated w/ Totem Hawk speakers and really enjoyed that setup. Part of me wants to go back to it but I remember the bass being pretty round. Could have been the speaker, amp or Gold Lion KT88 tubes at fault there...
     
  19. direstraitsfan98

    direstraitsfan98 D2Girls v2.0

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    [​IMG]

    Buchardt S400
    Operating principle: 2-way Passive radiator system
    Tweeter: 1 x 0,74" Custom fine weave soft fabric textile with CDC aluminum waveguide
    Mid / woofer: 1 x 6" Aluminum cone with break-up optimization
    Passive Radiator: 1 x 5x8" Long throw passive radiator with very low mass added
    Impedance: 4 ohm
    Sensitivity: 88 dB
    Frequency response: 33 - 40.000 Hz +/- 3db
    Crossover Point: 2000hz
    Power recommendation: 40 - 200 W
    Measurements (h x w x d): 365 x 180 x 240 mm

    Price: $1999USD including international shipping

    https://www.buchardtaudio.com/shop/s400-smoked-oak

    These have been getting some attention online. I am curious to what you guys have to say about them. They have a very generous return policy too. If I ever have to downsize I think it's a no brainer to at least try them because of the risk free trial they offer.
     
  20. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    im sure its great... for its size.
     

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