DIY speaker 2 or 2.5 way design recommendations?

Discussion in 'DIY' started by shredical, Feb 15, 2021.

  1. shredical

    shredical Friend

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    I'd like to go back to Magnapans but that's for down the line and would be to step up to the 3.7i

    In the meantime, I am thinking about building myself a DIY 2 way or 2.5 way design.

    budget is up to 1500$ for components and crossover not including cabinets.

    I could design my own, but don't have the bandwidth for that at the moment. Perhaps in a year or two.
    The last one i designed and built is 15 years old and still running strong.

    So for an off the shelf kit build, i am looking at the Zaph Audio ZRT design.

    Any other options that you think i should look at?

    For powering these speakers, i'd be either looking at using the Hypex Class D modules, or building a pair of the Pass Amp Camp Amps.

    Digital source would be the Schitt Yggdrasil A2 (need to buy still) + PiA2ES.
    Analog source is a PLX 1000 turntable.

    Music genres span a wide gamut, including Jazz, Blues, Rock, Metal, Reggae, Funk, EDM.
     
  2. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    These are drastically different speakers then.

    I'd recommend you look at Troels' 3-way classic designs. The SB one should be doable with your budget. If using a Hypex Fusion plate, try replicating the filter shapes. Pass ACA will call for a different, much more efficient design.
     
  3. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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  4. shredical

    shredical Friend

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    Well, i guess i should rephrase this..

    I want to build a pair of Amp Camp AMps to use in my garge rig. Plan to build a separate pair of speakers for this.

    This is mainly to wet my feet back into the world of DIY AUdio again.

    The Hypex modules, I''d plan to eventually use for a subwoofer.


    Re-reading this i suppose this shows am rather conflicted and have too many ideas in my head and not enough clear direction on wher ei want to go in the immidiate time frame.

    Honestly, i question my resolve in wanting to do a ton of DIY audio stuff at this time in my life with plenty of other hobbies keeping me busy.

    So more like, want to get most bang for buck with least effort involved (don't we all!) i suppose would be the goal. Which is why I was entertaining the idea of getting a Salk Songtower2 ordered and picking up a Classe or Luxman Integrated Amp.

    I'll check out the link you posted on the 3 way design. I do like 3 way designs, except the Xover becomes more complicated and critical.

    My wife is big into wood working and have her setup with a wood shop in our garage. And has agreed to help out with a speaker build as a bonding activity :D

    I will look into the Selah audio design. I've been a big fan of his from back in the days.
    I must say, i do prefer floorstanding speakers over bookshelves. Our dog is most clumsy and i'd be afraid she'd knock it off.
     
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2021
  5. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Well I actually wanted to mention this Joseph Crowe model using the same woofer first.

    https://josephcrowe.com/collections/speaker-no-1198-floorstanding-transmission-line/products/speaker-no-1198-floorstanding-transmission-line

    however the pricing seems a bit out of the budget you mentioned. I think he does make his enclosure plans available, but this is not something a typical woodworker can make this unless they have access to a CNC machine.

    Although he seems to sell his wooden waveguide separately so DIY is a possibility.

    https://josephcrowe.com/collections/see-all-no-1159-products/products/1323-dome-tweeter-waveguide

    edit: also keep in mind that his prices are in CAD
     
  6. shredical

    shredical Friend

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    That looks awesome.

    Yeah the price is definitely outside my budget right now.

    I should mention, i did drop a note to Rick at Selah audio regarding the Purezza.

    The Salk BMR monitors is worth a consideration at this price range too. Heck, looks like I might have to come around on Bookshelves ;)
     
  7. shredical

    shredical Friend

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  8. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    You can also build a BMR now using a kit from Meniscus: https://meniscusaudio.com/product/philharmonic-audio-bmr-speaker-kit/ Flatpacks available too: https://www.speakerhardware.com/
    If I finally decide to go big (for me) on speakers, I'm likely going to make 3 for LCR.
     
  9. ergopower

    ergopower Friend

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    The BMRs are still available as a kit, since that was your original interest
    I've been starting to think about a bookshelf kit myself. One that seems really interesting is Jeff Bagby's Kairos
    This is a little smaller, and would be easier to fit in my actual bookshelf. He gives info on a sealed version in the write-up, which I really want for bookshelf use. More complicated cabinet, though.
    Dennis Murphy also had a sealed version of the BMR, so that's still a possibility. Would need to do my own cabinet design to get height down to 45cm to fit.
     
  10. shredical

    shredical Friend

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  11. shredical

    shredical Friend

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    Thanks for the link on speakerhardware.com

    THe flatpacks are super well done.
    Showed the assembly video to my wife and she's like, "we can totally make that. just need the plywood." She's apparently got all the tools to execute it, including router, planer, table saw and pocket and biscuit hole stuff.
     
  12. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Wow lucky! I am jealous of all the members that have access to good woodworking tools (or significant others who can do it all for them!). Then again, I don't really have the time or patience to do an enclosure that complex.
     
  13. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    I chatted at some length with Rick from Selah about those Purifi drivers. He was really, really excited about them. I asked Rick to see if his cabinet builder would be open to doing unfinished cabs and he got a quote (see website). Granted, not flat pack, but at least if you don't want fancy veneer finishes, at least there's an option. One thing to note, if you place an order for the Purezza's, it'll be 30-60 days until the drivers arrive to North Carolina, and another several days until the drivers and x-overs ship from Rick. Apparently Purifi isn't quite as committed to the DIY community as some would make it seem. Either way, these drivers measure (and according to Rick) sound the most uncolored and dynamic in the mids than anything he's ever tested/auditioned at any price.
     
  14. shredical

    shredical Friend

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    Thanks for the info about the lead time. I had asked Rick about this in my email to him.
     
  15. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    Long time !! Good to see you about S.

    1. consider OB ala Pure Audio Project - tons of options and frequent good deals on drivers
    2. ever consider a "monkey box" speaker : https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/327594-source-monkey-box.html

    That original image is not posting ??
    here is the link
    https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/327594-source-monkey-box-113.html#post6347389
    and here is another image
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    3. a take on the LX mini - many creative options out there to make it less like a plumbing project

    but let's face it, what you really want to do is make your own planer panels :D

    ..dB
     
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2021
  16. shredical

    shredical Friend

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    Hey dB! great to see you being active and building amps. Finally put those big heatsinks to good use i see ;)

    Dude I would love to build a set of planars... down the road for sure. Something like the Carver Platinum Mk4 hybrids would be brilliant. THere's a guy who's local that has a pair i am going to try and talk into letting me audition them.

    Although i must say, the Pure Audio Project speakers you linked to look amazing! @dBel84, do they sell them as a kit or one can put together a kit?!

    I am a huge fan of OB speakers. I've been reactivating my diyaudio profile and starting to lurk again. I'll look into that Monkey box speaker project you linked me to.

    Rick from Selah got back to me and said lead time right now is within a week.
     
  17. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    They sadly no longer sell the kits. But there are a few folk who have built them diy.

    Crossovers could be active with minidsp or there are a few networks out there. I can send you some the details I have collected should you go down this path. Key is 12 - 15" bass drivers matched to horns or full range driver of choice.

    dB
     
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2021
  18. shredical

    shredical Friend

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    yup. please do send me the info you've got. This would be a long term project. Wife's already onboard :p
     
  19. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    It's a very impressive driver. It's even been shown to have lower distortion at 100dB than 15" drivers

    https://josephcrowe.com/blogs/news/purifi-ptt6-5-test-results-in-1198-transmission-line-enclosure

    Seems like it could work since internal volume is a close match. No idea why I don't see any dimensions for this cabinet though
     
  20. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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