Need Help with Center Channel Design

[Monty151]

Hello everyone,
Im new to the forum but I have been reading it now for a while, and I have decided to venture out and build a center channel speaker. I really dont know where to start so I figured I would see if you guys would be able to lend me a hand.

Here is what i want: I like the idea of the Cynosure but I read up on it and a lot of people are saying it doesn't sound that great. I am looking for something along those lines as far as aesthetics. I have a small to medium size listening area to cover, and my budget is about $200-300 for parts. I already have all the necessary building materials.

Throw me some ideas
Thanks in advance

[ckmoore]

What mains will you be running this with?
Any size constraints on width/height/depth?
What is the source and its power rating?

[Monty151]

The mains will be the TriTrix that I just ordered. The center channel for now will be driven by my onkyo TX-SR608 100W @ 8ohms. As far as size its gotta have the WAF so nothing huge but I dont want any thing small either. I would rather it be longer than deep if that helps.
thanks

[djg]

The Tritrix can be built in a sealed cab of 6.5 x 20 x 8 inches. That's 6.5 wide or high if on its side, and 20 tall or wide on its side. I had a Tritrix system and mine sounded fine.

[Monty151]

Ok that might be a possibility, I was looking for something with a few more drivers though.
Thanks

[ewetho]

For more drivers take a look at Bill Fitzmaurice's Curved baffle SLA. Mine sounds incredible. His plans has both 6W6T and 9W9T versions. If you like you could modify that bit too, like say a 6W12T version is popular with the original designs tweets. Baffle board is basically a 1X8. My 6W6T version is about 31" wide. If you look on his forum you can see mine made with a 1X10 Cherry baffle.

The woofs are GW-4028/s and Tweets GT-302s from Goldwood. 100 Hz and Up they sound fantastic and have a wide listening area too.

You could probably just match drivers in your Tritrix on each section and alter accordingly (such as panel widths and crossover points).

Otherwise, to match your system just build the TriTrix center.

[Monty151]

ewetho thanks I like that idea. My question now is should I see about canceling the TriTrix order and do something different about my mains. I want some good quality mains and from what I have read they seem to be but if this center you suggest ends up getting built will it be too much for the tritrix

[deewan]

While I completely understand the need for a nice sized CC and the cool factor that goes along with it, the main thing here might be that a sealed Tri-Trix CC will be the best match for your main speakers when it comes to timbre and sonic output. That's my two cents.

[Monty151]

i should have done some research before I posted that last post. I might just do the SLAs as mains as well :D

[ewetho]

ewetho thanks I like that idea. My question now is should I see about canceling the TriTrix order and do something different about my mains. I want some good quality mains and from what I have read they seem to be but if this center you suggest ends up getting built will it be too much for the tritrix

As far as as that goes up to you. If you dig that center channel look at his lines for L&R. If you have a larger room and sit back over 10 ft or so His TLAHs as mains will kill. My small living room dictated slightly smaller setup of vertical SLAs for L&R channel. Hot some pretty pictures of mine over there in HT section.

If you did the TLAH for mains I'd suggest the 9W9T center channel to match. Believe the TLAH by the plans is 8W12T. They have a huge sound stage. You can make them all bigger "IF" you want. The TLAHs can be made to fit it ceiling corners angled down or floor mounted.

Just an option.

My SLAs kill. Can't have them. ;)

[Monty151]

I thinks the Tritrix are a no go and I am going to do SLAs as mains and center being that my room is on the smaller side. Next question. Where do I get the plans for the SLAs

Thanks

[ewetho]

Bill Fitzmaurice's website. Use his name.

Plans are 15 bucks, worth it. I don't make a dime so don't think I am selling them. LOL. I just love mine. Current driver give a 240 Watt RMS capable cab (thinking woofers only) and at less than 100 on my Sherwood 7.1 they are LOUD!

You will need a sub though in the end like the Tritrix to get that DEEP stuff.

[ckmoore]

or....

you can keep the tritrix and do the UniCC, with the Dayton tweeter option. It uses the same drivers, so they are a perfect match. And more drivers!

In the PE Project showcase.

http://www.parts-express.com/projectshowcase/indexn.cfm?project=UniCC

[Monty151]

I think I have decided to the SLAs as mains and center.
Thanks to all of you who put in their two cents in helping choose a good center channel and now my mains.
Im sure they are going to sound great. Lets hope the wife approves;)

[Monty151]

Another question would it be possible to use more, smaller drivers rather than what the plans call for providing i alter the box for them?

[ewetho]

You could but at 7.5X28" for mains they are not that big anyway. It is designed to get you down to the sub territory. These as planned will cross right into a sub at 100-120Hz territory.

Bill generally recommends SLA @120hz and TLAH @100hz.

My wife was stunned how small they were really. She and many others saw them and thought they were much bigger before they saw them.

Are you trying to get it smaller and taller or what?

[djg]

Bill has a forum at his website. You can get help there.

[johnastockman]

Another question would it be possible to use more, smaller drivers rather than what the plans call for providing i alter the box for them?


No, each combo of drivers needs a XO that was designed specifically for that compliment. Even if you do modify the enclosure, the new/different drivers would require a completely different XO design. Bill's stuff gets rave reviews and he writes articles for AudioXpress and others. Build according to plans and you'll have a fantastic sounding set-up.

John A.

[ckmoore]

I have purchased and built some of his designs. Remember, follow the plans. They are thorough, easy to follow, and very well tested.

May I ask, why you feel you need "more drivers"? Are you going for a max-spl setup?

[djg]

More drivers equals more holes to make. I have all the fixins for three SLAs, just lack the motivation to make them. So many holes.

[ewetho]

More drivers equals more holes to make. I have all the fixins for three SLAs, just lack the motivation to make them. So many holes.

Do I need to play Drill Sargent? Build Build Build them things. Definitely worth it.:)

[bvn]

My center front is an ASRM (Active Studio Reference Monitor) - monopole line radiator - two drivers. 96" screen above, mains on either side - also monopole line radiators. Distance between main monopoles is 10'. LFE is to the right of center front, on the floor, face aligned with screen (4' deep wiring closet behind the screen, 13' wide).
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Sound field is continuous across the media wall with no acoustic gaps - acoustically, objects track smoothly across the screen.
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For 32 years, I worked for the world's premium manufacturer of precision holes - Boeing :)

[Monty151]

Spoke to the wife about the SLAs unfortunatly she wants to see something more "low profile" ( i think she ment smaller :( ). So Im kicking around ideas again. Im liking the Cynosure but I have read that the reproduced sound it sub-par to most peoples preference. I would like something along that line but reproduces great sound. Thanks guys.