Need some more brain power - what to build?

[isaeagle4031]

Given: Enclousre dimensions of no more than 5.5"W 27"H and about 10.5"D and assuming .75 material. This is the space I have to work with. About .53 cubes before any drivers, bracing, etc. The speakers will be used for TV/movie/music in a small living room. Power on tap is a non-issue (read-plenty). There is a subwoofer as well. These will flank a 42" LED and sit about 29" from floor level.

Question: What would you build and why? I currently have a pair on ntn towers I built and love, but space is not allowing me to use them now.

[ryanbouma]

What ever the result, it would likely include this: http://www.parts-express.com/pdf/264-1074s.pdf

The truncated frame would allow your narrow baffle to possibly work. I'd thoroughly check all the dimensions first though. If the width works, and the budget allows, I'd use 2 per side for either an MTM or 2.5 way. Given the short height, likely a TMM 2.5 way :cool:

If on a tight budget, then this: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=264-1078

I've used it. It's insanely flat and decent sounding. Cheap looks though. Actually, ha, I've got a build with that, that would likely work.

http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/tuxedocivic/Speaker%20Design/Apprenticeships6th-octoutdoorraw.jpg

That's an outdoor measurement reliable down to 80hz or so.

[isaeagle4031]

Well with the height I have to work with, these will need to be either a MTM or MT as the tweeter height would end being a bit too high. IF the tweet is centered, I would be looking at a tweeter center of about 42.5"

[johnnyrichards]

A pair of those 3.5" Vifa full range drivers (currently $9 on sale (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=264-1062)), with the truncated BC (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=264-1024) tweeter, butted together and crossed over around 3500 Hz would be stellar. The little woofer has near Revelator-like distortion above 200 Hz. Like, insanely low distortion. It should even play reasonably well to 100 Hz where a subwoofer can take over with minimal issues.

$36 for little woofers, $27 for little tweeters, and an inexpensive crossover (little to no baffle step reduces copper requirements) so budget $20-30 for the crossover.

Niiiiiice.

For reference, little Vifa distortion levels:
http://www.zaphaudio.com/temp/Vifa-TC9FD18-08-HD.gif

$9? Oh yeah....

[johnnyrichards]

The Sinar Baja tweeter at Mad offers similar distortion levels above 3K, and is 1/2 the price of the little Vifa. It could work as well.

Step it up a notch to one of the Vifa NE series tweeters, and you experience a significant cost increase but could cross lower and they sound really nice.

[ryanbouma]

Well with the height I have to work with, these will need to be either a MTM or MT as the tweeter height would end being a bit too high. IF the tweet is centered, I would be looking at a tweeter center of about 42.5"

Ahhh, your OP says 27"H. I think you must have meant 47" ??? Also, you wouldn't HAVE to build the entire height you have available.

[isaeagle4031]

Should have worded it a bit different. The dimensions given are the max available, but these will be sitting ON the TV console and flanking the TV.

Johnny, I like that idea. I just may go with that. Gotta look into it some more....thanks!

[arlis_1957@yahoo.com]

you dont HAVE to put the tweeters at the top of the cab. woofer either for that matter.

[fastbike1]

Unless you just want to build something different, why not a pair of Nano Neos? You like the sound. The smaller required volume will fit your space.

[isaeagle4031]

I thought about the neos and I really do like the ntns. Just thinking about trying something new. I've got a slew of drivers sitting here, but most are of the 6" variety.

I do like Johnny's idea though and right now that is the idea that is in the lead.

[Mayhem13]

A pair of those 3.5" Vifa full range drivers (currently $9 on sale (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=264-1062)), with the truncated BC (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=264-1024) tweeter, butted together and crossed over around 3500 Hz would be stellar. The little woofer has near Revelator-like distortion above 200 Hz. Like, insanely low distortion. It should even play reasonably well to 100 Hz where a subwoofer can take over with minimal issues.

$36 for little woofers, $27 for little tweeters, and an inexpensive crossover (little to no baffle step reduces copper requirements) so budget $20-30 for the crossover.

Niiiiiice.

For reference, little Vifa distortion levels:
http://www.zaphaudio.com/temp/Vifa-TC9FD18-08-HD.gif

$9? Oh yeah....

I'm with Johnny on the Vifa's only with the available height i'd go for an MMTMM just to make things interesting. At $9 a pop, there's nothing to loose.
And from an architectual and sound quality position, i'd do them as custom in-walls. No need for BSC and the rising response down low would make for a nice cross to a subwoofer. Using the Vifa tweeter that Curt used with the mild horn loading would be a great directivity match to the higher XO point of the Vifa's. Along with the MMTMM alignment and directivity improves even further with little to no floor bounce and even power response in the vertical plain...........sweeeettttt!

[kmibb]

These are 5-1/8" on the truncated sides.

Dayton Audio RS150T-8 6" Reference Woofer Truncated Frame (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=295-342)

[XtremeRevolution]

A pair of those 3.5" Vifa full range drivers (currently $9 on sale (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=264-1062)), with the truncated BC (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=264-1024) tweeter, butted together and crossed over around 3500 Hz would be stellar. The little woofer has near Revelator-like distortion above 200 Hz. Like, insanely low distortion. It should even play reasonably well to 100 Hz where a subwoofer can take over with minimal issues.

$36 for little woofers, $27 for little tweeters, and an inexpensive crossover (little to no baffle step reduces copper requirements) so budget $20-30 for the crossover.

Niiiiiice.

For reference, little Vifa distortion levels:


$9? Oh yeah....

Why use the truncated tweeter when you could use this one for $2 less per?

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=264-1028

Aesthetics? Looks like the Vifa was intended to be rear mounted anyway...

I might actually buy up a ton of these with my bonus next month and make a few 5.2 systems with a couple of sub towers using the 6.5" buyout subs.

[isaeagle4031]

Hmm, that also looks interesting. Guess I'll get some practice routing out truncs:)

[johnnyrichards]

Why use the truncated tweeter when you could use this one for $2 less per?

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=264-1028

Aesthetics? Looks like the Vifa was intended to be rear mounted anyway...

I might actually buy up a ton of these with my bonus next month and make a few 5.2 systems with a couple of sub towers using the 6.5" buyout subs.

No, not meant to be rear mounted.

Use it because it would sandwich between the two truncated woofers. That is what that tweeter was meant for.

[isaeagle4031]

Johnny, do you have files on the drivers you mentioned? Any suggestion on a crossover? I really like the idea of these. Something small, inexpensive. I've also got 4 of the buyout 6 subs to put up with these so bottom end will be covered as well.

[isaeagle4031]

While I'm at it, why not just build a 3rd one for a center? Oh jeez here I go again!!!:)

[isaeagle4031]

Thanks to all for the help so far. This is turning out to be pretty interesting. I am going to go with the Vifa 3.5s and probably the BC tweet that Johnny recommended. Have to see what I will need for enclosure size exactly and if they should be sealed or ported. As I said before I am also considering these as LCR and may even do surrounds too:) Now to explain all these new speaker purchases to my better half:rolleyes: