Vapor Breeze kits?

[Pete Schumacher]

Hey gang. DoubleTap and I are contemplating making the Breeze and the new Stiff Breeze available in kit form. We'd provide the custom cut CNC baffle that aligns the acoustic centers of the woofers and tweeter, the drivers, crossover, wire, port tube, stuffing, binding posts and plate, you'd supply the cabinet, either bought from PE or built yourself.

Here's a pic of the new Breeze and Stiff Breeze.

If there's enough interest, we could offer the kit for $800/pr for the Breeze and $1050/pr for the Stiff Breeze. If you know what the price of the 70-10D is and add in the $150/ea Wavecor woofers, you can see what a great deal this is. And for those of you who heard the Breeze in Chicago a while back, you know what a refined, engaging, smooth and articulate monitor the Breeze is. The Stiff Breeze takes it up another notch.

Here's a thread with listener impressions of a pair of Breeze that are "on tour."

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=115841.0

So, any interest?

If so, send email to [email protected]

[solock]

Re: Vapor Breeze kits?

Pics not working

[killa]

Re: Vapor Breeze kits?

Pete you forgot something :p I think many would be interested but that is still a lot of money for most I imagine. I personally would like to see a cabinet flat pack based on the cirrus cabs. That would be cool. You could just add or subtract sections for more or less volumes annt build your own baffle to suit.

[Pete Schumacher]

Re: Vapor Breeze kits?

Pictures fixed.

Killa, there's no way to make the cirrus cabs available as flat packs. Assembly of the stacked ply is just not for the "newbie." The risk of failure is so high and the task to keep things aligned is daunting. We have made up naked cabinets that need final finish for a couple people who wanted to add their own finish.

And I do realize that the cost is up there. But in this case, you're getting what you pay for and then some. These truly are world class monitors. They will stand toe-to-toe with speakers like Dynaudio, Usher, Focal, and send them home with their tweeters tucked between their midwoofers.

If anyone is in Chicago next weekend, stop by for an audition of the Stiff Breeze and we think you'll be "blown" away.

[Cornell77]

Re: Vapor Breeze kits?

The price seems extremely reasonable given the expensive drivers used. What size PE cabinets are used in the Breeze and Stiff Breeze?
How does the Stiff Breeze differ sonically from the Breeze?

[Pete Schumacher]

Re: Vapor Breeze kits?

The price seems extremely reasonable given the expensive drivers used. What size PE cabinets are used in the Breeze and Stiff Breeze?
How does the Stiff Breeze differ sonically from the Breeze?

.38 cf for the Breeze, .75cf for the Stiff Breeze.

The Stiff Breeze is 4 Ohm, and 6dB more sensitive. There's quite a bit more authority for the low end obviously, and because the sensitivity is higher, it's also more dynamic. Otherwise, both offer the same smooth response and low level detail/transparency. After spending some time with the MTM, I'm a huge fan. I could even live without a sub. We've been running them on a 40W 805 SET (Arte Forma Due Volte). Even that small power level lets them really belt it out.

Crossover options are available. We've been running the LR2 configuration, 4 total components, which gives a crossover point around 2800Hz. There's also an LR4 version which should allow those who have subs run the monitors (high passed) to higher power levels without straining the tweeter at all (HT usage for example). With LR2 and full range operation, the woofers will reach their limits before the tweeter does. LR2 would be my choice for critical listening (music only).

[Cornell77]

Re: Vapor Breeze kits?

Thanks for the info. I have heard the RAAL and it offers a very beautiful top end! Tough to beat...

Will send you a pm later.

[aarond]

Re: Vapor Breeze kits?

Interesting, thinking out loud here... is the supplied baffle finished for that price? Also, have you considered a bare bones kit/plans option? If the baffle is finished I'd be torn between it and an option w/ no baffle (assuming baffle specs could be provided). Also, at this price point many might consider an all active setup so a kit w/ no crossover might be a consideration as well particularly if you could supply drop in files for a DCX for instance.

After considering the driver prices I'm honestly not sure where you guys make your money on something like this but if you could sell the drivers only with plans on how to cover the rest you'd be in a very competitive price point for those that already have the equipment and DIY skills. Seriously, for the performance of something like this a person would be silly not to build it even if it is a few hundred more than their intended budget, that includes myself.

Maybe multiple kit/plan options are in order? If necessary I could lend a DCX to help get a basline established but I'm sure you guys probably have it covered.

Aaron

[fdieck]

Re: Vapor Breeze kits?

The answer my friend is blowing in the wind apparently...... Sorry I couldn't resist. I blame the pain meds from my router mishap. I can still count to ten on my fingers at least.

[takitaj]

Re: Vapor Breeze kits?

Wow Pete, those really come out nice! :applause:

The baffles are CNC'd. It would be near impossible to create from plans without a CNC. I don't know the answer on finished/unfinished but I do know the finish straight off the machine is pretty clean. It would be entirely possible for most of us to get a decent paint job on 'em with the right amount of prep work. As a painter friend of mine always says "painting is 99% preparation and 1% actual painting".

My wife actually loves the look. This is a killer deal, time to start saving!


TJ

[technodanvan]

Re: Vapor Breeze kits?

I'd be interested in the TM if they're around for another year or two. Unfortunately I, like many in the hobby, already have half a dozen projects on my table.

[NickJ]

Re: Vapor Breeze kits?

I am not sure why some tag writers have their panties in a bunch. DIY sound group offers kits and waveguides too, and we should be glad to have more people making cool kits available at reasonable cost. Build your own box, assemble your own crossover, etc. Plenty of ways to make them your own.

Anyway, to the point these look great. Even my wife likes the look, and as you know from previous emails I definitely interested. Do you have any measurements of the most recent crossover?

[Pete Schumacher]

Re: Vapor Breeze kits?

I am not sure why some tag writers have their panties in a bunch. DIY sound group offers kits and waveguides too, and we should be glad to have more people making cool kits available at reasonable cost. Build your own box, assemble your own crossover, etc. Plenty of ways to make them your own.

Anyway, to the point these look great. Even my wife likes the look, and as you know from previous emails I definitely interested. Do you have any measurements of the most recent crossover?

We'll be getting a set of measurements before the end of the week actually. We've been running the 2nd order XO based on the sim after taking measurements of the woofer and tweeter in the baffle. We've not adjusted anything since we first plugged in the parts, we're that happy with the sound. As soon as we have them, we'll get them posted.

[rhubarb9999]

Re: Vapor Breeze kits?

Any update on these kits?

[Ironman129]

Re: Vapor Breeze kits?

Would it be possible on the Stiff Breeze to rotate the tweeter 90* lay it side for a center?