Design or use someone else's? This is what I'm looking for.

[icor1031]

Icor, would you walk into a shop and pick out a speaker without listening to it? That's the equivalent of building a kit that you have never heard, I don't care who designed it. Just because it's a competent design or others recommend it, doesn't mean that you will like it in the long run. So yes, go to a meet, Iowa would probably be the closest, and have a real listen

Possibly, based on reviews, response and distortion graphs. Unwise? Maybe so. I haven't experienced enough to say.

But anyway, I'm moving to Gainesville, FL. ASAP. Which meet is closest to there?

Off to an appointment, will reply to others later.

[djg]

Here's a sealed 3 way with good components by a competent designer. Component kit available from a U. S. source. You'll spend a significant amount on veneer. I'd like to see someone build these. The Zaph designs I've built were all quite nice.

http://www.zaphaudio.com/SB12.3/

[djg]

Jeff Bagby's Continuum or Kairos with his separate bass module would give you a two piece 3 way. Component kits available elsewhere.

[icor1031]

So I assume from your comments that this is really a music focussed system with theatre perhaps a secondary duty?



And for good reason. Is there any specific reason you are limiting your choices to sealed?

If money isn't an issue it would be difficult to do better than one of the designs from Troels.

Troels SBA-741 for instance (http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/SBA-741.htm) is designed with an optional bass module - but can and is intended to be built on its own. It will 'only' perform down into the mid/high 40's in this format and is a good candidate for pairing up with an existing sub.

I work with same drivers a lot and can simply say that you couldn't go wrong with this design.

You could of course up the price point another notch and go for the equivalent scan speak version (http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Ellipticor-3.htm) - this is end game level hifi for the greater majority of people.

Troels SBA-941 (http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/SBA-941.htm) is another option. I'm currently working on a design for a customer that uses the same drivers in a similar configuration (sort of a nod to the box speaker/ATC classic style) and the sound is impressive. It dips down into the low 30's and arguably doesn't need a sub-woofer but it is an option depending on what sort of style you are going for.

Just note that you don't need a speaker that is limited to playing say 60hz and above in order to use it in conjunction with a subwoofer. Any speaker can be used in conjunction with a subwoofer (or many subwoofers for that matter). A speaker that plays full range gives you the option to also listen without a sub.

Music and movies; I don't like using a center channel even for movies.

Sealed because ported limits placement options. And because IIRC, sealed produces less linear distortion... And I didn't mean that the mains could only be effective to 60, I meant that I wanted them to be *at least* effective to 60. Because that's where I'd prefer to cross.

Thanks for the speaker suggestions, I'll check them out.

[djg]

Are you planning on positioning these up against the wall?

[icor1031]

Here's a sealed 3 way with good components by a competent designer. Component kit available from a U. S. source. You'll spend a significant amount on veneer. I'd like to see someone build these. The Zaph designs I've built were all quite nice.

http://www.zaphaudio.com/SB12.3/

There's no distortion data, but that seems very close to what I'm aiming for! I like it. I wonder though if anyone has a similar design, but with higher-quality drivers? Basically I'm going to have more money than time, so I want to get this close to perfect the first time; I want to avoid doing multiple builds.

[tktran]

Jon Marsh @HT Guide is doing a large 3 way with dual Dayton 12" woofers- RSS315HFA-8, Purifi 6.5" 4 ohm midrange, and Bliesma 104mm faceplate tweeter per side. With facetted cabinets for diffraction reduction.

This should keep you busy. This would be the large speaker I'd build if, I had to time to do my own cabinetry, or I didn't design my own speakers. He's a big believer is distortion data, and chose the lowest distortion driver in the bands that he uses. I have my own Johnny come lately large 3 way, but it uses NLA drivers.

[djg]

This should definitely keep you busy, the XO in progress. With budget options.