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

[icor1031]

Doing your own design is pretty intense. especially if you don't have measurement gear to begin with. I would suggest if you want to make a hobby out of it and continue to design your own, you might as well start now. If this is going to be the only pair you plan to design, definitely go with an existing design.



Your needs aren't very demanding, so you probably don't need anything TOO expensive. BUT, most DIY speakers are vented/ported and sealed that can go down to 60Hz aren't that common. Many ported designs can be made sealed (for example the Statements) but may not reach down to 60Hz. (It looks like the RS225's used in the Statements have an F3 of about 63Hz sealed. Maybe if you can crossover to the sub at 70Hz or 80Hz, that would open up some additional possibilities.)

Are there any constraints or preferences to narrow down the possibilities? Size constraints? Do you like a tall slim design or something with big 10" or 12" woofers? Desire to try ribbon/AMT/planar tweeters?




Pretty much. But if you aren't too picky on what your own preference is for voicing you can read reviews on many of the popular existing designs.

I do have a rig for testing impedance and I have a good mic for taking measurements. I also have many acoustic panels (roxul rockwool), but it's a hassle to design my own speakers. I prefer not to. And no, I don't want to make it a hobby and build multiple sets.

I could cross at 70 as long as my subs won't localize. I have two 18" in separate boxes, and I believe they're HO.

The design does *not* need to be compact, so bigger woofers are fine in that regard. As far as ribbon/etc. I'm okay with that if it means higher quality, but for example I have my treble at 42% and I can't remember but I might have a roll off in the XO too, so I probably wouldn't benefit?

[a4eaudio]

I want your opinion on whether I should use someone else's design, or do one of my own -- to get the results I want, that is; not simply for experience/practice/pride. They will be used for front-left and front-right only. I will not be using a center channel.

Doing your own design is pretty intense. especially if you don't have measurement gear to begin with. I would suggest if you want to make a hobby out of it and continue to design your own, you might as well start now. If this is going to be the only pair you plan to design, definitely go with an existing design.

• Three-way that will cross well at 60Hz with my subs.
• Very flat response at least to 7k; I'll be using MiniDSP to adjust as needed.
• Uses drivers that perform best at less than 80dB. I never play anything loud.
• From my limited experience and from what I've read, I prefer paper/silk/nomex and similar less-harsh materials. Correct me if my conception is inaccurate.
• Sealed design

Soon I'll be going into a very good career, so cost isn't much of a concern. $300 per driver and possibly even as much as $1,000 is okay.

Your needs aren't very demanding, so you probably don't need anything TOO expensive. BUT, most DIY speakers are vented/ported and sealed that can go down to 60Hz aren't that common. Many ported designs can be made sealed (for example the Statements) but may not reach down to 60Hz. (It looks like the RS225's used in the Statements have an F3 of about 63Hz sealed. Maybe if you can crossover to the sub at 70Hz or 80Hz, that would open up some additional possibilities.)

Are there any constraints or preferences to narrow down the possibilities? Size constraints? Do you like a tall slim design or something with big 10" or 12" woofers? Desire to try ribbon/AMT/planar tweeters?

Ah... And I suppose the way to figure that out is to attend a meetup?

Pretty much. But if you aren't too picky on what your own preference is for voicing you can read reviews on many of the popular existing designs.

[djg]

What I meant was: people were cloning his diy designs and selling them commercially, so he stopped publishing the XO parts values to stop intellectual property theft.

[icor1031]

I'll check them out, thanks Wolf!

[icor1031]

This guy has a ton of expensive designs, some (older) designs are free, the newer stuff requires kit purchase for XO specs.

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Diy_Lou...r_Projects.htm

Oh, I'm cool with paying a bit for an already-specced design. I just didn't realize people offer that.

It seems though that he has few, if any, sealed designs?

[Wolf]

I honestly think that my Purveyor qualify here. Sensitivity is 82dB, and that would be 82dB at 2W being a 4 ohm design. Drivers qualify, response qualifies, and it is meant to be a fairly easy build.

https://techtalk.parts-express.com/forum/tech-talk-forum/1486130-purveyor-a-dynamite-small-3-way-with-concussive-tendencies

Wolf

[djg]

This guy has a ton of expensive designs, some (older) designs are free, the newer stuff requires kit purchase for XO specs.

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Diy_Loudspeaker_Projects.htm

[djg]

Well, you might just want to graze over there a bit. You can't see pictures unless you are logged in. But I think you'll get a sense of their zeitgeist.

[icor1031]

Dennis Murphy's Philharmonitor, Javad's Enthraals, the late Rick Craig's Integrity, Campbell/Holtz travelers. All upmarket 3 ways with component kits available elsewhere. They meet some of your criteria, maybe not expensive enough.

The high efficiency low watt area is well represented at DIYaudio forum, you might try there. You'll get lots of advice for sure.

AVSforum is into high efficiency drivers, but 1 watt not so much.

My description might have been misleading. I used 1W as a proxy for saying that I won't play over ~85dB/1m. And usually I'm at like 50-60dB. I did not mean that they had to be relatively high SPL @ 1W.

For that, is DIYaudio the place to ask?

[djg]

It's a good place to actually hear the diy designs.

[djg]

Dennis Murphy's Philharmonitor, Javad's Enthraals, the late Rick Craig's Integrity, Campbell/Holtz travelers. All upmarket 3 ways with component kits available elsewhere. They meet some of your criteria, maybe not expensive enough.

The high efficiency low watt area is well represented at DIYaudio forum, you might try there. You'll get lots of advice for sure.

AVSforum is into high efficiency drivers, but 1 watt not so much.

[icor1031]

If you're going to use some one else's design, it's more important to like their voicing than the drivers utilized. Some guys are a bit inconsistent with their voicing and others definitely have a house sound. It's no different than some folks like B&W speakers and some prefer Martin Logan ect.

Ah... And I suppose the way to figure that out is to attend a meetup?

[ugly woofer]

If you're going to use some one else's design, it's more important to like their voicing than the drivers utilized. Some guys are a bit inconsistent with their voicing and others definitely have a house sound. It's no different than some folks like B&W speakers and some prefer Martin Logan ect.

[icor1031]

If I remember correctly from when I hung out here a decade ago, there were many gentlemen who shared their speaker designs for free: Box dimensions, drivers, and crossovers.

I want your opinion on whether I should use someone else's design, or do one of my own -- to get the results I want, that is; not simply for experience/practice/pride. They will be used for front-left and front-right only. I will not be using a center channel.

• Three-way that will cross well at 60Hz with my subs.
• Very flat response at least to 7k; I'll be using MiniDSP to adjust as needed.
• Uses drivers that perform best at less than 80dB. I never play anything loud.
• From my limited experience and from what I've read, I prefer paper/silk/nomex and similar less-harsh materials. Correct me if my conception is inaccurate.
• Sealed design

Soon I'll be going into a very good career, so cost isn't much of a concern. $300 per driver and possibly even as much as $1,000 is okay.

Suggestions? Any specific builds come to mind?