Paul Carmody's OS in a (compact) 5.1 config?

[Akalies]

I’m planning to build a (small) 5.1 system for my living room HTPC setup. It’s a fairly small apartment living room – roughly 120 square feet. I have neighbors, so I don’t need to shake the house… too much. This will be my first DIY audio project, and like many of you I want to get the most bang for my buck. I’ve considered a couple builds (namely RJB’s Microbes), but think I’ve settled on Paul Carmody’s Overnight Sensations.

A couple of the reasons for this are the low cost, aesthetics of the design, and Erich’s awesome flat packs. The tools available to me at the moment are pretty limited, and I sincerely didn’t want to try making precise cuts with my cordless circular saw.

That said I still need some advice/feedback. I’m trying to figure out what to do for a center channel, and I need to pick a sub to build. My options for a center are a OS TM (proper position), or a OS MTM (flipped on its side). I know neither is ideal, but I’m hoping one of these will be good enough as it’ll be placed directly in front of a couch about 6’ away. If I go with the standard OS, would it be acceptable to place the tweeter in the center of the baffle for the center channel?

As far as a sub, the only option I’ve really considered is the Cerberus. The only real reasons for that are that I’ve seen them used with the Microbes, and I believe a few people used them with a pair of Overnights. I’m open to pretty much anything here, as long as it’s comparably economical. I plan to take my time, and really put some love into the sub on the craftsman side of things.

I don’t have a receiver picked out yet, but I’ll go with something adequate to power whatever I build. So what am I missing? I appreciate any feedback, and apologize if I’ve made any newbie mistakes. I really want to get into this hobby, and just need to do it at a bit of a budget for the first time.

[[email protected]]

Re: Paul Carmody's OS in a (compact) 5.1 config?

welcome here. if you are able to keep the mt upright, it will actually make a very good center channel. you may have to cross rather high from subs, so consider two 8". good luck.

[lunchmoney]

Re: Paul Carmody's OS in a (compact) 5.1 config?

Another option is to just lay an OS TM on it's side.

My blackbird center channel is basically an SR71 TM layed on it's side... Changes I did make to it were I made the tweeter and woofer as close together as possible (even cutting into the tweeter flange), and I adjusted the crossover slightly to reduce BSC.

Only downside is visual asymmetry, but I actually like that.... Not even a hint of asymmetrical sound.

Here's a thought: build the 4 TM's first, and experiment with using one of them on it's side as a center. You might be surprised at how good it sounds, particularly since it's such a good match with the mains.

[Chris Roemer]

Re: Paul Carmody's OS in a (compact) 5.1 config?

I’m planning to build a (small) 5.1 system for my living room HTPC setup. It’s a fairly small apartment living room – roughly 120 square feet. I have neighbors, so I don’t need to shake the house… too much. This will be my first DIY audio project, and like many of you I want to get the most bang for my buck. I’ve considered a couple builds (namely RJB’s Microbes), but think I’ve settled on Paul Carmody’s Overnight Sensations.

A couple of the reasons for this are the low cost, aesthetics of the design, and Erich’s awesome flat packs. The tools available to me at the moment are pretty limited, and I sincerely didn’t want to try making precise cuts with my cordless circular saw.

That said I still need some advice/feedback. I’m trying to figure out what to do for a center channel, and I need to pick a sub to build. My options for a center are a OS TM (proper position), or a OS MTM (flipped on its side). I know neither is ideal, but I’m hoping one of these will be good enough as it’ll be placed directly in front of a couch about 6’ away. If I go with the standard OS, would it be acceptable to place the tweeter in the center of the baffle for the center channel?

As far as a sub, the only option I’ve really considered is the Cerberus. The only real reasons for that are that I’ve seen them used with the Microbes, and I believe a few people used them with a pair of Overnights. I’m open to pretty much anything here, as long as it’s comparably economical. I plan to take my time, and really put some love into the sub on the craftsman side of things.

I don’t have a receiver picked out yet, but I’ll go with something adequate to power whatever I build. So what am I missing? I appreciate any feedback, and apologize if I’ve made any newbie mistakes. I really want to get into this hobby, and just need to do it at a bit of a budget for the first time.

I think the TB W6 will work well for your sub. Try to wait to get the NEW (NON-neo) version of that driver. TB claims the specs are the same? They should be substantially cheaper than the original neo version, but if the specs ARE the same, you could drop it into that design.

chris

[djg]

Re: Paul Carmody's OS in a (compact) 5.1 config?

I pretty much built what you are considering. Pic is on Paul's website. I later made a OS MTM for the center. Very nice little system. I powered it with a HK AVR154, IIRC. About five hundred for the whole thing at the time. Heed Chris' advice on the Cerberus driver.

[Akalies]

Re: Paul Carmody's OS in a (compact) 5.1 config?

Awesome, solid advice guys. Thank you very much. This is exactly what I was looking for. My wife and I are working students, with a three year old. That means money is tight right now, and when we do get time together we're both exhausted to the point of not wanting to do much more than sit and watch a movie.

I'm not complaining as she's a closeted action movie nut. She's seen The Thing, Die Hard, Terminator, etc., etc. and enjoyed them all with me. It'll be nice to move away from the tv's built-in speakers, and while she doesn't see the point right now, I think she'll fall in love with a decent surround system once she hears it. I know I'll appreciate it, in any case. :D

DJG - Thanks for logging your build. It's actually offered a lot of inspiration. May I ask why you ended up switching the center for a mtm?

I shouldn't need to flip a TM as I have a bit of space between the electric fireplace, and tv. I'll probably just build a custom shelf for the center channel.

[djg]

Re: Paul Carmody's OS in a (compact) 5.1 config?

This system was a gift for my GF's nephew. He has a very bad setup in his bedroom. Before I made the MTM, the center was way down below the TV on a shelf. The MTM went on the top shelf same as the L/R, with the TV on top of it. Much better.