Bookshelf ideas under $300pr, maybe Aviatrix or Zaph ZA5 MTM

[JeffKnob25]

I am considering doing my first real speaker project. I have been around here for years and have built subwoofers before. As a starting point I want to start with a kit and in time I will want to move on to designing my own projects with crossovers. Right now I don't want to spend more than $300 per pair. I hope to use these in my living room/HT. After a few months I will want to build a center channel that will match these well. My first thoughts were to do the Aviatrix project or the ZA5 MTM kit by Zaph Audio. Does anyone have any idea about how these would compare?

[djkest]

Re: Bookshelf ideas under $300pr, maybe Aviatrix or Zaph ZA5 MTM

You may find this helpful:

Note:
Some information may be incorrect/incomplete.
You can ignore the TM tower suggestions if you wish to.

Prices in all cases include shipping, in some cases also include optional accessories like binding posts and hookup wire.

[kmibb]

Re: Bookshelf ideas under $300pr, maybe Aviatrix or Zaph ZA5 MTM

The Swope HT system sounds about right. Price/performance is high, the MTM is in your price range, and there's a center, MT, and 3-way design if you wanted to upgrade your mains later on.

http://sites.google.com/site/undefinition/swope-ht

The 3-way can be found here:
http://htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=39369

Kits are available from Meniscus for ease of ordering. I'm sure they'd be happy to kit any of his designs for you.
http://meniscusaudio.com/advanced_se...keywords=swope

[Steve Henry]

Re: Bookshelf ideas under $300pr, maybe Aviatrix or Zaph ZA5 MTM

I would add Zaph's BAMTM. The woofers are dirt cheap on sale right now, and the crossover is simple & easy to assemble.

http://www.zaphaudio.com/BAMTM.html

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...-335&FTR=da175

[smithnc]

Re: Bookshelf ideas under $300pr, maybe Aviatrix or Zaph ZA5 MTM

You may find this helpful:

Note:
Some information may be incorrect/incomplete.
You can ignore the TM tower suggestions if you wish to.

Prices in all cases include shipping, in some cases also include optional accessories like binding posts and hookup wire.

Is this "database" online anywhere? It looks like it would be great information you have compiled!

-Nate

[djkest]

Re: Bookshelf ideas under $300pr, maybe Aviatrix or Zaph ZA5 MTM

I would add Zaph's BAMTM. The woofers are dirt cheap on sale right now, and the crossover is simple & easy to assemble.

http://www.zaphaudio.com/BAMTM.html

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...-335&FTR=da175

Isn't that tweeter NLA though?

Is this "database" online anywhere? It looks like it would be great information you have compiled!

-Nate

Thanks. It's just something I put together. I tried to guesstimate sensitivity and bass extension on these designs, but I hid those columns as to not embarass myself...

[TommyRocker]

Re: Bookshelf ideas under $300pr, maybe Aviatrix or Zaph ZA5 MTM

I built a set of Swope MTM's and am happy with them. I turned them into towers so I wouldn't need stands, but I used Mr. Carmody's crossover and tuning and all that. I just made them extra tall with the speaker in a sub-enclosure on top. I will eventually use the bottom sections as subwoofer housings. I was going to tweak them into a 3 way design but I can't justify screwing them up just as a learning experiment because they sound so good as is. I have about $250 into them, including materials for (2) 4 ft tall towers, glue, screws, spikes, binding posts, et cetera. They sound great into the ~45 hz range.



Edit to add:

I screwed up the baffles on mine, making the M5A's too close together. I'm not sure if this has hurt the sound at all, but if it did they sure do still sound damn good.

[JeffKnob25]

Re: Bookshelf ideas under $300pr, maybe Aviatrix or Zaph ZA5 MTM

Isn't that tweeter NLA though?



Thanks. It's just something I put together. I tried to guesstimate sensitivity and bass extension on these designs, but I hid those columns as to not embarass myself...

I noticed that the tweeter isn't sold anymore and I can't find where anyone has found a replacement.

[JeffKnob25]

Re: Bookshelf ideas under $300pr, maybe Aviatrix or Zaph ZA5 MTM

It looks like the BAMTM and especially the Swopes are preferred over the Aviatrix or the Zaphaudio ZA5's.

[Brewski]

Re: Bookshelf ideas under $300pr, maybe Aviatrix or Zaph ZA5 MTM

It looks like the BAMTM and especially the Swopes are preferred over the Aviatrix or the Zaphaudio ZA5's.

I'd recommend the Avaitrix over the ZA5 due to the better tweeter. I've heard and enjoyed both but my preference of the two would be Aviatrix. I've not heard the BAMTM so can't make a comparison between the Aviatrix and it.

Take it easy
Jay

[cjd]

Re: Bookshelf ideas under $300pr, maybe Aviatrix or Zaph ZA5 MTM

The Sietecerocero may fit the bill also.

[JeffKnob25]

Re: Bookshelf ideas under $300pr, maybe Aviatrix or Zaph ZA5 MTM

I like the idea of doing the Black Box.

http://stories.parts-express.com/sto...2/redirect.htm

It is over budget especially with the crossover components used. Can cheaper components be used with the same values?

I guess I am drawn to the idea of a 3way design. I am thinking that the midrange would be really nice with this and with the 10" woofer, the mid-bass can be strong.

Can the non-shielded RS270 be used since the shielded isn't made anymore?

If the RS270 can be substituted and cheaper crossover components can be used I would really consider this. It might take me a little longer to complete to fit into my budget.

[djkest]

Re: Bookshelf ideas under $300pr, maybe Aviatrix or Zaph ZA5 MTM

I like the idea of doing the Black Box.

http://stories.parts-express.com/sto...2/redirect.htm

It is over budget especially with the crossover components used. Can cheaper components be used with the same values?

I guess I am drawn to the idea of a 3way design. I am thinking that the midrange would be really nice with this and with the 10" woofer, the mid-bass can be strong.

Can the non-shielded RS270 be used since the shielded isn't made anymore?

If the RS270 can be substituted and cheaper crossover components can be used I would really consider this. It might take me a little longer to complete to fit into my budget.

I wouldn't build the black box. Extremely complex crossover, expensive... dunno.

Can the woofer be substituted? Yes, but this crossover was designed with a special filter for the shielded woofer- might not work as advertised.

Can cheaper components be used: Absolutely. If you go cheaper on the inductors, you have to make sure and keep DCR similar. The caps can be cheaper as well, Dayton Poly caps are a good value. Mills resistors are cool but you dont' "need" them.

If you are thinking that size/price range, it opens up a whole new world of awesome.

I also saw a build recently with 2 dayton reference 6" or 7" drivers in a 2.5 TMM design with the Dayton RS28 tweeter.. can't think of the name- that would have copious bass.

But really you'd be better served making normal bookshelf speakers and a small well designed subwoofer if you want lots o bass.

[pres589]

Re: Bookshelf ideas under $300pr, maybe Aviatrix or Zaph ZA5 MTM

I built a set of Swope MTM's and am happy with them.

How do you like them for music? I'm interested in them (or trying to roll my own different design with help...) and I've built a previous design of Paul's and continue to be very happy with them (Orient Express, parts of which are NLA) but wonder if the Swope is more of an HT project and less aimed at music.

Still a Paul C fan either way so I'm interested in what you think.

[djkest]

Re: Bookshelf ideas under $300pr, maybe Aviatrix or Zaph ZA5 MTM

Looks like the Black Box could be built for $700-800 a pair using more standard crossover parts.