Official Iron Speaker Thread

[monoiz15]

Re: Official Iron Speaker Thread

Any thoughts on a GRAND PRIZE yet?? :D

Also, I'm just a bit concerned with the stands, you said 6" x 6" base?

[rpb]

Re: Official Iron Speaker Thread

Cost clarification needed.

I have in my parts box the coils I want to use. If I bought the same value in a solid core, it would cost about a third as much as the ones I already have on hand. It's about a $40 coil! Can I use the air coil, but use the iron coil for pricing?

[mzisserson]

Re: Official Iron Speaker Thread

Any thoughts on a GRAND PRIZE yet?? :D

Also, I'm just a bit concerned with the stands, you said 6" x 6" base?

Grand Prize is in the works. Part of it will be the winning design featured in a PR flyer/project Showcase!

6"x6" base for the speakers it is. The stands are lead-shot filled, so it would be very hard to tip them.

[mzisserson]

Re: Official Iron Speaker Thread

Cost clarification needed.

I have in my parts box the coils I want to use. If I bought the same value in a solid core, it would cost about a third as much as the ones I already have on hand. It's about a $40 coil! Can I use the air coil, but use the iron coil for pricing?

It has to be a comparable item. Iron core for Iron core, Air core for Air core, etc.

[mzisserson]

Re: Official Iron Speaker Thread

For all who have entered:

I am getting the e-mail list together and will e-mail everyone some more information soon. In the mean time, it's build time! GET ER' DONE!

[rpb]

Re: Official Iron Speaker Thread

Any thoughts on a GRAND PRIZE yet?? :D

Also, I'm just a bit concerned with the stands, you said 6" x 6" base?

The 6" x 6" surface is the top, not the bottom of the stands.

[rpb]

Re: Official Iron Speaker Thread

Which measurements, if any, are part of the scoring?

Is it just a few points that will be given to the one entry having the easiest to drive impedance, or will other speakers get points too?

Why are you planning to hand out measurements after each demo?

Will each design be revealed right after its demo, and scored for aesthetics right then, or will all speakers be revealed after all designs have been heard, and then judged for aesthetics?

[mzisserson]

Re: Official Iron Speaker Thread

Which measurements, if any, are part of the scoring?

Is it just a few points that will be given to the one entry having the easiest to drive impedance, or will other speakers get points too?

Why are you planning to hand out measurements after each demo?

Will each design be revealed right after its demo, and scored for aesthetics right then, or will all speakers be revealed after all designs have been heard, and then judged for aesthetics?

This was covered earlier in the threads.

Impedance will add some bonus points since it is the only absolute that everyone can agree on. It will be pretty clear which speaker is easiest to drive.

Each design will be revealed after the demo for scoring the aesthetics. at this point, the designer still remains unknown.

Measurements will not be handed out until AFTER the judging is 100% complete since the designer will not be revealed until after all speakers have been demoed.

Something I am toying with is for each designer to have a "talk-sheet" with 10 bullet points for Roman or myself to dive a little deeper than the skin of each speaker. Almost like an elevator pitch to the originality of the designs since the designer will not have the opportunity to discuss details until after judging is complete. Thoughts anyone?

[r-carpenter]

Re: Official Iron Speaker Thread

Cost clarification needed.

I have in my parts box the coils I want to use. If I bought the same value in a solid core, it would cost about a third as much as the ones I already have on hand. It's about a $40 coil! Can I use the air coil, but use the iron coil for pricing?

No.
The idea of $200 budget is for a DIY who wants to replicate the design to go and spend $200 and get the same parts. Not imaginary $200 that would buy so much more 20 years ago.
If you have a 14gage air coil that you want to use in the design, it's your choice but the pricing will be determined by what I or anybody else can buy the same coil for, now days. Solid core and air coils do not perform the same and while differences are small, they are measurable. Shunt coil of a higher DCR can be of an advantage or drop the impedance to two ohms. Repeatability of the design is the key.
To keep the arguments to a minimum, same determination will be used for capacitors. If you are (and I mean in general, not targeting Mr,rpb) using Mundorf Gold with diamond sprinkles on the side of the platinum winding, it means that you believe in the difference and in order to duplicate your design, builder has to use the same capacitor purchased at today's rate.

As far as measuring the speakers and scoring. As Mike mentioned, only impedance will be adding up to the over all score. 1.5ohm at 600hz will not add points. ;)

[mzisserson]

Re: Official Iron Speaker Thread

Update:

As I found out today, make sure you are documenting your cost with today's prices. At $199.34, If ANYTHING goes up I would be screwed.

Just threw screen shots of my baskets into a power point slide. Shows everything.

Also, waiting for one more point of clarification on the prizes and I will be sending out the first e-mail to everyone.

[r-carpenter]

Re: Official Iron Speaker Thread

I think "today's prices" are fine. If you purchase your components from then this competition was announced, and let's say a week before the listening event, prices on some components go up, it wouldn't disqualify the project. We have no control over the market fluctuations.

[mzisserson]

Re: Official Iron Speaker Thread

I think "today's prices" are fine. If you purchase your components from then this competition was announced, and let's say a week before the listening event, prices on some components go up, it wouldn't disqualify the project. We have no control over the market fluctuations.

Exactly.

[mzisserson]

Re: Official Iron Speaker Thread

First e-mail has been sent. If you have not received it, please PM me your e-mail address. I am pretty sure I got everyone. If you are not competing and plan on attending, you can also sned me a PM and I will get you on the mailing list.

[mgrabow]

Re: Official Iron Speaker Thread

If you are local and want to drop off your speaker/s for measurements, it's fine for as long as it's done within the same timeline.

Also, No smoking in the shop.
I got my drivers in today. Let the fun begin!

No Smokin? I was gonna stink it up with a big stoggie....

[philiparcario]

Re: Official Iron Speaker Thread

Looking forward to watching/listening to this.
I will bring ,

food/drink-some beer/sound meter/camera.