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**kevin007** · 02-21-2014, 05:18 PM

Re: TriTrix - need cabinet advice for HT/music

First off, great choice. I have heard the Tritrix and they are a great sounding speaker.

I would start with the PE kit. It gives you cabinets and everything you need to put them together.

Then I would plan on the MTM either vented or sealed. Since you have to make your own cabinets for it if you went vented you could put the vents on the front baffle.

Then Curt has the Tritrix MT's you can use for surround duty.

All the parts can be ordered from PE.

Should be a really killer system when your done. Be sure to start a build thread and show it off!

Kevin

**PWR RYD** · 02-21-2014, 07:01 PM

Re: TriTrix - need cabinet advice for HT/music

Originally posted by Kristian_AUS View Post

Hi everyone,

After searching the forums I still haven’t been able to figure out how to configure this system…
1) Main speakers: from what I can gather the MTM TL seems to be the most suitable option for music. The advantage of the tall boy seems to be that it raises the drivers to a more appropriate height. Are there differences between the tall boy cabinets that are vented on the front vs. the rear?

Kristian

I assume you are using the "Tall Boy" term to refer to the MTM TL (Transmission Line) design. That is the design that PE has available as a knock down kit. If so, there is no option of venting on the front or rear. It is a taperred transmission line design that uses very specific enclosure dimensions that has the terminus (end of the line opening) about half way up the rear of the enclosure. I am not aware of a vented design called the tall boys that can have the port on the front or rear. I do think Curt has a sealed and a ported version of the MTM and MT available on his website. The advantage of the taller MTM TL design is getting the drivers up to a more appropriate height, but also it produces a smoother and deeper frequency response.

I am no HT guru but from everything I've read the rear surround speakers should match the timber of the front mains, but they don't need to be as capable of volume (max SPL) or low frequency extention. If this is true then the sealed or ported MT version of the Tritrix should be perfect for that duty. I can't comment on the center channel requirements. Hopefully some more experience HT guys will jump in and help out.

**Kristian_AUS** · 02-21-2014, 07:13 PM

Re: TriTrix - need cabinet advice for HT/music

Thanks for the feedback! I didn't express myself particularly well originally. The MTM TL can be built in a "Tall Boy" cabinet which is 48" high instead of the original 36" cabinet which is what PE offers. The Tall Boy cabinet plans on Curt's site show one version that have the opening/vent(? not sure of the right terminology here) on the baffle and another version with it on the rear of the cabinet. I was wondering what the differences would be - perhaps one is more suitable when the speakers are placed closer to a wall?

Tritrix_pg_3

http://www.speakerdesignworks.com/Tritrix_pg_3.html

**john trials** · 02-21-2014, 07:24 PM

Re: TriTrix - need cabinet advice for HT/music

You can build Tallboys, or do like I did, and just add 1-foot of height to the cabinets. I added sand (about 15 pounds) down low for stability. The extra height is definitely needed to get the tweeter to hear height. http://techtalk.parts-express.com/sh...L-build-photos

Front or rear terminus of the TL doesn't matter (low frequencies, long wavelengths). You won't hear the difference.

CC...do what fits. The CC is mostly dialog stuff, but it is used heavily in movies and TV, so it is a very important speaker in a 5.1 system. If it fits your area near the TV, I'd do a ported Tritrix MTM.

Surrounds...I'd do Tritrix MT, like Kevin recommended. In a 5.1, they're mostly for background noise (rain, cars driving by, etc.) stuff like that.

Definitely build the best sub you can afford. The Tritrixes sound nice, but definitely need a sub, in my opinion. I built one with the RSS315HF-4 and a 240-Watt plate amp and it is GREAT. Also in my opinion, the sub is WAY more important (and impressive, sonically) compared to the surrounds.

**Kristian_AUS** · 02-21-2014, 08:20 PM

Re: TriTrix - need cabinet advice for HT/music

John, I actually read your thread before - thanks for posting your experience and cabinet mod. I'll definitely consider it.

I'm flexible when it comes to size/space so making the ported MTM CC isn't an issue. I suppose the ported version gives more range so it sounds like the way to go. On the other hand, if I have a subwoofer is it necessary to port the CC?

So you don't think the MTM would be of any benefit for surrounds?

The Drake / Boogieman are around what I'd like to spend on a subwoofer, and I have room for either of them. It just seemed like I was buying a Miata (TriTrix) and swapping out the engine for a V8 The Boogieman is appealing due to its interesting construction and practical shape, but I'm not sure how they'd sound compared to each other. I guess this is how the sickness starts...build one, wait a little while....build another....etc, etc...

**PWR RYD** · 02-21-2014, 09:03 PM

Re: TriTrix - need cabinet advice for HT/music

My apologies. I should have checked Curt's website before posting :o

**john trials** · 02-21-2014, 09:37 PM

Re: TriTrix - need cabinet advice for HT/music

Originally posted by Kristian_AUS View Post

John, I actually read your thread before - thanks for posting your experience and cabinet mod. I'll definitely consider it.

I'm flexible when it comes to size/space so making the ported MTM CC isn't an issue. I suppose the ported version gives more range so it sounds like the way to go. On the other hand, if I have a subwoofer is it necessary to port the CC?

So you don't think the MTM would be of any benefit for surrounds?

The Drake / Boogieman are around what I'd like to spend on a subwoofer, and I have room for either of them. It just seemed like I was buying a Miata (TriTrix) and swapping out the engine for a V8 The Boogieman is appealing due to its interesting construction and practical shape, but I'm not sure how they'd sound compared to each other. I guess this is how the sickness starts...build one, wait a little while....build another....etc, etc...

Porting is not necessary with a sub, but making ported speakers may allow flexibility in the future (I'm always moving speakers around the house and using them for different purposes).

I don't have my Tritrixes any more (a bit of regret on that one!). I actually have Statement Monitors for my surrounds (with Statements for L&R and Statement CC)...Statement Monitors are WAY overboard for surrounds (kind of stupid, actually, but I had never heard a 5.1 system when I built mine, so I didn't know). So yes, I'd say building Tritrix MTMs would work very well for surrounds. It all depends on your budget, and what size speakers your room can fit (a lot of guys have the wife factor, which puts a damper on large speakers).

That Drake looks great for a sub. I wouldn't bother with the Boogieman...kind of strange. If I was going to do it over again, I'd do a 12" or 15" Ultimax, and a Crown XLS1000 to power it. That would be a seriously nice sub with a bulletproof amp. They didn't have the Ultimax or XLS when I built mine. I constantly think about selling mine so I can build an Ultimax setup.

**Kristian_AUS** · 02-24-2014, 12:36 PM

Re: TriTrix - need cabinet advice for HT/music

Thanks for everyone's feedback. I'm going to go with MTM TL Tall Boy mains, ported MTM CC and ported MTM surrounds. I'm still not 100% decided on the sub, the flexibility of the Boogieman is appealing and the design looks interesting.

Time to pick out a receiver now...

**johnastockman** · 02-25-2014, 03:20 PM

Re: TriTrix - need cabinet advice for HT/music

This set-up will embarrass higher cost store-bought stuff. Folks that have come from a lifetime of retail speakers, from recognized/popular brands to more esoteric stuff, are always surprised at the overall SQ and performance of the various DIY speakers I've built for them. So much so, that once they heard a DIY design, they sold or gave away their previously-thought great name-brand speakers in favor of a DIY design The TriTrix are no different. I built a pair of the TriTrix TM, ported in .25 ft3; excellent for rear channel surround duties. I've compared them with similar-sized Polks, Energy, and the usual suspects of small 2-ways. The imaging, soundfield, and balance/smoothness of the mids and highs were easily superior to any of the name-brands they were next to. Since the MTM can be used as a center channel speaker, it's a good choice for the rest of the system too. The sub? The PE Dayton pre-built subs have a good price/performance ratio compared to their store-bought counterparts. But the cabinets are not braced. If you want, you can do what I do to each store-bought sub and the Dayton pre-built ones: add in some internal bracing and the right amount and type of acoustic damping. I started doing that to friends OEM subs a long time ago and with just those additions, I got noticeable improvements. If you want to make your own enclosure, then your options increase by a wide margin. Do you have a sub-budget in mind? I've come to love the RSS sub drivers. I've used the SD series (great bargain for the performance) and the Titanic series, before they came out with the RSS ones. I built my first RSS sub with the RSS315HF-4, the 500W parametric EQ amp, in a sealed, well-braced 2.5 ft3 cabinet for my nephew Tyler a few years back. I was very impressed and he was knocked out. It ended up putting his roommate's Velodyne to shame and I built one exactly like Tyler's for him as well. The parametric EQ amp allowed him to get it dialed in just right because it was in a large room with floor-to-ceiling windows flanking a huge floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and hardwood floors. The driver works well with this amp in my experience, but I've seen the other guys get great results with the smaller amps. The SPA 250, Bash, Yung will work, but I only have experience with the Dayton 240 and 250 amps, in addition to the SPA500 and SPA1000 amps. WinISD or Unibox can give you an idea of what box-size will work and whether sealed or ported. The PE pre-built sub enclosures (just the cabinet) are very nice; well-built with cross-bracing and the various finishes are quite good. If you have any specifics you're concerned about, don't hesitate to ask. If I had to choose the Boogieman or an RSS-driver sub, I'd definitely choose the RSS option. Unless you're limited to available space constraints, of course. I've found the RSS drivers to offer a more "musical" SQ when called upon for 2-channel music duties, as compared to my previous ones with the Titanic drivers or the SD dual voice-coil series. Good luck and let us know how it's coming along.

John A.

**Kristian_AUS** · 02-25-2014, 07:45 PM

Re: TriTrix - need cabinet advice for HT/music

Thanks for your input John! I'd definitely like to make my own enclosures. I've budgeted ~$500 for the sub (without the enclosure), less is always nice of course. I'm looking for something to use at normal volume levels rather than wake the neighbors 3 doors down. My living room isn't particularly big either. I'm just a little concerned that the Drake (12" + 1000W) may be overkill for my application and that something cheaper would suffice. Sort of like buying a Ferrari and driving it at 35mph in suburbia...

I think I'm going to go the more conventional route (single driver instead of multiple smaller drivers) as suggested, and would prefer a proven design right now. Modeling sub enclosure size is something I'd like to try but a little further down the track.

I've been reading about vented vs. sealed designs and haven't really been able to make a decision based on what I've read so far. I was thinking that I could start with the Drake, and a little further down the road build a vented enclosure to try with the driver and amp. Or is that something along the lines of a first timer saying "I want to build a TriTrix but with better drivers"?

**duanebro** · 02-26-2014, 07:23 AM

Re: TriTrix - need cabinet advice for HT/music

Originally posted by Kristian_AUS View Post

Thanks for your input John! I'd definitely like to make my own enclosures. I've budgeted ~$500 for the sub (without the enclosure), less is always nice of course. I'm looking for something to use at normal volume levels rather than wake the neighbors 3 doors down. My living room isn't particularly big either. I'm just a little concerned that the Drake (12" + 1000W) may be overkill for my application and that something cheaper would suffice. Sort of like buying a Ferrari and driving it at 35mph in suburbia...

I think I'm going to go the more conventional route (single driver instead of multiple smaller drivers) as suggested, and would prefer a proven design right now. Modeling sub enclosure size is something I'd like to try but a little further down the track.

I've been reading about vented vs. sealed designs and haven't really been able to make a decision based on what I've read so far. I was thinking that I could start with the Drake, and a little further down the road build a vented enclosure to try with the driver and amp. Or is that something along the lines of a first timer saying "I want to build a TriTrix but with better drivers"?

Subs are easier to design than speakers. The xo is built into the plate amp so you don't have to deal with that. If you want to design your own start with a sub.

**ecbmxer** · 02-26-2014, 04:48 PM

Re: TriTrix - need cabinet advice for HT/music

I have a similar setup to what you are considering. Sealed center, sealed MTs for surrounds (temporarily mains right now), RSS315 ported sub w 240W plate amp. The sealed center and surrounds work just fine. I don't think you need much low end extension there. The sub is also a perfect match for the Tritrixes. Sounds great, and can shake the walls during movies. I built it sealed first and ported is way way better.

I'm going to be doing the mains soon. You may as well do the TL variant for your mains, even if you pair them with a sub. Not really any tougher to build and will give you some additional low end. I recently came across a bigger main design that uses Dayton classic drivers and should pair well with the Tritrixes as well, the Dayton 8's or D8's. I'm torn between them or a standard Tritrix TL tallboy design.

**fbov** · 02-26-2014, 05:01 PM

Re: TriTrix - need cabinet advice for HT/music

Originally posted by Kristian_AUS View Post

...After some deliberation between TriTrix and AviaTrix I decided on the TriTrix. This was mostly due to Curt’s comments about the AviaTrix perhaps being a little too clean and articulate for some people and that paper driver woofers offer a full lush sound which sounds more appealing to me....

Welcome to DIY, Kristian. It's a great place to learn about speaker building and how us humans hear things, even if we don't always agree...

I frequently recommend the TriTrix to anyone starting out for its great value, as well as its simplicity given the KD enclosures. I don't see cost or simplicity as major attractions for you, and so I'll make an argument that the Aviatrix is a higher quality option, and there are others depending on your goals, mainly if you wanted to play louder than 130mm-class drivers can play. (Tritrix is a 130mm MTM, Aviatrix is 140mm, a wash between them)

The issue for me is distortion; I'm sensitive to non-linear distortion. Overdrive a speaker and I hear its pain. I built my HT around a 170mm MTM, but with the same tweeter as Aviatrix, RS28, and I urge you to compare its performance to the DC28F. Zaph Audio is an amateur site with lots of driver data. One of my favorites is the tweeter mishmash, and its' comparison application. He shows data for both tweeters.

Zaph|Audio

http://www.zaphaudio.com/tweetermishmash/

The key comparison is harmonic distortion data. Odd harmonics are aurally "grating," so look at F3 (third harmonic). Note how the DC28F is flat above 2KHz at 0.1-0.5%, while the RS28A is diving below 0.1% at 2KHz, a typical crossover frequency. This contributes to the "clean and articulate" response that Curt described. I think I've heard that difference at DIY events that included designs with these tweeters. I also know the RS28A and F have been used in some very good designs.

That said, some folks like the sound of paper cones better than metal, and rock 'n' roll proved that distortion wasn't always bad, so I leave it up to you to decide. I just want you to make an informed decision when you do.

HAve fun,
Frank

**Kristian_AUS** · 02-26-2014, 07:01 PM

Re: TriTrix - need cabinet advice for HT/music

Thanks for the info guys.

Frank, just when I thought I'd decided you come along... ! I appreciate your perspective. I typically listen to music/HT at normal levels so 130mm drivers may be ok for me. I guess I'll know after the build. I currently don't have a HT or stereo system so I the TriTrix will definitely appeal to my senses after listening the the speakers built in to my TV for so long.

I may also just build some other mains in the future for music depending on my impressions of the TriTrix.

Decisions, decisions.

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