My first 3 way speaker build

[Mike220]

Re: My first 3 way speaker build

Im considering ordering a pair of these sb 10" woofers. I can run them active and use them to supplement my Carreras and speedster TMM's. I'm tempted try and make the carreras a 3-way. I also want to do a kinda budget TM as well that these can help.

I ran a quick model of the 10" and 12" sb woofers the 12" can play a little louder but doesnt really dig any deeper. The 12" look like a 4 cubic foot or so enclosure so its nearly double the 10" volume (model appears 2.5cf is giving a mid/low 20's f3). Id like to hear those with the TL tweeters now.

[mattsk8]

Re: My first 3 way speaker build

Considering the drivers used , this should be a true reference speaker ! WAF should not be a problem either !?
donc

WAF... will depend on the "W" :p. These are definitely not what I would consider large speakers, but they are floor standers. My ER18s are quite a bit taller, but these are about 4" wider IIRC. So I guess it's all perspective.

I absolutely love them, and thoroughly enjoy listening to them every day. The on and off axis response is amazing, I have them in my shop where they'll stay until I get around to finishing them, and whether I'm standing, sitting, or whatever I'm doing, they sound magical. I love the bass from the SB, and the mids and highs really lack nothing. They have an amazing soundstage with a 3 dimensional depth that's incredible, when I sit back and close my eyes they give me goose bumps. Another Craig K recommendation to me for this build was the SS Rev 18w mid. I was originally contemplating the 15w, but Craig said I may want to try the 18w. Being nervous because I'd never heard it, I decided to give it a go, and that was absolutely a home run!! I actually can't wait to finish them, because while they are floor standers, they're fairly small as floor standers go and they still sound deceptively HUGE!! Finishing them with grills will only make that better.

One of my biggest take-aways from this is that I hated the bass when I first fired them up, they were super anemic; now they're one of my favorite woofers. What I learned from that is to make sure I don't give up too easily, it would be a shame to have missed out on that simply because I didn't try "one more thing". And don't be afraid to ask questions, in addition to recommending the mid, I also thank Craig K for steering me towards trying that "one more thing".

In the Iowa thread, Marty brought up wanting to know design goals for the speakers at the Iowa DIY event. The majority of my goal with these was to build what I consider a reference speaker. A reference speaker (to me) is a speaker that misses nothing, is accurate everywhere, and that I can use for any future builds as a "reference" for accurate sound; IMO these deliver in spades. Aside from sounding accurate, part of the "misses nothing" for me is that they also have to be able to play loud, and these deliver there as well, while still being extremely musical. So I think I accomplished my goal, and while these were spendy, they deliver and I would do it over again.

As far as cost goes, I think it would run around $1300 to build these. That price includes 1 decent cap in the tweeter circuit (a Sonicap, about ~$20 each) with Erse Pulse X and Solen caps everywhere else, plus standard wire wound inductors; if I decided to go with something like Clarity MR caps and foil inductors I could easily spend a lot more. I might eventually do this because I think they deserve it.

Thanks everyone for the compliments, I'm glad people enjoyed them and I'm also glad I did these woofers justice. The only issue with this build is... what next?! I'm already dreaming up a potential build that uses 2 of the 12" SB Acoustics woofers/cabinet (the big brother to this 10") :D. Not sure yet if this will be a reality or not though.

[donc]

Re: My first 3 way speaker build

Considering the drivers used , this should be a true reference speaker ! WAF should not be a problem either !?
donc

[[email protected]]

Re: My first 3 way speaker build

Yep. What he said. Already thinking about using that woofer.

[craigk]

Re: My first 3 way speaker build

I agree. This is one of the best balanced speakers I have listened to. Great tight bass and the tweeter/mid blend sealmlessly. An effortless sounding speaker.

[S7910]

Re: My first 3 way speaker build

I really liked these as well. Matt, way to grab that bull by the horns and make it hug the road.

[johnnyrichards]

Re: My first 3 way speaker build

...also, your speaks are great, Matt. Those sb woofers were tremendous.

[fdieck]

Re: My first 3 way speaker build

When I would sit on center at Harris, there was no issue - after we corrected the balance issue on the laptop.

Regardless, I'll happily leave the hundred pounder home in the future - sh!t is heavy.

About 1 Kg per Liter on average according to medical researchers...

[johnnyrichards]

Re: My first 3 way speaker build

When I would sit on center at Harris, there was no issue - after we corrected the balance issue on the laptop.

Regardless, I'll happily leave the hundred pounder home in the future - sh!t is heavy.

[PWR RYD]

Re: My first 3 way speaker build

I'd do a loop back test with ARTA of both amp channels just to be sure.

[johnnyrichards]

Re: My first 3 way speaker build

The balance issue was in the PC we were using. Nothing wrong with the amp, I see no reason to go to class d or a pro amp.

[craigk]

Re: My first 3 way speaker build

I agree something was not right as I heard low bass, I think it was because where I was seated.

Seamed like the right bias went away on Craig's speakers and after the preamp was used.

Craig, are we using your ClassD Audio, or my Crown XLi next year?

I can bring a amp no problem

[craigk]

Re: My first 3 way speaker build

Not sure what was going on but I think you are correct.

[jhollander]

Re: My first 3 way speaker build

I agree something was not right as I heard low bass, I think it was because where I was seated.

Seamed like the right bias went away on Craig's speakers and after the preamp was used.

Craig, are we using your ClassD Audio, or my Crown XLi next year?

[PWR RYD]

Re: My first 3 way speaker build

I thought they were terrible. You should scrap the whole project and start over with better drivers. Just kidding. They sounded very good. I think they would sound fantastic with a good front end and good amp. Something was sick in the big amp in Iowa. Most speakers sounded right biased.