High efficient high end design?

[mike15]

Hello,

Merry Christmas, happy Holliday, and happy new year.

I recently switched from solid state Emotiva XPA-1s to a tube powered Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II.

To my ears the CM II is light years ahead of the big Emos. Except in power. Going from 1K watts of solid state muscle to 100 watts of tube power is a noticeable reduction to say the least. However I absolutely love the music those tubes make so I'm looking for a high efficient design. At least 95bd/watt.

I'd even consider a horn design. My budget isn't set in stone but I'd say about 2 to 3k for parts including XO.

I've done some searching but haven't found much except for Troels DTQWT. I'd love to build it but as I posted in the thread about his designs. The fees are pretty steep. It still falls in my budget. I just have a hard time paying so much for fees and shipping............

Any one here know of a "high end" high efficient design I could build?

Thanks, Mike

[winslow]

Re: High efficient high end design?

Exactly how much space would you be willing to give up?

You could do something from a 15/waveguide, build a Synergy horn, horn load some midbasses and mids...

All depends on how much space you want to give up, how low you need them to play, and how comfortable you are doing some wood working.

[bill poster]

Re: High efficient high end design?

Crikey that's quite an ask. Not sure how many builds/designs/kits use Acoustic Elegance and Audio Technology drivers but they seem to be up there as the best high efficiency offerings

[mike15]

Re: High efficient high end design?

Hi winslow,

Space isn't much of a concern. Doing another design from the ground up is. The speakers I'm using now are my Redwoods II. This design toon a tremendous amount of effort! Even with all that work had it not been for one very generous offer from Paul Carmody to take on the XO, I doubt they would have sounded very good at all.

That's why I was looking for a documented build I could replicate. I have a full wood shop and am a decent cabinet maker. I've built many speakers in the past from the original Sunflowers to Curt C. Statements. I just can't seem to find any 95+Db designs????

I'll look into some of your suggestions. Thank you for them!

[mike15]

Re: High efficient high end design?

Bill,

I used an AE passive once a long time ago for a subwoofer build. The attention to detail in that's driver was second to none. That is certainly the quality I'm after. I haven't heard of AT so I'll look into that as well.

Thank you, Mike

[scholl]

Re: High efficient high end design?

Maybe consider the AE td15H to A JBL D3 driver and SEOS 24 or Faital 142 horn at 800hz. In a nice multiply box.

[badman]

Re: High efficient high end design?

What about the offerings from diysoundgroup?

[Jeff B.]

Re: High efficient high end design?

Bill,

I used an AE passive once a long time ago for a subwoofer build. The attention to detail in that's driver was second to none. That is certainly the quality I'm after. I haven't heard of AT so I'll look into that as well.

Thank you, Mike

Audio Technology are probably the finest drivers made in their class.

[randyohoh]

Re: High efficient high end design?

The Uluwatu is rated "conservatively" at 92 db. Madisound has the kit on sale for $430.

[Pete Schumacher]

Re: High efficient high end design?

Audio Technology are probably the finest drivers made in their class.

This!

But if you're looking for something of a more modest budget along with high sensitivity, check out Jeff's 12" two-way at DIY Soundgroup.

http://www.diysoundgroup.com/waveguide-speaker-kits/fusion-12.html

[PWR RYD]

Re: High efficient high end design?

I don't know how loud you like to listen or how large your room is but with 100 watt amp 92 dB speakers should be fine. 95-96 dB is typical for a 10-15 watt tube amp and 98+ for <5 watt amps. Just my opinion of course YMMV.

[winslow]

Re: High efficient high end design?

Nice 110 dB-ish system that could be put together with similar drivers for near your budget:

http://www.volvotreter.de/index.htm

Few in here, especially the Unity/Synergy Index:

http://www.diysoundgroup.com/forum/index.php?board=8.0

[mike15]

Re: High efficient high end design?

Pete,

This looks interesting! Have you or any one for that matter built this kit? At this price I'm a bit concerned it doesn't sound quite as "good" as I'm looking for. Then again, Jeff B has forgotten more about speaker design then I'll ever know!

Another thought I had was to find a set of Klipsch la scallas or bells and modify some of the design flaws (IMO) out of them.

I'd be interested if anyone has any experience with the fusion-12 and any of heritage line of Klipsch?

[mike15]

Re: High efficient high end design?

Yes this all true but in my experience it isn't all about flat out spl. More efficient designs are an easier load on the amp and that can translate into smaller distortion figures. This seems to be more of an issue with the lower end tube amps such as my CMII.

I would guesstimate my redwoods at about 90db. My CMII can push the volume to point of uncomfortable levels.

[mike15]

Re: High efficient high end design?

Thank you to everyone for your input!! I've been reeding around a lot on diysoundgroup.

This is a lot of info and a lot to take in. I'm going to look into this further. Meanwhile if you have anymore keep'em coming