need enlightenment about diy main speakers

[v1rtu0s1ty]

hey folks,

I just got registered here. I know the feeling when you accomplished something that you build yourself and I want to experience that too. I would like to build main speakers for my future home theater which would be 11.5' x 20' dimensions. I also currently own a svs sub 20-39 pci which is my first sub(I didn't know before that we can make a sub for ourselves too until I somone from avsforum told me about this forum).

My present mains are small bookshelf and does the job fine. It's an Atom from Paradigms. I really would like have a nice diy speakers that would really WOW me, stand my hair(LOL), for my dedicated future ht(room within a room design). However, with my $500-$600 budget, is it possible to make a pair of speakers(towers)?

Also, I'm not really an expert in audio so the terminologies such as crossovers, I don't know them but certainly am very determined to learn what they are.

So can anyone please help me?

Thanks!

Neil

[Jed]

Have you checked out the Mission Accomplished section of the forum yet?

[ThomasW]

Hi and welcome... :T

Your best bet as a n00b is to look at the various designs in the Missions Accomplished section. Those are proven designs many, many people have made.

[---k---]

Hey, you're in Huntley! There are a couple of use Chicagolanders here.

I used to own Paradigm Atoms and Titans. Currently, I own Ascend 340SE, but I've now heard both the Modula MTs and CJD's MTM. I think you would be really impressed with either of these projects. They destroy the Atoms. And in fact, both are in my opinion better than the Paradigm Studios. Stepping up would probably be the NatP project, which can be built as a tower.

Like was said, check out Mission Accomplished.

Chris is in Gurney, and I bet he would let you listen to his MTM's. And, if your willing to do a three hour drive, JonW in Lafayette would probably let you listen to his ModulaMT.

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Your best bet as a n00b is to look at the various designs in the Missions Accomplished section. Those are proven designs many, many people have made.

I will take a look at it.

Hey, you're in Huntley! There are a couple of use Chicagolanders here.

I used to own Paradigm Atoms and Titans. Currently, I own Ascend 340SE, but I've now heard both the Modula MTs and CJD's MTM. I think you would be really impressed with either of these projects. They destroy the Atoms. And in fact, both are in my opinion better than the Paradigm Studios. Stepping up would probably be the NatP project, which can be built as a tower.

Like was said, check out Mission Accomplished.

Chris is in Gurney, and I bet he would let you listen to his MTM's. And, if your willing to do a three hour drive, JonW in Lafayette would probably let you listen to his ModulaMT.

I want to have a tower speakers now. I will take a look of the speaker project you've mentioned such Modula MTs and CJD's MTM.

I got confused when you send NatP project. What is it?

[JonMarsh]

that stands for Natalie P, an MTM project that can be done in a standard PE 1 cu ft MTM cabinet or in a floor standing tower. Similar to the Modula MTM, but with a less complex lower cost crossover.

[cjd]

Ohhh, he wants towers does he??

Image not available

Anyhow, I think there have been thoughts of a northern get-together of sorts, will have to wait a few more weeks to happen but it's on my list of things to do. MTM's can be listened to, 3-ways, any projects I happen to complete between now and then, and any anyone else brings along for the ride. And a private listening session can be arranged as well.

C

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Those are nice towers. Can they be put as close to the corners of a home theater room? I will have a 12 ft wide room minus 8 ft for the screen, which leaves me with 4 ft or 2 ft on both sides. So is the 2 ft ok for this kind of towers? Or should I design my screen in such a way that the left/right and centers will be behind the screen?

Oh, my eyes are telling me that your towers are really expensive. How much did it cost you? Is there any lower towers but still would perform really nice? Watching movies is 70% and 30% listening to music such as acoustics/rocks/alternative.

Awesome towers cjd!

[v1rtu0s1ty]

OH, I forgot, can someone please help me? I will have a 12' x 20' ht room. I currently have a yamaha rxv1400 receiver. Can you also please recommend to me what center speaker, side speaker and back speaker would match the left/front speakers? And also, at what location should the side speakers be installed, (from screen, 13th, 14th, ...16 ft)? Is there any formula of the location. What about the back speakers, how far apart should they be?

Thanks guys!

[v1rtu0s1ty]

that stands for Natalie P, an MTM project that can be done in a standard PE 1 cu ft MTM cabinet or in a floor standing tower. Similar to the Modula MTM, but with a less complex lower cost crossover.

I'm sorry but what is "standard PE 1 cu ft" mean?

Thanks!

[ThomasW]

Chris' design is the Dayton RS 3-way towers and it's documented in the Missions Accomplished section of the forum.

No it can't possibly be built for $600. For that budget look at the Modula MTM or NatP designs located in the same section of the forum

I'm sorry but what is "standard PE 1 cu ft" mean?

Thanks!

He's referring to the premade Parts Express cabinet that has 1 cu ft as it's internal volume. Click on the PE banner at the top of this webpage and enter 302-752 in the part number search box

[v1rtu0s1ty]

How much then would run a piece?

What do you think about Modula MTM or NatP? When I heard the Paradigm Studio 20s, I felt just ok. When I heard the Paradigms Monitor 7 or 9, I was amazed. Can the MTM or NatP be compared to the monitor 7 or 9?

[cjd]

You building this room from scratch?

What's your timeline? I'd be happy to help out - you have the room depth to go for an acoustically transparent screen and stuff (you can do this DIY with good results), so you *could* put speakers behind the screen which is absolutely ideal sonically for a lot of reasons. You need ~8" or more between the face of the speakers and the screen, so it would have to be ~3-4 feet out from the actual wall behind the screen. I've done my own screen as well so I'm not just about speakers. :P

In that room you should give some thought to a constant height screen setup.

And, budget is ~$1200 all told for the 3-ways I believe. Give or take. So your budget might get you one... mono is where it's at though... :lol:

And, if you hit the Parts Express link up top of the site and browse their premade cabinets, one of them is 1cu/ft, which is what the Natalie P was designed in. My own preference would be a bit more volume in a ported (or TL) setup. However, sealed NatalieP's should work quite well with the 80 or 100Hz stock crossover to a sub that is built into most receivers.

C

[v1rtu0s1ty]

sorry got confused, the $1200 is for a pair of 3 way or just one tower?

[cjd]

1200 should cover a pair of the WWMTM's... I thought.

C

[ThomasW]

Too many people posting at once and referring to different designs led to confusion, I deleted all the posts except Chris' reply

[cjd]

Too many posting led to confusion, I deleted all the threads except Chris' reply

You're not the only one! It's busy today with folks asking questions. I have work to do, and can't get away! :P

C

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Hi Chris,

I searched for Modula and I couldn't find a post that's from you. I saw some pictures and they look like big bookshelf(a little bigger than the Paradigm Studio 20s). Am I correct? Is this the one? https://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13154

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, that I can build it for ~$300, one speaker.

I think, towers are too much for my budget.

[pereze]

might help...

Hi Chris,

I searched for Modula and I couldn't find a post that's from you. I saw some pictures and they look like big bookshelf(a little bigger than the Paradigm Studio 20s). Am I correct? Is this the one? https://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13154

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, that I can build it for ~$300, one speaker.

I think, towers are too much for my budget.

Hi Neil,
I am still learning here as well, but I wanted to share a couple of things I have learned that may help you.

Click on the link above posted by Thomas that will take you to the Mission Accomplished area. There you will find a thread on each of the speakers that are "finalized". There is one posted by Evil Twin called Natilie P's.

If you click on that, and read for a few days (cause there is lots of information ) you will find a lot of information and learn about the different versions.

When looking to find the cost of the different speakers, do a search within the thread and look for "BOM" or Bill of Materials. This will get you a total cost for the build, or at least an idea of what it might cost.

Hopefully this helps,
Eric

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Will do.

Thanks Eric!

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Ok folks, I have seen the speakers that I like. It's NatP. Please see attached picture. How much will it cost me to build exactly one completed speaker on the picture(not pair)?

And will that speaker perform really well as center speaker too?

Since I'm doing a 7.1 setup, what model should I go with for the side speakers? What about for the rear speakers?

Thanks folks!