I am driving myself crazy trying to select a first speaker project (been lurking and learning here for months, used the search feature a lot, and jed and cjd have appreciatively helped me with some questions). But, having never listened to any DIY speakers, I would really like to get the input of others here before ordering parts and cutting wood (scary).
Usage:
60% HT(5.1)/40% music. Listening volumes low/medium on classical or jazz, higher on HT, and cranked on 60's-80's rock'n'roll and 80's new wave. Room is small (10.5'x11.5'x8' ceiling). Main speakers are to each side of a stand mounted 60" DLP, with a center on top of the TV. Speaker front baffles can be located anywhere between 24"-30" from front wall. A loveseat sofa is opposite the TV, centered between front speakers (either listener is within 15-20 deg on axis), and listeners ears are 24" from the back wall. I also do some background music listening on a very off axis computer hutch in the corner. Will also be upgrading receiver to support the new Blu-ray sound codecs, and possibly a separate amp for at least LRC speakers.
DIY speaker project goals:
Towers for right and left speakers, matching center on top of TV, smallish surrounds. I am not an audiophile, but know I like clean detailed non-fatiguing sound, something a notch above my current 10 year old Paradigm Monitor setup. Tight punchy non-boomy bass, musical but enough to use to the low 20's for HT. Will also go for minimal room treatment (first reflection points, bass traps, etc).
I had preliminarily decided on jed's (Lineup D44), cjd's (RS150MTM), or Curt's TriTrix designs used with a 12" sealed sub such as the RSS315HF, as they seem to meet my needs and budget. But when I do the math, its monetarily not out of reach to go for an RS180 based MT/MTM or even the Statement Mini's/Monitors. And that is the source of my confusion, are the designs I am looking at fine for my intended purpose, are the higher priced projects "better", or maybe not even preferred due to the small room?
Also, at first I was going sealed mains crossed at about 100 with a ported sub, but the more I read it seems ported mains with an F3 around 50Hz or lower crossed as low as possible to a sealed sub might be better for my usage (sealed sub having small-room gain at the bottom end, the low crossover minimizing localization). I hope to place the sub between the rear wall and loveseat if possible.
I realize there are no absolutes regarding my questions, just looking for subjective experienced opinions and "what I would do and here is why" type of advice. Please bring up any other projects besides the ones mentioned that would fit the bill too. Sorry for being long winded ops: . And thanks to all of you designers and builders who put so much effort into making DIY available to all of us.
Rob.
Usage:
60% HT(5.1)/40% music. Listening volumes low/medium on classical or jazz, higher on HT, and cranked on 60's-80's rock'n'roll and 80's new wave. Room is small (10.5'x11.5'x8' ceiling). Main speakers are to each side of a stand mounted 60" DLP, with a center on top of the TV. Speaker front baffles can be located anywhere between 24"-30" from front wall. A loveseat sofa is opposite the TV, centered between front speakers (either listener is within 15-20 deg on axis), and listeners ears are 24" from the back wall. I also do some background music listening on a very off axis computer hutch in the corner. Will also be upgrading receiver to support the new Blu-ray sound codecs, and possibly a separate amp for at least LRC speakers.
DIY speaker project goals:
Towers for right and left speakers, matching center on top of TV, smallish surrounds. I am not an audiophile, but know I like clean detailed non-fatiguing sound, something a notch above my current 10 year old Paradigm Monitor setup. Tight punchy non-boomy bass, musical but enough to use to the low 20's for HT. Will also go for minimal room treatment (first reflection points, bass traps, etc).
I had preliminarily decided on jed's (Lineup D44), cjd's (RS150MTM), or Curt's TriTrix designs used with a 12" sealed sub such as the RSS315HF, as they seem to meet my needs and budget. But when I do the math, its monetarily not out of reach to go for an RS180 based MT/MTM or even the Statement Mini's/Monitors. And that is the source of my confusion, are the designs I am looking at fine for my intended purpose, are the higher priced projects "better", or maybe not even preferred due to the small room?
Also, at first I was going sealed mains crossed at about 100 with a ported sub, but the more I read it seems ported mains with an F3 around 50Hz or lower crossed as low as possible to a sealed sub might be better for my usage (sealed sub having small-room gain at the bottom end, the low crossover minimizing localization). I hope to place the sub between the rear wall and loveseat if possible.
I realize there are no absolutes regarding my questions, just looking for subjective experienced opinions and "what I would do and here is why" type of advice. Please bring up any other projects besides the ones mentioned that would fit the bill too. Sorry for being long winded ops: . And thanks to all of you designers and builders who put so much effort into making DIY available to all of us.
Rob.
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