Bedroom speaker build?

[WillyD]

I have been looking at various speaker designs for use in my bedroom. I came close to buying a pair of commercial speakers but I can't bring myself to do it again since getting into DIY. I want the quality components I can get with DIY.

Anyway, I am looking at designs that aren't terribly big (no more than 9" wide, maybe 20" tall, 12" deep). I'd consider TM or MTM builds, and I'd like to keep my budget less than $500 for the pair. I have a Samson power amp I'll be using to power them so sensitivity isn't a problem, nor is impedance.

I kind of want to try new drivers with this one. I've used the Dayton RS180s, Seas 27TDFCs, RS52 mids, and Aura NT1 tweeter in other builds.

The design that Mark just posted looks intriguing: http://www.audioheuristics.org/proje...XT/ER18DXT.htm

Thoughts?

[JonMarsh]

I have been looking at various speaker designs for use in my bedroom. I came close to buying a pair of commercial speakers but I can't bring myself to do it again since getting into DIY. I want the quality components I can get with DIY.

Anyway, I am looking at designs that aren't terribly big (no more than 9" wide, maybe 20" tall, 12" deep). I'd consider TM or MTM builds, and I'd like to keep my budget less than $500 for the pair. I have a Samson power amp I'll be using to power them so sensitivity isn't a problem, nor is impedance.

I kind of want to try new drivers with this one. I've used the Dayton RS180s, Seas 27TDFCs, RS52 mids, and Aura NT1 tweeter in other builds.

The design that Mark just posted looks intriguing: http://www.audioheuristics.org/proje...XT/ER18DXT.htm

Thoughts?

Mark's build would work very well for a small system, IMO. The ER18RNX is my current favorite 7" driver for value + performance (waiting on the new Vifa as another possibility); though I might favor using the SS D2608 tweeter, unless you want to do a design sort of from scratch, try building his. If you try from scratch, consider combining the D2608 with an MCM waveguide and the ER18RNX.

[WillyD]

Ah, the tweeter the ET is using for the Nascent. That is a design I have been following as well.

[benchtester]

Another vote for the ER18DXT.

I made a pair of Scanspeak 2-ways with a waveguide.

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/bl...=1&y=2009&d=17

They were fairly successful (still a work in process); but I wouldn't recommend DIY waveguides without measuring equipment. A little dimensional change can cause a big dip in the frequency response. (With measuring equipment, by all means, go for it!)

I have the DXT tweeter and it is pretty good. It doesn't have the full benefits of the MCM style waveguide (but close); however, it has the huge advantage of screw-it-in-and-go.

I am a fan of low-order cross-overs. Mark has designed a remarkably flat response speakers, especially off-axis which would be nice in a bedroom. I am tempted to pick-up a pair of ER18s, just to put my DXTs to their best use.

The Nacents are also very interesting, as is Zaph's ZA5 series. Judging from Zaph's comments, the ZA14 should have a subwoofer or as ET plans to add bass reinforcement via a still to be announced Adjucator system. Alternately if the bedroom speakers are to be played late at night, limited base may be a desirable (yet simultaneously regrettable) feature.

To further complicate the issue, Zaph's ZD5 is excellent. The retail cost exceeds your budget (which is generious for the bedroom). But with patience, and a well stocked crossover parts bin, one can put a set together for under $500 (I did). It requires buying drivers from other DIYer's that change their plans after purchasing. I use the rule of thumb to pay 1/2 of retail for relatively new drivers. If they are near perfect than 2/3's retail is okay. One has to be patient since the Scanspeaks don't show up for sale very often.

[WillyD]

Thanks for the post, benchtester.

I am ok with limited bass. I have my sealed 18" sub + 2400W downstairs in my main system for that. If I had decent response or output down to 50Hz that would be fine. I'd never play these at a particularly loud volume.

[ClosetSciFiGeek]

New Drivers and Great Sound

Check these well documented speakers out. We auditioned them recently vrs. some SR-71's, TriTrix's, Statement Monitors and they were by far the superior speakers.

http://www.zaphaudio.com/DLR/

I would like to see what other folks think of them and how they finish them. I am going to build a set after Christmas.

[dumaresq]

Check these well documented speakers out. We auditioned them recently vrs. some SR-71's, TriTrix's, Statement Monitors and they were by far the superior speakers.

http://www.zaphaudio.com/DLR/

I don't know anything about Zaph's builds, but what makes them better then say the statement monitors? Only asking cause I was planning on building some monitors as surrounds for my system

(sorry about the thread jack).

[Mark K]

I don't know anything about Zaph's builds, but what makes them better then say the statement monitors? Only asking cause I was planning on building some monitors as surrounds for my system

(sorry about the thread jack).

That's not a Zaph build. That's David Ralph's build. I'm sure it's quite good-it got good reviews at the recent NE diy. He's documented it extensively and measures very reliably. Zaph is just hosting it for David. (However, Zaph wouldn't host it unless it was good.)And, everyone knows that the more measurements you have, the better it is :

I just can't get myself to use felt. ?Can you dye felt, to make it, well, not ugly?

Anyway, the SB have a very nice midrange and well executed should sound outstanding. The ER18 has more bass output and lives in a smaller cabinet, if that matters. I'd like to say "mine's better... :E " --not having heard Dave's I can't really say that fairly. You can't go wrong with either.

[dumaresq]

yeah that felt is pretty ugly...

[ClosetSciFiGeek]

Heard Dave's and some Zaph SR-71's that I think use the ER-18 and also some Statement Monitors. While the Statement Monitors had more low end beef they did not compare in the midrange to the Chameleons. The Chameleons were better in all respects to the SR-71's. All three of these speaker designs were good AND well executed I just thought that Dave's Chameleons clearly outshone all of them. So did the guys that brought the SR-71's and Statement Monitors(if I can speak for Lunchmoney and BeerParty, both great guys).