To keep from cluttering up the Wavecor Ardent thread more than I already have, I am starting a new thread. This project has been evolving in my mind for quite a while, torn between my modest means and desire for something like the Wavecor Ardents. It will take a while, but hopefully I will have 4 Ardent inspired speakers before next summer.
Some history of my descent into full blown GAS: I have a set of Zaph designed W15CY001/T25CF001 MTs that I really like, but output is limited to moderate volumes. A while back I temporarily added an old set of 7" MTM woofers as bass bins and saw the three way light. I bought a set of 4 RS225-8S (yes, they have been sitting on my shelf since the shielded ones were available.) I was very limited in woodworking space and physical ability, so the original idea was to replace the front panel of an old MTM and use them as bass bins with MT cabinets on top.
Then came the Wavecor Ardent thread. Re-inspired by their styling, I thought I could do something like that with more affordable drivers that I have on hand. Then ET started the Update to Natalie P and Modular Bass Bin threads. Sure, these cabinets are going to be a lot of work, so why not go for drivers that are a little more state of the art? I bought a pair of N26CX-T, thinking I'd use them with either a ZA14 or ES140ti mid and UM10 woofers. Then Jon pointed out the Woodworker's Source sale on LBL boards. OK, now that I'm in for a larger investment in the cabinets, let's start looking at better mids. Still undecided, but leaning strongly towards the Scan 15W/8530K-01 or Satori.
The good news is my girlfriend "oohed" at Dar47's Wavecor Ardents and encouraged me to duplicate the look. She likes the walnut burl, too but now leans towards lighter woods. She also appreciates good sound - unusual for a woman in my history. The bad news is I did a small woodworking project last weekend and boy am I rusty. I need to practice a bit before I waste my investment in LBL. So, now this is going to be two builds, both will be hybrid active woofer to mid XO and passive mid to tweeter. First, will be an MDF cabinet with a single layer of LBL on the baffle using drivers mostly on hand - RS225, ZA14 and probably 27TDFC or 27TBFCG. (I'll only have to buy the ZA14s) It will be my first attempt at raw veneer, which should be fun. After I'm satisfied that I can make cabinets worthy of LBL, I'll go with the UM10s, N26CX-T and TBD mid.
Jon Marsh has offered support in developing the required transfer functions, which I think will make this project more interesting to others. Not wanting to abuse Jon's generosity, the "practice" build is more suited to using a crossover similar to the Wavecor Ardents and more appropriate for his help. I plan to be on my own for the second build. My woodworking space is at my family summer camp 90 minutes away. The water is off for the winter, and there's no heat but I hope to get panels cut before it gets too cold. I can bring them home for glue up. Putting this out in public will help keep me moving forward.
Status:
LBL and Baltic Birch ply on order.
First build woofers and tweeters on hand. Mids on order.
Second build tweeters on hand
Analog active crossover boards ready to assemble, case and power supplies ready. I will use an M-Audio FW-410 for development.
Amplifiers ready, two more DIY amps in progress. All DIY: multiple Leach amps, DIYAudio Honey Badger, Pass A75, Pass AJ clone, Pass F5TV2 cascode. Making amps takes less of a shop than cabinet work.
Next weekend I should be able to get the MDF to start building the first cabinets before heading to my daughter's wedding.
And away we go...
Some history of my descent into full blown GAS: I have a set of Zaph designed W15CY001/T25CF001 MTs that I really like, but output is limited to moderate volumes. A while back I temporarily added an old set of 7" MTM woofers as bass bins and saw the three way light. I bought a set of 4 RS225-8S (yes, they have been sitting on my shelf since the shielded ones were available.) I was very limited in woodworking space and physical ability, so the original idea was to replace the front panel of an old MTM and use them as bass bins with MT cabinets on top.
Then came the Wavecor Ardent thread. Re-inspired by their styling, I thought I could do something like that with more affordable drivers that I have on hand. Then ET started the Update to Natalie P and Modular Bass Bin threads. Sure, these cabinets are going to be a lot of work, so why not go for drivers that are a little more state of the art? I bought a pair of N26CX-T, thinking I'd use them with either a ZA14 or ES140ti mid and UM10 woofers. Then Jon pointed out the Woodworker's Source sale on LBL boards. OK, now that I'm in for a larger investment in the cabinets, let's start looking at better mids. Still undecided, but leaning strongly towards the Scan 15W/8530K-01 or Satori.
The good news is my girlfriend "oohed" at Dar47's Wavecor Ardents and encouraged me to duplicate the look. She likes the walnut burl, too but now leans towards lighter woods. She also appreciates good sound - unusual for a woman in my history. The bad news is I did a small woodworking project last weekend and boy am I rusty. I need to practice a bit before I waste my investment in LBL. So, now this is going to be two builds, both will be hybrid active woofer to mid XO and passive mid to tweeter. First, will be an MDF cabinet with a single layer of LBL on the baffle using drivers mostly on hand - RS225, ZA14 and probably 27TDFC or 27TBFCG. (I'll only have to buy the ZA14s) It will be my first attempt at raw veneer, which should be fun. After I'm satisfied that I can make cabinets worthy of LBL, I'll go with the UM10s, N26CX-T and TBD mid.
Jon Marsh has offered support in developing the required transfer functions, which I think will make this project more interesting to others. Not wanting to abuse Jon's generosity, the "practice" build is more suited to using a crossover similar to the Wavecor Ardents and more appropriate for his help. I plan to be on my own for the second build. My woodworking space is at my family summer camp 90 minutes away. The water is off for the winter, and there's no heat but I hope to get panels cut before it gets too cold. I can bring them home for glue up. Putting this out in public will help keep me moving forward.
Status:
LBL and Baltic Birch ply on order.
First build woofers and tweeters on hand. Mids on order.
Second build tweeters on hand
Analog active crossover boards ready to assemble, case and power supplies ready. I will use an M-Audio FW-410 for development.
Amplifiers ready, two more DIY amps in progress. All DIY: multiple Leach amps, DIYAudio Honey Badger, Pass A75, Pass AJ clone, Pass F5TV2 cascode. Making amps takes less of a shop than cabinet work.
Next weekend I should be able to get the MDF to start building the first cabinets before heading to my daughter's wedding.
And away we go...
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