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How do you compare speaker kits?

post #1 of 15
2/3/09 at 11:26am
Thread Starter 
OK, I've built 4.0 of a 5.0 Audax speaker set (I've been running a phantom center).

For multiple reasons, I'd like to build something new. Part of it is to build something, part of it is to do a better job on the cabinets, now that I'm wiser and more experienced, and part of it is that I want to upgrade. Otherwise, I'm still extremely happy with what I have (odd that I want to upgrade, I know).

So anyways, how do you know what design to go to next? I can't really compare the sound, now can I? And of course, you could use price and people's reviews to judge. Or, you can try to find something by that same designer.

Right now, I'm looking at building the Statements, either 4 monitors, or the minis for the front and monitors as surrounds. But the designs at Clearwave speakers look nice to. The designer built another speaker (2 channel, not a HT speaker) that was rated highly by Joe D'Appolito, the designer of my current system. Speaking of Joe, there's a kit available at PE that he designed, but the price is significantly higher than the other two options, and the cabinets are pre-built anyways... But then again, I know I like his work.

So yeah, I'd eventually like to get something around $1,500 for the 5.0 set, and I'm dumfounded by all of the options. I kind of fell into the Audax set, because so many people on this board were building it. But can I expect to have the same luck again?

Anyone heard the audax set and one of the above-mentioned designs?

Thanks
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post #2 of 15
2/3/09 at 1:11pm
I have not heard the Audex design but have heard all the various statement versions...oops wait, I haven't heard the statement center. The Statements sound fantastic. Curt Campbell does a great job with his designs and of all his speakers I have heard, the Statements are my favorites.

Good luck,

Dennis
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post #3 of 15
2/3/09 at 5:23pm
You can build three of these for about 400.00 each.They are the RS WTMW over at HT Guide.
I use Curts XO. They really perform quite well.I'd compare them to Aerial Acoustic or PSB any day.The midbass is very strong!!


Then four of these for about 800.00......What a steal


Oh what the hell, throw these in to match


Thats a complete 7.1 DIY system for pennies..well lotz of pennies KG
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post #4 of 15
2/3/09 at 10:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kgveteran View Post

You can build three of these for about 400.00 each.They are the RS WTMW over at HT Guide.
I use Curts XO. They really perform quite well.I'd compare them to Aerial Acoustic or PSB any day.The midbass is very strong!!



Thats a complete 7.1 DIY system for pennies..well lotz of pennies KG

I'm a noob at this but i'm very interested to know how are these compared to other mains speakers? Have you had a chance to compare to a $1000 each speakers?

Are they built mainly for movies? do they sound good reproducing music?

Thanks
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post #5 of 15
2/4/09 at 12:39am
I've not heard that setup, nor would I personally design a system like that - though my taste for a low-profile LCR set would be similar, with twin 8" woofers flanking a Tannoy or B&C coax per channel - but I am willing to bet that the pictured setup sounds better than the overwhelming majority of other HT setups regardless of price or program material. Simply because the front three speakers are identical in design, construction, and orientation.

Most reasonable people interested in high-quality audio wouldn't use different speakers for left and right, or mount their left and right speakers at different heights. So why would one possibly want something entirely different filling the middle of the soundstage?
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post #6 of 15
2/4/09 at 7:02am
I too am looking for an LCR combo, and the above orientation fits my need as i either need to be below (much too low for the back seats) my screen or above.

can any of you in the know point me to some other good designs that would fair well placed horizontally like above?

i have a full woodshop, so basic cabinet building isn't a problem. i have no electrical background or speaker building for that matter, so i would prefer to purchase any required crossover necessary.

i have recently purchased the materials to build 2 diy infinity kappa 12dvq as spec'ed at audioholics, i plan on crossing over at 80hz, so the mains/center don't have to go too low.

also, this is for 100% hometheater use. i have paradigm adp studio v.2 for the sides and paradigm titans for the backs. i recently blue a driver in the front (paradigm studio monitors)

thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
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post #7 of 15
2/4/09 at 11:42am
They sound wonderful on music and thrilling on movie soundtracks. I had reservations about a single midrange....no problem......I didn't think dual 8" RS225's could do midbass....wrong. The surrounds are very strong even XO @ 80hz (the whole system is @ 80hz). The subs can play well beyond the mains and surrounds, so since the mains and surrounds do 0dbMV with no problem the subs have tons of headroom.

The guys over at HTGuide are great.Tons of help along the way and lotz of designs to choos from. They will perform as well as 2,500.00 Aerial Acoustic speakers.All for 400.00 each.

KG

Can't wait to throw Transformers 2 at them.They ate up the first one!!
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post #8 of 15
2/4/09 at 1:50pm
Thread Starter 
KG- nice setup, but these are going into a living room in my one bedroom apartment.... Those would be a little too obtrusive for my situation.
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post #9 of 15
2/4/09 at 11:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kgveteran View Post

They sound wonderful on music and thrilling on movie soundtracks. I had reservations about a single midrange....no problem......I didn't think dual 8" RS225's could do midbass....wrong. The surrounds are very strong even XO @ 80hz (the whole system is @ 80hz). The subs can play well beyond the mains and surrounds, so since the mains and surrounds do 0dbMV with no problem the subs have tons of headroom.

The guys over at HTGuide are great.Tons of help along the way and lotz of designs to choos from. They will perform as well as 2,500.00 Aerial Acoustic speakers.All for 400.00 each.

KG

Can't wait to throw Transformers 2 at them.They ate up the first one!!


Thanks for the response. This really inspires me to build a set myself. Is the XO complicated? I think i will start off with a pair of Dayton III and eventually building a set like yours. This is what ppl prefer as Dayton RS right? (upgraded version)

On 1 to 5, with 1 being easiest and 5 being hardest, how do you rank this design? Cabinet finishing isnt a problem for me.
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post #10 of 15
2/5/09 at 1:35pm
kg,

Do you have a link to the surrounds?

James
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post #11 of 15
2/5/09 at 2:37pm
Here is the same as KG's (more or less) in a more traditional arrangement.



To the OP, pick a build that everyone seems to rave about, and run with it. Beware; all mothers love their children however. In my case I got lucky.
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post #12 of 15
2/5/09 at 6:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by exojam View Post

kg,

Do you have a link to the surrounds?

James

Here's the link http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=23335
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post #13 of 15
2/5/09 at 6:11pm
Thank you.
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post #14 of 15
4/10/09 at 7:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by digital desire View Post

Here is the same as KG's (more or less) in a more traditional arrangement.



To the OP, pick a build that everyone seems to rave about, and run with it. Beware; all mothers love their children however. In my case I got lucky.

Is that a 37" LCD? The CC looks huge! Does it have .707 system Q?
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post #15 of 15
4/10/09 at 8:03pm
42"
I think it is close to a .7 Q. It is the same as KG's, but built to the full volume. His were cut a little more shallow.
Here is the build thread:
http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=15323
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