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L C R suggestions?

post #1 of 30
2/26/11 at 2:11pm
Thread Starter 
After building a THT in 1.5 days I wanted to test the mains DIY ideas.
I currently use Jamo S406HCS1, and like it, but think my room could benefit from DIY. I have a Yamaha 665 running center and surrounds and an Audiosource AMP100 for the front L and R. so not much available power to work with, but haven't seemed to need it thus far. I've heard many types of speakers from dirt cheap to uber expensive. I love the Jamo sound, but also Def Tech and Klipsch. I guess I'm very open to different sounding speakers.
I'm looking for value, bang per buck and size isn't really a problem. Room size is 40X15X10. The THT does very well for LFE, and surrounds I have are definitely serviceable. Any ideas or things I should look into?
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post #2 of 30
2/26/11 at 2:19pm
Easy: http://zaphaudio.com/BAMTM.html
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post #3 of 30
2/26/11 at 3:10pm
Econowave DUH!

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/sh...d.php?t=215536
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=150939
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post #4 of 30
2/26/11 at 4:27pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the ideas! They are both inexpensive and look great! I would actually build the MTMs and assemble the Econowaves if I am reading correctly. Which is the better value of these 2? Looks as though the MTMs are bit cheaper due to the XOs, but I think the sensitivity of the econowave is a bit better?
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post #5 of 30
2/26/11 at 4:28pm
Wayne Parham's 4pi, Econowaves, Fitzmaurice's SLA's or TLAH's.
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post #6 of 30
2/26/11 at 4:30pm
BAMTM is definitely a better value and it sounds good and is going to beat anything from stores near its price. But it is still a cheap speaker. I would take it over JAMO but you could pay more and get better. Up to you.
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post #7 of 30
2/26/11 at 4:55pm
yeah, the econowave is a budget high sensitivity design that most folks like.

you could build some pretty standard pro audio cabs, put in the woofer of your liking w/ econowave crossover and top end, and have some good performers. grills on or grills off?


LL
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post #8 of 30
2/26/11 at 5:02pm
the dayton driver in that one is 85 db 1w1m, so that kind of limits the sensitivity to around 88db 1w1m and that ain't much. with the econowave, the 12" woofer will probably be up around 97db 1w1m. that means you get the same spl for 1/8th the power. alternatively, you will have 9 db more headroom. bottom line...the high sensitivity design will be a ton more fun.
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post #9 of 30
2/26/11 at 5:07pm
Yeah, and it also has crappy roller coaster frequency response. Compare it to the BAMTM.
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post #10 of 30
2/26/11 at 5:12pm
What's with the super Bamtm love?
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post #11 of 30
2/26/11 at 5:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eddie Horton View Post

What's with the super Bamtm love?

I don't super love it. I think it just fulfills the OP's situation well. And it has a much better response than the Econowave at a cheaper price.

I wouldn't build BAMTM for myself. But almost everyone I know would be very happy with it.
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post #12 of 30
2/26/11 at 5:23pm
It's gonna take a lot of power or sensitivity to keep up with that THT in that big of a room. Depends on the usual listening level of the OP, of course. May not be a problem with any speaker, or could be a big one if he likes to push the limits.
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post #13 of 30
2/26/11 at 5:26pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys. I am NOT a super detailed, amps sound different, cables flavor the sound type of guy. I'm a sensible, what sounds good to most people is good to me, yet I want it to be of good value. Comparing the THT with commercial subs that could be considered its competition, it blows them away for price. I'm looking for that kind of thing. Fronts that are inexpensive yet rival much more expensive commercial speakers. Maybe that's not realistic, I don't know. That's why I started this thread. If the deals on commercially available speakers are so close to the value you'd get from DIY, I will go that way. I've seen the TriTrix speaker from parts-express for $200 each I think, is that a comparable, better or worse than these two already mentioned?
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post #14 of 30
2/26/11 at 5:28pm
I built some high efficiency speakers to keep up with my THT, i would got with the waves.
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post #15 of 30
2/26/11 at 5:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stgdz View Post

I built some high efficiency speakers to keep up with my THT, i would got with the waves.

That's my thinking here, as well. You've got a super sensitive, loud as all get out sub. I think if you built some comparably sensitive mains, it would put a huge smile on your face. There's nothing like dynamics. Doesn't necessarily have to be the Econowaves, but something along those lines. There's several Ewave styles out there. Some of them are very reasonable price wise to build. The stock version of Wayne's 4pi ain't bad, either.
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post #16 of 30
2/26/11 at 6:04pm
well, when you have this in your tagline, ""Vintage" is good for wine, not for A/V equipment.", right off, your credibility is shot.

however, you get some credibility back with, "Elemental Designs does not deserve our money." :-)

but then you blow it again with, "Yeah, and it also has crappy roller coaster frequency response. Compare it to the BAMTM." there is way more to speakers than frequency response. perhaps you should read up on it. cowan has a pretty good list.

http://www.cowanaudio.com/10steps.html

if econowave is not your thing, that is cool, but it may be somebody else's thing.

cheers,
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post #17 of 30
2/27/11 at 12:06am
I am quite aware of all of the factors involved. The existence of other factors does not invalidate the fact that the FR of the speaker DOES matter. Or else Bose wouldn't suck.
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post #18 of 30
2/27/11 at 1:19am
bose fails to meet any of those objectives.
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post #19 of 30
2/27/11 at 1:40am
It's not DIY but there are lots of JBL cabs and horns in Eric H's possession right now. You can't really beat those for the price

There may be a little DIY in putting them together and cleaning them up

Sorry for being counter productive
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post #20 of 30
2/27/11 at 4:26am
I've got a similar sized room. I tried a few options before being satisfied with some used Klipsch LaScala. If you shop hard, you can find them as low as $400 a pair in rough condition. In nice shape, they average around $1k a pair. At 104db, they will have no problem keeping up with the THT or the room size. Some advantages would be, nothing to build, and something that would easily sell to get your money back...even decades from now.
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post #21 of 30
2/27/11 at 7:12am
Thread Starter 
I actually did see some LaScalas at a local distributor. They were 1200k a pair. That kind of makes the DIY more appealing. I will check for some rough shaped ones, and for Eric Hs JBLs to see what that's about. I appreciate all of the links, there are some great info there.
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post #22 of 30
2/27/11 at 9:22am
1200/pair for LaScala is top dollar for prestine examples. They are pretty easy to find at about $600-800. I spent more on mine though. There are lots of other good options, but these should at least be considered.
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post #23 of 30
2/27/11 at 9:00pm
Thread Starter 
Definitely. I wondered if the JBL 8330s would be a good fit for fronts. High sensitivity, but FR of 70-14k hz is a bit rough I think. I will try to audition the LaScalas, they also had some Heresy (sp?). I have heard of those as well.
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post #24 of 30
2/27/11 at 9:24pm
I think you would need to build new cabs and possibly tweak the crossover to make them into mains. I doubt they would make good mains for your situation as they sit.
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post #25 of 30
2/27/11 at 9:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DonoMan View Post

I am quite aware of all of the factors involved. The existence of other factors does not invalidate the fact that the FR of the speaker DOES matter. Or else Bose wouldn't suck.

But those factors DO invalidate your recommendation. The drivers in the BaMTM will run outta gas waaay before reference levels. And a flat Fr anechoic is ANYTHING BUT once placed in room, and considering the directivity of the Ewaves, i suspect the FR of both to look quite similiar at 3m....where it counts.

Not saying the Ewave is a 'Better' speaker, just a wiser choice in this case.
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post #26 of 30
2/27/11 at 11:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4theLuvofHD View Post

Definitely. I wondered if the JBL 8330s would be a good fit for fronts. High sensitivity, but FR of 70-14k hz is a bit rough I think. I will try to audition the LaScalas, they also had some Heresy (sp?). I have heard of those as well.

8330's arent high sensitivity.

klipsch also overrates their sensitivity.
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post #27 of 30
2/28/11 at 3:40am
I have limited understanding, but I think I read that Klipsch overates the modern Reference line, but the Heritage line is on the mark. In any event, nothing I've heard leads me to question the Heritage. The Heresies will not be enough for your space. Pass on those unless for surrounds.

BTW, the LS frequency response isn't pretty either.
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post #28 of 30
2/28/11 at 7:16am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the great responses. Ok, now I am really getting eager. Local CL ads have plenty of PRO speakers available for low prices, but I'm not familiar with the models. As it stands, EWaves are a beter choice than MTM, the 8330s will not be a suitable fit and I've started to look at BFMs builds, as I'm impressed with the THT so far. Any of his line that would get a better grade than all the recommendations thus far?
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post #29 of 30
2/28/11 at 8:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tony123 View Post

I have limited understanding, but I think I read that Klipsch overates the modern Reference line, but the Heritage line is on the mark. In any event, nothing I've heard leads me to question the Heritage. The Heresies will not be enough for your space. Pass on those unless for surrounds.

BTW, the LS frequency response isn't pretty either.

In what way would the Hereseys not be "enough"? They're Heritage line with a 97+ db efficiency, and an f3 of about 50hz. They beam a lot, and I find the highs pretty harsh, but they will get loud with little compression and a lot of dynamics.

Best
C
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post #30 of 30
2/28/11 at 8:49am
I own both, and based the comment not on measurements, but on listening. Go figure... I set them each up in the same position with the same electronics. The LaScala put out a more full, "bigger" sound with more SPL ability. Most importantly, they project to the back of my 32' long room in a way that the Heresies don't. You can tell the differences immediately when you A/B them.
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