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5 DIY Bookshelf Speakers for HT setup (approx .5cuft) recommendations ??

4K views 19 replies 3 participants last post by  randyc1 
#1 ·
Looking to build 5 Bookshelf (aprox .5cuft) for HT setup to go along with Subs ,..any recommendations ??


Will be replacing Small Kef Sats
 
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#7 ·
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tuxedocivic  /t/1456035/5-diy-bookshelf-speakers-for-ht-setup-approx-5cuft-recommendations#post_22922258


I'd second Jay1's suggestion. Those are really good.

..What are the general differences of (waveguide) speakers over a high end sealed bookshelf ? And why is one better than another for SQ in HT ??
 
#8 ·
Well, the waveguide speaker can also be sealed. In fact, I usually do seal mine and run subs.


The rest of your question is very broad. It comes down to off axis performance and SPL. The linked speaker can go way louder cleanly than most hifi speakers (assuming that's your comparison and what you mean be high end). It'll also have a very uniform off axis performance that matches the woofer. So reflected sound has a timbre match to the direct sound. These are all good things for music listening as well as HT.


I use dome tweeters also, because they measure really flat, easy to work with, cheap, and sound just fine when kept within their SPL limits and incorporated into the speaker properly. But at $200/speaker, that is a hard speaker to beat.
 
#9 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by tuxedocivic  /t/1456035/5-diy-bookshelf-speakers-for-ht-setup-approx-5cuft-recommendations#post_22922841


Well, the waveguide speaker can also be sealed. In fact, I usually do seal mine and run subs.


The rest of your question is very broad. It comes down to off axis performance and SPL. The linked speaker can go way louder cleanly than most hifi speakers (assuming that's your comparison and what you mean be high end). It'll also have a very uniform off axis performance that matches the woofer. So reflected sound has a timbre match to the direct sound. These are all good things for music listening as well as HT.


I use dome tweeters also, because they measure really flat, easy to work with, cheap, and sound just fine when kept within their SPL limits and incorporated into the speaker properly. But at $200/speaker, that is a hard speaker to beat.[/quote




Thanks tuxedocivic,... can the model u mentioned be sealed ,? in what size ,and how would it affect performance ??


I've seen some of your designs from a link and really liked their size !
 
#11 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by tuxedocivic  /t/1456035/5-diy-bookshelf-speakers-for-ht-setup-approx-5cuft-recommendations#post_22924361


I'd ask Matt (mtg-90) about sealed and cab size. He would know that better than me.


Thanks for the compliment. I'm not sure any of my designs hit the small and high performance for $200 mark. I have a few in the sub-$150 range, and a few big ones. But nothing that meets your needs.

I saw the youtube video on the model u suggested and cant believe how loud it,.one..was playing with 15w !! .. imagine L,C.R!!

Just cant understand all these waveguide models much bigger and more efficient,that people are building,.. how loud do people listen to music or movies ???


I was thinking of 5 sealed bookshelves ( approx .5 cuft ) with subs for HT , but now im curious about these waveguides??
 
#12 ·
Ya, I certainly don't listen nearly as loud as some around here. I do it for the directivity and off axis match. The clean dynamic headroom is a perk for me. There are some tweeter designs that are pretty good at dynamics and off axis control. But those usually take a bit more money and often need to be three way. Diysoundgroup just makes it so affordable.
 
#13 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by tuxedocivic  /t/1456035/5-diy-bookshelf-speakers-for-ht-setup-approx-5cuft-recommendations#post_22924509


Ya, I certainly don't listen nearly as loud as some around here. I do it for the directivity and off axis match. The clean dynamic headroom is a perk for me. There are some tweeter designs that are pretty good at dynamics and off axis control. But those usually take a bit more money and often need to be three way. Diysoundgroup just makes it so affordable.
Ok tuxedocivic , so i guess the Alpha 8 are the best Small Bookshelf option for HT


Thanks again !
 
#14 ·
At that price point and size constraint, I'm thinking it's about the best. If you're not sold on the waveguide and compression driver thing, well, there's other options. But I think you'd be pretty pleased. Before spening the bucks though, maybe ping MTG-90 and ask him to shed some light on your question. It's good to get a variety of opinions.
 
#15 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by tuxedocivic  /t/1456035/5-diy-bookshelf-speakers-for-ht-setup-approx-5cuft-recommendations#post_22927156


At that price point and size constraint, I'm thinking it's about the best. If you're not sold on the waveguide and compression driver thing, well, there's other options. But I think you'd be pretty pleased. Before spening the bucks though, maybe ping MTG-90 and ask him to shed some light on your question. It's good to get a variety of opinions.


Well i did follow your advise and ask MTG-90, and he explained how it was designed and said i would be very pleased !


Have'nt made my choice yet , but are certainly on my list !


Thanks !!
 
#16 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by tuxedocivic  /t/1456035/5-diy-bookshelf-speakers-for-ht-setup-approx-5cuft-recommendations#post_22927156


At that price point and size constraint, I'm thinking it's about the best. If you're not sold on the waveguide and compression driver thing, well, there's other options. But I think you'd be pretty pleased. Before spening the bucks though, maybe ping MTG-90 and ask him to shed some light on your question. It's good to get a variety of opinions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tuxedocivic  /t/1456035/5-diy-bookshelf-speakers-for-ht-setup-approx-5cuft-recommendations#post_22927156


At that price point and size constraint, I'm thinking it's about the best. If you're not sold on the waveguide and compression driver thing, well, there's other options. But I think you'd be pretty pleased. Before spening the bucks though, maybe ping MTG-90 and ask him to shed some light on your question. It's good to get a variety of opinions.

How much better of a speaker at Approx the same size (.5cuft net)can i make if i had a 500.00 per speaker budget ?
 
#17 ·
Yikes, that's a lot of money for such a small speaker



If it were me, I'd use the new SB satori ring radiator tweeter in a custom milled maple burl waveguide from TN Allen over on techtalk. Then I'd cross over around 900hz to an 8" scan revelator or something like that in a sealed 0.5 cu ft box. Cross it to your subs around 60 to 80hz. But that design doesn't exist



As a kit or something with a design, I'm not sure what's out there. Most high end designs like that use a 7" woofer and flush mounted dome crossed around 2khz. Not a good idea imo. If flush mounting a dome, it's gotta be a 2khz cross over with a 5" woofer. Maybe there's a high end MTM that does this. Even, so, I think I'd spend less and get the alpha 8 before doing that. Check out the Aurora by Pete Schumacher over on tech talk. Not sure I spelled his name right. He's pretty fond of that design. It's a high end bookshelf and design well I think. He doesn't have much data on it other than a few FR measurements.
 
#18 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by tuxedocivic  /t/1456035/5-diy-bookshelf-speakers-for-ht-setup-approx-5cuft-recommendations#post_22936520


Yikes, that's a lot of money for such a small speaker



If it were me, I'd use the new SB satori ring radiator tweeter in a custom milled maple burl waveguide from TN Allen over on techtalk. Then I'd cross over around 900hz to an 8" scan revelator or something like that in a sealed 0.5 cu ft box. Cross it to your subs around 60 to 80hz. But that design doesn't exist



As a kit or something with a design, I'm not sure what's out there. Most high end designs like that use a 7" woofer and flush mounted dome crossed around 2khz. Not a good idea imo. If flush mounting a dome, it's gotta be a 2khz cross over with a 5" woofer. Maybe there's a high end MTM that does this. Even, so, I think I'd spend less and get the alpha 8 before doing that. Check out the Aurora by Pete Schumacher over on tech talk. Not sure I spelled his name right. He's pretty fond of that design. It's a high end bookshelf and design well I think. He doesn't have much data on it other than a few FR measurements.


Hi tuxedocivic !


I stumbled on a thread talking about a 8" COAXIAL Driver , same one used in the Alpha8 ,but Coaxial ! ( same as Mark Seaton"s SPARK Speaker)


To bad no one has designed a DIY speaker around this driver . Enclosure size,..shape could be very versatile !! also could be used horizontally for Center channel !
 
#19 ·
I agree, that would make for something really great. I personally would love to find a coax that works well, I believe in close driver spacing and point source sound. A coax is the pinnacle of that. Unfortunately I've never seen one that measures well. The Kef ones are ok. I'll look into Mark's SPARK speaker.


Just thought of a better $500 bookshelf. Creative Sound Solutions Planer 2 for $229. Over a scan revelator or something.
 
#20 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by tuxedocivic  /t/1456035/5-diy-bookshelf-speakers-for-ht-setup-approx-5cuft-recommendations#post_22939267


I agree, that would make for something really great. I personally would love to find a coax that works well, I believe in close driver spacing and point source sound. A coax is the pinnacle of that. Unfortunately I've never seen one that measures well. The Kef ones are ok. I'll look into Mark's SPARK speaker.


Just thought of a better $500 bookshelf. Creative Sound Solutions Planer 2 for $229. Over a scan revelator or something.

Im using small Kef Coaxial speakers right now.


 
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