[Rock_Hard]

Hello. I've been a long time lurker in this forum but haven't really posted too much unless I had a question. I thought I'd snap a few photos and post my humble little system. I'm 22 years old and I've been into HT since I was probably 12 years old. Here is my system in my home:


Gear:

62" Toshiba DLP

Onkyo TX-SR805 receiver

Wii

Xbox 360 w/HD DVD

PS3

Bell Express Vu

B&O turntable

DIY Front speakers ( http://www.customanalogue.com/elsino...nore_index.htm )

DIY center channel to match fronts

Paradigm mini monitor surrounds

Polk RTi6 Surround Back

Angstrom 15" Subwoofer, Omage 12" subwoofer, Velodyne 10" subwoofer


I know the subwoofers sound like a mess but I've played around with them for months and months and I've found quite a nice balance. The bass is clean, fills the room, and isn't too boomy.

Sorry for the crooked picture. I was on the phone with my head tilted.

Sorry the pictures aren't the best. I had to use an old 4.1 mega pixel camera from forever ago.


I know the rears don't match, but its not as easy as going to the store and buying speakers! Its quite a process to have to build the box, build the crossover and hope for the best. Either way, the front stage matches and I'm really happy with it so far. I just finished renovating the basement at the beginning of summer and I'm having a great time with it so far.


The reason I actually took these pictures is because I was curious to see if someone could help me decide the best acoustic treatments for my room, so if anyone has any input please chime in, I'd appreciate it!


Thanks for looking

 

[Bruce Wayne]

WOW!!!!, You suck, 22 years old and room like this. Even if it's in your parents house, which it may not be. you have done very well in my opinion. I really like the DIY factor in speakers and the room looks really comfortable and inviting. I would start saving my bucks for a FP if I had a room like that.


I am no acoustic expert but if you tackled the speakers I would DIY the acoustic treatments as well. You can find a ton of info for treatments in other threads but the mirrior technique is probably where I would start. Great job and a great room.

 

[th8ter]

Nice set up!

 

[Latinoheat]

Your doing awesome man & only 22 years old! Congratz on your setup!

 

[ddgtr]

Yeah, Rock_Hard,


What is wrong with you?? Showing off here... JUST KIDDING, you've done an outstanding job!!

I love the lighting, bar, seating and of course the speakers are awesome!! Overall very nice gear.


22 ??? When I was 22 I was walking around with an Aiwa boombox on my shoulder...

Anyways, forgive the weird humor and congratulations again!


Enjoy!

 

[Rock_Hard]

Thanks guys!


I've been fortunate enough to have bought this house when I was 19, so this has turned into my hobby. I'm loving it! Its a great little party room. Next on the list is, like I mentioned, room treatments and to build a real wet bar instead of that temp. little bar!

 

[ldgibson76]



Rock_Hard!

What you see above is a series of emotions I went thru viewing the photos and reading the captions of your system!


First emotion: Look at those speakers....D.I.Y.! Are you kidding?! and you're only 22 yrs old!?! Not bad, not bad at all!


Second emotion: I'm much older and I don't even have a PS3 yet! (I did acquire an XBox 360 though)

Third emotion: You purchased a house at age 19?! I was still in college living in a dorm with a couple of hundred knuckleheads!

but I had fun!

Next emotion: Must give cred when it's due..... What an awesome set up!

Nicely arranged!


Next emotion: 3 subs! Damn, how much BOOM does one need?! I know it sounds as if I've hating! I'm not at all... I'm impressed!


Next emotion: what the hell was I thinking about when I was 22 years old?!

you are way ahead of the curve young man!


Next emotion: You renovated the basement yourself?! Wow!


Last Emotion: Excellent job! Plenty of us, I'm sure, wished we could have accomplished something like that when we were 22 yrs old. Bravo!


Regards!

 

[Rock_Hard]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ldgibson76 /forum/post/15470385

Rock_Hard!

What you see above is a series of emotions I went thru viewing the photos and reading the captions of your system!


First emotion: Look at those speakers....D.I.Y.! Are you kidding?! and you're only 22 yrs old!?! Not bad, not bad at all!


Second emotion: I'm much older and I don't even have a PS3 yet! (I did acquire an XBox 360 though)

Third emotion: You purchased a house at age 19?! I was still in college living in a dorm with a couple of hundred knuckleheads!

but I had fun!

Next emotion: Must give cred when it's due..... What an awesome set up!

Nicely arranged!


Next emotion: 3 subs! Damn, how much BOOM does one need?! I know it sounds as if I've hating! I'm not at all... I'm impressed!


Next emotion: what the hell was I thinking about when I was 22 years old?!

you are way ahead of the curve young man!


Next emotion: You renovated the basement yourself?! Wow!


Last Emotion: Excellent job! Plenty of us, I'm sure wished we could have accomplished something like that when we were 22 yrs old. Bravo!


Regards!

I really appreciate that! The speakers are DIY but I had the boxes built for me, so I should confess. Also, the basement was re-done but I hired someone! I'm extremely happy with the results. The furniture all came from my work. TV stand and all.


This all happened because my parents own an office furniture store and I've been with the business since I was 18 and in the process of taking it over with my brother. So I kinda got thrown into reality quicker than some. I don't have any schooling after highschool as of yet, but hope to soon.

 

[Rock_Hard]

Oh, and the boom in the room is quite nice! I started with only the 15" sub and it couldn't fill the room at all. After trying SO many difference placements, I've found their sweet spots. The 10" sitting on the 12" has made a huge difference.

 

[Aaron Gilbert]

Rock_Hard,


Beautiful room you have there. I concur with all the other statements about your age, but hey, it's still a great room even were you 52.

The pictures look good to me, though I wouldn't mind them being a bit larger. I'm only using a 3.2MP camera for all my shots - hope to upgrade soon, though.


Do you have any pages detailing the construction of your front speakers? They look great. How is your center speaker supported? Shelf attached to the wall behind the TV, perhaps?


I really like the color theme of your room, everything goes together so well.


Great job!

 

[Rock_Hard]

Thank you Aaron! The center channel is supported by a shelf that attaches to the TV. I wish I could remember the name of it...I just bought it off ebay. It was like $12!


I have some pics of the speakers coming together but I don't have any actual construction pics. Like mentioned above, I work in a family owned furniture store and we do custom designed office furniture. One of our suppliers will build anything you can draw up. From desks, to TV stands, to kitchen cabinets, to, well, speakers. So heres the assembly. You will also see the old basement before renovations.

https://flic.kr/p/435358101 ​

those are not the ports actually used. Way too small.

at the office upon delivery.

I just used the Dayton vinyl laminate for the black finish on the fronts. For the center I got one of the pre-built speaker boxes from parts express. I used the same crossover as the fronts minus the low pass filter. The dimensions of the center channel and the MTM at the top of the fronts are almost identical. Although, its not perfect because it doesn't have the horn but it sounds incredible! I'm wondering though if it could sound better by not being so close to the ceiling. Treatments?


Check out the link in my first post that shows you the building process of my front speakers. They are called the Elsinores and I'm very happy with them.

 

[Aaron Gilbert]

Those speakers are awesome, thanks for all the pictures! It looks like you are using the Peerless HDS drivers? Is the tweeter also a Peerless? Seems you went shopping at Solen (or Madisound) for the crossover, parts, eh? Those look like the exact same kind of parts I used for my speakers. I really love the 'horn' or waveguide for the tweeter. I'll have to read up on the design of that. I would say typically that is done to slightly increase the efficiency, narrow the disperson (or perhaps more properly, to control it), or both. As for treatments above your center speaker, on the ceiling, that may not be a bad idea. I am certainly not even an amateur expert on what to use, however, so can't really offer any good suggestions. If you're using the Peerless HDS, the woofers in my four primary towers are the ancestors of yours, the Peerless CSX - sadly no longer available.


Your family business sounds cool. It's always nice to get furniture that fits your exact needs and desires, rather than trying to fit something generic in. I have built a few major pieces of furniture and really enjoy it, even if it doesn't technically save me any money. It's just so rewarding to have things exactly how you want them - another reason I build my own speakers.


Cheers!

 

[Rock_Hard]

Yep that's exactly why I do too! Not only that, but you can get so much more out of doing it yourself. You are correct about the components, they are all Peerless HDS including the tweeter. Its an amazing tweeter, and I haven't heard one bad thing about it from others using it as well. I had a smaller 3 way design using the old Peerless tweeter that was rectangle...I can't remember the model # or anything. It was the tweeter used in old Koss speakers and old Polks. Also used an 8" CSX woofer. Those things were great! My neighbour bought them from me after I built these. And yes, it all came from Solen. We are actually a dealer for Solen! That's how I got into building (or having built...lol) speakers. I wish I had the woodworking skills and know-how. Do you have any pics of your speakers?

 

[Aaron Gilbert]

Wow, you're a dealer for Solen? That's really cool. I love that company. They are always so friendly to deal with and the prices just can't be beat for the quality, in my experience. But you must get even better prices, being a dealer! I think I know the square frame Peerless tweeter you were talking about, though don't remember the number right off the top of my head. M & K used a very similar Peerless tweeter for many many years in their satellite speakers - though I'm pretty sure theirs was custom designed for them. I do have some pictures of my speakers. For the newest pictures, just check out my theater thread in this very forum:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1079484


For detailed construction pictures of my latest speaker, look here:

http://www.hometheatershack.com/foru...k-speaker.html


And for pictures of several different projects, including my subwoofer, look here. Most of these pictures are a bit older. I seriously need to update my speaker building page!!

http://www.aaroncgilbert.com/hometheater.html

 

[Rock_Hard]

OH yeah I've seen your setup! Looks very good! Very unique. How does it sound? Are you happy? Your much more skilled than me, that's for sure.


As for being a dealer, its not really a big deal at all. I don't think we have a set discount, but it usually turns out like if something is $50 we'll get it for $43 or something. Every little bit counts though!


I'm really happy with Peerless although I've never tried anything else in the DIY world. I'd like my Dad to have something built using one of Zaphaudio's designs using a Scan Speak driver and the Vifa XT25 tweeter.


Thanks for the links!

 

[Aaron Gilbert]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Rock_Hard /forum/post/15475315


OH yeah I've seen your setup! Looks very good! Very unique. How does it sound? Are you happy? Your much more skilled than me, that's for sure.


As for being a dealer, its not really a big deal at all. I don't think we have a set discount, but it usually turns out like if something is $50 we'll get it for $43 or something. Every little bit counts though!


I'm really happy with Peerless although I've never tried anything else in the DIY world. I'd like my Dad to have something built using one of Zaphaudio's designs using a Scan Speak driver and the Vifa XT25 tweeter.


Thanks for the links!

I think our setup sounds great! We're definitely happy with it. It certainly is better than any local theater I've been to, and music sounds pretty great, too.

I think Peerless is one of the best bang-for-the-buck when it comes to speakers. It's too bad their selection of tweeters these days is greatly reduced, after they merged with Vifa and Seas, and the woofers are considerably more expensive. Although, prices for almost all raw drivers has gone up significantly, regardless of brand, so you can't really pin it to just a few companies.


Scan Speak makes very nice stuff, and I have heard great things about the XT25 and Zaphaudio. I'm sure your dad wouldn't be disappointed with such a setup!

 

[Rock_Hard]

Yeah I really hope he decides to do it someday. He's an audiophile but won't devote a room to it! He loves coming to my place and checking out some concerts. I'm really glad you enjoy your system, its so nice to sit down and really enjoy a song or a movie. I'm sure you have more pride than me considering you built them from scratch yourself. Great job!

 

[Video Master]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Rock_Hard /forum/post/15468970


Hello. I've been a long time lurker in this forum but haven't really posted too much unless I had a question. I thought I'd snap a few photos and post my humble little system. I'm 22 years old and I've been into HT since I was probably 12 years old. Here is my system in my home:

I really like this room and set-up. My only quirks are that the center channel looks awkward in that position and the rear surrounds would benefit from ceiling or wall mounts. Good job on the speaker builds!

 

[Rock_Hard]

Thanks!

I know the center looks goofy but I had to choose performance over aesthetics on that one. Why is it that they rears would benefit from a ceiling or wall mount?

 

[Video Master]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Rock_Hard /forum/post/15582152


Thanks!

I know the center looks goofy but I had to choose performance over aesthetics on that one. Why is it that they rears would benefit from a ceiling or wall mount?

Would just look better and more professional. Do it! Or at least some stands instead of laying them on the couch armrest.