Cheap open baffle 3-way

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JMH

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Cheap open baffle 3-way
« on: 8 May 2018, 11:40 am »
Hi,

A few months ago I built some open baffle speakers with Beta 15A woofer, Beta 12CX coaxial and PRV D290PY-S compression driver with active crossovers and eq. I was inspired på the Spatial Audio M4/M3. They really sound great!

Now I want to build some cheap OB speakers just for fun, and I want to try a little different approach. With woofer(s), small 3-4" full range and dome tweeter (not back to back). Since I have an active setup I can run the full range drivers full range if I'm listening in the sweet spot, and add the tweeter for better dispersion of the high frequencies if I'm not in the sweet spot. I have a MiniDSP 4x10HD, so it's easy to switch between modes. I have a few drivers in mind.

Woofers for 40-300Hz. Of course Eminence Alpha 15A is an option. I'm also considering two Visaton WS 25 E wired in parallel each side (https://www.parts-express.com/visaton-ws25-e-10-paper-cone-woofer-8-ohm--292-598) How would two 10" WS 25 E drivers compare to the 15" Alphas? 40Hz is the goal.

Full range for 300-3000/4000Hz (and sometimes 20 000Hz). I've been looking at Faital PRO 3FE25 3" (https://www.parts-express.com/faitalpro-3fe25-3-professional-full-range-woofer-8-ohm--294-1104) and Faital PRO 4FE35 4" (https://www.parts-express.com/faitalpro-4fe35-4-professional-full-range-woofer-8-ohm--294-1124). They are both cheap, have high sensitivity, flat frequency response and good dispersion. The 3" have slightly better dispersion and can maybe be crossed over to tweeter at 4000Hz, but have lower xmax and powerhandling. The 4" has higher xmax and powerhandling, but slightly worse dispersion and can maybe be crossed over to tweeter at 3000-3500Hz. For aesthetics I like the 3" paper cone better also. So which would be the better choice?

Not sure about the tweeter yet, because it depends on the full range driver. But I want a compact press fit tweeter that can be mounted close to the full range.

Thanks!

gab

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Re: Cheap open baffle 3-way
« Reply #1 on: 8 May 2018, 08:11 pm »
I heard the new Manzanita Widowmaker II at LSAF last weekend. John just finished these. It uses four of these:

https://www.parts-express.com/grs-15pf-8-15-paper-cone-foam-surround-woofer--292-415

Woofers in parallel with a large inductor and a zobel mounted as shown on these open baffles get you some serious bass down to the mid to upper twenties.






« Last Edit: 9 May 2018, 01:45 pm by gab »

MHL

Re: Cheap open baffle 3-way
« Reply #2 on: 8 May 2018, 10:23 pm »
What room were these in???  I thought I was in all of the rooms at least once.

gab

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Re: Cheap open baffle 3-way
« Reply #3 on: 9 May 2018, 01:42 pm »
What room were these in???  I thought I was in all of the rooms at least once.

3rd floor 302 I think.

JohnH12

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  • John H
Re: Cheap open baffle 3-way
« Reply #4 on: 10 May 2018, 02:03 am »
Low frequency attainment is a function of volume displacement= SD times x-max.  If you do the math the GRS 12SW beats the GRS 15PF-8 due to the x-max.  This is for the active, as you can boost the lower frequencies.  Note with dipole bass you still are not pressurizing the room, so you might be disappointed compared to 40 Hz monopole speaker.