ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted

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jtwrace

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #20 on: 6 May 2016, 10:07 pm »
That's the plan!  :)
Cool.  Any idea where or with who?

xsb7244

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #21 on: 16 May 2016, 07:48 pm »
maybe premature, but the name of the speaker will be?

DaveC113

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #22 on: 16 May 2016, 08:12 pm »
Cool.  Any idea where or with who?

No plans yet... going to wait until it seems more of a sure thing. I've got almost 5 months and I think that's plenty but you never know...  :)  SET amps sound great but won't be able to fully demo their SPL potential, however a few watts is all that is likely to be needed for a show. I might just use my Aikido-driven SET amp as it's pretty awesome but I wouldn't mind sharing the room with someone with electronics that would fit in well, maybe a big SET amp would be good...


xsb7244, I've definitely been thinking about a name but nothing solid. The design is really a hybrid of several speaker types so first thought was "The Bastard Prince" (thinking of Jon Snow in GOT) but that definitely won't be it!  :green: Maybe something related to it's exceptional soundstaging and ability to recreate live shows...

xsb7244

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #23 on: 16 May 2016, 09:01 pm »
I like the name Bastard Prince!  For enhanced listening I suggest a blindfold to audition speakers.  focus and concentration will be a lot better.  I see a ZenWave blindfold in the future!!!  wait a minute , you cannot see with a blindfold.

paul79

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #24 on: 16 May 2016, 09:56 pm »
Call them Turf Speakers!

beowulf

Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #25 on: 21 Sep 2016, 05:43 am »
How are those speakers coming along Dave?  Will they be ready for RMAF?

DaveC113

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #26 on: 21 Sep 2016, 08:39 pm »
How are those speakers coming along Dave?  Will they be ready for RMAF?

They are coming along well, but the 32/384 DSP system I was promised is now weeks late, and I'm still considering options for getting final prototype cabs built.

RMAF was a no-go anyways though, I knew this a while ago so haven't been pushing to get it all done... the rooms have been remodeled to the point my speakers won't work in a std room, and construction issues are also causing problems. I was going to partner with 2 other folks (to show cables/power) as well but both are also waffling and might not go. I really hope RMAF works out well this year but new venues might be worth looking into for the future. I also hope RMAF gets more promotion as nobody I know outside of audio has a clue it exists. One of the biggest challenges in the biz is the fact most people these days have never heard a high end system and imo shows should be working more to get newbies in the door. 

On the speaker, the design is done and I'm very happy with it. Just need to get the final prototype cabs built so I can share pics and details.

And thanks for all the suggestions for names, still haven't settled on anything yet though.  :P

Also, if anyone wants to come check it out send me a msg!  :thumb:

jtwrace

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #27 on: 21 Sep 2016, 08:47 pm »
They are coming along well, but the 32/384 DSP system I was promised is now weeks late, and I'm still considering options for getting final prototype cabs built.

RMAF was a no-go anyways though, I knew this a while ago so haven't been pushing to get it all done... the rooms have been remodeled to the point my speakers won't work in a std room, and construction issues are also causing problems. I was going to partner with 2 other folks (to show cables/power) as well but both are also waffling and might not go. I really hope RMAF works out well this year but new venues might be worth looking into for the future. I also hope RMAF gets more promotion as nobody I know outside of audio has a clue it exists. One of the biggest challenges in the biz is the fact most people these days have never heard a high end system and imo shows should be working more to get newbies in the door. 

On the speaker, the design is done and I'm very happy with it. Just need to get the final prototype cabs built so I can share pics and details.

And thanks for all the suggestions for names, still haven't settled on anything yet though.  :P

Also, if anyone wants to come check it out send me a msg!  :thumb:
So it's passive now?

DaveC113

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #28 on: 21 Sep 2016, 10:14 pm »
So it's passive now?

No, still going with active bass using DSP and NC500s... just waiting on the manufacturer to get their new DSP system to me... should be "any day now", lol. I might have gone elsewhere but with RMAF not being an option any more I can afford the delay.



smk

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #29 on: 21 Sep 2016, 11:11 pm »
Sounds like you are going to give some speaker manufacturers real headaches. Good luck!

DaveC113

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #30 on: 22 Sep 2016, 05:46 pm »
Sounds like you are going to give some speaker manufacturers real headaches. Good luck!

Thanks! I do hope to give some companies like Avantgarde, Odeon and Cessaro some competition!  :green:

jtwrace

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #31 on: 22 Sep 2016, 06:14 pm »
No, still going with active bass using DSP and NC500s... just waiting on the manufacturer to get their new DSP system to me... should be "any day now", lol. I might have gone elsewhere but with RMAF not being an option any more I can afford the delay.
OK, how is the design done if it's not passive even?  I mean, how did you do full measurements and analysis without a crossover?

OzarkTom

Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #32 on: 22 Sep 2016, 06:49 pm »
If no crossover, I am interested. :thumb:

DaveC113

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #33 on: 22 Sep 2016, 07:50 pm »
OK, how is the design done if it's not passive even?  I mean, how did you do full measurements and analysis without a crossover?

Why would you assume that? I have both dsp and passive woofer crossovers, just not what I want to use on the final speaker as the 32/384 model isn't out yet. I want the best dsp I can get, even if it's only for the woofer.

Tom, the crossover for the mid and tweeter is only one high quality cap, it's darn close to crossover less.

Folsom

Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #34 on: 23 Sep 2016, 04:53 am »
Dave how do those big woofers handle serious volume on Telarc's 1812?

rajacat

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #35 on: 23 Sep 2016, 05:27 pm »
What woofers will you be using?

DaveC113

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #36 on: 23 Sep 2016, 10:12 pm »
The woofers are Acoustic Elegance TD15H+, a 15" woofer with 94 dB sensitivity and 19mm X-max (one way). VERY low distortion, super clean sound. I tried other woofers including the TD15M, which is nice but not nearly as clean as the H+ model with it's heavier, stiffer cone, larger motor and VC... but the M can play up higher. I'm only using the woofer up to 400 Hz w/ a 24 dB slope so I don't need the high frequency extension the M offers. Bass really turned out well and with the dsp controlling it, it can be adapted to different rooms and personal preferences very easily and with less compromise vs say blocking off ports. My cab will be slot-ported with the port facing forward, this makes for great tactile feel / impact!

The rest of the speaker is around 105 dB efficient so you'll only need a few watts to get great results, right now my 7W EL34 SET with 6SL7 input tubes and 6SN7 driver tubes is a great match! Definitely need to try a bigger SET,  I could see building a GM70 or 211 amp for them...  :icon_twisted:


rajacat

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #37 on: 24 Sep 2016, 12:14 am »
The TD15M was designed to be more of a midwoofer than the Td15h. M is for midrange. You can get it (15M)with the Apollo option but that isn't really necessary unless you plan to use it at high continuous volume. For home applications it isn't necessary and doesn't make a difference in SQ according to John Janowitz. I've never heard that the 15H has less distortion than the 15M when used as the designer intended. Its midrange is very flat and the accordion edge will pick up subtleties that heavier cones might miss. I like the higher efficiency 98db) so that it matches better with my compression driver. 
My 1"CD goes down to 650hz. The 15M only has to cover ~ 700hz to ~ 70hz before the swarm of subs come to play. Low excursion means less movement which would seem to imply less distortion.
« Last Edit: 24 Sep 2016, 09:37 am by rajacat »

DaveC113

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #38 on: 24 Sep 2016, 02:55 pm »
The TD15M was designed to be more of a midwoofer than the Td15h. M is for midrange. You can get it (15M)with the Apollo option but that isn't really necessary unless you plan to use it at high continuous volume. For home applications it isn't necessary and doesn't make a difference in SQ according to John Janowitz. I've never heard that the 15H has less distortion than the 15M when used as the designer intended. Its midrange is very flat and the accordion edge will pick up subtleties that heavier cones might miss. I like the higher efficiency 98db) so that it matches better with my compression driver. 
My 1"CD goes down to 650hz. The 15M only has to cover ~ 700hz to ~ 70hz before the swarm of subs come to play. Low excursion means less movement which would seem to imply less distortion.

Exactly! I'd suspect the M has a nicer sounding midrange vs the H+ and I like the increased sensitivity too. While the M can play up higher it also has decent low frequency extension, overall similar to a typical 15" high eff pro driver like the JBL 2226.

The H+ does have much cleaner bass vs the M though, and the M a bit cleaner vs JBL 2226. The difference is mainly in the cone, the H+ has a heavier, stiffer cone with a larger diameter voice coil and larger motor. Subjectively, the difference comes through as the M sounding warmer and fatter, which tbh has some appeal over the cleaner H+ on some recordings and is closer to what most people are acclimated to. The H+ isn't as warm and has crisper transients, while also extending quite a bit lower. Subwoofer is optional with the H+ for sure, but with the M you're missing too much and subs are more of a requirement. With DSP especially, these speakers really don't need a subwoofer... the box is now tuned to ~22 Hz and with 19mm xmax I can EQ in a bit more low bass and still have lots of woofer to spare.

On the Apollo upgrade I couldn't get a straight answer on subjective improvements or measurements so I'm passing on that. It seems like it would be a good idea for heavy-duty/pro use but for home use in a woofer that's huge overkill to begin with I can't see it being worth the money. 

The most important thing was to have the woofer integrate with the mids seamlessly. The sound character of the woofer, mid and tweeter are very well matched and I believe I have achieved a seamless driver integration with this design.  :) 

G Georgopoulos

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Re: ZenWave Speaker Testing: Volunteers Wanted
« Reply #39 on: 12 Oct 2016, 01:54 am »
Is it just me or does that picture look a bit pornographic?   :icon_lol:

+1  :lol: