[studiotech]

A new studio monitor we've been working on for a few months.  Active amp modules with DSP built into the back of the cabinets.  Still a nasty prototype cabinet, but sounding absolutely killer.  We are using the Neo8-S, which is an improvement over the original, using tech from the larger Neo10.

Greg - technician - www.phatplanetstudios.com

[TrungT]

 
I like the way it look. 

[studiotech]

I like the way it look.

Thank you.  They will be much nicer with the final, real cabinets with recessed drivers and rounded edges.

[Letitroll98]

Yeah, now that looks like a studio monitor speaker.  No pretense of looking like a domestic hifi speaker, a straight up workhorse.

I suppose the cleaned up version will have the same layout?  What improvements are noted in the 8-S?  How do they work as domestic speakers, say, in comparison to what looks like some OB panels in the background.

How long ago did the wife leave?   

[studiotech]

Yeah, now that looks like a studio monitor speaker.  No pretense of looking like a domestic hifi speaker, a straight up workhorse.

I suppose the cleaned up version will have the same layout?  What improvements are noted in the 8-S?  How do they work as domestic speakers, say, in comparison to what looks like some OB panels in the background.

How long ago did the wife leave?   

Wife, what's that?  There's no room for one of those here.   

Yes, same layout, just better cabinet and pretty finish on the front baffle.  And I'm a little sad to say how GOOD they are compared to my open baffles.  They ought to be similar since they are basically using mini versions of my mids and tweeter, BUT damn, I could be very happy with these if a wifey ever does show up and makes me downsize the speakers.

Mostly the Neo8-S has more throw, so better low end extension.  It uses the same diaphragm design as the larger Neo10.

[Letitroll98]

And of course everyone knows that APC power conditioner boxes make the best, and I mean the absolute best, speaker stands.  They bring a liquidity to the sound unattainable with more plebeian shipping boxes.  A wife would never allow you to use such a state of the art device, good riddance I say. 

[studiotech]

Ssshhhh!  Don't give away ALL of my secrets you naughty Facilitator!

But seriously, we were actually joking about how tight and pitch defined the bass is even sitting on wobbly end tables rocking on the carpet and with hollow boxes under them.  The extra pair of speaker stands I've got have such a small top plate, I was scared to perch these monsters up there.

[Ric Schultz]

Why did you use the 8S and not the 10?  What's the xover frequencies?  Which woof?  Thanks.

[studiotech]

Ric, we used the Neo8-S to keep the size down.  Before we decided to have a custom plate made, the Neo10 was too tall for the design needs.
The woofer is this one:

http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/approx-10-woofers/scanspeak-discovery-26w/4534g-10-aluminum-cone-woofer-4-ohm/

[bill13]

Greg,

Did you put the Neo8s driver in its own separate enclosure within your box -- or does it share same internal box volume as the SS 10" woofer?

As I recall, Parts Express forum has a speaker design  (PE > $200 competition winner)  in which the single Neo10 has open-back baffle loading, but the 10" woofer is enclosed in its own box.

Bill

[studiotech]

Greg,

Did you put the Neo8s driver in its own separate enclosure within your box -- or does it share same internal box volume as the SS 10" woofer?

As I recall, Parts Express forum has a speaker design  (PE > $200 competition winner)  in which the single Neo10 has open-back baffle loading, but the 10" woofer is enclosed in its own box.

Bill

Hi Bill.  Yes, the Neo8/Raal side is sectioned off from the woofer.  There is a full length vertical brace inside.  It's never a good idea to have the mid share the same air space as the woofer, but it's particularly bad with planars.  The speaker is 12" deep and half of that space is stuffed with Bonded Logic.

Yeah, that design is from Dan N.  Killer looking cabinet as is true for all of Dan's designs.

[bill13]

Greg,

Thanks for your reply.  I understood you to say in an earlier post that your new studio monitor sounds good compared to your open baffles.

That made me wonder about your sonic impressions - maybe you could provide comments about the differences in sound qualities -- compare your studio monitors to your OB speakers?

Thanks,

Bill 

[studiotech]

Sure Bill, will do.  The amps for the monitors just arrived today from Powersoft and I got my new USB interface for measurements, so give me some time to get it all up and running.  Once the new amps are configured, I will be able to do quick A/B comparisons btw the monitors and my OB.

http://www.powersoft-audio.com/en/products/amp-modules/digimodis/d-cell504-is.html

[studiotech]

And of course everyone knows that APC power conditioner boxes make the best, and I mean the absolute best, speaker stands.  They bring a liquidity to the sound unattainable with more plebeian shipping boxes.  A wife would never allow you to use such a state of the art device, good riddance I say.

You have no idea how appropriate this comment was.  We were NOT pleased with the ultimate definition of the upper bass response while tweaking and finally removed the APC boxes and yep, dramatic change in sound quality.  Those boxes were resonating big time in the 200-400Hz range.

Greg

[studiotech]

In other news, the Powersoft amp modules did not work out at all.  Unfortunately, they sound inferior to my Digmodas, so we are back to square one in terms of the amp situation.  We may just have to increase the depth of the box and cram the Digmodas in there.  Too bad, because they cost about 20% more than the Powersoft. 

This last weekend we did very careful, level matched comparisons and the Powersoft sounds like someone turned the reverb return on the console down by about 6dB.  All of the delicate reverb trails and ambiance was gone.  Also, the bass response of the Powersoft was lacking compared to the Digmoda.  It sounds as if it had far less control over the woofer cone.  Bass was much less defined.  Please keep in mind, measurements btw the two brands of amps were adjusted to be no more than 2/10 of a dB off form each other.  Just goes to prove that the same frequency response does not equal the same sound. 

I have included a quick measurement at our current DSP settings, though they are always changing as we tweak.  Crossing at 400Hz and 3.25KHz.  There is also a low cut filter at 30Hz to protect the woofer from over-excursion.  We are preferring a slight downward tilt to the overall response.  The Raal and Neo8 are so resolving, they do not need to be perfectly flat to hear all the detail and this way leads to far less fatigue over long listening sessions.  Remember, these are for studio use.  Got to keep the engineers ears fresh!   This was taken in-room, 12" away and smoothed to 1/6oct.  We are just over a +- 2dB window.

Greg