[AndrewDIY]

Hey all, I have been watching Danny’s YouTube videos and am now convinced diy audio is the greatest thing on this planet- Um, besides family of course

I am interested in building a modestly sized MTM pair( “bookshelf” not tower size) and was considering M-130/16’s. I would consider the m130x but wasn’t sure if higher excursion would require a bigger box than what I was considering (also no 16 ohm version).  As far as tweeters, I am open to any suggestions. I noticed the T26SG tweeter is on back order. This made me curious what other tweeters would be good options.  GR Neo 3 (if available)? I am certainly intrigued by this option but was curious if this is as good a choice for non-open baffle use as a soft dome tweeter. Any other options I should consider?

[Hobbsmeerkat]

We used to offer exactly what you're talking about. The old N3S model used a BG Neo3 PDRW with a deep back cup along with a pair of M130 woofers (not sure about an X variant)





Danny and I worked on designing a custom waveguide for the GR Neo3 last month which will work well with a back-cup and we've got a design we're really happy with. So we're excited to get the samples back and possibly reviving the old N-series that will sit between the X and NX kits in terms of performance.

Here's one of the final prototypes:



We sent the samples of the waveguides off too the manufacturer a couple weeks ago.

We currently expect the GR Neo 3s back in stock by early April.
The waveguides and deep cups may take a little longer however.

Good news is that the cabinet plans won't need to change from their original designs.

We are also working on a smaller center channel that uses the T26 and M130 drivers, but with the delays in getting them, made that's still on hold unfortunately, until we have it them back in stock so we wont need to go back and change the crossover due to differences between the new and older T26 units.

[DannyBadorine]

Will those waveguides be available for sale separately or just in a kit for the speakers?

[Hobbsmeerkat]

Will those waveguides be available for sale separately or just in a kit for the speakers?

Im sure we'll sell the waveguide and cups separately if that's a road we do go down.

It uses the same mounting hole as the original BG faceplate, except it will use 6 screws instead of the 4 shown here or the 8 in the original BG design.

[AndrewDIY]

Wow, this is fantastic news! I will definitely hold out for the Neo 3 plus waveguide. I am figuring this is a fairly high-sensitivity design (89-90 db+)? I am sold on the benefits of a low crossover point too which is one of the reasons the waveguide/neo3 pairing seems awesome. I have not developed any wood working skills (as of yet) so am thrilled there are cabinet plans for this. I still will need to get with an expert to make these look like something my wife will let me put in living room I feel like I am rambling but… I wonder about the nature of the crossover that was designed for these, with how smooth these drivers roll off, I am imagining one could do pretty well with just second order filters?

[mlundy57]

The N-Series speakers are fantastic, especially with an upgraded crossover. I have both the N1X monitors in my wife's personal system and the N3 towers in the living room system. The N3 towers differ frox the X-MTM Encore both in the drivers used and in cabinet design. The X-MTM Encores have a ported cabinet while the N3 is a transmission line design. Sometimes you'll see folks refer to it as the N3TL for this reason.

I built both the N1X and N3 about 9 years ago and the N3 is still my favorite box speaker.

N1X








N3









I'm happy to see the N-Series coming back  Kudos for not giving up on it

[DannyBadorine]

Im sure we'll sell the waveguide and cups separately if that's a road we do go down.

It uses the same mounting hole as the original BG faceplate, except it will use 6 screws instead of the 4 shown here or the 8 in the original BG design.

Very cool!  I'm especially interested if it has the 1.5" recess to put the tweeter in phase.  It makes such a huge difference with that tweeter.  It's such a difficult tweeter to get right, but it sounds so good!

[AndrewDIY]

Mike, those are truly beautiful! I am a fan of your work. Love the finish on those xls encores on Ron's channel and the NX Otica monitors you did.

Fascinated by your description of the N3 towers. From what I understand, transmission line design while difficult to pull off can be the best of both worlds for bass as far as speed and extension. Did you design that cabinet? How deep do they go in room? Makes me wonder if it would be possible to do a transmission line design in something like the N3S design Hobbs mentioned, or is that just crazy talk?

[mlundy57]

Mike, those are truly beautiful! I am a fan of your work. Love the finish on those xls encores on Ron's channel and the NX Otica monitors you did.

Fascinated by your description of the N3 towers. From what I understand, transmission line design while difficult to pull off can be the best of both worlds for bass as far as speed and extension. Did you design that cabinet? How deep do they go in room? Makes me wonder if it would be possible to do a transmission line design in something like the N3S design Hobbs mentioned, or is that just crazy talk?

Danny designed the cabinets. I just built them to his plans. The N3 is designed to be -3dB at 40Hz. In my living room they go down to 28Hz. However, that extra extension can sound a little bloated down that low so I cross them to a sealed servo sub at 40Hz. This makes them great for both music and movies which is how that system is used. For most music the sub isn't necessary with the N3.

The N3 is an N3S with the addition of the transmission line. You can't fit a transmission line inside the N3S cabinet. The N3 doesn't take up any more floor space, nor is it any taller,  than an N3S on a stand.

[Hobbsmeerkat]

Very cool!  I'm especially interested if it has the 1.5" recess to put the tweeter in phase.  It makes such a huge difference with that tweeter.  It's such a difficult tweeter to get right, but it sounds so good!

Currently, the plan is for a roughly 3/4 inch waveguide. Thats the deepest we can use without needing a bigger waveguide and mounting hole. But we may explore a larger 1.5" version that fits into a waveguide more similar to the NX kits.

That said, the measurements were really good. It'll be interesting to see how it perfoms vs the original BG models.

[DannyBadorine]

Currently, the plan is for a roughly 3/4 inch waveguide. Thats the deepest we can use without needing a bigger waveguide and mounting hole. But we may explore a larger 1.5" version that fits into a waveguide more similar to the NX kits.

That said, the measurements were really good. It'll be interesting to see how it perfoms vs the original BG models.

I'm very interested after working with the waveguide that N. Tracy designed for me.  These tweeters are so sensitive to how they are mounted.  We ended with a 1.5" deep waveguide, which really makes the phase clean.  However, even a 3/4" set back is going to be great.  I look forward to what you guys come up with.

[AndrewDIY]

Mike, I am definitely considering going floor-standers now. The fact they don’t actually take up any more real estate than mtm’s on a stand makes sense. Plus Danny’s transmission line design is certainly intriguing. I am curious what the dimensions are of your N3’s? Also I do imagine there is a higher degree of challenge for a newby woodworker with this transmission line cabinet variation?

[Kaiju2189]

This would be awesome to see happen. I have modded my Klipsch towers and built an Elekit tube pre and Pass ACA monoblocks. Working on front wall diffusion to compliment existing absorbers.

Basically tinkering until I can get to the real project of building som me GR speakers!! 

With running low wattage class A amps, 16ish watts, I would love to see an MTM option that was fairly sensitive.

Mike Lundy. I may have to hit you up on a walnut cabinets. Your work is amazing.