ER Audio mini panels

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JohnR

ER Audio mini panels
« on: 13 Sep 2012, 09:48 am »
These look interesting:

http://www.eraudio.com.au/Mini_Panels/mini_panels.html



Could be used to make "mini stats"... ?


bpape

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Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #1 on: 13 Sep 2012, 02:07 pm »
Those definitely look interesting.  Pretty much ready to go - transformers included.  That could be a fun project. 

Bryan

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Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #2 on: 13 Sep 2012, 05:19 pm »
Most interesting and affordable....wait for their bass modules or add your own subs.  Wonder what the shipping to the States would be?

I like the fact that they're 88db as that makes them rather attractive to bottleheads!

Jim

JohnR

Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #3 on: 8 Nov 2012, 08:19 am »
My pair arrived today! More info and pics as they come to hand.

Jim, I'll ask Rob McKinley from ER Audio about what he expects international shipping to come to.

JohnR

Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #4 on: 9 Nov 2012, 09:05 am »
Here's what's in the box: two panels, two High-voltage units, two DC plugpacks:



The panels come with "socks" to protect them. For mounting in a baffle I will be removing it.

Not being the patient type, I had to have a listen. It didn't take long to wire the panels to the HV units and connect everything up. The HV joins are of course heatshrinked. For this quick run, they are sitting on the floor, leaning against some acoustic foam:



Very promising so far. The HV units include a highpass capacitor on the input to the transformer, it sounds to me like it's around 200 Hz. (I haven't done any measurements yet.) There's an unconnected lead coming out that you can use if you want to use your own crossover or connect directlly to an amp for an active crossover.

Next will be to biamp them with a dipole woofer.

Guy 13

Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #5 on: 9 Nov 2012, 09:17 am »
My pair arrived today! More info and pics as they come to hand.

Jim, I'll ask Rob McKinley from ER Audio about what he expects international shipping to come to.

Hi JohnR and all Audio Circle members.

May I ask how much that kit cost and where it's made ?

Guy 13

stevenkelby

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Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #6 on: 9 Nov 2012, 11:47 am »
The graphs look like tey are flat to 250 or so then start falling off.

Tiny aren't they.

May I ask how much that kit cost and where it's made ?

Guy 13

First post:

http://www.eraudio.com.au/Mini_Panels/mini_panels.html

 :thumb:

JohnR

Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #7 on: 10 Nov 2012, 12:45 am »
Thanks Steven. There's also another version with a frame and wires and things enclosed:

  http://www.eraudio.com.au/Panel_evaluation_kit/panel_evaluation_kit.html


tnargs

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Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #8 on: 10 Nov 2012, 01:16 am »
Keep talking John, I'm on the edge of my seat here! 

Rclark

Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #9 on: 10 Nov 2012, 01:28 am »
Those look really cool John, please keep updating, with more pictures too  :thumb:

Guy 13

Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #10 on: 10 Nov 2012, 01:36 am »

Hi JohnR and all Audio Circle members.

Yes, more pictures,
because a picture is worth a thousand words...

Guy 13

SteveFord

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Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #11 on: 10 Nov 2012, 01:58 am »
It looks like you've got a fun project going there. 
Please keep us updated - pics are good!

Angaria

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Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #12 on: 10 Nov 2012, 04:16 am »
I seem to remember you have some BG gear as well - any comparison between those and the stats will be appreciated.

JohnR

Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #13 on: 13 Nov 2012, 11:02 am »
I seem to remember you have some BG gear as well - any comparison between those and the stats will be appreciated.

There's no comparison. I have the BG Neo3 crossed at 4kHz, these are at 500 Hz (currently).

JohnR

Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #14 on: 13 Nov 2012, 11:12 am »
The next step in this experiment took longer than expected... I ran into some "issues" with adding in a dipole woofer. I thought I had some kind of ground loop, that there was something wrong with my crossover unit, etc etc. It turned out to be no more than a bad cable...  :banghead: :banghead:

With that out of the way, here's a picture of what I'm listening to right now:



Obviously, this is a prototype/mockup. The panel with the black sock really doesn't lend itself to photographs... anyway, you get the idea. Ignore the speaker in the background, it's not connected.

The crossover to the dipole woofer is at 500 Hz currently, I decided to be conservative until I make some measurements. The crossover is done by the MOTU Microbook II at the bottom of the image. Great unit for the price, I'm reviewing it now.



JohnR

Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #15 on: 13 Nov 2012, 04:44 pm »
On the last track of the night (nearly 4am) and I can't resist... this is what I've been looking for. Absolutely fabulous.

Hank

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Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #16 on: 13 Nov 2012, 07:44 pm »
Interesting, but to build a pair of OB line arrays to get sufficient volume, it seems one would have to utilize 3 per speaker and that would be a tad expensive.  That was my thought when I saw them on ER's site months ago.

JohnR

Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #17 on: 13 Nov 2012, 10:51 pm »
to build a pair of OB line arrays to get sufficient volume, it seems one would have to utilize 3 per speaker

No I don't think so. Can you define "sufficient volume"?

nicksgem10s

Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #18 on: 14 Nov 2012, 02:05 am »
On the last track of the night (nearly 4am) and I can't resist... this is what I've been looking for. Absolutely fabulous.

Okay John this quote isn't fair.

So you are running your prototype ER panel from 500hz to 20khz and the dipole woofer up to 500hz in a two way arrangement?

I am really curious to know more about the entire setup including the crossover you mention reviewing.

Is it going to be part of a hifizine article or something here on AC?

Hope you are doing well.  Looks like a really interesting project especially considering your comments.

-Nick

JohnR

Re: ER Audio mini panels
« Reply #19 on: 14 Nov 2012, 05:19 am »
Sorry Nick, I'm practicing my hyperbole, it seems to be the order of the day around here lately :) :) I'm just excited that a quick prototype is working out so well. But I really should do it properly before making comments.

Yes, crossover at 500 Hz. The Microbook II has DSP onboard so can use it as an active crossover - http://johnr.hifizine.com/2012/10/03/motu-microbook-ii-highpass-and-lowpass-filters/

Hopefully I will get a couple of articles out of it. While the idea of a two-way is tempting, I think the best results will be a threeway: a bass/mid and this panel in the main panel, and separate dipole subs.