Decisions: which of these sub-$1000 speakers

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #20 on:** 9 Jul 2006, 01:01 am »

powderific ....Where are you located ? AudioCircle has members worldwide....might be someone around that has a pair of speakers you could hear....

powderific · « **Reply #21 on:** 9 Jul 2006, 02:40 am »

SET Man, I think 4" is right. The cone itself is less than 3" in diameter. It actually sounds far, far better than I had ever expected (the amount of bass is especially surprising, considering the size), but they are simply too small to do certain music. I think to get the kind of sound I want I would have to go to something like a Fostex F200 or Lowethor, and at that point I'm getting into similar costs. Eventually I will definately do that (I really enjoy the fullrange sound), but right now I'm up for a change. I helped the same friend that I built those speakers with build a MLTQW set based on Fostex 6" drivers that sounds pretty nice. I could probably borrow those for an extended period of time if I decide to go back to full range again.

Bryan, thanks for the info. I didn't really think it was low end, but I just want to be sure if I'm going to put that much effort into something. I think that the 35F might be a better choice for now, because if the Peridot is more of a "last speaker ever" type quality, I'd want to do a much better job on the cabinet finishing than I am currently capable of. One question, the placement of the woofers in the 35F seems rather odd, does having them spaced so far apart hurt the imaging and whatnot any?

I'm currently in Omaha, NE. Apparently Ellis audio is based here, but a casual search didn't find much else. It'd be wonderful if I could actually audition some of this equipment.

gitarretyp · « **Reply #22 on:** 9 Jul 2006, 06:05 am »

Quote from: powderific on 9 Jul 2006, 02:40 am

One question, the placement of the woofers in the 35F seems rather odd, does having them spaced so far apart hurt the imaging and whatnot any?

Since the design is a 3.5 way, that lower woofer is likely crossed low (longer wavelengths). So, it's location is safe from an imaging/integration stand point. Besides, though I can't comment specifically on the 35F, Rick knows how to design speakers very well.

powderific · « **Reply #23 on:** 9 Jul 2006, 06:58 am »

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for the explenation.

Has anyone else experienced the 35F? There seem to be a lot of favorable impressions on the RC3R, SA-1, and SSR, but virtually nothing on the 35F.

Also, while I now understand that the 35F is certainly no low end speaker, I'm still somewhat concerned about the component quality. Am I wrong in thinking that the Scan Speak woofer and Fountek ribbon tweeter in the RC3R and SSR are of much higher quality than the Dayton woofers and Seas tweaters in the 35F?

Finally, can anyone compare the RAW HT3 to the 35F? I just saw your review on the HT3, Bryan, what do you think of the two? It seems to fit in a similar range and price, althought I would have to pay for an assembled crossover.

Sorry for the wandering, I'm just not real familiar with any of the components involved, and having heard none of them for myself I am dependent on all of your help! Thanks again.

Bingenito · « **Reply #24 on:** 9 Jul 2006, 01:10 pm »

Quote

Also, while I now understand that the 35F is certainly no low end speaker, I'm still somewhat concerned about the component quality. Am I wrong in thinking that the Scan Speak woofer and Fountek ribbon tweeter in the RC3R and SSR are of much higher quality than the Dayton woofers and Seas tweaters in the 35F?

There is no question that the RC3R or SSR use some of the finest components you can buy. Yes the Scan Speak/ Fountek components cost more then the Dayton Reference woofers and Seas dome. When it comes down to quality you can define that many different ways. In a complete speaker (not just individual components) quality is not just the sum of parts used but how well those parts are integrated to form a complete speaker. In the case of the 35F you get a floor standing speaker with great output and full-range sound that will fill up your large room.

Don’t get me wrong the RC3R is an excellent speaker (actually my favorite monitor), I recommend it all the time for people specifically looking for a monitor with great bass extension. With your room and comments on the music you listen to in your first post I think that the 35F would be what I would choose. The RC3R would also work out very well but will have slightly less output in your room.

Decisions decisions

Quote

Finally, can anyone compare the RAW HT3 to the 35F? I just saw your review on the HT3, Bryan, what do you think of the two? It seems to fit in a similar range and price, althought I would have to pay for an assembled crossover.

Both speakers are very good:
Treble- on both speakers is excellent. You have the standard differences in presentation with one speaker using a ribbon and the other using a dome. Since the dome is about ¾” the dispersion is very good and makes placement a little easier. In the treble dept. it all comes down to what you like.

Midrange- I prefer the midrange on the 35F. The Morel dome does an incredible job on vocals. It is also very smooth.

Bass- The bass on the HT3 is deeper, but not as detailed as the 35F.

rosconey · « **Reply #25 on:** 9 Jul 2006, 01:28 pm »

avoid ricks work-

i cant recomend them just for the fact that with every upgrade ive added to my system they have shown me more and more-

i cant describe how pissed i am that i cant find a honest reason to upgrade his past work with his new work-

any guy who sells a quality product at a good price should be avoided-imho

its much better to find the white van -

(PS)for those anal folks around ac with no sense of humor

-

powderific · « **Reply #26 on:** 9 Jul 2006, 04:27 pm »

Well, I think I've pretty well settled on a design from Rick, now I just need to decide between the 35F and the RC3R. I imagine the RC3R's smaller cabinet would be easier to build well, but all told I think I could do either if I take my time and beg the right people to help me

.

I have never actually heard a ribbon tweeter, what are the differences? As it stands, it's pretty impossible for me to say which one I prefer. Too bad I'm not near one of his demo tour stops. Would anybody reading this thread happen to have any of the speakers I've meantioned and happen to live near Omaha?

I may go crazy deciding, many good options and I haven't really been swayed to one in particular yet, though I'm considering the 35F much more heavily than I was before.

Bingenito · « **Reply #27 on:** 9 Jul 2006, 06:02 pm »

Ribbons tend to offer more detail and air in the treble then a standard dome. The Seas dome used is approx. 3/4 inch so it actually comes really close to the ribbon sound IMO. Most of my former speakers had ribbons and I am not missing anything. Again it all comes down to how the components are implemented into the design. Rick does a great job of this. My new RC5 will use a dome tweeter.

As for the 35F or RC3R it will come down to what your priorities are. If output is a priority go with the 35F. If your are more focused on refinement and would prefer to build a smaller cabinet go with the RC3R. Honestly there is no bad decision between these 2 speakers so do not drive yourself nuts

(been there, done that).

If you want to discuss this in more detail PM me.

Happy thinking.....

Bryan

rosconey · « **Reply #28 on:** 9 Jul 2006, 06:06 pm »

do them sealed and stand mounted-cross over to a good sub

kfr01 · « **Reply #29 on:** 9 Jul 2006, 06:11 pm »

Quote from: rosconey on 9 Jul 2006, 06:06 pm

do them sealed and stand mounted-cross over to a good sub

This is good advice, imo.

Bingenito · « **Reply #30 on:** 9 Jul 2006, 06:33 pm »

If you use a sub then I would recommend the Tanzanite sealed. The advantage of the Scanspeak woofer is the bass extension when used without a sub. With a sub the Seas Excel would be my choice.

To keep the cost in line with the specifications I would stick with my original recommendations

gitarretyp · « **Reply #31 on:** 9 Jul 2006, 06:35 pm »

Quote from: Bingenito on 9 Jul 2006, 06:33 pm

If you use a sub then I would recommend the Tanzanite sealed. The advantage of the Scanspeak woofer is the bass extension when used without a sub. With a sub the Seas Excel would be my choice.

To keep the cost in line with the specifications I would stick with my original recommendations

Fully agree here. The seas excels have great bass quality, just not much depth.

powderific · « **Reply #32 on:** 9 Jul 2006, 07:01 pm »

Well, after much debate and a quick PM to Bryan, I've decided on the RC3R. I won't be going with a sealed box as a sub would push the project cost high enough that I'd be able to build the Peridots anyway.

Although the thought of higher output on the 35F sounds fun, I think that I'll be happier with the RC3R's in the long run, especially considering I may not have this same room down the road. And, if I decide to go for something like the Peridot later on, I could get a lot more use out of bookshelf units than floorstanders.

Thanks to everyone for the help, I'm sure I would have been happy with any of the choices, but I'm way more confident now.

If anyone is interested, I could also post pictures detailing the building process (probably a month or two from now considering my typical project timelines

)

kfr01 · « **Reply #33 on:** 9 Jul 2006, 07:35 pm »

Awesome. Best of luck! Remember, you can never have too many clamps!

Bingenito · « **Reply #34 on:** 9 Jul 2006, 09:25 pm »

Nice Choice

Pics would be great. I always enjoy seeing work in progress and the finished product. Harbor Frieght tools has really good deals on clamps if you need them.

Enjoy!

Bryan

MarkM · « **Reply #35 on:** 17 Jul 2006, 06:19 pm »

I think you made a great choice. I own the RC3R, you will be very pleased. The 8545 woofer is very impressive for the size. As Bryan noted, the mid dome is natural with excellent imaging. I happen to prefer the ribbon tweeters after living with them for a couple of years now. Rick just did a custom 2 way for me with Accuton woofer and Scan Speak 9500 tweeters that I happen to have on hand. The difference I hear between the ribbon and dome is a bit more air and inner detail. Cymbals just seem to have a natural shimmer to them. With music, I feel no need to turn on my sub with the RC3R. (Whomp sub btw)

Ricks kits have to be some of the best bargains in audio, especially if you have access to a table saw and good router, they're a steal IMO.

powderific · « **Reply #36 on:** 12 Aug 2006, 10:26 pm »

I finished installing the drivers this morning and have been listening to my RC3R's since. I'm very impressed with the speakers, I can't give a detailed review as they are so far beyond any other speaker I've owned that I don't have anything to compare to (and I've honestly experience almost no real hifi gear at all). However, I will say that I find the descriptions of the speakers found in this thread to be accurate. I'm also glad I went with these over the 35F floorstanders; they have plenty of volume for my listening habits and the ribbon tweeter is fantastic. I'm really impressed with the Scan Speak woofer too.

The building process went fairly well, although the finish isn't that great since I just spray painted them. I took some pictures as I went along, I'll try to find time to post them in the next few days.

So far I am completely satisfied with my decision and the speakers. They probably cost me 7 times any other speaker I have, and are well worth it. So far they exceed all the requirements I wanted to satisfy when I set out on the project, thanks to everyone who helped me decide!

SET Man · « **Reply #37 on:** 13 Aug 2006, 03:01 am »

Hey!

powderific, congratulation on your new speaker!

Wow, that is a big move there from 4" single driver to 3 ways

Looking forward to see photos of your new speaker from start to finish.

Take care,
Buddy

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #38 on:** 13 Aug 2006, 07:12 am »

powderific ....Enjoy those new RC3R's.....yep, their well worth it !!

Bingenito · « **Reply #39 on:** 13 Aug 2006, 11:07 am »

Glad to hear that you are enjoying the speakers

. I also hope you had a good time with the project.

Take care

Bryan