Exodus EX6.5 Arrives

Kevin Haskins · « **on:** 9 Jun 2007, 12:33 am »

The first production run of Exodus 6.5s arrive this week. I've been so busy I've not had much time to do anything but get them breaking-in for measurements next week.

I'll post measurements and some of our preliminary kit plans next week. For now here are a couple teaser pics of a production unit.

Front picture showing the nipple and cone.

Look at that nice hefty suspension.

It doesn't come at the expense of FR smoothness or sensitivity as you will see from the measurements.

Bottoms UP! Venting through peripheral venting which circulates air directly over the VC and former. Small format also makes these take up very little room in the enclosure. The shallow mounting depth also fits in a 2x4 stud space in the wall. Good for in-wall loudspeakers.

Sensitivity should measure in around 88-89db. I'll get a sample of 10 production units next week.

RAW · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Jun 2007, 12:37 am »

Nice looking Kevin

Kevin Haskins · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Jun 2007, 01:08 am »

Thanks Al... I like the look. Something about nipples on a loudspeaker.

The first three designs I'm working on are as follows:

#1. Monitor 2-way

#2. Tower 2.5 Way

#3. In-Wall 2-way

We are using a tweeter made for us by Typhany. Its a very good unit, better than the Usher 9950 we used in the first generation kits in virtually every way.

These kits will also come with the option of finished enclosures. All crossovers will be populated and ready to screw into place. It will almost be hard to call them a kit because you have the option of just bolting everything together. Don't even need a router or a soldering iron.

Of course the hard-core will always have the option of building their own enclosure.

Voodoo Rufus · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Jun 2007, 10:30 pm »

You mean, we can't assemble the crossovers ourselves anymore?

Tower 2.5-way....will it best the 2641?

Kevin Haskins · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Jun 2007, 12:12 am »

You can unsolder the components from the PCB and assemble them on some perf. board.

Quote

Tower 2.5-way....will it best the 2641?

Outside of the drivers it isn't designed yet. I'm willing to bet though that its going to be my best effort to date. The midrange on the EX-6.5 is exceptional. I'm thrilled with how these drivers turned out. I've only listened to them in the context of two quick designs but I'm stunned with the results so far. They are far exceeding my expectations.

Kevin Haskins · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Jun 2007, 05:03 am »

Oh... there are active versions in the works also. I've got a great signal processing solution that gives us a parametric EQ on the bottom-end, room correction software, and linkwitz transform to use however I desire. Think of in-wall speakers with as much bandwidth as you desire and a microphone to EQ each.

Lots of cool tools that will greatly increase the flexibility and design options. No longer are we going to be limited by mechanical & electrical properties of the woofer/box for low-frequency design. I can dial-in whatever EQ curve I desire, all in software, with just a few minutes of work on the PC. I can design and implement limiting functions to prevent overexcursion of the driver in minutes. I have the ability to do all this in software so we can model, upload the changes and instantly listen to the results. Cool stuff that will change the way we use and design loudspeakers.

titch · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Jun 2007, 10:40 pm »

Very nice looking driver. Im glad to hear that its comming better then you thought it would be.

Looking forward on hearing more about them.

cheers

TerryO · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Jun 2007, 10:52 pm »

Mr. Haskins,
Congratulations on your new driver, it certainly is attractive. From the sound that you have heard during your listening sessions, would you say that these would sound as good driven by a Chip-amp? I know that you are used to high-end systems, but would a more middle of the road system also benefit by the use of these drivers in a speaker?
Wishing you every success with your new products.
Best Regards,
TerryO

bpape · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 Jun 2007, 11:18 pm »

Nice looking drivers Kevin. Can't wait to see the measurements.

Bryan

JLM · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Jun 2007, 02:11 am »

I'd like to see vendors venture more into active speakers for audiophiles. Comparing the Paradigm Studio 20 versus Active 20 was one of three audio ephiphanies I've ever experienced. (Damn, I should have bought those things.

)

IME software should be limited to the design of speakers. Poor quality drivers and improper cabinet designs can't be fully "fixed" with software. (Can't turn a pig's ear into a silk purse.) You can bend the laws of physics (trading one parameter for another) but they're called "laws" for a reason. For instance EQ is best subtractive, not additive and of course EQ is room dependent. Adding bass extension comes at the price of reduced efficiency and with loss of efficiency, reduced dynamics. Plus lots of extra power will be required. OTOH an active speaker with a 6.5 inch woofer won't need much additional help for reproduction of most music.

Kevin Haskins · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Jun 2007, 03:29 pm »

Quote from: TerryO on 10 Jun 2007, 10:52 pm

Mr. Haskins,
Congratulations on your new driver, it certainly is attractive. From the sound that you have heard during your listening sessions, would you say that these would sound as good driven by a Chip-amp? I know that you are used to high-end systems, but would a more middle of the road system also benefit by the use of these drivers in a speaker?
Wishing you every success with your new products.
Best Regards,
TerryO

Even Radio Shack systems will benefit from better drivers Terry. aa I was listening to my Optimus clock radio the other day and out of curiousity I opened it up to see what kind of amplifier was driving the 2" full range driver. Low and behold... I think it was a chipamp! At least it was made from chips..... Those Radio Shack engineers are pretty smart.

I'll send you a couple drivers if you want to kludge together something for the DIY event.

Kevin Haskins · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Jun 2007, 03:46 pm »

Quote from: JLM on 11 Jun 2007, 02:11 am

I'd like to see vendors venture more into active speakers for audiophiles. Comparing the Paradigm Studio 20 versus Active 20 was one of three audio ephiphanies I've ever experienced. (Damn, I should have bought those things. )

IME software should be limited to the design of speakers. Poor quality drivers and improper cabinet designs can't be fully "fixed" with software. (Can't turn a pig's ear into a silk purse.) You can bend the laws of physics (trading one parameter for another) but they're called "laws" for a reason. For instance EQ is best subtractive, not additive and of course EQ is room dependent. Adding bass extension comes at the price of reduced efficiency and with loss of efficiency, reduced dynamics. Plus lots of extra power will be required. OTOH an active speaker with a 6.5 inch woofer won't need much additional help for reproduction of most music.

In the pro-audio world active designs are the norm. The audiophile world tends to like to mix & match components and tends to be a little more resistive to systems where choices like amplification are removed from the consumer. I understand why... but I don't agree with it. Having the ability to design active systems opens up a lot of design choices you just don't have with passive crossover components. The only reason not to do it is cost.

In terms of software, we use it for manipulating analog devices to control transfer functions. Imagine having some ability to dynamically control your crossover in relation to environmental changes. Wouldn't you want that ability? As a loudspeaker designer there are some things that we just punt on with the crossover design. We don't know the EXACT acoustical environment it will be used within so we make assumptions and best-fit type of choices in crossover design. Wouldn't you rather have a real measured response for your room & loudspeaker and have the crossover adjusted for that exact situation? No more guessing about how much baffle step compensation is needed. No more trying to live with a speaker size for a given f3 & bass alignment. Of course there are limitations, and some designers will go overboard and push the limits. New technology will offer the poor designer as much freedom as the good one.

When used with wisdom, a little EQ can provide a LOT of improvement in the final result. And EQ is just a general term. Every crossover modifies the transfer function. It is up the the designer to make sure that how its done is of benefit rather than a detriment to the final result. All I'm suggesting is that our tool be dynamically configurable so that it can change to environmental & user input. How much change and adjustment is limited by the designer of the equipment, me in this case.

TerryO · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Jun 2007, 01:06 am »

Quote from: Kevin Haskins on 11 Jun 2007, 03:29 pm

Quote from: TerryO on 10 Jun 2007, 10:52 pm
Mr. Haskins,
Congratulations on your new driver,

Even Radio Shack systems will benefit from better drivers Terry. I was listening to my Optimus clock radio the other day and out of curiousity I opened it up to see what kind of amplifier was driving the 2" full range driver. Low and behold... I think it was a chipamp! At least it was made from chips..... Those Radio Shack engineers are pretty smart.

I'll send you a couple drivers if you want to kludge together something for the DIY event.

Mr. Haskins,
Regarding the Optimus clock radio, I have two of them in my system so I can operate them as Monoclocks. They have become my reference system, but unfortunately I can't mention what I say when I refer to them.
They're actually pretty good and the clock is amazingly accurate, it exactly agrees with my microwave and VCR. There's something relaxing about a flashing display that is precisely 12:00 !!!
The new drivers? I'll see what I can do with them, but could you measure them for me before you send them? You've got better testing equipment than I do, although you'd be surprised what can be done with a Radio Shack SPL meter, a Volt Meter (RS, of course!) and an hourglass.
Best Regards,
TerryO

Kevin Haskins · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 Jun 2007, 01:06 am »

T/S Parameters based upon an average of eight measured units. All measured at the same time in the same way with the same input signal. All broken-in for 24 hours with continuous 30Hz test signal at roughly full excursion (22mm PP).

Qts = .296
Qes = .3985
Qms = 1.15
Fs = 36.11 Hz
Vas = 33.5 l
mms = 13.56 g
cms = 1.434 mm/N
Bl = 7.03
Spl = 88.02

If you run the math it won't add up because these are averages of eight units. I saw VERY little variance on the fundamental values (Re, Le, mms, cms, Bl). Good indicator of the Q/C & production tolerances used. The parameters pretty much are RIGHT ON with what we aimed for. These are great mid-sized vented alignment drivers. Almost an exact drop-in replacement for a Seas CA18RNX with the exception that we have twice the linear excursion and a fraction of the Le.

klh · « **Reply #14 on:** 12 Jun 2007, 01:24 am »

Nice work Kevin

. Your ambition is exciting even at great distance.

TerryO · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 Jun 2007, 04:22 am »

Quote from: Kevin Haskins on 12 Jun 2007, 01:06 am

T/S Parameters based upon an average of eight measured units. All measured at the same time in the same way with the same input signal. All broken-in for 24 hours with continuous 30Hz test signal at roughly full excursion (22mm PP).

Qts = .296
Qes = .3985
Qms = 1.15
Fs = 36.11 Hz
Vas = 33.5 l
mms = 13.56 g
cms = 1.434 mm/N
Bl = 7.03
Spl = 88.02

If you run the math it won't add up because these are averages of eight units. I saw VERY little variance on the fundamental values (Re, Le, mms, cms, Bl). Good indicator of the Q/C & production tolerances used. The parameters pretty much are RIGHT ON with what we aimed for. These are great mid-sized vented alignment drivers. Almost an exact drop-in replacement for a Seas CA18RNX with the exception that we have twice the linear excursion and a fraction of the Le.

Thanks Kev... er,uh, ... Mr. Haskins.

I'll start with the sims tonight. I'll have to check out some tweeters as well. If they're as good as we hope, then they probably deserve a pretty decent tweeter.

Best Regards,
TerryO
BTW: Did you say 22mm PP?

Kevin Haskins · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 Jun 2007, 05:18 am »

I have a couple tweets for you if you like. I've tested more tweeters than I care to have hanging around the office.

It does about 24-25mm peak-peak before you get any suspension noise that starts to sound objectionable in free air. The linear BL limits via the Klippel measurements show about 21-22mm PP as a more accurate X-max measurement though.

I'm going to go to Radio Shack to pick up another one of those clock radios while they are on special. I figure with some Hexfreds, a couple cryo treated Teflon caps, better regulators, new lytics and maybe swap out those cheap opamps for the LM4562 biased into Class A operation these things could be giant killers. I might change out that captive power cord with a IEC connector so I can roll some power cords too. You never know how much that power cord can open up the dynamics in your dual mono clock radio. I'd disable the LEDs though. Those things wreck havoc on your microdynamics.

TerryO · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 Jun 2007, 06:34 am »

Quote from: Kevin Haskins on 12 Jun 2007, 05:18 am

I have a couple tweets for you if you like. I've tested more tweeters than I care to have hanging around the office.

It does about 24-25mm peak-peak before you get any suspension noise that starts to sound objectionable in free air. The linear BL limits via the Klippel measurements show about 21-22mm PP as a more accurate X-max measurement though.

I'm going to go to Radio Shack to pick up another one of those clock radios while they are on special. I figure with some Hexfreds, a couple cryo treated Teflon caps, better regulators, new lytics and maybe swap out those cheap opamps for the LM4562 biased into Class A operation these things could be giant killers. I might change out that captive power cord with a IEC connector so I can roll some power cords too. You never know how much that power cord can open up the dynamics in your dual mono clock radio. I'd disable the LEDs though. Those things wreck havoc on your microdynamics.

Tweeters? You pick out a couple of pairs, as much as I hate to say it, I trust your ears more than mine when it comes to high frequencies. The last thing I need is "Treble Troubles" that I'm not aware of.

As concerns the Monoclocks, you're spot-on about the power cords and Teflon caps. However, taken together they can introduce a little known and seldom documented form of electron over-oscillation axial spin. If steps aren't taken, (usually by employing High-Order Bi-Polar diodes in a Quasi-Snubber topography) the results can devastate the coherence of the wavefront. Normal testing protocol is seldom able to measure the pernicious effects of Tubular Phase Shift. You may not be able to measure it, but your ears will certainly alert you when it rears it's ugly head. I realize that most of this is old hat to you, but a gentle reminder is not out of order at this time.

Best Regards,
TerryO

Kevin Haskins · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 Jun 2007, 02:47 pm »

Terry:

I'll have to get out my middle school physics book and polish up on my Tubular Phase Shift Theory. High-Order Bi-Polar diodes in Quasi-Snubber topography huh? You kill me.

In terms of the tweeters your only getting the rejects you know.

I have a little 3/4" dome that measures pretty sweet. It is an ugly little thing but very smooth FR & it plays pretty low considering the things where like $2 in 1000 unit quantities. Distortion measurements showed that it held up pretty good until around 2.5K which is excellent for a $2 3/4" tweeter. I wouldn't call it a Hiquphon killer but for the price it is king.

EProvenzano · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 01:31 am »

Kevin,

Your post has me intrigued about the potential for an in wall design.
I've never seen or heard and in-wall speaker kit. Can you point me to some additional reading on this or other similar designs?

I have a 42" flat panel LCD in my bedroom. It would be nice to listen to movies with something other than the tv speakers. In wall speakers would be the only way to go.

Thank you.