[zipidachimp]

hello!
I've just joined this board for one specific reason:

i've moved my paradigm atoms from the bedroom to the living room and no longer get as 'full' a sound.

i'm trying to do my own thing here by building a larger system, using 8" speakers and an open baffle design.

question: apart from solen, are there any dealers in canada similar to 'parts express'? shipping/brokerage charges are excessive.

thanks for any help. 

[JLM]

Welcome!

Small speakers often sound like they can't "fill" a large room.  This is often due to lack of bass/deep bass.  If you like the speakers, try adding a powered subwoofer.

Open baffles have their advantages, but their biggest weakness is lack of bass.  However, the Silver Iris O.B. drivers all but take care of that.  I've heard them with and without a subwoofer and for 99% of the music I'd listen to, a sub is unnecessary.  Check out Hawthorne Audio.

Don't know of another Canadian parts source.

[zipidachimp]

thanks for the suggestion, but I've done that already. it may be an issue with configuration/speaker placement etc. as now it's not ideal. I'm still going ahead with an ob, cause I like to dabble. never satisfied.

[JLM]

Another issue could be speaker placement.  Any speaker pair, if pulled too far apart will cause the stereo affect (soundstage/imaging) to collapse.  Paul Klipsch realized that even with the mighty Klipschorns and so developed the center channel Cornwall speaker.  Before giving up on the Atoms, I'd try moving them closer together with and without a sub.

[richidoo]

JLM, Thanks for the link to Hawthorne. VERY interesting stuff, along with his links too.
Rich

[JLM]

I must confess that I know Daryl and Diane Hawthorne.  They live about 90 miles away and have been to my old place for a little audiofest (before he started the company).  I know their crossover builder (Hurdy Gurdy Dave) even better. 

The open baffle concept holds my interest.  I like the Silver Iris, but have been beaten up a bit for not gushing with praise over them.  They're the only OB driver/speaker I've heard that can reach down far enough to do decent bass.  Plus they're very well built and very efficient.  Due to the big difference in size between a 15 inch woofer and a 1 inch tweeter there is some midrange beaming.  As open baffles they produce a big soundscape without hyper precise imaging.  And they are not highly detailed, but instead can be listened to all day.  They are drivers for music lovers more than audiophiles.  Paired with the little digital amp like the Trend 10.1 and an Oppo universal player or stock Squeeze Box would make for a killer little system for under a grand.

[zipidachimp]

moved the atoms from 6' apart to 42" apart and sound improved a lot.
still building an ob.
found some affordable full range drivers here:  www.commonsenseaudio.com
called audionirvana.

not very original, but my baffle will resemble the jamo R909. these look truly cool!!!
in fact, here's a safe prediction: the jamos will start a new trend toward a slew of consumer ob designs!

[JLM]

If you look around here, you'll find a number of unique OB ideas.  IMO other than making huge changes or taking advantage of floor/wall boundries, most of the variations satisfy the analytical more than the musical aspects.

[JohnR]

I'm not sure if they have anything you need but http://www.creativesound.ca/ is in Canada. You might also want to look at RAW Acoustics at http://www.rawacoustics.com/, you can contact Al via his circle on this site as well, he has a couple of open-baffle kits. Hm, I believe planet10 is in CA also, his site is http://www.planet10-hifi.com/

[mcgsxr]

JohnR is correct, both Planet10, and RAW, and CSS are in Canada - I have had dealings with all 3, and can vouch they are all excellent!

[zipidachimp]

thanks, guys!

[zipidachimp]

found another dealer in waterloo, ontario:
www.loudspeakers.ca

has many brands/types etc.

[hurdy_gurdyman]

I can vouch for dave at Planet Ten as being great to deal with. He's always been fair and honest with the several transactions I've done with him, and he knows his stuff.

Dave

[Daygloworange]

There's also Addison Electronics in Montreal. I used to get chassis for electronics stuff there years and years ago.

https://www.addison-electronique.com/catalog/index.php?language=en

Cheers

[zipidachimp]

  thanks! ordering monday!

[zipidachimp]

  daygloworange:  wassup with that neat car under 'eyespy'?