Fun First Project - your thoughts

HT cOz · « **on:** 10 Mar 2008, 03:10 pm »

It's that time of year, Birthday time. For a dad like me that means I get some cash and free pass to do something for myself.

I have been kicking this project around for a long time and I'm now ready to do it. I have a pair of Onix Rocket RS 150 that I want to re-work. I think I can make these into a nice monitor speaker with a little love from Danny's parts bin.

The basic idea is to use these fantastic looking cabinets and build a Plop in the box monitor. The details of this can be found here. http://murphyblaster.com/content.php?f=newplop.html My cabinets are a little too big at 15.75" x 12.5" x 8" but I figure its easier to make the volume a little smaller than bigger!!!

Please keep in mind that I'm not searching for perfection here but to have a fun first project. This is as much about learning than reaching Audio Nirvana. These speakers will mostly see HT duty, but I will also likely be playing them through my 50W push pull tube amp as well.

Any thoughts or insights would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Robert

Link to original speakers... http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=149&category_id=50&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

Danny Richie · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Mar 2008, 04:33 pm »

You know, I have been really looking forward to designing a new mini-monitor using the new M-130X woofer and the Neo 3 pdr. I just haven't had time to do it.

If you were to cut a new front baffle for that speaker to lay over the existing baffle that will fit neatly under and over the overhangs on the top and bottom panels then you would not only have a fresh baffle for mounting the drivers but it would do away with the surface reflections that those overhangs cause.

If you could match the gloss Black it would also look really good.

Since I have been wanting to develop that model for a while now I bet I could be convinced to design the network for it pretty easily.

Hank · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Mar 2008, 06:19 pm »

If you do that, Danny, you might want to design it for the PE curved side cabinet for a wider appeal. Robert could add a couple slices of MDF to the bottom of his Rocket cabinets to match the PE volume.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Mar 2008, 07:02 pm »

Okay, .38 cubic feet ported using the M-130X:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?Partnumber=302-713&FTR=302-713&CFID=11040984&CFTOKEN=77033090

Or .50 cubic feet sealed using the M-165X:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?Partnumber=302-723&FTR=302-723&CFID=11040984&CFTOKEN=77033090

HT cOz · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Mar 2008, 07:28 pm »

Quote from: Danny on 10 Mar 2008, 07:02 pm

Okay, .38 cubic feet ported using the M-130X:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?Partnumber=302-713&FTR=302-713&CFID=11040984&CFTOKEN=77033090

Or .50 cubic feet sealed using the M-165X:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?Partnumber=302-723&FTR=302-723&CFID=11040984&CFTOKEN=77033090

I'm not being selfish

.38 cubic feet ported using the M-130x!!!

Do you think the basic network would work for my box?

Thanks,
Robert

Danny Richie · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Mar 2008, 07:34 pm »

I'll need to design a new network for it (it is a new design after all) but that is the easy part for me.

Matt__P · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Mar 2008, 08:07 pm »

would something like this be a noticeable upgrade from a pair of standard issue XLS's?
I've been wanting to check out those PE cabinets for a while now.

Thanks,

matt

Danny Richie · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Mar 2008, 08:12 pm »

The use of the X series woofers and Neo 3 pdr's, plus the high quality parts that would be offered with this as a kit would make it significantly better than the X-LS and most any other sub $1,000 mini monitor.

Just the kit without cabinets will exceed the price of an X-LS Encore though. I am guessing the total cost of parts to include in a kit will be in the $325 range.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 Mar 2008, 08:19 pm »

Okay, I have a pair of each of those enclosures on the way.

ttan98 · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 Mar 2008, 09:24 pm »

Danny,

I am interested in Neo and M165X combo. If you design the x-over I would be interested in buying the x-over and Neo. I have 2*M165 in the garage.

cheers.

HT cOz · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Mar 2008, 09:25 pm »

Wow very cool, I'm sure this project will make many people happy.

The PE front baffle is 14" x 8.0" my baffle is 15.75" x 8.0" is that a deal killer for a piggyback application?

Thanks,
Robert

Danny Richie · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Mar 2008, 09:32 pm »

Your enclosure size should work fine and will actually be closer to optimal air space for the M-130X.

chriss · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Mar 2008, 12:00 am »

Hi Danny,
I think you will be impressed with the PE cabinets. A friend of mine here in Florida now uses them instead of building his own(and he's plenty capable and pretty picky)

They are very nice looking and are pretty solid.

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Mar 2008, 02:43 am »

Certainly is a cool project Danny. Especially with using the Neo3PDR. After hearing the OB5's at Denny's, I was absolutely shocked by the quality of that planar tweeter compared to the best domes. I know I've beaten this

to death offline with Danny! The snap of the Neo3's are amazing. Domes seem to round it over a little and lose the 'snap.' This is why I've been hesitating to purchase the AV123 X-Statik instead of building an OB7 from the ground up. Can't beat $699 a pair though. Add a couple hundred dollars in crossover upgrades and NoRez...you've got it made!

But I'm getting off topic as a monitor speaker is for a different room/situation than an open baffle loudspeaker. I say, go on ahead, I'm sure you'll come out with something that competes with the big boys...

Anand.

mzbrahce · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 Mar 2008, 06:24 pm »

I'm about halfway through the build of a pair of A/V-3s for a friend, and this sounds like my next project--for me. I'm most interested in a version with the M-165X. When you're doing the design work, please think about making it easy to pair up with your new subwoofer. It would be the perfect way to upgrade the mini-monitor to a maxi.

-----------Mark

Hank · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 Mar 2008, 11:55 pm »

Should be a good kit Danny - lot's of people who can't/don't want to build their own cabinets should take advantage of your kits and use the PE cabinets. Would be nice if you could work a group buy with PE. I have a 165X that I've been breaking in...hmmmm...if I just had a customer right now for monitors...

Danny Richie · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 Mar 2008, 12:10 am »

If enough people want to get together and order these at once I could purchase the cabinets from PE at my discounted rate and have them shipped to the customer passing along the savings.

Loftprojection · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 Mar 2008, 01:38 pm »

I'll be following this with interest Danny. An audio freak can always find a room in the house to install a pair of lush sounding monitors!

ebag4 · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 Mar 2008, 02:16 pm »

Danny,
It would be great to have an affordable DIY monitor that would favorably compare to some of the higher end monitors you have been involved with or heard recently such as the Mark & Daniels monitor and Usher Be-718(?). Do you believe this is feasible using the components that you will make available in these packages?

Thanks,
Ed

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 Mar 2008, 03:08 pm »

Quote from: ebag4 on 12 Mar 2008, 02:16 pm

Danny,
It would be great to have an affordable DIY monitor that would favorably compare to some of the higher end monitors you have been involved with or heard recently such as the Mark & Daniels monitor and Usher Be-718(?). Do you believe this is feasible using the components that you will make available in these packages?

Thanks,
Ed

Ed,

Excellent question. Enquiring minds would love to know aa

Anand.