[nicksgem10s]

Hello,

I am so pleased with the build quality and appearance of the new Acoustic Elegance Dipole 15 drivers I just received that I wanted to post about them.

I haven't had the opportunity to listen but that will be changing very soon.

I will hopefully get some better photos this weekend and upload those to my gallery soon.

These are going to be providing the bass for my new system I am building.  I will share some more details on the project as it develops.



 







This last one is pretty cool.  I have never had my name on a driver before.   

[nicksgem10s]

This was a supposed to be part of my first post but could not get the text added for some odd reason.  I am sure it was user error on my part.

My main speakers are going to be small arrays using the Audience A3 drivers.

http://www.audience-av.com/loudspeakers/A3.php

Each array will have four Audience A3 drivers.  I am currently breaking the A3 drivers in on a very simple open baffle.

I am hearing a ton of potential and am very excited to have this project coming together after months of planning.   

More to follow for anyone that is interested in this project.

Have a great weekend.

-Nick

[mcgsxr]

Tasty woofers!  Looking forward to hearing how it all goes.

[poseidonsvoice]

Saweet! Keep us posted. Love OB 15 inch drivers from AE. They sure are churning out a lot of designs.

Anand.

[ebag4]

Those look just like the AE IB15s I am using in an infinite baffle in my HT.  They are excellent drivers, at least the older model is, I haven't heard the new ones.  Enjoy, they wil rock the house!




Best,
Ed

[nullspace]

AE sure does nice work. I have a quad of the OB15 here; that model doesn't with the snazzy phase plug, though.

John

[JohnR]

There's an error in the link to the A3 drivers - should be http://www.audience-av.com/loudspeakers/A3.php

Looks like a cool project

[painkiller]

Those drivers look awesome! I've been wanting a couple (read: eight) of those for quite a while, so I'm really interrested in hearing you thoughts about them.

Do you have any measuring equipment at hand?

[nicksgem10s]

Thanks for all the responses.  I will be working and updating this thread as the next couple weeks go by. 

I want to share this project.  I always appreciate the feedback and ideas that are exchanged here on AC.

There's an error in the link to the A3 drivers - should be http://www.audience-av.com/loudspeakers/A3.php

Looks like a cool project

Thanks JohnR.  I corrected my link above.  I appreciate you pointing that out to me.

AE sure does nice work. I have a quad of the OB15 here; that model doesn't with the snazzy phase plug, though.

John

I checked out the OB15 also.  For my needs it appears that the Dipole 15 will be better suited.  Those look amazing as well.

Those drivers look awesome! I've been wanting a couple (read: eight) of those for quite a while, so I'm really interrested in hearing you thoughts about them.

Do you have any measuring equipment at hand?

I do not have any measuring equipment yet but I believe that is going to change very soon. 

I probably need to start another thread or do a bunch of searching for measuring equipment.

Do you have any recommendations for low priced, easy to use, readily available equipment and software?

I use a macbook pro primarily but have access to my wife's windows (vista) laptop also.

I am aware of the Behringer mic available from Parts Express but do not know what I should consider.

I am fine with buying used if I could get a deal.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Those look just like the AE IB15s I am using in an infinite baffle in my HT.  They are excellent drivers, at least the older model is, I haven't heard the new ones.  Enjoy, they wil rock the house!




Best,
Ed

That theater looks great Ed.  I am sure it sounds excellent.

Saweet! Keep us posted. Love OB 15 inch drivers from AE. They sure are churning out a lot of designs.

Anand.

Thanks Anand.  I will definitely keep you posted.  The AE stuff looks like the real deal.  I will find out very soon with my own ears.

-Nick

[painkiller]

Fully calibrated Behringer EMC8000 microphone from Cross Spectrum Labs:
http://cross-spectrum.com/measurement/calibrated_behringer.html

E-MU 0404 USB, audio interface with phantom powered mic inputs:
http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?product=15185

lspCAD, complete audio measurement and filter simulation software:
http://www.ijdata.com/

For measuring deep bass, however, I recommend using sine tones. The ARTA software is a great addition in this regard:
http://www.fesb.hr/~mateljan/arta/

I use this combination myself. It's cheap, easy to use, and it produces very consistent and reliable results. And the possibilities are endless. You will spend some time learning to use lspCAD, but it's a worth while process. This measuring equipment is the most valuable diy equipment I've ever bought when it comes to understanding audio, loudspeakers and crossovers. I would recommend it to everyone who's into diy speakers.

I'll be keeping my eye on this thread. 

[painkiller]

By the way, are you planning to make a passive speaker, or an active system?

[nicksgem10s]

By the way, are you planning to make a passive speaker, or an active system?

Thanks for the detailed info on the software and mic information.  I have a lot to learn with that stuff.

I am going to have an active system.

I am thinking more about the DCX2496 due to the low cost and many useful features.

I had one before in another system with EP CS2 speakers. 

I had that Behringer DCX2496 modded by Doug @ ASi Tek and it took the performance of the DCX2496 to a new level.

I never warmed up to the tweeter/waveguide of the CS2 before I decided to move on to other speakers.

It was then that I got interested in DIY and speaker building.  No turning back now.   

[nicksgem10s]

A couple quick photos for those that are interested.  Please do not judge the mess or poor lighting. 

I did the best I could with the available light this evening. 

I worked all weekend on the baffles.  The photos do not do them justice.  The bamboo is amazing in person.

I have only briefly listened but so far they sound great.  I will know more soon.

[Bob in St. Louis]

OB, HT, PS3, and DCX.......My kinda guy. 
Looking great Nick.

Bob

[gvimhoof]

Very nice! 

[painkiller]

Looks great! 

Those baffles are quite small, and it looks like there are no side braces og "wings". My guess is that you will experience a pretty heavy rolloff from above 100Hz. What are your thoughts on this? Do the drivers deliver any deep bass in this configuration?

Where do you cross over? Any impression of their midrange performance?

[studiotech]

That bamboo looks fantastic!  I've done a few small, cute designs with bamboo cutting boards, but want to use the plywood for a much larger project that I've been planning for a while.  Where did you source your bamboo from?  4 * 8 sheets?

Greg

[nicksgem10s]

Looks great! 

Those baffles are quite small, and it looks like there are no side braces og "wings". My guess is that you will experience a pretty heavy rolloff from above 100Hz. What are your thoughts on this? Do the drivers deliver any deep bass in this configuration?

Where do you cross over? Any impression of their midrange performance?

They are 22"x25"2".  I am not sure about the rolloff yet.  I have only done brief listening since I do not have all of the equipment for this project yet.  I can tell you they are making very articulate and clean bass.  I do not know how low they are going at this point but I am very pleased with the sound quality now.

For the moment I am stuck using my Denon receiver for crossover/room correction.  Right now the Audience A3 are playing from 200hz up.  The Dipole 15 are doing the low bass up to 200hz.

I really like what I hear but have not really done any critical listening.  I will be getting a new DCX 2496 tomorrow.

I still have to figure out balanced cables and other items.  I have not decided on the measuring equipment or software.  I will need to do that to make this project complete.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

-Nick

OB, HT, PS3, and DCX.......My kinda guy. 
Looking great Nick.

Bob

Thanks Bob.  I will be getting my DCX tomorrow.  It has been several years since I owned one so I will have to get familiar with it again.  I hope I can achieve the results I am after.

Very nice! 

Thank you.  The photos are not showing their real beauty.  I will definitely get some new ones in the next few weeks to show what they really look like.

That bamboo looks fantastic!  I've done a few small, cute designs with bamboo cutting boards, but want to use the plywood for a much larger project that I've been planning for a while.  Where did you source your bamboo from?  4 * 8 sheets?

Greg

Thanks Greg.  I started with using some bamboo cutting boards for crossover stands with some other speakers I used that had external crossovers.

The brand I use is Plyboo by Smith & Fong.  http://www.plyboo.com/

I researched the different bamboo plywood available and narrowed it down to Plyboo & Teragren.

I ultimately decided to try Plyboo and got in contact with a local distributor.  It isn't always the easiest to find places to obtain high quality bamboo plywood.  It can be pricey to have it shipped as this stuff is very heavy.

Once I bought a couple of sheets of Plyboo I knew this was the material I want to work with.  I have also experimented with finishing and have been able to have some very good results even though I am not set up for spraying.  It is really expensive so mistakes can be costly.  I have gotten a few splinters of the stuff that have just gone directly to my brain    Ouch! 

I am actually building some shelving and furniture with the Plyboo.  I think it is gorgeous in person.

I have seen some kitchen cabinets and other pieces of furniture built out of Plyboo that are amazing.  The only problem is the price.

[luckylou]

OOOORRRAAAAA nice work and they look awsome awsome indeed .... Sir!