[kip_]

Rick,

I was wondering if you'd ever built or modeled speakers with an upward firing woofer and front firing tweeter like this:

http://av123.wetpaint.com/page/x-omni+mini+tower
or
http://www.gr-research.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=119

They are supposed to be very enveloping similar to open-baffle speakers, meant for surrounds. A woofer with wide dispersion would obviously be a must. Maybe the SB Acoustics 6" or Seas ER18 would work well.

[Rick Craig]

Rick,

I was wondering if you'd ever built or modeled speakers with an upward firing woofer and front firing tweeter like this:

http://av123.wetpaint.com/page/x-omni+mini+tower
or
http://www.gr-research.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=119

They are supposed to be very enveloping similar to open-baffle speakers, meant for surrounds. A woofer with wide dispersion would obviously be a must. Maybe the SB Acoustics 6" or Seas ER18 would work well.

I've never really considered that type of design. The best one I've seen is the Linkwitz Pluto but it's made for a floorstanding speaker.

[jimdgoulding]

Mirage makes upward firing speakers with 360 degree dispersion- I have an older pair with 6.5" mid/bass drivers- tho I think their target market for these is home theater.  That's how I use them, anyway.

Oh, and having just looked at the first link you provided, Castle speakers from the UK used to do exactly that.

[kip_]

I've never really considered that type of design. The best one I've seen is the Linkwitz Pluto but it's made for a floorstanding speaker.

Both of the ones I mentioned are floorstanders. Eventually I'd like to replace my ELT525 surrounds with something more sensitive/detailed, and the X-omni design looked intriguing.

[bunnyma357]

You might also look into some vintage Allison CD-7's or CD-8's.  Although it can be hard to find Allisons that are in decent shape, and haven't had their unique drivers replaced or have broken grills. They have a similar design, but are designed to go against a wall, unlike the AV123/GR Research ones that need some breathing room.



Sample pair of CD-7 speakers on eBay and Craigslist (No Affiliation with seller, but I do own Allison CD-9's and love them.)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ALLISON-CD-7-SET-2-VINTAGE-SPEAKERS-EXCELLENT-SOUND-/200488601445?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item2eae0d4765#ht_543wt_1139

http://westmd.craigslist.org/ele/1806682020.html

Jim C