Roll Your Own?

Stimpy · « **on:** 21 Sep 2011, 01:02 am »

Does VMPS still offer kits for their various speakers? If not kits, is it possible to purchase replacement parts, even crossovers?

The reason that I ask is that while I'd love to own a set of VMPS speakers, I'd probably never be able to afford them. Especially after I just closed on a new house (and with the continued struggling economy)! So, the DIY'er in me has been wondering if I could 'roll my own' (with a little help)? I have at least 8, if not 12 of the Monsoon planar mids (similar to Brian's). I also have several pairs of planar tweeters, and various woofers, laying around the house. As such, anyone ever build their own VMPS speakers, just for fun, or as an 'homage' to Brian? While I would love to build a home-brew RM-X, I know I don't have the crossover savy to do it, even though I could piece together a decent cabinet (or so I delude myself into thinking). Anyone care to share ideas or tips?

If I did manage to cobble together a VMPS 'clone', it would be strictly for my personal pleasure. Nothing for resale. And if this thread in any way offends Brian, please delete this ASAP! It is definitely not my intention to step on Brian's toes in any way. I have too much respect for his work, to do that. This questioning is more out of curiosity than anything else, and to see if anyone else had tried this?

Thanks!

John Casler · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 Sep 2011, 01:36 am »

Hi Stimpy,

Yes, Brian has Kits both with and without cabinets, but he doesn't always offer individual parts unless they are to replace or repair something.

Brian may comment on the viability of using the old Monsoon drivers as I know he mods the drivers before using them.

Additionally, you are correct that the blending of the drivers via the crossover/network would likely be exceptionally challenging.

PM me or Brian with your "preferred embodiment" for the speaker you wish to build and maybe we can make it happen.

Brian Cheney · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Sep 2011, 01:44 am »

There were several versions of the Monsoon drivers. The ones we used had the doublehigh stators. Unfortunately, due to a mechanical design flaw they all failed without rebuilding. If you have Monsoon panels and want to know if they're suitable for use in VMPS type speakers, send to them us at:
Itone Service
2025 Rumrill Blvd #8
San Pablo CA 94806

It costs about $30ea to rebuild the panels. We do not bother with the original singlehigh stator types, as they buzzed at frequencies below about 1 kHz.

Stimpy · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 Sep 2011, 06:51 pm »

Hey, Thanks Brian and John!

You've both given me a lot to think about!

Makes me doubt if I should 'design' my own speaker, and just
stick with a tried-and-true Brian design, and build from a kit!?!
At least I know I'd be getting something worthy too, by going
the kit route. I'm sure I'd probably only be disappointed with
my own efforts!

Take care,

Stimpy