DIY Speakers for my 2-channel room?

[TLS Guy]

Mark, I was wondering, if your wall speakers are better than my Kef Q11's? If so I'd want them in my primary system instead of the 2 channel room. And then I'd shuffle things around and move my Ascend (21" tall) MTM's into the 2 channel room. In fact, I am going to try those in there this morning. I am thinking that your plan is well out of my budget, but I'd hate to miss the opportunity to have such great speakers at a great price.

First of all your KEF Q11s are very nice speakers and sound very good in your room.

My in wall speakers, are just that. They are designed to be in walls, which is essentially what your situation is. So a redesign would have to be done, to allow my in walls to be used as free standing speakers. They were designed as in walls, so the have no baffle step loss compensation, as there in no rear radiation.

It would take serious design work to best your Q 11s, to say nothing of the expense.

 

[Squishman]

First of all your KEF Q11s are very nice speakers and sound very good in your room.

My in wall speakers, are just that. They are designed to be in walls, which is essentially what your situation is. So a redesign would have to be done, to allow my in walls to be used as free standing speakers. They were designed as in walls, so the have no baffle step loss compensation, as there in no rear radiation.

It would take serious design work to best your Q 11s, to say nothing of the expense.

Thx for that info. I might be squared away here. The Ascends are very, very good. The room they were in rarely gets flipped to stereo. So I can find something to fill that hole. For now, some completly stock Minimus 7's. I should still hear your speakers again now that I know a little more about them.

 

[ski2xblack]

Glad the Ascends are providing a notable improvement. And you should go listen to Doc's speakers again, as his approach treats the room and the speakers as an integrated system, which is the best approach. This is reflected in his posts, particularly response in post #22 (and my comment in post #9 as well). Having the good Doc share his knowledge is akin to having Toole as your personal consultant. He's quite generous and you, Squish, are very fortunate. Bring a bottle of his favorite single malt when you visit.

I strongly suspect Doc's in-walls would be even better than the Ascends in that room. Looking at the costs of drivers, cabs, and Doc's uncompromising networks, you're looking at well over $1k for the project. The Klipsch sub would likely be exposed as the weak link of that system, so there's more expense on top of the speakers.

 

[Squishman]

Glad the Ascends are providing a notable improvement. And you should go listen to Doc's speakers again, as his approach treats the room and the speakers as an integrated system, which is the best approach. This is reflected in his posts, particularly response in post #22 (and my comment in post #9 as well). Having the good Doc share his knowledge is akin to having Toole as your personal consultant. He's quite generous and you, Squish, are very fortunate. Bring a bottle of his favorite single malt when you visit.

I strongly suspect Doc's in-walls would be even better than the Ascends in that room. Looking at the costs of drivers, cabs, and Doc's uncompromising networks, you're looking at well over $1k for the project. The Klipsch sub would likely be exposed as the weak link of that system, so there's more expense on top of the speakers.

More like $1500+. I don't doubt that his would be more than a step up from my Ascends. When I can afford it someday I will likely revisit the idea.

 

[Squishman]

By the way @ski2xblack , have you visited Mark's place and do you live in the area here? You sound very knowledgeable about his various systems.

 

[ski2xblack]

I have not had the pleasure, but I would visit if I were closer. My knowledge of his rigs is based strictly on his posting here. I find it's no coincidence that Dr. Carter's approach is strikingly similar to how top tier JBL Synthesis are handled-more like evidence-based "best practices" methods. So if/when you revisit this you won't find a better advisor.

 

[Squishman]

Not ready to do anything yet. But this kit looks interesting for my bedroom system. 7" Dayton woofers and Vifa tweeters. No China. $480 plus tax. https://www.parts-express.com/Amiga-MT-Tower-Speaker-Kit-With-Knock-Down-Cabinet-300-7124?quantity=1

 

[lovinthehd]

Not ready to do anything yet. But this kit looks interesting for my bedroom system. 7" Dayton woofers and Vifa tweeters. No China. $480 plus tax. https://www.parts-express.com/Amiga-MT-Tower-Speaker-Kit-With-Knock-Down-Cabinet-300-7124?quantity=1

Dayton woofers and Vifa tweeters aren't made in china?

 

[Squishman]

Dayton woofers and Vifa tweeters aren't made in china?

Some are, yes. These I think are Taiwan and Denmark.

 

[lovinthehd]

Some are, yes. These I think are Taiwan and Denmark.

I didn't see anything on the link for that.

 

[Squishman]

I didn't see anything on the link for that.

There are close ups of the labels of the drivers.

 

[lovinthehd]

There are close ups of the labels of the drivers.

The designed in label is not country of origin....

 

[lovinthehd]

Personally still rather support Taiwan than China even tho in the near future they will likely be absorbed.

 

[ski2xblack]

Not ready to do anything yet. But this kit looks interesting for my bedroom system. 7" Dayton woofers and Vifa tweeters. No China. $480 plus tax. https://www.parts-express.com/Amiga-MT-Tower-Speaker-Kit-With-Knock-Down-Cabinet-300-7124?quantity=1

Carmody seems to have a good ear and design sense. I think @MrBoat built one his other kits and liked them pretty well. If you want to feel humbled by @MrBoat 's extraordinary finishing skills check out any of his build threads. He dresses up modest kits in beautiful cabs that would cost thousands were they commercial offerings.

In my DIY dabbling I tended to gravitate to certain designers. The last kits I actually finished were Fusion 12 Tempests designed by the late Jeff Bagby. Because of that highly rewarding experience two of his other models have piqued my interest: the Solstice (a speaker TLS might actually like, mltl tower with Morel drivers and sensible design) and the Helios (a big monitor using outrageously expensive Satori drivers and sporting unconventional bass loading, Bagby's self proclaimed magnum opus). Both are available at Dayton/PE last I checked. This is just to relay personal experience, not suggestions for your (Squishman) situation.

 

[Squishman]

Carmody seems to have a good ear and design sense. I think @MrBoat built one his other kits and liked them pretty well. If you want to feel humbled by @MrBoat 's extraordinary finishing skills check out any of his build threads. He dresses up modest kits in beautiful cabs that would cost thousands were they commercial offerings.

In my DIY dabbling I tended to gravitate to certain designers. The last kits I actually finished were Fusion 12 Tempests designed by the late Jeff Bagby. Because of that highly rewarding experience two of his other models have piqued my interest: the Solstice (a speaker TLS might actually like, mltl tower with Morel drivers and sensible design) and the Helios (a big monitor using outrageously expensive Satori drivers and sporting unconventional bass loading, Bagby's self proclaimed magnum opus). Both are available at Dayton/PE last I checked. This is just to relay personal experience, not suggestions for your (Squishman) situation.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[Squishman]

Here's those Ascends. I couldn't be more thrilled about the sound. Astounding really. I am playing T-Bone Burnett's self-titled CD at the moment. This room keeps getting better and better and better, but now I believe I'm done! I hope somebody buys my infinities. I'm asking $195. If I have to lower the price, I will. But anyways, I did not realize how fabulous these speakers were when they were placed in my 5.2.2 system. I'll find something to replace them in my 5.2.2 system eventually. Minimus 7's are in their place temporarily.