What next?

[mattsk8]

Just finished the Statements. I now have to build the ER18s. I'll then finish the Tritrix, the Statements, and the ER18s all at the same time. My question is, what next?

I'd like to set my sites on my next build. What I'd like to build will be something to replace my HT speakers. Right now they're JBL Northridge bookshelf speakers. I'd still like to run a 5.1; while my Yamaha RX-V1065 (120 watts x 7) receiver's capable of 7.2, my living room isn't the best layout for it.

Basically I guess I'm asking for opinions on the best (cost effective) bookshelf speaker build for a 5.1 HT system. The JBLs cabinets I have now are around 20" tall. I'd like to stay below 24" if I can and possibly smaller for the rears if this is possible and still achieve good sound. I have a 10" Klipsch powered sub right now as well but I'm not opposed to building one of those either.

Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[lsiberian]

Just finished the Statements. I now have to build the ER18s. I'll then finish the Tritrix, the Statements, and the ER18s all at the same time. My question is, what next?

I'd like to set my sites on my next build. What I'd like to build will be something to replace my HT speakers. Right now they're JBL Northridge bookshelf speakers. I'd still like to run a 5.1; while my Yamaha RX-V1065 (120 watts x 7) receiver's capable of 7.2, my living room isn't the best layout for it.

Basically I guess I'm asking for opinions on the best (cost effective) bookshelf speaker build for a 5.1 HT system. The JBLs cabinets I have now are around 20" tall. I'd like to stay below 24" if I can and possibly smaller for the rears if this is possible and still achieve good sound. I have a 10" Klipsch powered sub right now as well but I'm not opposed to building one of those either.

Thanks in advance for any input!

The options are limitless. I recommend something using the Exodus anarchy. It has very powerful bass response in a small enclosure. Coupled with a good enough tweeter you could have an amazing 2-way build.

 

[GranteedEV]

I'd like to stay below 24" if I can

I had something... totally different in mind.. a waveguide/compression driver based build.

http://www.seaton-sound.com/mark/WWspeakers/HQ-15-Maple-01.jpg

15" midrange

 

[mattsk8]

The options are limitless. I recommend something using the Exodus anarchy. It has very powerful bass response in a small enclosure. Coupled with a good enough tweeter you could have an amazing 2-way build.

Are there any build threads where someone used these? I found a couple where they were proposed builds for a 2 way bookshelf but didn't see anyone build them. I found this link: Exodus Anarchy 2-way bookshelf - Home Theater Forum and Systems - HomeTheaterShack.com but what would I do for a center channel?

 

[skyline_123]

I've heard some good things about the Scan Speak drivers. Zaph's ZD5 looks like a very good bookshelf speaker with pretty impressive range down low too.

 

[adwilk]

I had something... totally different in mind.. a waveguide/compression driver based build.

http://www.seaton-sound.com/mark/WWspeakers/HQ-15-Maple-01.jpg

15" midrange

What the heck is that??? I wanna build that!!!! I've been looking for something different... that might be it...

 

[GranteedEV]

Are there any build threads where someone used these? I found a couple where they were proposed builds for a 2 way bookshelf but didn't see anyone build them. I found this link: Exodus Anarchy 2-way bookshelf - Home Theater Forum and Systems - HomeTheaterShack.com but what would I
do for a center channel?

I don't know of any built DIY designs using the anachy. I think there have been some commercial designs by Kevin Haskins(Exodus Kepler), Rick Craig(a custom design by Selah Audio), and Dennis Murphy (Salk Soundscape M7) though.

The closest I could find was:

HTGuide Forum - Time for some Ansonica - a new design for Jagman's theater

Aren't you getting bored of building MTMs?

 

[lsiberian]

Are there any build threads where someone used these? I found a couple where they were proposed builds for a 2 way bookshelf but didn't see anyone build them. I found this link: Exodus Anarchy 2-way bookshelf - Home Theater Forum and Systems - HomeTheaterShack.com but what would I do for a center channel?

Seas Loki MKII Coaxial Kit Parts Only - Each: Madisound Speaker Store

Is my favorite for a center channel situation. It's the one TLS Guy used and it's a fantastic center driver. It would work fine with any well built speaker.

 

[mattsk8]

Aren't you getting bored of building MTMs?

I actually am but my living room sucks acoustically. I have a huge built in entertainment/fireplace/bookcase and all it'll accommodate are bookshelf speakers at a max of 24" (ish).

I've heard some good things about the Scan Speak drivers. Zaph's ZD5 looks like a very good bookshelf speaker with pretty impressive range down low too.

I went to that link and the link to the speakers used doesn't work on his site. I'm guessing they might be out of my price range by the time I get the parts to build 4 of them plus a center just based on what I read but maybe not. Another dilema w/ them is he says they need to be spaced a foot from the rear of the speaker to the wall and 3 feet from the corner wall. If I can I'd like to find a speaker that I can put on the shelf; that would be right against the wall and placed on each end of the bookcase. And unfortunately, on one side of the bookcase that's right in the corner of the living room. Like I said, the room sucks acoustically. I can post a pic of the wall unit later tonight if that'll help.

 

[GranteedEV]

Adam, it's a new high end econowave style kit Mark seaton is putting out soon using acoustic elegance drivers. But there's lots of speakers along those lines ;P

I actually am but my living room sucks acoustically. I have a huge built in entertainment/fireplace/bookcase and all it'll accommodate are bookshelf speakers at a max of 24" (ish).

Pity. the large woofer and seos waveguide are perfect for poor room acoustics. They're basically the kind of speakets you could even stick in each corner with great results.

http://lonestaraudiofest.com/2009/Photos/PiSpeakers_06.jpg
http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/storage/3/775658/JubileeLeft.jpg

 

[mattsk8]

Considering the Statements moniters. While I realize my room isn't ideal at all for placement of these, I don't think it will be ideal for anything really . But, I'll then be able to enjoy the amazing mids and highs these things produce. What do you guys think? Good idea or bad idea? I kind of wish there was a sealed cabinet version of these but that's probably not possible? Only saying that because I won't have hardly any room between the back of these speakers and the wall.

If I do forge ahead w/ these, I'll have to come up w/ something quite a bit smaller for rears because they have to mount on or in my wall about 4' behind my sofa, plus I'll have to modify my center channel shelf (it's hard mounted) to accommodate a statement center channel

Plus, with these I'll get away from a MTM design

A link to the Statements Moniters:
Statements_Monitor

 

[GranteedEV]

It'll be very difficult to get the level of sound you're expecting, with a speaker shoved in a bookcase, especially with the drivers flush mount.

The first issue is that the lower midrange will become very prominent and chesty/boomy if the speakers aren't specifically made for that placement.

Second there's a lot of diffraction off of nearby objects in a bookshelf that messes up the sound, especially the stereo imaging effect but also clarity.

Third, the statement monitors as you noted are open back, so their voicing has the midrange response shelved down (because a lot of the energy arrives through the back). they would need a crossover rework.

Can you give us some pics of the room so we know what you're trying to work with?

 

[mattsk8]

A couple pics of the room. I was considering speakers on stands, the problem is we're in and out of the cabinet doors on the right side of the book case all the time. That's where we keep all the videos. Speakers on stands would either be in the way of the doors or out in the hallway. Plus I'd have to convince the wife the rocking chair's got to go, or get some real tall stands which would look pretty goofy.

 

[mattsk8]

Leaning towards either sealed Aviatrix MTM or sealed Tritrix MTM (sorry Grant ). I don't think anything will be ideal in this situation so I may as well not break the bank.

Can anyone tell me the difference between the Aviatrix and the Tritrix as far as sound goes? They're both almost the same price. Mostly all they'll be used for is movies. I'll build MTM's for front/center, and a pair of MT's for the rears. I would just go w/ the Tritrix because I know they sound decent, but I would like to do something a little different.

The other nice thing about going this route aside from how cheap they'll be is the cabinets look like a super easy build. Maybe have the rough boxes and xovers done in a weekend

 

[GranteedEV]

I reccommend a pair of the Zaph 5.3C Center Channel

The Baffle step compensation is specific to placement on bookshelves etc and it's reasonably inexpensive with a very good midrange driver although yes, it's an MTM ;P

 

[mattsk8]

I reccommend a pair of the Zaph 5.3C Center Channel

The Baffle step compensation is specific to placement on bookshelves etc and it's reasonably inexpensive with a very good midrange driver although yes, it's an MTM ;P

Guessing you're saying a pair of those for fronts (mains)? Then a 3rd one for the center, correct? And I'm guessing you chose the 5.3c as opposed to the 5.3 for the fronts because the 5.3c is ported through the front, whereas the 5.3 is ported though the rear; making it less than suitable for the near wall application I have?

Then I could build these for the rears?
http://zaphaudio.com/ZA5/ZA5.2s.pdf

http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/index.php?p=catalog&mode=search&search_in=name&search_str=za5.3
Not bad pricing, plus I don't have to build the crossovers! $135/speaker sounds great!

 

[GranteedEV]

build a pair first, and decide later whether you need a center or not

 

[adwilk]

 

[GranteedEV]

And I'm guessing you chose the 5.3c as opposed to the 5.3 for the fronts because the 5.3c is ported through the front, whereas the 5.3 is ported though the rear; making it less than suitable for the near wall application I have?

I chose the center because it has less baffle step compensation in the crossover making it more suited for near wall / furniture placement. When placed horizontally it also has less of a power response hole compared to the typical mtm turned on its side, because the tweeter crossover is lower.

 

[mattsk8]

build a pair first, and decide later whether you need a center or not

So you think I may be happy just running fronts (mains w/out a center) and rears? That would be sweet plus save me $135!