What next?

[GranteedEV]

I think so, but if not u can always add a center later.

 

[lsiberian]

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!

I was happy without a center for a while. But it does really help in home theater situations. If that is your primary aim I suggest building a center. Phantom just isn't the same to my ears. I like having that fixation on the screen.

Fill the shelf with the speakers on it to improve baffle step performance.

 

[GranteedEV]

Phantom just isn't the same to my ears. I like having that fixation on the screen.

I hate it. The sound doesn't seem to come from the whole TV, but rather just the middle of it.

 

[mattsk8]

Think I may have come up w/ a solution to at least part of my dilema. I'll move the center to below the tv. Then I have to make an inset door where the lower arrow points and build a shelf for my receiver. The door will be on a spring loaded magnet and open down. When it's closed it'll be hard to tell the door's even there. I just have to figure out where to put the dvd player. This will be a lot of work because I rebuilt the center section of that wall unit when we first bought the house (the original one was ugly as sin, wish I had a pic!) and it's put together very well, a lot of glue.

Also, seriously considering the Swopes just based on what I've heard from others. I can get all the components for the 5 speakers- fronts, center, and rears- to build these for $520. A tiny bit more than the Zaphs but not much. Would this be a better option than going w/ the Zaph 5.3c??

 

[GranteedEV]

Think I may have come up w/ a solution to at least part of my dilema. I'll move the center to below the tv. Then I have to make an inset door where the lower arrow points and build a shelf for my receiver. The door will be on a spring loaded magnet and open down. When it's closed it'll be hard to tell the door's even there. I just have to figure out where to put the dvd player. This will be a lot of work because I rebuilt the center section of that wall unit when we first bought the house (the original one was ugly as sin, wish I had a pic!) and it's put together very well, a lot of glue.

Also, seriously considering the Swopes just based on what I've heard from others. I can get all the components for the 5 speakers- fronts, center, and rears- to build these for $520. A tiny bit more than the Zaphs but not much. Would this be a better option than going w/ the Zaph 5.3c??

Hi, I can't really tell you one way or the other as far as the actual sound is concerned. I'm not aware of what kind of placement the crossover would be designed for, but i'd imagine the center is fine in a cabinet and the MTM mains want to be a few feet from the wall. Paul Carmody can probably modify the crossover for your application if you discuss it with him.

As far as measurements are concerned here are the distortion graphs @ 96db @ 1/2m for the M5A:

and ZA14W08:

The Dayton ND28F:

The Vifa DQ25:

To my eyes the drivers in the ZA5s look more behaved. Granted drivers and drivers and crossovers are crossovers... impossible to know whose crossover you would prefer. The crossover IS the speaker design.

 

[GranteedEV]

I suspect you're fishing for some subjective comments on the ZA5s of which there aren't many at all. Not quite the same speakers as the 5.3Cs but here is one review, at least, of the 5.5tts:

Building the Zaph Audio ZA5.5tt - MMTMM 2.5-way Vertical Array - diyAudio

 

[mattsk8]

Done deal, I'm going w/ the 5.3c for the center/fronts and the 5.2 for the rears. I hope to order up in a week or so.