Parts Express Overnight Sensations???

[slipperybidness]

Anybody ever build these?
Overnight Sensations MT Speaker Pair Kit 300-706

Thoughts, measurements, listening impressions? How would these compare to the Pioneer SP-BS41-LR since they are similar in $. Anything else in that $100 to $150 range that is any better bookshelf speaker?

 

[mattsk8]

I heard the tower version of those Pioneers at Best Buy about a year and a half ago and wasn't that impressed; don't really get the rage. The Tritrix, IMO, are a thousand times better than those Pioneers. Take that w/ a grain of salt, cuz it's subjective and I know a lot of people like the Pioneers.

As far as the overnight sensations go, I have heard a lot of good about those, but never heard them myself. That said, they're almost exactly the same price as the Tritrix if you're building your own cabinets anyhow; and I'd be willing to bet the TL version of the Tritrix is going to sound better.

If you're willing to wait a bit, I know Ben Wolf (he's on the PE site a lot) is going to release a version of his Stance speakers in about 2 weeks. They're a little 2 way design and I think they'll run about $200 for the components to build a pair (Meniscus should have the kits available on their site soon). I had the priviledge of listening to those at the Meniscus DIY demo we just did last weekend and was BLOWN AWAY!! You won't touch their sound in that price range (IMO). I'm going to build them for my HT system once they're available.

 

[slipperybidness]

I heard the tower version of those Pioneers at Best Buy about a year and a half ago and wasn't that impressed; don't really get the rage. The Tritrix, IMO, are a thousand times better than those Pioneers. Take that w/ a grain of salt, cuz it's subjective and I know a lot of people like the Pioneers.

As far as the overnight sensations go, I have heard a lot of good about those, but never heard them myself. That said, they're almost exactly the same price as the Tritrix if you're building your own cabinets anyhow; and I'd be willing to bet the TL version of the Tritrix is going to sound better.

If you're willing to wait a bit, I know Ben Wolf (he's on the PE site a lot) is going to release a version of his Stance speakers in about 2 weeks. They're a little 2 way design and I think they'll run about $200 for the components to build a pair (Meniscus should have the kits available on their site soon). I had the priviledge of listening to those at the Meniscus DIY demo we just did last weekend and was BLOWN AWAY!! You won't touch their sound in that price range (IMO). I'm going to build them for my HT system once they're available.

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I'm sold on the TriTrix already, but not currently in stock and I want some bookshelves now (I already own GE Triton 2 with matching center for L/R and P362s on my 2 channel rig).

Let me give you a little more details and perhaps you could point me in the right direction here.

I'm gearing up to get into some DIY bigtime. Speakers, amps, pre-amps, etc, etc. I'm really serious about it, I just started back to school and am currently taking DC circuits (work full-time in semiconductor chemistry labs so can only do 1 or 2 classes a semester).

For my next speakers, I want bookshelves (either build a pair or buy a pair).
1) I want bookshelves so that I can move them easily to other amps or take them over to a friends house to use on his equipment.

2) I want something "cheap", let's say $200 or less, so that if I screw up my wiring on an amp or preamp and toast my speakers, then it won't be the end of the world (maybe shed a single tear )

3) I want good SQ, obviously

4) The more efficient and the easier the load (8ohm if possible), the better, so I can start with some of the cheaper and less-robust DIY amps to build my confidence

5) When not using to test out new DIY gear, I would use them as surrounds for my GEs. My surrounds are running off Rocketfish HD wireless amps. I know that is not ideal, but for me it is fine as I mostly focus on music and just want the surrounds for ambience or to know if someone is trying to sneak up on me in FPS games.

I'm thinking either
1) Pioneer SP41
2) Overnight Sensations
3) Def Tech SM 350 from new egg
4) EMP E41

Cheaper is better for this

What you think?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

and there are these designs

Zaph|Audio - ZMV5 - MCM / Vifa 5" System
MurphyBlaster Productions

Both very highly regarded, no I haven't heard ether to be honest

 

[slipperybidness]

Forgot to mention, when pulling surround-duty, they would be wall-mounted.

Thanks for the input BSA!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

btw: Some people built OS'es front ported:
Overnight Sensation Build -- Two Sets

 

[mattsk8]

I REALLY wish I could hear a pair of those OS speakers. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about them at all.

IMO, avoid those Pioneers for a couple reasons. Mainly, if you go that route you won't learn anything. But also, they sound kind of meh in my opinion. Not crap, but definitely nothing special.

I have heard Ben's Stance speakers though. And I was amazed!! No idea where you live, but I'll be building those if you'd care to listen. They're also very small. If I remember right, I don't think they were over 14" tall. I'm (pretty) sure the OS will have better bass, but they're bookshelves so I'm guessing you'd run a sub anyhow. I doubt the OS will touch the mids and highs of the Stances. If they do, I need to hear a pair before I lock in my decision .

Edit: I just looked at the link you posted, and didn't realize the OS came in an MT version as well; I thought it was only MTM.

Here's the build thread for his original Stance speakers. I've heard he's making a version for Meniscus that will supposedly be available in the next couple weeks as a kit. Might be worth the wait.
I theorize: 'Stance' a mini 2-way with RS125-4 and Beston RT003C...

 

[slipperybidness]

I REALLY wish I could hear a pair of those OS speakers. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about them at all.

IMO, avoid those Pioneers for a couple reasons. Mainly, if you go that route you won't learn anything. But also, they sound kind of meh in my opinion. Not crap, but definitely nothing special.

I have heard Ben's Stance speakers though. And I was amazed!! No idea where you live, but I'll be building those if you'd care to listen. They're also very small. If I remember right, I don't think they were over 14" tall. I'm (pretty) sure the OS will have better bass, but they're bookshelves so I'm guessing you'd run a sub anyhow. I doubt the OS will touch the mids and highs of the Stances. If they do, I need to hear a pair before I lock in my decision .

Edit: I just looked at the link you posted, and didn't realize the OS came in an MT version as well; I thought it was only MTM.

Here's the build thread for his original Stance speakers. I've heard he's making a version for Meniscus that will supposedly be available in the next couple weeks as a kit. Might be worth the wait.
I theorize: 'Stance' a mini 2-way with RS125-4 and Beston RT003C...

Oh yeah, i was talking about the MT version.

Im in TX, otherwise I would take you up on the listening offer.

 

[doors666]

i have the MT version. these are good speakers. I also have the continuums, these are of course no where as good as that, but those are thrice the price.
I find these to be very good general purpose speakers, work fine with most of the genres. can even sound good with low bit rate mp3s. Still at the end of the day, these are speakers using low cost drivers. as long as you understand the limitations of these, you will be happy. dont expect bass of a 12" driver, dont expect clarity of SS revelator and you should be good.

 

[jinjuku]

I'm thinking either
1) Pioneer SP41
2) Overnight Sensations
3) Def Tech SM 350 from new egg
4) EMP E41

Cheaper is better for this

What you think?

Look on Craigslist and see if you don't luck out.

Zaphs 2 way kit at Madisound. Impressive driver IMO.

 

[Guiria]

I did some AB listening with a pair of OS and sealed MTM Tritrix a while back. They don't handle power as well as the Tritrix. When pushing the limits of the HiVi OS driver the bass gets muddy real quick. However, the OS have better bass response within their limits than the sealed MTM Tritrix so if you did build the Tritrix I would go ported.

I think the OS is a good value introduction to DIY speaker, it does not sound better than DIY speakers costing two or three times as much IMO.

If I had the funds and the patience I would get the Tritrix, If I had neither, I'd get the OS.

.02

 

[slipperybidness]

I did some AB listening with a pair of OS and sealed MTM Tritrix a while back. They don't handle power as well as the Tritrix. When pushing the limits of the HiVi OS driver the bass gets muddy real quick. However, the OS have better bass response within their limits than the sealed MTM Tritrix so if you did build the Tritrix I would go ported.

I think the OS is a good value introduction to DIY speaker, it does not sound better than DIY speakers costing two or three times as much IMO.

If I had the funds and the patience I would get the Tritrix, If I had neither, I'd get the OS.

.02

Thanks for the input. Yeah, I have the funds and patience, so it looks like Tritrix it is. Just not next on my list. I have the bottlehead quickie pre-amp on the way, that is up next. And tritrix complete kit with cabs has been out of stock for a couple weeks.

 

[TP143]

I built the OS MTM version recently as my first build. It came out very well, looks great, and sounds great given the cost. I don't think you could have a better speaker for under $200 after its all done. If you have a slightly larger budget, Paul Carmody's Speedster is highly recommended. He is the same designer of the OS.