Orion Bass Response

[TheWarrior]

Calling anyone who has owned or experienced the Orion speaker, to please, in as many words as you like, describe the experience of specifically the bass reproduction of either Orion variant. I have not heard an open baffle subwoofer, and am curious.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Only adtg has them i think

 

[TheWarrior]

Hope he and others chime in!

 

[Irvrobinson]

I've heard them. Though it was a long time ago, the sound of the bass was quite memorable because it was different. The Orion bass was awesomely accurate in the room I heard the speakers in. I heard the 3.2.1 version. Two characteristics, however, make the bass controversial. First, a lot of people have never heard bass this clean and accurate for music, and to some used to speakers with a saddle-shaped response curve (almost all box speakers) the Orion's bass will sound underweight, like when you hear an electrostatic or a big Maggie for the first time. And it goes deep, well below 30Hz, but not loud. Second, IMO, for rock or HT use you'll want subs. You'll feel floor shock with the Orions alone, but if you want the walls to shake the only way is subs.

Now I can't wait to hear what ADTG has to say.

 

[TheWarrior]

I've heard them. Though it was a long time ago, the sound of the bass was quite memorable because it was different. The Orion bass was awesomely accurate in the room I heard the speakers in. I heard the 3.2.1 version. Two characteristics, however, make the bass controversial. First, a lot of people have never heard bass this clean and accurate for music, and to some used to speakers with a saddle-shaped response curve (almost all box speakers) the Orion's bass will sound underweight, like when you hear an electrostatic or a big Maggie for the first time. And it goes deep, well below 30Hz, but not loud. Second, IMO, for rock or HT use you'll want subs. You'll feel floor shock with the Orions alone, but if you the walls to shake the only way is subs.

Now I can't wait to hear what ADTG has to say.

Thanks Irv!

I've been considering a DIY sub with a passive crossover that is similar to the Orion, in that, its an open baffle. The inductors will cost a pretty penny, so I am trying to gauge if such an experiment is worth while!

My listening room is a large series of compromises, and I am interested in experimenting with not only more subs, but incorporating a mixture of ported and either sealed or open baffle (the open baffle just seems like such a neat concept, I yearn for experimentation!), all based on either the 2 or 4 layer VC SEAS drivers.

Don't make me PM you ADTG! LOL!

 

[Swerd]

I've been considering a DIY sub with a passive crossover that is similar to the Orion, in that, its an open baffle. The inductors will cost a pretty penny, so I am trying to gauge if such an experiment is worth while!

I haven't heard Orions, so I can't comment on that. But I do want to comment about sub woofers and passive crossovers. If you plan on a low-pass filter below ~400 Hz, you'd be better off using an active crossover filter. Why do you want to use a passive crossover for this?

First, as you pointed out, the passive components (both inductors and capacitors) will be large and expensive. If you use air core inductors they will also have rather high insertion loss due to high DC resistance. You can help that some by using steel laminate core inductors, such as what Madisound sells. They use less wire, and as a result, cost less and have lower DC resistance.

Second, crossover and voice coil behavior can vary with high temperature, and a sub woofer will generate heat. I don't know if an open design such as the Orion will suffer as much from this as a sub in a closed cabinet, but you can avoid all this by using an active crossover.

 

[TheWarrior]

I haven't heard Orions, so I can't comment on that. But I do want to comment about sub woofers and passive crossovers. If you plan on a low-pass filter below ~400 Hz, you'd be better off using an active crossover filter. Why do you want to use a passive crossover for this?

First, as you pointed out, the passive components (both inductors and capacitors) will be large and expensive. If you use air core inductors they will also have rather high insertion loss due to high DC resistance. You can help that some by using steel laminate core inductors, such as what Madisound sells. They use less wire, and as a result, cost less and have lower DC resistance.

Second, crossover and voice coil behavior can vary with high temperature, and a sub woofer will generate heat. I don't know if an open design such as the Orion will suffer as much from this as a sub in a closed cabinet, but you can avoid all this by using an active crossover.

Agreed. And during testing to determine perferred enclosure designs, I will likely do that. But I also have interest in passive designs as I aim to build a completely DIY theater, and like the idea of passively telling each sub in the room exactly what I want it to do with out the need for a digital filter.

I'm going in head first, and going deep!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Okay. So I've been busy modifying my house plans, like the electrical plan.

Yes. I still have my red Orion 3.2.1, which will most likely be the speakers for my new living room, which is 21'x23'x 15' ceiling, open to foyer/dining which is another 23'x26'x15', also open to the 19'x19'x12' kitchen and 18'x18'x12' breakfast room.

The Orion bass is very good and tight, so very good quality. The magnitude is abundant for most people, especially just for music. Thus, I will not require any subwoofers in my new living room. The Orion bass is Active, which means you can increase or decrease the bass level by adjusting the Active crossover.

 

[TheWarrior]

Thanks! Well then I guess its time to start drawing up a plan for passive/active crossovers!

ADTG, please post pics before, during and after your construction! I have a plan for an 'L' shaped detached unit in my back yard that I want to build in a couple years. Main floor will be my workshop, with a bed/bath/kitchenette upstairs, but prioritizing a complete theater room! Like, I'll be building the structure, the speakers, subs, EVERYTHING!

Cheers!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks! Well then I guess its time to start drawing up a plan for passive/active crossovers!

ADTG, please post pics before, during and after your construction! I have a plan for an 'L' shaped detached unit in my back yard that I want to build in a couple years. Main floor will be my workshop, with a bed/bath/kitchenette upstairs, but prioritizing a complete theater room! Like, I'll be building the structure, the speakers, subs, EVERYTHING!

Cheers!

I will try to post pics.

The only thing I can do in terms of "building" is maybe the floor plans.

 

[TheWarrior]

I will try to post pics.

The only thing I can do in terms of "building" is maybe the floor plans.

This 'L' shaped building is an idea I had, because of its wide variability. The county in which I reside here in GA allows 4 houses per acre without rezoning, so I had thought of building some rental properties in the future. This first one would be the prototype, and I would like to then buy a piece of land and repeat with one for living, and the other for guest house/theater/workshop. Using 2x8 framing and wood I-beams, as well as low/no slope sealed roof, this thing could be built up in no time!

Anyway, the pics will be fun for me, so thank you! They also may inspire me/ make me jealous and cause me to take a mortgage out on my house to build the new structure, now...lol!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

This 'L' shaped building is an idea I had, because of its wide variability. The county in which I reside here in GA allows 4 houses per acre without rezoning, so I had thought of building some rental properties in the future. This first one would be the prototype, and I would like to then buy a piece of land and repeat with one for living, and the other for guest house/theater/workshop. Using 2x8 framing and wood I-beams, as well as low/no slope sealed roof, this thing could be built up in no time!

Anyway, the pics will be fun for me, so thank you! They also may inspire me/ make me jealous and cause me to take a mortgage out on my house to build the new structure, now...lol!

I think building some properties for rent is a great idea.

Will post pics for sure once it starts.