If you were to build your own floorstanders...

[---------]

I have followed the projects of DIY speakers builders on this forum with much interest and amazement. This got me thinking: if you were to build your own floorstanders with no regard for costs - How many drivers would you use? What kind and make of drivers would you use? What material would you use to make the cabinets? Would you build a sealed or vented box? What components would you use in the crossover? What type of internal wiring, binding posts and damping material would you use? Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[JimGore]

That is a massive amount of information you are asking for.  To make things worse - each builder will have his / her own preference on pretty much all of these things.

It is far easier to work inside a given budget as that norrows down things nicely.

Regards,
Ian.

[DRNB]

You ask me what I would do, this is it.

I would probably stick to the concept I am planning. 2.5way Transmission line. Using either Scan Speak or Seas Excell.
Here the reasons: You Will not easily get deeper bass at same SPL in a 3-way system. A 6" mid/bass with lowish Qts has a very nice midrange if not crossed too high, which is why you want to use a good tweeter.
You have up to 6db BSC without compromising SPL, and the two 6" drivers in the bass section has enough cone area to keep distortion low.
Cross over is much easier to design ito phasing as well as sensitivity matching. And what I like most is the fact that there are no high value caps needed on the mid and bass x-over.
As for components: Best inductors are probably Coertz copper foil, but I don't really think its worth it. I selected the Coertz since you can get a large coil with very low DCR without having to go for an Iron core.
Capacitors are probably Mundorf Gold in Oil, but really not worth the money. I selected Solen, but could go for Clarity Cap SA range if you want a little better.
Connectors are important I, and if cost no object, I would go for WBT. Otherwise I would go for the Chinese Ripoff.
Cables: Too many aptions, but I would go for the cheaper Adioquest or Ecosse.

[dotVIBE]

Troels' Ekta Grande.

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/ektagrande.htm

[johnc]

I cannot apprehend how ports have become so popular among the experts.
 

[Atom8]

Wilmslow audio driver kit - K50 (ATC SCM 50).
Real mcCoy ATC drivers there.
Build boxes to included plans.

[Shonver]

I would probably go the route that Ian did with his high efficiency speakers. It just makes sense to use low dynamic compression drivers. I am getting a bit frustrated with the last few sets of drivers I have been playing with. Nothing so far to match the Yamaha NS1000s. I still have those coaxial 8" P.Audio drivers to try, though. However, my dream speaker has a ribbon tweeter, Yamaha beryllium mid (from NS1000) and an Acoustic Elegance woofer (15"or 18"). Maybe a bit of ignorance talking here, as there's likely a better combo out there.

[johnc]

Wilmslow audio driver kit - K50 (ATC SCM 50).
Real mcCoy ATC drivers there.
Build boxes to included plans.

Can you post a link to a description of it?

Never mind, I think I found it...
http://www.wilmslow-audio.co.uk/k50-4-p.asp

[...]

If I had the time.
This is what I would do.




With this complement of drivers.

[johnc]

Nice. What drivers are in there?

[iMark]

This guy has some great ideas http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/ If you mail him he sends schematics promptly. (for free too!)

[Blues]

http://www.northcreekmusic.com/

[Rodney_gold]

Not sure the ATC's are the best solution , I just sold my pair of ATC SCM50'as (non SL -older models)..they don't do bass well, -2db down at 80 hz and -8 at 40 - those are ATC specs. The can soound very forward and bass shy in some rooms - need to be played real loud to sound good. Exceptional mids , very accurate speaker, the guy that bought em has a recording studio.
But apart from that , I would be interested in building a set of speakers that would cost R10-15 000 max - what might be a good plan is a "avsaforums" speaker ?
Floorstander. 3 way 88+ db sens, bi ampable, down to at least 30hz, wide sweet spot?

[Byrd]

I have put the Thor's in a dedicated room, with acoustic treatments being prototyped at the moment. Wow - I fell in love again.

As to material - I would like to try a composite ilmenite enclosure. Enclosure type would be a quater wave resonator of some sort as they can have extended and very smooth responses. Drivers same as in the Thors - the Seas Excel line - with a Ribbon.

[---------]

Nice. What drivers are in there?

If I remember correctly, the mid and bass are made in-house by Magico and the tweeter is a Scanspeak Revelator. These are stunning speakers, but extremely pricey. The baffle is machined from aircraft-grade aluminium.

I really appreciate your comments guys. However, as JimGore points out, I probably put too many variables in the mix. To be more specific: what are the advantages and disadvantages of (a) 2 drivers versus 5 drivers?; (b) combining a beryllium and ribbon tweeter?; and (c) using MDF or hardwood for cabinet construction?