If you were to build your own floorstanders...

[johnc]

Thanks. I think I must have a bash at making an AMT of sorts. 

[---------]

This is exactly what happens when you don't specify some criteria such as budget, size constraints, etc. So, if you have some specifics in mind, then let's hear them and try to help you out with more useful information.Regards, Ian.

Ian, when you know as little about speaker building as I do, it is exceedingly difficult to be more specific. I am keen to build a really good set of floorstanders; price is not the primary concern, but common-sense and the law of diminishing returns will dictate certain choices. My objective in starting this thread was to get some input from the gurus on the forum about choice of drivers, driver configuration, X-over design, damping material, etc. The posts already received have gone some way in enlightening me about the parameters of choice. (Thanks for that, guys). In my mind's eye, I visualise a speaker with a tweeter that sounds something like the berylliums on my Paradigm Signatures; a mid that produces clear vocals; and a mid-bass and a bass with pace, considerable slam and definition. ScanSpeak seems to offer a fairly comprehensive range of drivers, which are generally well-regarded. A friend of mine is a real magician with woodwork and has volunteered to build the cabinets. That leaves me with the daunting task of choosing and purchasing the drivers, etc.

[JimGore]

What SPL level do you normally listen to, and how large is your room?

Also, how important is very deep bass extention to you?  Reason I ask this is because it will ultimately determine the bass driver specs and size, and also the cabinet size.

If you could give us an indication of the types of music you mostly listen to that would also help.

Regards,
Ian.

[Hennie]

Thanks. I think I must have a bash at making an AMT of sorts. 

I remember studying one DIY design published on the web. The critical part seems to be the diaphragm. My impression was that while it is certainly possible to build a diaphragm to demonstrate the concept, it is impossible to make one for an AMT tweeter with really competitive performance.

If you can buy a diaphragm then the rest of the tweeter seems to be extremely simple to make. Strong neodymium bar magnets and few machined steel parts...

Diaphragms for the ESS AMT are readily available and not outrageously expensive. They need some sort of horn or waveguide loading though as they have much lower power handling than the newer types using high temperature materials and special bonding techniques to attach the conductor to the film.

[---------]

What SPL level do you normally listen to, and how large is your room? Also, how important is very deep bass extention to you?  Reason I ask this is because it will ultimately determine the bass driver specs and size, and also the cabinet size. If you could give us an indication of the types of music you mostly listen to that would also help. Regards, Ian.

Thanks Ian. Generally, I listen to music at moderate levels but occasionally enjoy it fairly 'loud' (sorry, Analogos). The room is 6m x 10m with high ceilings. While some bass extension is certainly required, very deep bass and exceedingly large cabinets are not. My music tastes are fairly varied: listen to most genres (e.g. rock, reggae, classical, world) with the exception of jazz and pop.

[chipwelder]

Twox8-10" a 5" or 6" and a 1" dome or larger, deep narrowish box, time align at least the tweet and mid.

[JimGore]

Twox8-10" a 5" or 6" and a 1" dome or larger, deep narrowish box, time align at least the tweet and mid.

Agreed.

Now if you can get yourself to look at some nice high efficiency drivers in this type of 3-way configuration, and you spend the time to get the crossover voiced to your liking, you will be pretty hard pressed to beat these speakers.  Won't cost you an arm and a leg either.

Regards,
Ian.