My next speaker build (again...)

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JimGore

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Some of you may know that I like to build something a little different each time - what's the point of doing the same 2 way over and over again using different drivers? 

Square box, little bigger, little smaller, drivers this configuration or that, port tuning higher or lower - it's boring.  Once you have built a set or two like that you know everything you can about it.

The only way to learn new things and expand your horizon a bit is to try different things, so I have been thinking what I can build myself next.

I have been completely jaded by the high efficiency designs, and it manifests itself mainly in 2 ways:

1.  Just about every other speaker sounds slow and lazy to me.  It's as if they just don't have the transient response capabilities.
2.  The average loudspeaker just can't seem to satisfy my need for listening at reference levels - many can manage the SPL, but it starts to sound like they are straining therefore the enjoyment isn't quite there.

As you all know there are difficulties with HE as well - one of them being that getting any significant level of deep bass extension out of them is a problem.  They either need massive cabinets or EQ in some form or another.  Now I don't normally mind giving up that bass extension in order to have the other benefits, so not a problem for me but it is still a problem.

Next thing is that somehow very narrow speakers can often be made to image in a way that wider baffle speaker cannot quite achieve.  I can't really say why (I am sure there is an answer - I have never bothered to figure it out), but it's an interesting effect anyway and one I could probably make use of.

So after all that rambling, my idea is to build as narrow as possible, but go very deep dimensionally to achieve the internal volume I need.  Design goals:
* Small drivers so I can keep the cabinet narrow.
* Because I will use non HE (ie normal) drivers, it needs to be at least 3 way.
* Reasonable power handling - I don't want to hear "strain" at my listening levels.  The bass normally suffers first, so I will use 4x bass drivers in series-parallel connection for an 8 ohm impedance.
* Non parallel side walls to reduce internal standing waves at fixed frequencies.
* Must at least look like something interesting.  Like I said - I am bored with the square box plan.

After some drawings and iterations in CAD, this is what I reckon I will do:

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So I will use (10x) Scan speak discovery 15W/8434G-00 for bass and midrange duty (because I have them) and the tweeters will be Scan speak discovery D2608/913000

Cabinet will be Birch ply (probably 21mm or whatever I have here).  The sides will be painted super high gloss automotive white (maybe with a bit of a pearl in it), and the inside section (shown as dark wood now) will be some kind of either wood veneer or otherwise something else if I can find an interesting hardwood.  It is 1200mm tall, the baffle is 160mm wide, and total depth or around 600mm.  Strange dimensions for sure.

The design will be bass reflex, with port on the bottom as I don't want the port to spoil the looks.

Lastly - this build is not supposed to be an "ultimate" build if that makes any sense.  Rather it's just me having some fun with things I have laying around, and also the opportunity to experiment with different cabinet shapes and designs.

What do you think?  Feel free to share your thoughts, good or bad  :2thumbs:

Kind regards,
Ian.
 
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