AudioNervosa
Systemic Development => Speakers => Topic started by: HAL on March 12, 2016, 05:22:35 AM
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Over the last year have been slowly building a DIY speaker with BG NEO3PDR tweeters and NEO10 midrange with 6x12 servo sub towers. Finally have it all working with the digital crossover and voicing sounding very good.
Each planar has it's own dedicated, DC balanced input Class AB amp without the need for Zobel or Theil networks for amp stability.
The 6x12 servo subs were flat packs that I bought and assembled. They are each driven by the Rythmik Audio HX800XLR3 servo amps.
The room/Lab is dedicated to listening, so no WAF requirements.
I have the MS-3 PC Music Server driving the dspMusik digital crossover for driving the amps all with balanced inputs for HiRez digital replay. Getting ready to try the turntable setup for analog input to the dspMusik. Digital volume control is handled by the Wolfson DAC's 32bit attenuator in the dspMusik.
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So, Rich. How's the low end. :rofl:
Bwahahaha... Silly Americans - "too much is just barely enough!" - my Dad... His comment about horsepower in 1969 :thumb:
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I would say it is finally adequate. :thumb:
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Looking great Hal. Can you say SLAM_A_TRON_IC
charles
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Thanks Charles! They have that covered. :)
Next up, looking at building some OB Planar Line Arrays. Just waiting to see about some new drivers.
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If you know of any let me know. I drank the OB Koolaid and have become a follower. I would love to build OB bass but I have to accept the cost and size issues.
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Well working with some FPS planars now to see what they can do. Working on some open baffles now.
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The glue for baffle #1 stringers is drying. Started gluing baffle #2 this evening. Should be done in a few hours and then let it all dry overnight.
Next will be predrilling holes to mount the drivers. Total of 80 drill holes for the two baffles. After that mount the side wing on the piano hinges and screw it all together.
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Completed front baffles glue is drying overnight.
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From now on I am going to call the open baffle line array the Pulsing Quasar.
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Test fitting the FPS planar drivers after the glue dried overnight. A bit of sanding and then time to drill a lot of holes to mount the drivers.
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From now on I am going to call the open baffle line array the Pulsing Quasar.
Good name... You know a quasar is really a supermassive black hole? :rofl:
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What are you doing for the crossover?
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Using the Danville Signal dspMusik 2x8 digital crossover with HiRez DAC's. It has 24bit/192KHz sampling rate for all the signal processing.
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From now on I am going to call the open baffle line array the Pulsing Quasar.
Good name... You know a quasar is really a supermassive black hole? :rofl:
Yes, the cool part is that the pulse ejection they create looks like a beampattern from either direction from the event horizon.
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Side wing attachment beginning.
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The THHN 14awg stranded wire will not lay flat for speaker cables. Have Belden 1309A 14awg stranded on order to replace it.
More FPS drivers will be here tomorrow to install and wire-up once the Belden cable arrives.
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FPS planar drivers and Belden cable are here. Time to build some line arrays! :D
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Right side open baffle ready for FPS planar install.
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FPS planar drivers installed and screws started. Need a new #1 Phillips screwdriver bit as the old one is done. Then build the left baffle, install the drivers and wire both arrays to the amp modules.
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As of this morning, Parts Express now offers the BG NEO3W, NEO8 and NEO10 planar drivers again. This has been in the works for months from phone calls with them.
I have sent questions about if the BG NEO3PDR version will be available as well. If so, then a new DIY project might be in order.
This might get interesting!!!
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The new Pocket CLIO system arrived. Set it up on the Netbook with Windows 10 and the system after warmup calibrated correctly.
The system comes with a MIC02 calibrated Omni, RCA to RCA cable for the mic and a RCA to clip lead cable for terminal measurements. The FFT and Log Sweep size max are 64K points and work well. Here is a picture of the setup to go to the LS-9's for crossover measurements.
Here is the setup without the I/O cables. It is really small and comes with a case for portability.
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First set of frequency measurements of the open baffle planar speaker digital crossover overlay plots.
This was using the Log Sweep method of making measurements.
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Had to order square drive #4 wood screws as the Phillips heads just keep stripping due to this oak being so hard. Even with pilot holes drilled.
Should be here this week and more work after that.
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As of this morning, Parts Express now offers the BG NEO3W, NEO8 and NEO10 planar drivers again. This has been in the works for months from phone calls with them.
I have sent questions about if the BG NEO3PDR version will be available as well. If so, then a new DIY project might be in order.
This might get interesting!!!
http://www.parts-express.com/bohlender-graebener-neo10-planar-transducer--264-750
http://www.parts-express.com/bohlender-graebener-neo8-planar-transducer--264-752
http://www.parts-express.com/bohlender-graebener-neo3w-planar-tweeter-with-back-cup--264-756
That's great news.
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The BG NEO3PDR with the back cup is also available:
https://b2b.parts-express.com/bohlender-graebener-neo3-pdrw-planar-tweeter-with-back-cup--264-760 (https://b2b.parts-express.com/bohlender-graebener-neo3-pdrw-planar-tweeter-with-back-cup--264-760)
There will be a new open baffle line array after the FPS planars with the NEO drivers.
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Today, will finish up converting the modified ChipAmp modules to pair up channels for the FPS drivers. The Euro strips arrived to change the input wiring to parallel channels. Each FPS planar gets it's own balanced input ChipAmp module for drive.
Next drill holes for the leveling feet in the 1"x4" bases and glue the nuts in place. Three per side.
Have the speaker cables prepped and then get Fast On connectors attached to connect to the drivers. Then on to CLIO measurements.
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Just ordered a PI Audio BlunderBUSS to power the Pulsing Quasar speakers. This is going to be MASSIVE!
24 AC outlets to power the ChipAmp modules power supplies.
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To make progress on the measurements with the drivers I have, here are the 6 cables to connect the FPS drivers to the moded ChipAmp outputs for the one channel. Next get the Fast On connectors and crimp them on for the drivers.
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The only line array I can build until the correct FPS drivers arrive is ready to connect to amps. Guess it is time for some mono listening.
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Magically, the #4 woodscrews just arrived with no tracking data.
Second baffle completed and ready for when the FPS drivers arrive from PE, also no tracking info.
Next up measuring speaker #1.
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First speaker is completed and ready for testing. Will setup the measurement gear tomorrow to begin.
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First CLIO Pocket measurement of the FPS array without the servo subs. With some simple shelving filters should be able to flatten out the HF response of the array.
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FR not bad at all! :thumb:
Amplitude scale is very zoomed in.
HP 4th order around 600Hz?
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The hp is at 125Hz at this point, single pole.
Going to try a shelving filter and see what happens.
Just figured out the gating function in this version, and found the first bounce to remove. Will see what happens.
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How do you measure the frequency response? With a mike or mikes? What program are you using?
I always thought you needed an anechoic chamber to test speakers or drivers. But I like this do it at home method.
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I use an Audiomatica CLIO Pocket system that comes with a calibrated Omni mic. Parts Express sells them for $525.00. I use it for a lot more than just speaker measurements.
If you want to get started, I would recommend reading about gated time speaker measurements, download Room EQ Wizard and get a Dayton Audio UMM-6 calibrated mic from Parts Express. If the sound card or DAC on your PC is a good one it will work for in home frequency response measurements.
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Rich, does the Pocket CLIO give very different measurements than REW with a calibrated USB mic.
Scotty
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I've had good results with Dayton OmniMic. I found it much easier to use than REW.
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Rich, does the Pocket CLIO give very different measurements than REW with a calibrated USB mic.
Scotty
Scotty,
No, but I can make electrical measurements with CLIO pocket but not REW.
For speaker and room measurements REW is fine.
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Setup my CLIO Standard 8.5 system to take measurements of the line array. Packing up the Pocket CLIO to ship out for some measurements.
Have it warming up now and will see what happens.
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Did the measurements and compared the line array with and without the beamformer. The red trace is without the beamformer and the green is with the beamformer. Getting around 5dB of gain at 100Hz. This is now looking good.
Finished installing the FPS planar drivers in the left speaker and speaker cables ready to connect.
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Just a bit more wiring and it will be time for listening.
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It's alive, IT'S ALIVE! Bwahahahahah!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siMwaFeJZdc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siMwaFeJZdc)
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All 12 amp channels and 12 FPS planars are working and making music.
Today will try some CLIO measurements to see how well I have the EQ setup to work with the servo subs.
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Well after figuring out that the CLIO measurements were not working as usual, got the window corrected and fixed the EQ.
Still checking things, but they sound really good now. Kinda like the best full range driver with real bass response! :D
Have no idea if any driver break-in will occur for the butyl surrounds, but so far so good.
Still waiting to hear when the FPS planars will get to PE so ship to finish the speakers.
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Warming up the Pocket CLIO system and MIC-02 for more measurements of the Pulsing Quasar line array's.
Now that I know how to set the time gate properly, lets see what happens. The original measurements had the test signal imbeded in the response that was not being removed correctly.
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This looks like real speaker measurements! :D
Looks like a really good midrange planar to me. Now to see what else I can do.
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Cool stuff Hal.
charles
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Today installed the Math Audio Room EQ component in Foobar2000. This gives room and speaker correction capability with built in measurement and use of a Dayton Audio UMM-6 USB calibrated measurement mic. Measurements were very easy to do, but the level seems a bit high to me.
The first correction I did was just on the planars without the subs and got them flat to 20KHz according to their graph. I need to redo this with the servo subs to flatten the entire system.
I tried this with Dirac Live as well running on the MS-3, but Room EQ seems easier and has two styles of response EQ for the room.
This is getting very interesting!
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The Room EQ before and after plot.
Cannot play very loud, but it is full range response. :D
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Looking good HAL
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Thanks AJ!
Today begins the next stage of the open baffle line array ideas. After the ideas learned from the Pulsing Quasar FPS drivers, it's time to scale it up.
The new speaker will be called The Megaliths. Here is a picture of the open baffle speaker wood at the builders facility. Going for a test fit of drivers today.
To start it will be 8 - BG Neo10 planar drivers per side, each with it's own amp module as before with the FPS drivers. The beamformer will be used again along with Math Audio Room EQ and the dspMusik to build the digital crossover and EQ needed to run them full range.
The baffle is the side wing concept also used on the FPS line array with the piano hinge for angle set and stability.
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One thing I should mention is that the Math Audio Room EQ program is a very significant sound upgrade for anyone that has some basic room measurement or mic experience.
It just takes setting up the calibrated mic at the listening position to do the automated measurement and the correction. Very few steps unlike other systems like DEQX, and to me sounds better. With today's calibrated mic's like the Dayton Audio UMM-6 that is a USB mic, it is very easy to connect, load the calibration file and start testing. Took about 30 minutes in total to make measurements and get the correction running in Foobar2000. Very simple for most folks to try.
I have listened to many of the techniques, and this one does music well!
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http://mathaudio.com/room-eq.htm
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Rich,
Yes, the Foobar2000 component is what I am using.
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Good news, the baffles will be ready Wednesday and will pick them up. Once home will install the 16 - BG Neo10 drivers.
Cables, 16 amps and dspMusik ready for trials. The HAL MS-3 has MathAudio Room EQ software setup in Foobar2000 for measurements. Have a few more XLR balanced cables on the way to complete the setup.
This should be very interesting! :D
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Going to pickup the baffles for The Megaliths today. Borrowed a friends SUV and have a 1PM time for arrival.
The damaged FPS planars will be dropped off to go back to PE for replacements.
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Rich, will you have equalize the Neo 10 drivers to achieve flat response to 20kHz.?
Scotty
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Scotty, that is the plan.
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Meet The Megaliths baffles in my favorite color scheme.
Next up installing the BG Neo10 drivers and wiring them to the amp modules.
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The damaged FPS planars will be dropped off to go back to PE for replacements.
Arrived damaged or did you blow them up they "malfunction?" ;)
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Arrived damaged due to bad packing from PE. No explosions so far.
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If I am not mistaken it looks like you have the room to put a line of Neo 3s beside the 10s in the baffle if you wanted to.
Scotty
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Yes. Those are on order whenever PE gets their shipment of BG Neo3-PDR's. Already in the design. Until then, will EQ the Neo10's flat.
Here is what they look like test fit in the baffle.
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Looking good, I like the color of the stain you used.
Scotty
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Scotty,
Thanks! The closest thing to purpleheart color with oak I could find. Minwax water based stain and a stock color.
Time to start marking screw hole positions and drilling the pilot holes for the square drive #4 wood screws. Only 64 holes to drill by hand.
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Making progress there Hal.
charles
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Thanks Charles,
Only took 13 months to get the baffles completed. :roll:
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New tool day yesterday. Went to Harbor Freight and picked up a drill guide. Since I have 240 holes to drill, this should come in handy.
Thinking about a drilling guide template as well.
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Using Wolfram's Mathmatica on the Raspberry Pi 3, have the notebook working that calculates the time delays required for the dspMusik digital crossover for the BG Neo10 planar drivers. Will do another section in the code for the BG Neo3-PDR's.
The normal home PC version of Mathmatica is $249. The Raspberry Pi 3 is $35, SMPS is $8, The Raspian OS is free for download and $13 get you a 64GB MicroSDXC boot drive. Total cost is $56. That is a very good reason to me to get one.
Building the last 18 moded ChipAmp modules and 9 power supply PC boards as the toroidal power transformers should all be here Monday. Then start drilling holes in heatsinks to mount the amp modules to test them. Will be using the new drilling guide for these to get nice vertical holes!
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A busy Bee for sure. Cool stuff Hal keep it coming.
charles
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Charles,
Having fun!
Finally got Mathmatica to generate a PDF output file, so now have a real document for a hard copy of the calculations.
Now to keep working on the method to drill 240 holes! Have some other drilling guides coming to help.
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Charles,
Having fun!
Finally got Mathmatica to generate a PDF output file, so now have a real document for a hard copy of the calculations.
Now to keep working on the method to drill 240 holes! Have some other drilling guides coming to help.
Hire a woodpecker with good aim. Kidding aside the concept of OB all around has always been a desire of mine for some time. Tried to get Greg to use the OB subs with just his panels but !
charles
charles
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Greg wants to demo my servo subs around CAF time. We will see what happens.
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The drilling guide hopefully arrives today.
With the angle drill guide and drill guide, should be able to start the pilot holes to mount the Neo10 planars. Have an idea to make it a repeatable process. If that does not work, will make drilling templates out of aluminum plates that also arrive today.
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Hey Rich, do the Neo10s need angled mounting screws or something weird? Why the special tools for pilot holes?
What about this? ;)
(http://lifeonthebalcony.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/042909_mothers-day-gift-2.jpg)
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Rich,
Because I suck at drlling straight holes. No special angles. Just trying for 90 degrees.
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OK, cool.
I use a block of 3/4" x 3 x 6" plywood, with guide hole drilled by a cheap mini drill press. It holds the bit vertical so portable drill can make the hole.
I mark the locations with pencil, then punch a dimple in each with awl before drilling. This makes it easy to place the bit, and keeps it from walking out of position when the drilling starts. Once the holes are punched it's really easy to drill out the holes quickly.
You might try a scrap piece of wood to see if ytou even need a pilot hole. Maybe just a 1/8" deep punch hole is enough to start the screw, even with oak.
The screw can be thin and short since the very small Mms puts no vibration force on the screws during operation, the screws can be small.
I'm know for sure that you already have an excellent plan, I'm just making pink noise. :?
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Rich,
On the first oak baffles for the FPS drivers, they needed pilot holes in them to start the process. The #4 wood screws would not accurately start. My pilot holes with the hand drill were all over the place, but worked after some coaxing.
Since this oak baffle is already finished, want to protect it from my abuse, so the Dremel tool drill press and drilling guide should work. Once I make the holes, have a nail set to get the center, then do the drill.
Now to find my calipers to do the measurements.
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Cool! I knew you had a plan!
I have two calipers, can never find either of them except when i don't need them. :duh
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I lent mine out and do not remember to who. They are the 15" version.
Just ordered a 12" version to go with the drilling setup.
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I'm a little surprised you didn't 3D print a drilling guide... I mean everyone needs a 3D printer... no? :rofl:
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Just spotted that they make a 3D printer that works with a Raspberry Pi. That looks interesting!
No, just using tools I have, except when I cannot find them. :-k
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Found the calipers. Also the nail set and V mini drilling guide.
Time for a new caliper battery and start measuring!
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New 357 battery replacement worked. Now to set the drivers in place and start the marking and drilling process.
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Drilling method ideas complete. Will start drilling today and mount the Neo10 drivers.
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BG Neo10 install has started. Using the Neo10 as it's own template, mark the center of each screw hole with a nail set. Remove the driver and drill the hole with the V-Drill guide. Install the Neo10 gasket and then wrap in Glad Wrap. Use the #4 square drive screws for mounting. Leave the Glad Wrap until all the drivers are installed for protection.
First two drivers installed and 6 more to go for the first side. This is going to take awhile.
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Second half of the Neo10 array is installed. Will finish the second half tomorrow and possibly start the second baffle.
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First baffle with 8 - BG Neo10 drivers installed. Will be building the second baffle tomorrow. Then align the drivers.
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Very cool!! !
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Well had to get longer screws as the #4-3/8" did not have enough grip and some wood rip out. Have the #4-1/2" hopefully coming today. A tub of plastic wood for repairs and should be ready for finally installing the Neo10's in the first baffle.
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That stinks. But that's DIY... always learning.
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The new screws worked.
The first complete Megalith baffle with the 8- BG Neo10 drives installed. It is next to the 6x12 servo sub array.
Next is to build the second baffle and the stabilizing legs.
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Second Megalith baffle getting ready for pilot hole drilling and Neo10 installation.
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The Megaliths baffles with the BG Neo10 planars are completed.
Now to wire the drivers to the amp modules for measurements.
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Nice Rich!!
Are you adding the green planars to these as tweeters, in that second empty row?
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Rich,
No that is for 22 - BG Neo3-PDR's per side when they are available in July. :D
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The counterweight stabilizer for the baffle.
Copper pipe with end hammered shut and marked for bends. Bend pipe angle needed to attach at the top and bottom of the baffle. Add lead shot to add weight and then hammer the other end shut. Drill holes on 2" center to attach to the baffle bolts.
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Got them bent. Not pretty but will work.
Now to add the lead shot and close the other end. Bend the ends and drill the mounting holes.
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The right angle bend for the baffle attachment on the bottom of the stabilizer is finished.
Next will be cutting to length, adding weight and flattening and bending the other end to attach to the top of the baffle.
Last steps before wiring up the drivers to the amps.
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Went to Lowes and purchased an adjustable pipe cutter. Marked the stabilizer length for keeping the baffle vertical and cut off the excess pipe. Very easy to do after seeing a plumber do it awhile back with that style tool. The pipes, shot and tools cost about $85, so less than $43/stabilizer. Could have used a 1"x2"x8' piece of oak, but I like this look better.
Next add the lead shot to the pipe, seal and flatten the other end for mounting hole drilling.
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Added the lead shot to the stabilizers today and closed the opposite end. The shot is now captive in the copper pipe.
Next is to bend the angles, drill the mounting holes and attach to the baffle.
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Baffles completed and standing.
Next to wire up the Neo10 drivers and see how they measure.
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Wow! Congrats Rich. They live! Looks really nice.
I see some amps on the floor. One for each driver, right? Amps are LM3886 based?
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Rich,
I can almost feel your excitement as this progresses! I have dreamed of projects like this (okay, a lot smaller projects, but still). Someday....
Thanks for posting this! :thumb:
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Rich,
Those are the 16 modified LM3875TF Gainclone amps with balanced inputs and DC coupled inputs and outputs. Designed specifically for the BG drivers in the speakers.
Will be wiring them up later today. Then see what happens.
mresseguie,
You are most welcome. Hope it inspires you to some DIY. It really is a lot of fun to build things.
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Speaker cables labeled and started connecting them to the Neo10's.
Next connect to the amps and try some measurements to see how to adjust the crossover for sub to planar level matching. Then try Room EQ for overall correction.
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Installed 200' of speaker cable on the 16 - Neo10 planars. Finished that so now on to resistance checks and wiring to amp modules.
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Baffles and servo subs setup.
Wiring is ongoing and will be completed tomorrow.
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It's certainly coming together. How do they sound? Or is there some tweaking left to be done (always tweaking :roll:)?
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Still wiring up the 16 amps to the drivers. Trying to figure out the best way to setup the amps for wire routing.
Since these are just midrange drivers, the only way to really get full range is with EQ. That will happen with the measurements hopefully today.
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All 16 amp modules are now wired to the Neo10 drivers.
Next up is to connect the balanced XLR cables to the amp and begin testing the digital crossover.
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Final XLR balanced connections from the dspMusik to amp modules are complete.
Tomorrow is power up, measurements and Room EQ.
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Sometimes you just need a lot of extension cords. :thumb:
Parts for 8 - 10' extension cords.
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The DIY King! :thumb:
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Igor, throw the switch, NO not that switch, the other one!
BUZZ, HUMMMM, WHIRRR, ZAAAPPPPP... They're alive, THEY'RE ALIVE! MUAHA MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!
The Megaliths live! Now on to the measurements.
Had my friends Avoosl and Charlie over for beer brats, beer and help with the wiring and connection of the speaker. Lots more to do, but stage one is complete with a vengeance! :thumb:
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(http://www.quickmeme.com/img/f9/f969fee500302bcafc767cad28b194364d2270a49557d058968690359d17ec89.jpg)
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YES!!!!!!
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More measurements and crossover work today. Will be tweaking it a bit more tomorrow and give them a listen.
Hopefully by then USPS will find my next batch of TWL HAL AC cables! :(
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A proper video introduction:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t99WjRi7T4
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Just ran MathAudio Room EQ on the latest version crossover on The Megaliths :shock: . This is a whole different league from any box loudspeaker and most electrostats and planars I have heard. The digital crossover driving the amps directly to each driver is as clean as any setup I have heard and when the servo subs kick in it is amazingly extended and tight.
Now if I only had some planar tweeters!
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A proper video introduction:
Kickass!!
Were the Megaliths playing the music?
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Rich,
Yes. Everything is working and Room EQ. :D
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IT'S ALIVE!!!! :shock:
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MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA :!:
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Since Christie Digital is yet to send any BG Neo3-PDR's to PE to fill my order, it has been cancelled.
GT Audio Works is building me 8 - 20" dipole ribbons to replace the unavailable BG style. Should be ready in about 3 weeks from today.
This will be 4 - 20" ribbons per side with each pair in series for a 4 ohm load on the Class AB amps. The pairs will be driven with different time delays to beamform them in the vertical plane.
Working with Danville Signal on the next version of the dspMusik that will have 16 channels of analog output to drive the speaker system's 2600 watts of amp capability.
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Nice long project with a good end result. Thanks for sharing.
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The 8 ribbon tweeters should be ready this week for shipping. Last minute inspiration on a different technique to build them resulted in improved sound quality, so the ribbon elements were replaced with new ones.
The dspMusik RevD digital crossover is up and running with test firmware. Listening trials have started. This is the version that is expandable to 16 channels of output and full minimum phase ADC and DAC filters.
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The 8 - 20" ribbon arrays are complete and should ship tomorrow. Will be here next week to install and start testing.
Will use a passive crossover for the tweeters until the dspMusik 16 channel system is complete and ready to implement the full beamforming crossover.
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The tweeters are here. Time to unpack them.
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Hey Hal sounds like it is coming together for ya. Coolio.
charles
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Charles,
Yes, the first ribbon tweeter test fit went very well. Have an interesting mounting technique to use and will be getting the material I need to complete it. With RMAF coming, might be after that, but if it gets here early enough, might get it done before hand.
Fun stuff!
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Test fitted two of the ribbon tweeter using felt for mounting between the rails, and that seems to work very well. Need more material, so will have to order it soon.
In the mean time the last 4 amp modules for the ribbon tweeters are completed. Now time for testing with R-C loads to check stability before use with the real ribbons.
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Got the rest of the amp modules built and setup to wire to the planars and ribbons.
BlunderBUSS at the top of the picture for power conditioning and distribution to all the amps and dspMusik digital crossover.
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Stage 2, the ribbon tweeters installed in the open baffles.
Wiring up the tweeters to the amp modules is next step.
Going to be doing initial measurements and listening trials with the dspMusik 8 channel until the 16 channel version is ready.
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I hope you have earthquake insurance Rich! :rofl:
Looking great! What are those ribbon tweeters?
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The GT Audioworks 20" ribbons that Greg built for me. Gave up waiting on the BG Neo3-PDR's.
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Very cool!!
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Now you're talkin!!!
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At 11AM this morning, Bob made it over to help me move the Super-V's upstairs for their demo in March.
What he did not know was that The Megaliths Stage 2 were fully operational in the listening room awaiting a demo. After moving the Super-V's, we went down for the demo for the first time with everything operational with the system I have. This is using the dspMusik RevD system.
Sounds pretty good to me, but still a way to go with Room EQ and the 16 channel dspMusik RevD as the next steps. Earlier I had tried multiple music genres classical, pop and hard rock with equally good results.
The picture shows the PI Audio Group BlunderBUSS made by Dave with the custom Triode Wire Lab HAL 2m power cables made by Pete that were built for this speaker project. My thanks go out to both of them.
It's alive. IT'S ALIVE! BWAHA BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA grin emoticon
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Did another demo yesterday of The Megaliths for Dan that bought my Super-V's. He enjoyed his time in the listening chair.
Just had someone else post that they scare them. I love it! :)
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Have the dspMusik LCD integrated with The Megaliths speaker prototypes. Running 22 amplifier channels, with 1000 watts of HAL modified ChipAmp Class AB power for the planars and ribbons and 1600 watts of Rythmik Audio Class D servo power for the servo subs and it is incredibly clean and dynamic.
MathAudio RoomEQ is running with the room measurements made earlier. Very easy to tell the difference before and after correction. Corrected sounds much better.
Listening to everything from Classical Music to Doom Metal and it sounds realistic. More listening to come.
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Does it sound as awesome as it looks? :drool:
Does the new dspmusik sound noticeably different than the old version?
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The answer to me is yes. Very happy with the results, and will get better with time and upgrades.
The latest dspMusik LCD is a nice step forward from the earlier RevC system sound.
Look at the other HiRez Async USB DAC's running AKM AK4459S DACs and their reviews and will give an idea of the sound quality. Only difference is there are 4 of them and a DSP for running the crossover, all running at 24bit/192KHz for analog and digital inputs and outputs.
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If the Borg had a stereo....
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Everyone will be assimilated! BWAHAHAHAHAHAH!
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Everyone will be assimilated! BWAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Just because he's crazy doesn't mean he's not right. :thumb:
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Hal I think we should ask the AN posters to name your speaker. I say Frankenbaffles. Well done sir. would like to hear them one day or two.
charles
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Charles,
They have a name. They are called... The Megaliths.
Listening is always a possibility when in MD. Just let me know.
Rich
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Charles,
They have a name. They are called... The Megaliths.
Listening is always a possibility when in MD. Just let me know.
Rich
Dumb f***k that I am How did I not notice that :duh
charles
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Updated speaker positions with the servo sub grills installed.
dspMusikLCD program updated.
Next is RoomEQ measurements.
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Charles,
They have a name. They are called... The Megaliths.
Listening is always a possibility when in MD. Just let me know.
Rich
AJ, charles, Scott, Danny, richidoo and I will be there at 9:00 tonight. Be ready!!!
:rofl:
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Might be difficult until tomorrow. On the road.
Once this set of measurements is done. Might just be time. Then prepare yourself! Bwahahahahahah! aa
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How close are you to this years venue for Capital Audio Fest? Maybe a little side trip might be in order.
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About 80 miles south. In this area about 2 hours.
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The Megaliths are now running the updated dspMusikLCD digital crossover for their new placement and MS-3 RoomEQ room correction. OH YEAH!!! :thumb:
Let me know if you want to come down for a listen. You might never be the same. :shock:
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The conversion from ChipAmps to Parasound Halo A23 amps is underway. Waiting on the shipment of 10 amps to replace the prototypes I built.
These should make for some interesting listening sessions.
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Your gonna need a bigger boat.
charles
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The Parasound A23 amps arrive Friday.
Then unboxing and connection to the system for checkouts.
Once amps are checked, time to try the new room correction mic system via the dspMusikLCD ADC to USB output. The dspMusikLCD becomes its own measurement system with RoomEQ as the crossover and HiRez DAC's are the sweep signal generator. Measurements at 24bit/192KHz vs the 16bit/44.1KHz for the Dayton Audio UMM-6 USB mic.
The BlunderBUSS and TWL HAL power cables are about to get a serious workout. :o
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Just received word the 16 channel dspMusikLCD will be here on 3 December to run The Megaliths speakers with the Parasound A23 amps.
The president of Danville Signal will be here for 3 days for discussions and listening trials as we dial in the system. Will be teaching him speaker and room measurements as part of a technology exchange program.
Will post pictures once it arrives for setup and listening!
WOOHOO!!! :thumb:
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Just received word the 16 channel dspMusikLCD will be here on 3 December to run The Megaliths speakers with the Parasound A23 amps.
The president of Danville Signal will be here for 3 days for discussions and listening trials as we dial in the system. Will be teaching him speaker and room measurements as part of a technology exchange program.
Will post pictures once it arrives for setup and listening!
WOOHOO!!! :thumb:
Good stuff, Rich 👍
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Servo sub module with Hot Rod Black finish.
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The 10 Parasound Halo A23 amps have arrived.
Unboxing and connections have started.
The sub module now has the woofer and new wiring installed and connected back to the 6x12 stack.
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Two more black Parasound A23 amps unboxed and ready to connect to The Megaliths. Match the color of the subs and Neo10's.
Using silver Parasound A23 amps for the GT Audio Works ribbons.
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Can't wait to see them, and maybe hear them sometime! :drool:
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All 10 Parasound A23's are connected and making music with the dspMusikLCD as the entire front end driven from the MS-3 Music Server.
Using a new room correction curve in MathAudio RoomEQ and it is excellent! Now to make a new set of RoomEQ measurements with the new amps and the Earthworks measurement mic setup at 24bit/192KHz.
After the week of Dec 3 when the full 16 channel dspMusikLCD is here, then I can play the system for folks that come down to SoMD.
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The Megaliths 16 channel dspMusikLCD crossover prototype is ready for testing with the hardware when it arrives next Sunday.
The excitement builds!!!
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The 16 channel dspMusikLCD with the first revision of The Megaliths crossover is up and running! Need to make more measurements and try the room correction with Foobar2000 with the new crossover.
This is getting better all the time!!! :)
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HAL truly a mega success. Your design of the [6] per side OB subs is quite an achievement alone. THe OB planars are off the charts altogether.
Others have tried to copy your design and have failed. Keep up the great work.
charles
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Charles,
This has been the insight and work of many excellent companies to make it all happen. This is truly a massive thing that could not have been done until these drivers were available for this sound quality along with the amps, servo amps and dspMusikLCD 2x16.
Whoever thinks DIY is for just for youngsters starting out need to reevaluate their concepts of what is possible in a basement. :)
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Finished getting Windows 10 1709 loaded on the MS-3 Music Server and software is up and running for measurements.
With the new version of REW, it now has support for 192KHz sample rate operation. This means all speaker measurements with it are at the native processing rate of the dspMusikLCD 2x16. Using the Earthworks M550 mic and 1021 mic preamp into the ADC will give full minimum phase measurement capability for the system.
Will be doing measurement trials on Monday and see what is now possible with the new system.
There is also improved support for MathAudio RoomEQ for HiRez measurements as well. This will be part of the measurement trials.
First will be finishing the adjustments to the digital crossover for flattest response before any correction is applied.
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Had a day to make some measurements on The Megaliths and do some response tweaking.
The is the Audiomatica Pocket CLIO frequency response of the left speaker at my listening location 8' from the array. Still have some room interaction to work on, but very nice without any room correction system running at all.
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First listening session with friends last night. Progress has been made with the new implementation of the crossover.
Now to try the RoomEQ function with the new measurement suite.
One person said they miss the pizza box amp look! :)
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Had a bit of a difference in the ribbon tweeters on both sides of the line array.
Found out the ribbon connector element screws had gotten loose and had to be tightened. Once tightening was done all ribbons are working correctly. Greg now has a new design to correct that for future ribbon builds.
Ran into an issue with MathAudio RoomEQ correction that I reported when making HiRez measurements. Waiting to see what I get as feedback. Hopefully it is something they will correct in a new build if they decide to support it.
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After making new 24bit/192KHz room measurements with MathAudio RoomEQ, the MS-3 and dspMusikLCD 2x16, have The Megaliths sounding great with all the music playback tonight. Classical, Jazz, Pop and Rock all sound wonderful and very open like music in a space.
First test was the original CD version of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. Sounds better than I remember it, and now need to get the DSD version on the Music Server for a comparison.
Almost time for friends to come over for another listening session to gauge progress.
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After doing some room and sub modeling, decided on a new location for the servo sub towers in my listening room.
Bob came over for the sub tower movement and driver rewire to test them with all the sub drivers facing forward. Updated the time delay between the subs and lines to work with the new sub positioning. Audibly much improved over the original response in the low end from the original positions.
Will be making new room response measurements to see what needs adjustment.
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The 8 updated GT Audio Works ribbons are installed and running in The Megaliths.
Making music at this time. Now for some new measurements to check the dspMusikLCD 2x16 digital crossover with the change to the ribbons.
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You truly are a Wildman! Turn them so I can hear them here! 8)
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In the original post in this thread you show a picture of what looks like the same woofer tower , except the drivers alternate direction. This is what I am used to seeing in open baffle sub designs. Yet in the the latest pic all of the woofers are pointed out , facing the listener. Why the change?
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The alternating woofer technique lowers distortion. It has different times of arrival from the two different woofer locations.
With them all the same side they are time aligned, but slightly higher distortion. The servo amps do a good job to start of lowering distortion.
Since these cabinets can be changed at will, decided to try the time aligned version and see what is the difference.
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The alternating woofer technique lowers distortion. It has different times of arrival from the two different woofer locations.
With them all the same side they are time aligned, but slightly higher distortion. The servo amps do a good job to start of lowering distortion.
Since these cabinets can be changed at will, decided to try the time aligned version and see what is the difference.
Yup. Wildman!
Makes sense with the minimal cone excursion that you have at LF to start with all of that cone area. To be able to lower that LF distortion even more is very interesting.
Cool.