DIY speakers using an active crossover

[Early B.]

Seems like speakers with active crossovers are becoming more popular these days (of course, it may only seem that way to me). Can they be made on the cheap? I dunno.

I really like the look and design concept of the Emerald Physic CS2's. I'd love to build something similar.

Let's start by posting links to DIY speakers that are designed for active crossovers. This guy does 'em: http://www.linkwitzlab.com/orion_construction.htm


Anyone got any other good links?

[GV#27]

edit.see below.

[GV#27]

Here are my actives using SEAS drivers and Bryston amplifiers.

[Early B.]

Here are my actives using SEAS drivers and Bryston amplifiers.

Wow, that is impressive!! I'd love to hear those speakers, but Canada is in another country.;)

You gotta gives us some details on your system. I wanna know more about that tower of power you got hanging out in the corner. I assume you have two of them?

[ShinAce]

I can step up for Early B. to ensure those speakers are HEARD. I live in downtown Ottawa.

p.s. I'm looking at a 2-way active crossover right now. It's a shame I'll need to add binding posts to the terminal cups in order to wire it up. Speakers are DIY so I'm good with modifying them.

[edbert]

Wow, that is impressive!! I'd love to hear those speakers, but Canada is in another country.;)

You gotta gives us some details on your system. I wanna know more about that tower of power you got hanging out in the corner. I assume you have two of them?

What country is Canada in?:D

Nice system GV!

[Early B.]

Gee, GV -- I keep staring at the pic of your speakers. They make me wanna grab my doughnuts and take a bite.

[GV#27]

Wow, that is impressive!! I'd love to hear those speakers, but Canada is in another country.;)

Thanks Early,and yes Canada is in another country.:D

I wanna know more about that tower of power you got hanging out in the corner. I assume you have two of them?

That is a sub for the main channels and it uses 2 10" woofers one forward firing and one down firing.I am replacing it with the dual 12" sub that is the subject of a thread in the DIY section.

[jakelm]

Thanks Early,and yes Canada is in another country.:D

LMAO, now that was funny.

Where in another country is Canada located? I cant find it on my road atlas.

[GV#27]

I can step up for Early B. to ensure those speakers are HEARD. I live in downtown Ottawa.

Im a few hours west of you near Peterborough.If you are ever on a road trip and in the area let me know.

[GV#27]

LMAO, now that was funny.

Where in another country is Canada located? I cant find it on my road atlas.

I think it is near Quebec.:D

[GV#27]

Gee, GV -- I keep staring at the pic of your speakers. They make me wanna grab my doughnuts and take a bite.

ouch that just might hurt alittle.

[Early B.]

GV -- tell us how your speakers sound. Did you design them yourself? I'm also curious about your thoughts on an active crossover, as well.

[GV#27]

GV -- tell us how your speakers sound.

Well I like them.:)Actually I have been DIY ing speakers for some time and these while certainly not perfect, are the first ones were Im really satisfied with the result and don't have the urge to change anything with the design ...Yet.

Did you design them yourself?

Yes I built the enclosures, selected the drivers and either built from scratch or modified the active crossovers.

I'm also curious about your thoughts on an active crossover, as well.

For me going active has resulted in a BIG leap in performance and far better than if I tried to design my own passive crossover.

Sure the extra amps and xovers increase cost and add complexity but it is worth it.The biggest area of gain would have to be with dynamics,I can play the system at higher levels with far less apparent strain and distortion.

This is because the amps are seeing a very easy load and not being pushed hard and power is not being wasted in resistors and coils.

Here is a excellent link that clearly explains the avantages of active speakers and I concur with the author.http://sound.westhost.com/biamp-vs-passive.htm

[Deadof_knight]

I got a question other than what country is canada in . Ok I noticed your sub in the corner is how much CUFT do you have that enlcosure at. The wood work on your stuff looks very nice. 2 10s I see what somewhere around 3-4 cubes

[ShinAce]

I'm gonna guess and say 4-6 cubic feet(felt like saying 5).

GV, please tell me that isn't pine! *runs away in fear of pine sap*

[GV#27]

GV, please tell me that isn't pine! *runs away in fear of pine sap*

uuum it isn't.:o:D



OK so it is or atleast on the sub,the speakers are cherry .When I built that sub 7ish years ago I had a 24" wide roll of notty pine laying around so used it on these.My bad.

[GV#27]

I got a question other than what country is canada in . Ok I noticed your sub in the corner is how much CUFT do you have that enlcosure at. The wood work on your stuff looks very nice. 2 10s I see what somewhere around 3-4 cubes

Good guess,it is almost exactly 3 cu ft.These AC10 woofers while still sounding great on music they lack the output neccessay and can get overdriven when used for HT.So Im building this dual 12"as a replacement.http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/show...ht=bipolar+sub

[soiset]

Here are my actives using SEAS drivers and Bryston amplifiers.

I MUST know more about your design. It looks almost identical to something I've had in mind for a while.

[zingo]

Fred, those speakers are amazing. I've always loved the dual cab design and think it makes the most sense.

These babies are active:

[John30_30]

uuum it isn't.:o:D



OK so it is or atleast on the sub,the speakers are cherry .When I built that sub 7ish years ago I had a 24" wide roll of notty pine laying around so used it on these.My bad.

That looks like you did a beaut job. I love knotty pine.

[GV#27]

I MUST know more about your design. It looks almost identical to something I've had in mind for a while.

The crossovers are 4th order Linkwitz Rileys at 2k and 300hz,
The drivers are linked below.

Tweeter http://www.seas.no/index.php?option=...=90&Itemid=114

Midrange http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vi...1_cb17rcyp.pdf

Woofer http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vi...33_ca21rex.pdf

These babies are active:

Wow, I will have to take a look at the design details of those monsters over at PE.

That looks like you did a beaut job. I love knotty pine.

Thanks but I'm retiring them for a pair 14" cubes finished in a nice shade of black.

[soiset]

The crossovers are 4th order Linkwitz Rileys at 2k and 300hz,
The drivers are linked below.

Tweeter http://www.seas.no/index.php?option=...=90&Itemid=114

Midrange http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vi...1_cb17rcyp.pdf

Woofer http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vi...33_ca21rex.pdf

Did you design and build the xover, or is a commercial unit?

[GV#27]

Did you design and build the xover, or is a commercial unit?

I recently upgraded the 2k tweeter -mid xover.heres the details of it. http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79522


The 300hz woofer-mid xover is done with a Bryston 10B LR.

[soiset]

The crossovers are 4th order Linkwitz Rileys at 2k and 300hz,
The drivers are linked below.

Tweeter http://www.seas.no/index.php?option=...=90&Itemid=114

Midrange http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vi...1_cb17rcyp.pdf

Woofer http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vi...33_ca21rex.pdf

That's a really great selection of drivers, pretty much exactly what I would choose for my project given the funds. I imagine they were pretty darned expensive.

[SCompRacer]

Beautiful speakers GV. High marks to you. I've been active (crossover) since 2006.

[GV#27]

That's a really great selection of drivers, pretty much exactly what I would choose for my project given the funds. I imagine they were pretty darned expensive.

The midranges and woofers are older discontinued SEAS designs that I purchased from Solen's clearance page.IIRC both were under $50 ea., about 40% less than they would have normally sold for.While they are certainly not state of the art like their EXCEL series drivers IMO they are excellent performers for the money.The tweeter is still in production and was $40ish.When I originally built the system I used a Vifa tweet and midrange that are now serving duty in my PC rig.

Beautiful speakers GV.

Thanks,I wish that were a better pic. though.

I've been active (crossover) since 2006.

I had a peek at your my stuff gallery and Wow that is a very nice setup and a nice room with treatments to boot,I bet those ESL's sound excellent.