formica

Just as a side note... I've read that the Alnico magnets don't require shielding when used next to a CRT TV (I'm not familiar with projection TV shielding)... so that may be a consideration for your custom centre channel... Rob

I would also recommend one of the Adire or Stryke drive units rather than the Klipsch ones... for a couple of reasons: 1) You need to get the Thiele/Small Parameters of the driver to design the box size and tuning... the DIY units have this readily available 2) Regular woofers won't work well in Subwoofer enclosures, as the manufacturer has to make design choices (compromises) to favour it's ability to play a wide frequency range. A driver designed as a subwoofer will play the lowest frequency much better at the expense of the range. As for recommended box size and tuning (if you are building a vented unit) you can use a free software like WinISD at http://www.linearteam.dk/default.aspx?pageid=winisdpro . For more info on design parameters, take a look at: http://www.diysubwoofers.org/ You might also want to consider building a separate box from the wall unit... as the vibrations created by your subwoofer will shake the whole unit. There is also the fact that subwoofer performance is very room dependant, and having the possibility of moving it the "ideal" corner can be pretty useful. Good luck... Rob

I wasn't at the show, but I strongly agree with paulparrot, that everyone has different tastes in music... and it's very hard to judge something based on source material that is unfamiliar. I couldn't agree more with: "When I say something sounded unnatural, that is based on my conception of what instruments and singers sound like in real life. It is possible that some of the source material I heard was mastered poorly, like with a smile EQ. In that case, when played back on equipment that I hadn't heard before, it's hard to know how much of the blame should go to the equipment and how much to the bad source material" As much energy as we can put into music reproduction, it isn't always present during the recording/mixing/mastering of the actual music. Unless vendor obliges by playing some of my favourite test music, I (personal opinion) have found it hard to come to any conclusions on equipment. Unfortunately I don't have main-stream (or audiophile) taste in music, so it rarely happens.

The way i understand it would be even though many stereo recordings have an almost mono bass signal, they all have a slight variation in each channel. One may have had a greater signal.... There is also the fact that not all woofers are made equal. I know that sounds bad, but there are many construction factors which will dictate the variations from one woofer to another. Klipsch (as well as other speaker manufacturers) will allow certain tolerances for each component which can easily explain the failure of only one woofer even if it were an identical signal as you probably pushed "just" over it's max and turned it down after you fried it... Glad you got the situation remedied... Rob

---------------- On 4/9/2003 7:26:15 PM Dustin B wrote: http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?&postid=739537#post739537 http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_9_3/feature-article-multiple-crossovers-9-2002.html ---------------- Thanks for those links Dustin... food for thought. I had seen the www.hometheaterhifi.com but not it's inspiration.

Thanks guys your posts have been the most reassuring. Most my family and friends think that I listen to music at insane levels claiming "I can hear it as I drive up in my car" or "all my skin was flapping to the beat" ...etc... (too much loose skin? ) With my current setup, I haven't taken he volume past 0db (it's a THX unit 0db supposed to = reference) which will give about 115db on my meter, depending on the music (stereo). If anything, I'd say I'm quite modest... Rob PS: this is getting me thinking about tubes again...

If i'm not mistaken, wouldn't your lack of bass be due to the low frequency rolloff of your LaScala rather than a lack of amplification to your woofer? I mean, they are pretty "flat" in a horn way... and boosting the power to the woofer would not only increase the volume of the lowest frequencies, but your mid bass as well. If your looking for more bass in the 20Hz region, why not add a subwoofer with a built in amp and x-over, and plug it into a "Y" from your CD ? Would work well with your simple / minimalist type of setup

I think you made a good choice... I agree that the pair of AV15 will give you similar (or slightly more?) output than the single Tumult at a fraction of the cost and with less power... the only drawback is the larger box for the pair versus the compact one. Will you keep the SVS until after your new sub is complete? I think I'll keep my existing Energy for future use as it doesn't have a large resale value ... and A-B comparisons are very interesting... Still hoping someone in Montreal with a killer sub will take me up as well... I already can't wait... I noticed you are using a BFD DSP1124P in your subwoofer setup... did you set your RF-3 as "large" seeing they play down to 37Hz, or did you cross them over (at 60Hz, 80Hz, etc) into the subwoofer and flatten it with the BFD? I'm just curious as I have a room peak around 45Hz and if I were to EQ only my sub, wouldn't this peak remain since it's fed to both the sub and my mains? (I use them at the large setting as they VERY large ) later... Rob

Reading these last threads on "decorator" series has finally given me a little more insight on what seemed to be unusual styling of my Heresys. These are actually what started me on Klipsch over 12 yrs ago... Thanks... Rob

We will end up with very similar subs with the exception that I will have just one... AV15 in 6ft3 @ ±20Hz with a MPC200 ... It reassures me that you are aiming to outperform your Ultra with a similar setup rather than just buying a second SVS.... My Energy12 is an easy target... but I didn't want to regret not going with SVS in the long run. I look forward to reading your comparison, even if it won't be for awhile. One of the great parts on the JBL deal is that it includes the shipping as well... but that is also why I haven't received mine yet as I had it sent to a helpful friend in the US, and then sent to me, doubling my shipping time. As you may have noticed on HTF, Bill F. has received his MPC300 and says it really a simple DIY project. The 300 is actually a more complex conversion than the MPC200 as there is a fuse and a thermistor to be replaced which there ISN'T in the smaller 200. As for the rest he says: "The rest of the conversion looks dead simple: New power cord, move a few friction connectors to different terminals on the power PCB" That is it... you can check out my info page I posted at: http://www3.sympatico.ca/bonaz/JBL/JBL-MPC-230V-120V.htm when I do get mine, I'll post up some pictures as well... later... Rob. PS: You really got that AV15 preorder in last minute...

I haven't yet received the replacement diaphragm but when it arrives, I'll do my best to document its replacement and post it online. When I disassembled the tweeter, it looked simple enough... just have to be careful not to damage the new one. I'll keep you guys updated on my progress... Later... Rob

Ironically i always assumed "OBO" - "or best offer" meant that price or less... but technically it can go either way if the demand is there I hope it works out in any case... and I'm trying to be of some help... Rob

I know how hard it can be to hunt some heritage speakers down !! But I saw an ad that might interest you... i don't know how much you are willing to spend and shipping, but the ad was in the Vancouver Buy-Sell March 27th issue for a pair of KLIPSCHORN at 2,995$ OBO ... I don't have the phone as i'm not a member... but check it out at http://www.buysell.com/results.asp?id=821&qu=klips&more=-1&less=-1&la=0&lo=0&prox=NaN&search=class&srhIssue=&vt=%09%09%2B+vehicle_type+%2B+&mnf=%09%09%2B+vehicle_manf+%2B+&yrfrom=0&yrto=0&mk=&mdl=&SUBMIT1=Display+Results hope the link works... (or try www.buysell.com and search around) I'm in Montreal, and I'm always looking out for some more heritage speakers to complete my system... I'd really like some more Cornwalls or Heresys but I'd be open to a partial set... *puts on flame retardant suit* I would like to build a custom centre but I'm not supposed to mention it in 2-channel section... If anyone sees any deals in eastern Canada drop me a line...

I think you made a good choice with the BFD... and flattening your subwoofer room response will definitely make an appreciable audible difference. I would caution about filling any large dips though... remembering that every 3db boost requires double the power. I will eventually get one myself as my initial tests showed I had a 9db peak around 45Hz and a corresponding 7db dip around 63Hz ! I'll have to wait though, as I have other plans first...

I had originally considered going with an SVS sub to keep up with my Klipsch because many people here are using similar combinations with pretty good success... but after reading on HTF and here about the good results that could be had with a DIY sub I reconsidered. I am going the DIY route and I have ordered a 700W JBL (QSC) amp as well as a Stryke AV15 driver, which I will probably put in a 6ft3 enclosure tuned to about 20Hz. One thing I haven't seen much of, is head to head comparisons of commercial subs versus DIY ones. I'm in the Montreal region and I was wondering if anyone would be interested in setting up a shoot out? I should have the sub ready this summer after the driver ships... and I will do a series of comparisons to my existing Energy 12... but it would be nice to see real world numbers compared to higher end subs which may (or may not) out-perform the DIY one. Subs like the HGS Velodyne, SVS, Paradigm Servo15, etc... Anyone interested? Rob.

I thought i beat the others to this... ... but i read too quickly, and thought you said KSW, not KTSW... So i just deleted my KSW text... lol... as i've never heard a KTSW sorry about that... Rob

Just wanted to add my 2-cents... 1. Concrete is porous and waterproofing used is often mediocre (sprayed on asphalt coating?) so some humidity will make it's way in. There are better foundation membranes available but will cost a premium... about 4 to 8 times the standard cost. (In eastern Canada, it adds about 1500$ to 2500$ to the cost of and average home). A dehumidifier, as mentioned, will help a great deal. 2. When build up the interior walls be careful in the choice of air barrier (not vapour barrier or plastic sheathing) mentioned. The choice word here is air barrier (or house wrap), which will breathe and allow the trapped humidity to dry. This will prevent fungus growth. 3. Basements made of poured concrete will be tempered in temperature, as both the concrete and the exterior soil tend to change temperatures very slowly. Assuming the home had no heating or cooling, it would be warmer than the exterior temperature in the winter and cooler in the summer. This may seem odd as we often think of basements as being cold and damp but this is usually due to the design than the inherent properties. If you visit a home that isn't air-conditioned in the summer, the coolest room will be the basement. If you were to visit an unheated building with a basement in the winter you will find the basement as one of the warmest rooms. This harder to verify but you can see this happening in abandoned buildings. I believe you will be fine if you provide the same quantity of heating and cooling as the others floors in the home. 4) You may want to acoustically insulate the room at the same time... it won't eliminate sound transmissions, but should greatly reduce them. For see a sound strip around all doors in the room and avoid anything which rattles (French doors can be a pain in the bu!! ). later... Rob

What! No replies?? Seeing the number of people here experimenting with custom centres, I'm just a little surprised. As for your woofer choice, since you would be using the other components out of a Quartet, you should try to match the Quartet's woofers resistance, efficiency, and frequency handling as much as possible. I don't know the original woofers specs but if you could get them, it would help the choice. If no one here has them, you can bring the woofer to a speaker-shop who will bench test it for it's T/S parameters. I don't think that the speakers overall efficiency is important as you can adjust the level on your decoder... (eg: a Heresy center is a good match to Cornwall mains) but the woofers efficiency -vs- the original one is as this will change the tonal balance of your speaker. For example a more efficient woofer will make the speaker sound more bass heavy. let us know how it goes... Rob

Actually I think he was trying to say that the sealed speaker will have more movement only because it's natural frequency (the frequency at which it will oscillate wildly with almost no power) is often designed so that it'll near/in the audible range to help boost the speakers ability to produce the lowest frequencies. The ported speaker's natural frequency will usually be designed lower as it isn't needed as much to boost the lower frequencies and without the "sealed box" to control it's movement, it is much easier for it to over extend. Basically its' movements are dictated by tricks of the trade... that is where the manufacturer decides to place the Fs (natural frequency of the driver) BTW: great post Gil !

---------------- On 3/27/2003 7:27:26 AM kev313 wrote: When I see old Klipschorns going for 1/3 - 1/5 new price on ebay, I think that represents a tremendous deal... I suspect it is because there is just too many currently being sold. Look for that to change eventually! ---------------- I agree that they are great deals used, especially since they are very durable and don't degrade much with age. I guess this is the same reason that there are so many around, many dating from several decades ago!!

1. What Heritage speakers have you owned, currently own, or want to own? 2. What was your age when you first purchased a Heritage series loudspeaker? 3. What is your current age? 4. Why did you choose Heritage loudspeakers over another Klipsch model? 5. If you currently own some Heritage loudspeakers, and could purchase some more Klipsch speakers(new or used), which ones would you purchase? Why? 6. Do you think the upcoming Jubilee should become part of the "Heritage" line, since it was also designed by PWK? Answers 1. I own Heresy (I), Cornwall (I) 2. ummm... 19 or 20 3. 32 but i feel much younger 4. I purchased them used, and Heritage were easier to find and higher end 5. Anything Heritage... I'd like to assemble a 7.1 system with a DIY heritage center channel. 6. I have not seen or heard the Jubilee, but it would have to share it's timber with the other in the series (same or similar high and mid range horns)

And here is my before picture... not a good angle though. Moon, I would tend to simply refinish the existing veneer if possible... but re-veneering in general isn't a very difficult job... you can ask about it at a home depot or the like.. but the basic steps are: 1- Buy veneer and glue at hardware store 2- sand and prep your surfaces 3- apply your glue to both speaker and veneer, let dry 4- glue together carefully 5- trim 6- repeat steps 3 to 5 for each panel 7- apply finish but re-veneering a belle is a little tougher because of some panels are hard to reach.

I have to admit I would have had the same reaction as you when discovering that they were Walnut? It's a very different wood from birch... actually night and day difference... something I would have thought almost impossible to match... I'm IMPRESSED... what really nice match!!! You must have put quite some time playing with that stain... but your end result is well worth it. Both your Belle and K'orns look great. As a side note, I chose the same finish as you (Minwax red Oak on a birch veneer + poly for low maintenance) for my Cornwalls.

good question... he didn't mention anything about it being out of stock and i didn't ask. I kinda went under the assumption that they had some, but you never know. If you call them, let me know... Rob

Ok, I called www.simplyspeakers.com and ordered the 89486A DIAPHRAGM-(EV-350) K-77 Klipsch K-77 Diaphragm 8 OHM at $24.00 + shipping... Very friendly service... they said that it is quite common that they stop functioning due to "fatigue" and "age". I was worried about the fact that it seemed to have died with a relatively low signal... Although getting them refurbished was tempting, I didn't want to hassle with shipping the units from Canada... and he assured me it was an easy solder. I'm gonna give it a try, and post up on how it went. I feel better knowing Thanks guys... Rob