DIY speakers using an active crossover

Early B.
Early B. Posts: 7,900
edited April 2009 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
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?
HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

"God grooves with tubes."
Post edited by Early B. on
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2008
    edit.see below.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2008
    Here are my actives using SEAS drivers and Bryston amplifiers.
    htt1.JPG 125.8K
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited February 2008
    GV#27 wrote: »
    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?
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • ShinAce
    ShinAce Posts: 1,194
    edited February 2008
    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.
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  • edbert
    edbert Posts: 1,041
    edited February 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    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!
    I know just enough to be dangerous, but don't tell my wife, she thinks I'm a genius. :D

    Pioneer VSX-816
    Monitor 40's - fronts, bi-amped
    Monitor 30's - surrounds
    CS1 - center
    PSW10 - I'll let you guess
    Blue Jeans Cable - speaker cable
    Daewoo 27 incher - one step up from a console
    Sony Progressive scan DVD
    XBOX

    SOPA since 2008
    Here's my stuff.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited February 2008
    Gee, GV -- I keep staring at the pic of your speakers. They make me wanna grab my doughnuts and take a bite.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    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.
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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited February 2008
    GV#27 wrote: »
    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.
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2008
    ShinAce wrote: »
    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.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2008
    jakelm wrote: »
    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
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    Gee, GV -- I keep staring at the pic of your speakers. They make me wanna grab my doughnuts and take a bite.

    :eek:ouch that just might hurt alittle.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited February 2008
    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.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    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
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  • Deadof_knight
    Deadof_knight Posts: 980
    edited March 2008
    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
    :cool: " He who dies with the most equipment wins Right ? "

    Denon 3300 Adcom 535 BBe w/sub out 1 pr 4.6s 2 pr of 4 jrs Recent additions Samsung Lns-4095D LCD, Samsung hd-960 DVD, Monster HT-5000 Power center    ,HPSA-1000 18" sealed DiY home sub.:D
    Black Laquer 1.2tl's w/ upgraded x-overs and Tweets BI-Amped with 2 Carver tfm-35's Knukonceptz 10ga cables
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  • ShinAce
    ShinAce Posts: 1,194
    edited March 2008
    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*
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited March 2008
    ShinAce wrote: »
    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.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited March 2008
    Deadof_knight wrote: »
    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/showthread.php?t=62254&highlight=bipolar+sub
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  • soiset
    soiset Posts: 724
    edited April 2009
    GV#27 wrote: »
    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.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited April 2009
    Fred, those speakers are amazing. I've always loved the dual cab design and think it makes the most sense.

    These babies are active:

    project-image.jpg
    Jake
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  • John30_30
    John30_30 Posts: 1,024
    edited April 2009
    GV#27 wrote: »
    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.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited April 2009
    soiset wrote: »
    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=com_content&task=view&id=90&Itemid=114

    Midrange http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vintage/pdfdataheet/h0571_cb17rcyp.pdf

    Woofer http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vintage/pdfdataheet/h0333_ca21rex.pdf

    zingo wrote: »

    These babies are active:

    project-image.jpg
    Wow, I will have to take a look at the design details of those monsters over at PE.
    John30_30 wrote: »
    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.
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  • soiset
    soiset Posts: 724
    edited April 2009
    GV#27 wrote: »
    The crossovers are 4th order Linkwitz Rileys at 2k and 300hz,
    The drivers are linked below.

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

    Midrange http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vintage/pdfdataheet/h0571_cb17rcyp.pdf

    Woofer http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vintage/pdfdataheet/h0333_ca21rex.pdf

    Did you design and build the xover, or is a commercial unit?
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited April 2009
    soiset wrote: »
    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.
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  • soiset
    soiset Posts: 724
    edited April 2009
    GV#27 wrote: »
    The crossovers are 4th order Linkwitz Rileys at 2k and 300hz,
    The drivers are linked below.

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

    Midrange http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vintage/pdfdataheet/h0571_cb17rcyp.pdf

    Woofer http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vintage/pdfdataheet/h0333_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.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,504
    edited April 2009
    Beautiful speakers GV. High marks to you. I've been active (crossover) since 2006.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited April 2009
    soiset wrote: »
    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.
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    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.
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