Speaker array plans!!!

polkanddie

Ok, so this is my first DIY project... I just ordered 200 onkyo mylar tweeters... what else do I need... besides the cabinet...??? crossovers.. wiring?? mids? ... I am all ears for input, bc I am new at making my own.:D I am really excited though. I plan on making towers and using about 5-15 tweeters per speaker. By the way, I got these tweeters from parts express for $26 shipped.

zingo

That's a big undertaking, so good luck. You will need cabinet modeling software, along with either crossover modeling software or an external active crossover; to start. Can you post a link to the tweeters you bought so we can help you from there?

zingo

zingo wrote: »

Can you post a link to the tweeters you bought so we can help you from there?

I think I found it. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=269-810

*Power Handling: 20 watts RMS/40 watts max *VC dia: 3/8" *Znom: 6 ohms Re: 4.10 ohms *Frequency range: 6,000-20,000 Hz *Fs: 4,200 Hz *SPL: 87 dB 2.83V/1m *Driver Dimensions: Overall Diameter: 1-3/8", Cutout Diameter: 1-1/4", Mounting Depth: 5/8".

Face

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?t=212647

wutadumsn23

That is a lot of Tweets, lol.

-Jeff

polkanddie

Haha yes I thought so too... I might be putting some in my car as well. But it was a good deal I think... so it jump started my array plans, Would a Behringer CX2310 Super-X Pro Crossover work for my application? And thats them that you found, also how much is the software and where can I get it? Thanks again for all your help.

polkanddie

Would it be better to use passive crossovers, This is a very Budget project... as you can see from the tweeters I bought. Could I use one crossover for all and hook them up in series?

madmax

It could be cool to set a very narrow band of frequencies to each one. What a crossover that would be...
madmax

Systems

polkanddie wrote: »

Would it be better to use passive crossovers, This is a very Budget project... as you can see from the tweeters I bought. Could I use one crossover for all and hook them up in series?

With an fs of 4.2k you will need to cross them over higher than 6k making them useful only as super tweeters IMO.

megasat16

I really don't think you should use all 200 for the Tweeter Array. I think 16 or 32 of these per tower is really more than it needed.

Like GV said, it's only for the tweeter or super tweeter array so you'll need to come up with other drivers to cover from 20Hz to 6KHz.

Active Crossover design is better suited for this application, IMO.

For 200 tweeters for 10 bucks, you have a Christmas present for every kids in the block.

megasat16

madmax wrote: »

It could be cool to set a very narrow band of frequencies to each one. What a crossover that would be...
madmax

Are you thinking bandpass XO for each number of tweeters? It'll be a lot of XO components to build bandpass for 200 tweeters.

megasat16

These bare tweeters also looks a bit odd shaped since they are supposed to go into some kind of small enclosure for the vehicles. Mounting them would be also a bit challenging for line array use but I suppose you can do sandwiching between two layers of MDF or Birch Ply.

madmax

megasat16 wrote: »

Are you thinking bandpass XO for each number of tweeters? It'll be a lot of XO components to build bandpass for 200 tweeters.

Yes. And it would sound pretty terrible. Still, I bet it would be an interesting sound.

polkanddie

megasat16 wrote: »

These bare tweeters also looks a bit odd shaped since they are supposed to go into some kind of small enclosure for the vehicles. Mounting them would be also a bit challenging for line array use but I suppose you can do sandwiching between two layers of MDF or Birch Ply.

I was thinking just a hole,flush mount, possibly glue them in place, and maybe some wood filler for the small holes to smoothe out the look, then black paint or vinyl finish. Also I was thinking between 10 and 30 per line array, I really just need some good mids. Thinking about finding a decent htib and gutting some speakers...off CL of course... any thoughts??

kawizx9r

polkanddie wrote: »

I was thinking just a hole,flush mount, possibly glue them in place, and maybe some wood filler for the small holes to smoothe out the look, then black paint or vinyl finish. Also I was thinking between 10 and 30 per line array, I really just need some good mids. Thinking about finding a decent htib and gutting some speakers...off CL of course... any thoughts??

Think random drivers would bring you some bad juu-juu. Take a look around online, google array speakers and DIY projects. It's a very time consuming and expensive project but all that effort spent is well worth it for those that have built them. I've yet to hear a pair, but someday :rolleyes:

ben62670

You would have to have the tweeters nearly touching, and you would have problems with beaming still. They wouldn't work very well near field IMHO. Also as mentioned you would have to cross them very high, and you would need a bunch of mids, and 1 or 2 woofers because mids that run that high without distortion would not be very useful at the lower end.

polkanddie

What do you think about 5 of these on each speaker and probably a couple of 6.5" woofers to go with them. These are cheap and seem to be decent quality. Just wondering, How am I going to wire this all up and to a 4-8ohm load? ..................................................................................................................................................Also with all these extra tweeters lying around I was thinking about making my own outdoor speakers, with 3 tweeters in each and a 5.25" mid with each, and possibly coating the enclosure with rhinoliner???

polkanddie

polkanddie wrote: »

I plan on making towers and using about 5-15 tweeters per speaker.

But no more than 30...

I just found those 2" mids on parts express yesterday, and they are relatively inexpensive... $3.80 each. Im figuring I need at least 5 per speaker...maybe more? I am kind of debating on making towers now. And I might just have to settle with large bookshelf speakers... Wish me luck tommorrow when the big case of tweeters come and my GF is there to get the package...If I dont post anything for a couple days you can start worrying...lol. I never knew a case of tweeters would weigh 31lbs...:eek:

polkanddie

Goldwood 5.25" mid/woofers 8ohm or 4ohm... $11 each...curious. And oh how nic they will match the mid/tweets. Any thoughts?

ben62670

Not to be a bubble burster, but go with a solid design that has the plans for the XO with a 2 way or 3 way design. Been there done that. It took me forever to get where I am. A few good drivers in a near field design is better than a line array of cheap drivers.
Ben

polkanddie

Well I did also plan on making some large outdoor speakers for the deck, maybe Ill just get some good quality 6.5" drivers for those, make some component systems for the car, I mean... they will be good to have around...Im still not gonna dash my plans, Maybe once I get a better job lol. I will be taking pictures of the outdoor speaker project... coming soon.

zingo

Keeping busy is half the battle.

polkanddie

Ok, I guess its time to make component sets for the cars. Ill come back when I have the money and the time. I guess about 100 of these are going on CL!!!

megasat16

polkanddie wrote: »

Ok, I guess its time to make component sets for the cars. Ill come back when I have the money and the time. I guess about 100 of these are going on CL!!!

I know how you feel! I am also building a line array and I found it's very challenging. It's very time consuming and only a handful of resources are available such as designs considerations, ideas and actual build data not to mention it's very costly too! I wish you will be able to build your dream speakers soon in the future.