Question about matching DIY speakers with Polk

ljeqh8
ljeqh8 Posts: 4
edited February 2010 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
If this has been covered before I apologize in advance, I did a search and didn't turn anything up.

I want to build my own speaker system. At the moment I will be using polk lc80is for the L and R speakers. I intend to go with either an already assembled polk center or making my own using again the lc or tc series speakers. My question is about the surrounds. Is anybody familiar with raw drivers that would be matched (at least reasonably close) with aforementioned polk speakers? And a follow up, how important is the matching for the surrounds? Obvisouly all the surrounds will be matched to each other, I just want to know if the continuity of the soundstage (I hope that is the right term) will be adversly affected by a change in manufacturer from the fronts to the sides and rear.

Thanks,

Luke
Post edited by ljeqh8 on
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Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2010
    What's the reason for going DIY in the first place? Surrounds are not as crucial to timbre matching as the front stage is in an HT. If anything, check out Parts Express and look for a nice silk dome tweeter, not an aluminum dome.

    There are some regular DIY guys on here that may be able to get more specific for you in regards to driver selection. Just give them time to respond.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited February 2010
    Only advice I can provide to your questions is on timbre matching. It is very important to try and get as close as possible with your front three, same series is best. As for your sides/surrounds, that isn't as important. It is ideal to keep it in the family with tme as well, but not as important. Welcome to Club Polk.

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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  • ljeqh8
    ljeqh8 Posts: 4
    edited February 2010
    Thank you both for your responses.
    What's the reason for going DIY in the first place? Surrounds are not as crucial to timbre matching as the front stage is in an HT. If anything, check out Parts Express and look for a nice silk dome tweeter, not an aluminum dome.

    dorokusai, to answer your question; I just really like the idea of building something myself, the satisfaction and the challenge. Plus, I got a really great deal on the LC80is and I don't want to mount them in the wall or ceiling. Parts Express is where I've been looking; I'm glad to hear that they are a good place to purchase speaker parts. Is there any reason in particular that like silk dome over metal?
    Only advice I can provide to your questions is on timbre matching.

    watadumsn23, I have read about that (timber matching). I have every intention of staying in series for the front sound stage, but saying I didn't, what would be the best way to compare the timbre of different speakers? Is it something you have to have an ear for or could I find the information in the speakers specification?

    Again, thank you both.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2010
    To keep the front stage timbre matched, it's important that the tweeters are similar. For your LC80is', check out the XT25 Vifa ring radiator, available from Parts Express and Madisound. For a mid woofer check out: http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=45_228_254&products_id=1105
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2010
    ljeqh8 wrote: »
    Thank you both for your responses.



    dorokusai, to answer your question; I just really like the idea of building something myself, the satisfaction and the challenge. Plus, I got a really great deal on the LC80is and I don't want to mount them in the wall or ceiling. Parts Express is where I've been looking; I'm glad to hear that they are a good place to purchase speaker parts. Is there any reason in particular that like silk dome over metal?

    .

    Cool, just wondering. The silk or soft dome will be an easier blend for the LCi series. I'd go with Faces' suggestions as he's built more than I have.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2010
    Also, if you purchase both drivers from Madisound, they can also design you a crossover for a small fee. Avoid any pre-built crossovers.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • ljeqh8
    ljeqh8 Posts: 4
    edited February 2010
    Face wrote: »
    Also, if you purchase both drivers from Madisound, they can also design you a crossover for a small fee. Avoid any pre-built crossovers.

    Thanks for the help, you gave exactly what I was looking for. I will keep the crossover option in mind. Thanks again

    Cool, just wondering. The silk or soft dome will be an easier blend for the LCi series. I'd go with Faces' suggestions as he's built more than I have.

    This has also been a big help; thank you too.
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  • jonnymorgan
    jonnymorgan Posts: 1
    edited February 2010
    Active crossovers? These provide some advantages. You can even use them with existing speakers.

    They can really boost overall performance. Especially, if you are considering building some monitors yourself. Getting good results is much easier than passive components. Just a thought!

    Jon
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,604
    edited February 2010
    Kuodos to you! I love seeing DIY projects come to fruition.
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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