Building a center channel

[SoundNov]

I have some AURA NS6-255-8A drivers that I want to use for a center channel on my 5.1 surround system. See link below.

The AURA's
https://www.parts-express.com/aura-ns6-255-8a-6-paper-cone-neodymium-magnet-woofer--299-030

I'm looking for advice on tweeter selection, crossover frequency, and cabinet design. I am only using a Yamaha receiver for power and I want to stay with 8ohms for the system.

I was thinking using (4) 8ohm AURA's in a series/parallel combination.

DESIGN OPTIONS: For the highs, I can do (2) 4ohm tweeters MTMMTM, TMMMMT; or (1) 8ohm tweeter MMTMM. I don't have much to spend on these; maybe $10-$20ea. Average listening distance is about 8' from the source so I thought having (2) tweeters a couple feet apart could help with dispersion.

PROPOSED TWEETER:
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-nd25fa-4-1-soft-dome-neodymium-tweeter--275-059


CROSSOVER FREQUENCY: 3500Khz?

CABINET DESIGN: I have had great performance with the AURA's in a ported enclosure, but I thought an acoustic suspension design might be better here, not sure why. Any ideas for internal volume will be appreciated.

 

[CT_Ohio]

I've started doing this stuff in 2017, still learning, so just thoughts here no expertise. First thing I see when looking at the spec sheet for the Aura is a sharp response peak around 4500 hz (see pic). If you want to cut that peak out I think you'd want to either cross a bit lower than 3500 or use a higher-order crossover (3rd or higher). With the Dayton tweeter only going down to 2500, I guess you'd want to do the latter. Elsewhere in the DIY section I started a thread asking for crossover calc/layout tools, so if you need a calculator go check it out: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/software-tool-for-circuit-diagrams.776599/

As for the cabinet, there are sizing suggestions in the Q&A section on the PartsExpress page for that woofer.

Aura_ns6_spec

• CT_Ohio
• Sep 2, 2017

for DIY post.

 

[Binkman]

greetings and welcome to ak.

Which model Yamaha? I'd check the specs on that as many av systems when using the center channel are sometimes dominating for front presence on i.e. general viewing or listening w/ the front l/r but offers more speaker separation l/r mains distance/ wiring. more total front surround.

If designing.. The klipsch kv2 is very good model. or if you can find one they are usually in good condition.. I like it much better than the 'bar' type designs. Just noting the K2 has one tweeter. easy to gloogle up for ideas.

 

[SoundNov]

Thanks for the replies.

CT_Ohio - I noticed that 4500hz peak on the Aura's. I was hoping a crossover point of 3500hz might help smooth it out. I wouldn't mind creating my own crossover, it just saves me a lot of time to buy an assembled one. Also, I really don't know much about crossover design yet. I did post a question on Parts Express about this too, thanks.

Blinkman - I'm not quite sure what you mean here: "sometimes dominating for front presence on i.e. general viewing or listening w/ the front l/r but offers more speaker separation l/r mains distance/ wiring. more total front surround." Could you try to describe this a little more clearly?

 

[Binkman]

simply if your system av for viewing or a/v a center speaker for many av amps but saying model number of Yamaha to check for adjustments.i.e. internal menu's etc. many you can adjust the frequencies.

 

[CT_Ohio]

PE has plenty of premade crossovers, like this one at 3500hz (https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-xo2w-35k-2-way-speaker-crossover-3500-hz--260-146) but most are designed for 8-ohms on the high side of the network. (The one I linked here is switchable on the low end via jumper.) A 6-driver array might require something more complicated, especially if you're mixing impedances, and hopefully the experienced guys here will comment on that.

And welcome to AK.

 

[SoundNov]

PE has plenty of premade crossovers, like this one at 3500hz (https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-xo2w-35k-2-way-speaker-crossover-3500-hz--260-146) but most are designed for 8-ohms on the high side of the network. (The one I linked here is switchable on the low end via jumper.) A 6-driver array might require something more complicated, especially if you're mixing impedances, and hopefully the experienced guys here will comment on that.

And welcome to AK.

Thanks, that is the crossover I plan on using. (4) 8ohm drivers can be wired in an 8ohm configuration; as well as (2) 4ohm drivers. Look up "SERIES" and "PARALLEL" wiring. I will hopefully have an 8 ohm impedance for both the highs and the lows.