After I built my first open baffle speakers - a modified a version of the decware zen - the WAF (wife acceptance factor) was less than ideal due to the size. So I just had to try again, this time with a modified rough version of the duet - but my design 100 pct.
They really look great and sound pretty good so far - still playing with placement and balance between drivers (included an L-pad in the crossover). My room not ideal (lots of reflective surfaces, but still worth the effort i think.
Final version:
Build was made using walnut veneered plywood (I bookmatched the baffles), walnut edging,
(base missing in above photo)
1/8 aluminum edging to connect the sides and the baffle (used a grinder to shape the profile at the top),
some low profile adjustable feet so I could level or slightly tilt the baffle (which was set at 4 degrees back). The baffle was made using a glue up of 3/4 and 1/2 walnut plywood for a 1.25 inch thickness. Laminating like that adds significant stiffness and prevents some resonance. Used 1/4 black acrylic for crossover boards - made a template after laying out the components and then drilled both boards at the same time -3 different sized holes though - one for l-pad, one for zip ties, and one for component leads.
Drivers were the SB Audience Bianco 15 inch for the bass and the Lii Audio Fast 12 for the full range - crossed over about 235 Hz.
The cost of these drivers is reasonable compared to many alternatives, though i might go a bit more upscale should i ever get the urge to try again.
BTW, the system shown here is the Hitachi HCA 7500 preamp and the HMA 7500 MOSFET amplifier with a WIIM Pro Plus streamer. I restored bothof the Hitachi units, which are in great physical and operating condition.
Hope you enjoyed! Keith
They really look great and sound pretty good so far - still playing with placement and balance between drivers (included an L-pad in the crossover). My room not ideal (lots of reflective surfaces, but still worth the effort i think.
Final version:
Build was made using walnut veneered plywood (I bookmatched the baffles), walnut edging,
(base missing in above photo)
1/8 aluminum edging to connect the sides and the baffle (used a grinder to shape the profile at the top),
some low profile adjustable feet so I could level or slightly tilt the baffle (which was set at 4 degrees back). The baffle was made using a glue up of 3/4 and 1/2 walnut plywood for a 1.25 inch thickness. Laminating like that adds significant stiffness and prevents some resonance. Used 1/4 black acrylic for crossover boards - made a template after laying out the components and then drilled both boards at the same time -3 different sized holes though - one for l-pad, one for zip ties, and one for component leads.
Drivers were the SB Audience Bianco 15 inch for the bass and the Lii Audio Fast 12 for the full range - crossed over about 235 Hz.
The cost of these drivers is reasonable compared to many alternatives, though i might go a bit more upscale should i ever get the urge to try again.
BTW, the system shown here is the Hitachi HCA 7500 preamp and the HMA 7500 MOSFET amplifier with a WIIM Pro Plus streamer. I restored bothof the Hitachi units, which are in great physical and operating condition.
Hope you enjoyed! Keith
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Not sure if decware still using this driver, but the one I used is the same that they used to use in their (much more expensive) speakers. I still have love for my KLH refurbished model 6s which I still use, but I get why open baffle has such a following. It really depends partly on the kind of music you play and how often you really need loud, deep, bass. For me, both of these are fine, with better base in the 2-way.