Open Baffle Epiphany!
- Thread starter cptnCanada
- Start date
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
Inexpensive quality binding posts are what I used in the OB's above. The front end accepts banana plugs or wire while the rear has a set screw that captures the speaker wire. I remove the binding posts and discard the wall plate. Some of these accept banana plugs on both ends which you don't want but rather go with those that accept bare wire with a set screw.
They're also large enough to double up the speaker wires to drive two pair for a 4 ohm parallel load ( as shown in the picture above ).
They're also large enough to double up the speaker wires to drive two pair for a 4 ohm parallel load ( as shown in the picture above ).
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Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
You'll find them cheaper if you google "home theater wall plate binding posts".
bingow
Member
Update. Added temporary 6"x3' cardboard wings to the bottoms of the OBs, with no noticable change. Subwoofer: my 2nd go was with a "box" that some of you may recognize:
Yep, an Omaha Steaks shipping box, the 17" version, 0.84 cu.ft., with 1½" good density foam walls (note the consistency of the speaker cutout). This was a gift from one of our kiddos about 15 years ago, and I could never bring myself to throw it away. The speaker is held with five ⅛"x2" machine screws and 1" wide fender washers and nuts on the inside. The lid, which is now the bottom, is temporalily held with fiber reinforced shipping tape. It's a good tight fit, sort of tongue-in-grove, that makes a good seal. I can't say it sounds much different from the bucket, but I'll stick with it until the low pass filter is added, expected delivery next week. Not exactly in the class of heavy MDF, but couldn't resist. If it works, I'll name it MOBY.
Yep, an Omaha Steaks shipping box, the 17" version, 0.84 cu.ft., with 1½" good density foam walls (note the consistency of the speaker cutout). This was a gift from one of our kiddos about 15 years ago, and I could never bring myself to throw it away. The speaker is held with five ⅛"x2" machine screws and 1" wide fender washers and nuts on the inside. The lid, which is now the bottom, is temporalily held with fiber reinforced shipping tape. It's a good tight fit, sort of tongue-in-grove, that makes a good seal. I can't say it sounds much different from the bucket, but I'll stick with it until the low pass filter is added, expected delivery next week. Not exactly in the class of heavy MDF, but couldn't resist. If it works, I'll name it MOBY.
interested... might be worth a drive in to demo them.
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649870604-spatial-audio-m6-sapphire-open-baffle-red-high-gloss/
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649870604-spatial-audio-m6-sapphire-open-baffle-red-high-gloss/
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
I'm sure they sound great but the neat thing about OB's is they aren't that hard to build. You can save a ton of money even using drivers that are too costly for companies that built to a price point to afford. You see a few more companies like Pure and Spacial selling OB's these days but it's still a predominately diy activity. If you lack the tools a cabinet shop would make the cuts. Even stores like HD and Lowes will make straight cuts free of charge if you buy their wood.
dfoulk
Active Member
Even Jeffry likes OB'S!
dfoulk
Active Member
Those were some new front panels for my open baffle speakers, but I decided to make them out of more stout plywood, so I tookCuriosity killed the Cat!
Man they do get into EVERYTHING!
the scraps and made a play box for our resident 4 kitties. Working on an outdoor adventure environment for them now, sort of like a
giant hamster cage, only for cats! They will love it, and it will be fun to watch them discover being able to escape out of the window into a new
enclosed world
fjdds
Active Member
Finally got around to completing these OBs, based on the Zenith 49-1045, two alphas per side, Eminence tweeter, and rear facing Realistic pod, out of phase. (Thanks PG!)
Couple of observations/comments:
-I agree with Mr. Glow in the Dark, they are more forward, not quite as warm as the 852s, but as he states, might be the limited hours on them. (These were actually NIB, never used. Note the immense magnets.)
-Allo Volt +D does a great job with them. Initially, I was disappointed, especially when compared to the 852s, but with time, the differences are diminishing, especially when I A/B the same material. In fact, the scale of the presentation is what is striking with this setup, as compared to the 852s, which, to me, are more intimate. Again, probably depends on the the material, my room, my ears/preferences, etc. I love them both, but the differences are obvious.
Next, to try them with the Magnavox amp.
-Using two plate amps (Yung SD100s) for the Alphas. Initially, I thought they were inadequate. Cranked all the way up, and still sounded anemic on the low end. Then, instead of streaming from my phone, I ran a cable from my DAC (Khadas Tone Board), to the FX, and wow, what a difference. Base deepened, soundstage expanded and more slam than I expected. The SD100 are more than enough to make those alphas flex.
-My woodworking skills are pitiful, so I went with a textured stone like spray paint. Covers a multitude of imperfections. Lazy I know, but I'm happy with the result. These are headed for the porch!
Couple of observations/comments:
-I agree with Mr. Glow in the Dark, they are more forward, not quite as warm as the 852s, but as he states, might be the limited hours on them. (These were actually NIB, never used. Note the immense magnets.)
-Allo Volt +D does a great job with them. Initially, I was disappointed, especially when compared to the 852s, but with time, the differences are diminishing, especially when I A/B the same material. In fact, the scale of the presentation is what is striking with this setup, as compared to the 852s, which, to me, are more intimate. Again, probably depends on the the material, my room, my ears/preferences, etc. I love them both, but the differences are obvious.
Next, to try them with the Magnavox amp.
-Using two plate amps (Yung SD100s) for the Alphas. Initially, I thought they were inadequate. Cranked all the way up, and still sounded anemic on the low end. Then, instead of streaming from my phone, I ran a cable from my DAC (Khadas Tone Board), to the FX, and wow, what a difference. Base deepened, soundstage expanded and more slam than I expected. The SD100 are more than enough to make those alphas flex.
-My woodworking skills are pitiful, so I went with a textured stone like spray paint. Covers a multitude of imperfections. Lazy I know, but I'm happy with the result. These are headed for the porch!
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fjdds
Active Member
What I did. HD did all the straight cuts.
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Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
Excellent and you should be quite proud of your work.
I still haven't tried the Volt+D with my OB's but the SMSL DA-9 and Aiyima AO7 both do a fine job. Each of those have sub outs for the plate amp driven Alphas. In the garage I've been using an Integra DVD player that sounds great with CDs. It has two pair of analog outputs, one feeds the DA-9 ( or Aiyima ), the other the plate amp and gives a nice strong signal. Straight from the player means you can control the bass output with the plate amp independent of the main amp.
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Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
Yung plate amp, Aiyima and Integra DVD player.
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
fjdds,
I know those OB's are heavy and not easy to move around ( my back aches from lifting mine ). Did adding the board under the L brackets make a difference? Have you tried them with and without?
I know those OB's are heavy and not easy to move around ( my back aches from lifting mine ). Did adding the board under the L brackets make a difference? Have you tried them with and without?
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dfoulk
Active Member
They look like they turned out great! How do you like that Eminence tweeter? Thinking I might add a front tweeter to my speakers to help out my Zenith 1043's I think
they are. They are 10 inch Alnico's. Where did you find your NIB Zenith's? Mine were not new, but they looked like they were, shiny like yours look on the back side.
Good find on the paint. No sin in using something that makes the job look better, that is just being resourceful
fjdds
Active Member
Thanks PG!. You inspired these!
I never tried without, but the whole structure seems a bit more sturdy, solidly planted on the floor. Not sure whether or not it makes a sonic difference. You're right though, they're heavy. That's when I get my son to move them!
I never tried without, but the whole structure seems a bit more sturdy, solidly planted on the floor. Not sure whether or not it makes a sonic difference. You're right though, they're heavy. That's when I get my son to move them!
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fjdds
Active Member
Thanks dfoulk!
I do like the Eminence tweeter. Clear, and they keep up with the 1045s without overpowering them, especially with the pod facing rearward, out of phase, in contrast to the Fostex ft17h that I use with the 852s. (pictured). These, to my ears at least, needed to be padded down with an L-pad.
Regarding the 1045s, got them from the auction site, so may or may not, in fact, be NIB. Who knows, but they were in Zenith boxes (so what, I guess), and appeared to be pristine. No evidence anything was ever attached to the terminals and not a single mark on them.
I do like the Eminence tweeter. Clear, and they keep up with the 1045s without overpowering them, especially with the pod facing rearward, out of phase, in contrast to the Fostex ft17h that I use with the 852s. (pictured). These, to my ears at least, needed to be padded down with an L-pad.
Regarding the 1045s, got them from the auction site, so may or may not, in fact, be NIB. Who knows, but they were in Zenith boxes (so what, I guess), and appeared to be pristine. No evidence anything was ever attached to the terminals and not a single mark on them.
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