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The 12" DIY speaker are connected to the Onkyo TX-8255. The Wharfedale Diamonds ( 6 ohms) are connected to the Yamaha RX-797. Both are Stereo system; no surround sound.
The Pre-Amp outs of the Yamaha feed the CD input of the Onkyo. If you notice the close up of the Onky there are some white marks at about 2 o'clock. That is the point where the 12" DIY are balanced with the Wharfedale/Yamaha system.
Wharfedale/Yamaha for music only.
Wharfedale/Yamana DIY/Onkyo for movies.
When I say the 12" DIY were my college/University woodworking project, that was in 1984. The cabinets and speakers have held up exceptionally well. The surrounds and cones on the CTS bass drivers are still pristine. The Cabinets are high density particle board with Birch veneer. I'm not kidding when I say these speaker weigh 50 POUNDS each. The particle board is extremely dense and heavy.
Those have been my primary speakers since about 1978, though not in the form you see them in now. Because of the horn Mid-range driver, I've become very accustom to slightly exaggerated mid-range. I don't notice it of music, but for movies where dialog is important, the horn mids really brighten things up and bring out voice.
The thing about DIY speakers is - They are never done. A few years ago I rebuilt them and changed from two square ports, to one round port. At the same time I added some attenuation to the Mids and Tweeter to get them to better balance with the Bass drivers which have a lower output. Left unattenuated. the outputs are 89dB = Woofer, 105dB = Mid-range, 96dB = Tweeter. I use both resistor attenuators and a variable L-Pad on the Mid-Range, and just resistor attenuators on the tweeters, though I feel I went a little overboard on the tweeters. I miss the sizzling cymbals. But, based on my SPL meter, the speakers are pretty well balanced.
Here is what they look like on the inside -
Lately, I've been thinking about rebuilding the crossovers. If I measure the speaker impedance at the precise crossover frequencies, I can then build more precise crossovers.
Like I said, DIY speakers are never done. Keep in mind I've been building on these since 1978.
Just a few thoughts.
Steve/bluewizard |
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