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<blockquote data-quote="Jeff Babcock" data-source="post: 47718" data-attributes="member: 46">Re: Ideas for future DIY speaker projectsThere are a few 3 way designs out there already, one that seems popular is the X-Tro, from the Speakerplans site.&nbsp; One of those per side is pretty serious, but with 2 hornloaded 15&#039;s in the LF section and a large MF horn, it makes for a big and heavy cab.Back when I suggested a light high output 3 way cab, I was using KF650&#039;s and loved them except for the weight.&nbsp; I&#039;d probably look at something along the lines of a Fulcrum Acoustic DX1565 or DX1595 to get similar HQ output in a much lighter package if I were in the market for something like that now.Certainly there are some stellar coax drivers available now, which does increase potential for space savings and reduced weight.&nbsp; As most DIY&#039;ers wouldn&#039;t be keen to tri-amp, a passive crossover would be necessary which of course adds to the project complexity and cost.&nbsp; 3 ways are not the ticket for those looking for a low cost solution.&nbsp; I think a horn loaded low mid section coupled with a high quality HF driver capable of big output and relatively low crossover point may be an easier approach.Trying to come up with something that is vertically arrayable, even if only stacked flat, is another can of worms.&nbsp; There are a few DIY designs for this type of thing from folks like Bill Fitz, though I would steer clear of those as I think their performance claims are vastly overstated.&nbsp; There are a few ways to approach it but lots of pitfalls and compromises to be made.&nbsp; While I&#039;d love to see a good DIY design for this sort of thing, I&#039;m falling more into the camp now of believing that I can&#039;t DIY something that will be competitive with the pro market, particularly now that FIR processing is becoming so prevalent.Wedges, sure.&nbsp; Front fills, sure.&nbsp; Subs, sure.&nbsp; 2 way traps, sure.&nbsp; Despite loving DIY I don&#039;t think it is worth the effort to try to compete in the more difficult design tasks like vertical arrays or 3/4 way designs.&nbsp; Without the tools to do FIR, the cost of trial and error, and the amount of cost both in drivers and materials but also time, it&#039;s pretty hard to compete with commercial stuff now like could be done more easily 10 or 20 years ago.&nbsp; Geez, I have some Mackie HD1531&#039;s that only cost a grand per, are 3 way, powered, and have FIR processing.&nbsp; They sound fantastic for that price point.&nbsp; I really don&#039;t think I could design, build, power, and process a 3 way cab of competing quality for a grand even if I consider my labor as free.&nbsp; And what DIY&#039;er wants to spend more than a grand on a cab that will have no resale value and may not even be sonically competitive?I&#039;m probably sounding a little jaded.... not that I have given up on DIY, but I&#039;m just feeling that the range of designs suited to DIY are shrinking if the goal is to build something sonically competitive.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Jeff Babcock, post: 47718, member: 46"] Re: Ideas for future DIY speaker projects There are a few 3 way designs out there already, one that seems popular is the X-Tro, from the Speakerplans site. One of those per side is pretty serious, but with 2 hornloaded 15's in the LF section and a large MF horn, it makes for a big and heavy cab. Back when I suggested a light high output 3 way cab, I was using KF650's and loved them except for the weight. I'd probably look at something along the lines of a Fulcrum Acoustic DX1565 or DX1595 to get similar HQ output in a much lighter package if I were in the market for something like that now. Certainly there are some stellar coax drivers available now, which does increase potential for space savings and reduced weight. As most DIY'ers wouldn't be keen to tri-amp, a passive crossover would be necessary which of course adds to the project complexity and cost. 3 ways are not the ticket for those looking for a low cost solution. I think a horn loaded low mid section coupled with a high quality HF driver capable of big output and relatively low crossover point may be an easier approach. Trying to come up with something that is vertically arrayable, even if only stacked flat, is another can of worms. There are a few DIY designs for this type of thing from folks like Bill Fitz, though I would steer clear of those as I think their performance claims are vastly overstated. There are a few ways to approach it but lots of pitfalls and compromises to be made. While I'd love to see a good DIY design for this sort of thing, I'm falling more into the camp now of believing that I can't DIY something that will be competitive with the pro market, particularly now that FIR processing is becoming so prevalent. Wedges, sure. Front fills, sure. Subs, sure. 2 way traps, sure. Despite loving DIY I don't think it is worth the effort to try to compete in the more difficult design tasks like vertical arrays or 3/4 way designs. Without the tools to do FIR, the cost of trial and error, and the amount of cost both in drivers and materials but also time, it's pretty hard to compete with commercial stuff now like could be done more easily 10 or 20 years ago. Geez, I have some Mackie HD1531's that only cost a grand per, are 3 way, powered, and have FIR processing. They sound fantastic for that price point. I really don't think I could design, build, power, and process a 3 way cab of competing quality for a grand even if I consider my labor as free. And what DIY'er wants to spend more than a grand on a cab that will have no resale value and may not even be sonically competitive? I'm probably sounding a little jaded.... not that I have given up on DIY, but I'm just feeling that the range of designs suited to DIY are shrinking if the goal is to build something sonically competitive. [/QUOTE]

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