inexpensive mains and centerchannel design? (1 Viewer)

[Philip_G]

sorry for the flood of ?'s recently.. the upgrade bug has bitten.
for rear surrounds I ended up going with the PE dayton monitor kit, we'll see how I like them, which leads me to my next question, I'm considering new mains and a center channel, I'd like to use dayton or lower end audax drivers (but I'm open to suggestions!!) simplicity and cost are key, I'd like to keep it around 200 for the mains and 100 for the center channel.
I had considered using dayton 6.5's mid's and tweets for the mains, and a similar dayton setup using the 5.25" (shielded, I do have a RPTV though) for the center.
but haven't seen any designs out there (and I'm not up being able to design my own!) I'd like to go 3 way on both since it's mostly used for HT... and not so much for music. Bass isn't a concern as I have a shiva 12" in a fairly small room... but a strong midrange is.
anybody seen anything out there, I'm replacing a set of acoustic research AR308PS's and a AR325PS (I think) center channel, topping those shouldn't be hard.
thanks for the advice.

 

[Brian Bunge]

Philip,
Have you checked out www.speakerbuilder.net before? Wayne J. has several inexpensive designs over there using Part Express Dayton drivers. His projects include crossover schematics as well as actual parts lists that you can use to order everything through Parts Express. Also note that one of the Dayton tweeters has changed since his initial designs. I believe he has posted updated parts lists based on this change but just be sure to ask about this before you commit to a project.
I have not built any of these kits yet but Wayne seems like a very competent designer. He also has a forum where you can post questions.
Brian

 

[Philip_G]

Yup! I have been!
I'm not *thrilled* with either of his less expensive designs, the DIII's I'm afraid aren't going to provide the midrange I'd like (though I'd build a pair in a heartbeat for music)
the lyra doesn't look like a bad route, I don't think I'm going to find anything less expensive. I'd still need a center channel to match though, he hasn't designed anything with shielded drivers, and said in the forum he doesn't plan to.
if I needed to I could cut the lyra cost a bit by using less expensive capacitors, he didn't skimp on those
266-912 3.0mH Erse Bar Core Inductor $11.40 2 $22.80 LP
266-812 .33mH, 18awg inductor $2.80 2 $5.60 HP
266-317 .33mH, 14awg inductor $6.60 2 $13.20 BP
266-832 1.50mH, 18awg inductor $5.30 2 $10.60 BP
027-410 1.0uF Dayton capacitor $1.15 2 $2.30 LP
027-426 8.2uF Dayton capacitor $2.75 4 $11.00 LP/BP
027-354 50uF non-polar electrolytic capacitor $1.00 2 $2.00 LP
027-458 .47uF film and foil bypass capacitor $1.38 2 $2.76 LP
027-340 10uF non-polar electrolytic capacitor $0.55 2 $1.10 LP
027-536 2.2uF Solen capacitor $2.55 2 $5.10 HP
027-542 3.0uF Solen Capacitor $2.65 2 $5.30 HP
005-015 Mills 15 ohm resistor $3.50 2 $7.00 LP
005-008 Mills 8 ohm resistor $3.50 2 $7.00 HP
005-010 Mills 10 ohm resistor $3.50 2 $7.00 BP
005-082 Mills 82 ohm resistor $3.50 2 $7.00 BP
027-430
12uF dayton capacitor
$3.55
2 $7.10 BP
[Edited last by Philip_G on November 08, 2001 at 11:28 AM]

 

[Philip_G]

allthough that's a pretty generic box design, I might be able to build it, upgrade the drivers down the road and modify the crossovers a little as needed.

 

[Brian Bunge]

Philip,
I'm not sure I understand what your midrange requirements are. What do expect them to do for music as opposed to for HT? If a pair of speakers aren't competent in the midrange area on music I don't expect them to be any more competent as a HT speaker.
I don't know of any kit (2 or 3-way) that's going to fit this price range with shielded drivers accept the SCH K05B41, which is $90/pair. I don't know if you'll find a 3-way. I've never heard these but maybe Hank Frankenberg could comment.
http://www.speakerpage.com/K05B41.htm
If you had a higher budget I'd suggest the ACI Emerald kits. They are $339/pair and $174 for a single kit. That would be $513 for all three. I will tell you that I think these are comparable to $1000 shielded monitors that I've heard. Not bad for the money.
Brian

 

[Philip_G]

one of the reviews I read of the DIII's somewhere mentioned the midrange was just a bit lacking, something I can't have in a pair of HT mains. I'm not confident that a 2 way will sound the way I want, really a dayton midrange is 30 bucks, and another crossover maybe another 20-30 it shouldn't blow the budget TOO bad.
I've noticed listening to music that the highs and lows can fill over a weak midrange (somewhat I guess, I'm a bass junkie anyway so maybe that's why) but watching a movie if the dialogue drifts in and out of the weak spot it annoys me.
mind you I'm not looking for a kit, I think I can get by cheaper with just some decent plans.
[Edited last by Philip_G on November 08, 2001 at 01:15 PM]