AudioFred Messages: 377 Registered: May 2009 Location: Houston
Illuminati (1st Degree)
At any budget level the final outcome will depend on selecting drivers that are highly compatible and designing an enclosure and crossover that optimizes their strengths. I've designed and built some "buyout" arrays that sounded pretty good considering the cost of the parts, and I've built a few that were complete disasters, but it didn't matter because none had more than $300 in parts. It was worth it for the learning experience, but for anything over $1K I ask the experts for help.
It would be tragic if you spent $10K+ only to find that the "system" you had assembled included some elements whose lack of compatibility resulted in sub-optimal performance. At that budget level any diy speaker pair you build should be a world class performer, at least as good as the most expensive commerical products out there and better than most.
An experienced line array designer will be able to advise you about which combinations of drivers / enclosure / crossover design will provide the best performance. Your cost for the completed design plus all parts (minus the enclosures) will be approximately equal to the retail price of the parts, so there's really no downside.
jtwrace Messages: 66 Registered: October 2009 Location: FL
Viscount
AudioFred wrote on Sun, 01 November 2009 08:14
At any budget level the final outcome will depend on selecting drivers that are highly compatible and designing an enclosure and crossover that optimizes their strengths. I've designed and built some "buyout" arrays that sounded pretty good considering the cost of the parts, and I've built a few that were complete disasters, but it didn't matter because none had more than $300 in parts. It was worth it for the learning experience, but for anything over $1K I ask the experts for help.
It would be tragic if you spent $10K+ only to find that the "system" you had assembled included some elements whose lack of compatibility resulted in sub-optimal performance. At that budget level any diy speaker pair you build should be a world class performer, at least as good as the most expensive commerical products out there and better than most.
An experienced line array designer will be able to advise you about which combinations of drivers / enclosure / crossover design will provide the best performance. Your cost for the completed design plus all parts (minus the enclosures) will be approximately equal to the retail price of the parts, so there's really no downside.
I agree. Just so you know I will be using an active crossover with the arrays bi-amped.
Do you have access to a at least a 1/3 octave constant Q equalizer, a calibrated test mic, and computer software to measure the output? So you can adjust it to fit the exact needs of your room?
jtwrace Messages: 66 Registered: October 2009 Location: FL
Viscount
Marlboro wrote on Sun, 01 November 2009 08:45
Do you have access to a at least a 1/3 octave constant Q equalizer, a calibrated test mic, and computer software to measure the output? So you can adjust it to fit the exact needs of your room?
I should think you'd want to use something with a little higher quality that that old piece.
Holy Electronics, batman! I bet that cost more than my entire system. You sure don't skimp on these things. Clearly you are not a lowly public school educator with a mortgage, either that or you won the lottery some time ago or Martha Stewart is your mother!
jtwrace Messages: 66 Registered: October 2009 Location: FL
Viscount
Marlboro wrote on Sun, 01 November 2009 09:52
I should think you'd want to use something with a little higher quality that that old piece.
Holy Electronics, batman! Clearly you are not a lowly public school educator with a mortgage, either that or you won the lottery some time ago or Martha Stewart is your mother!
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