solacedagony's Home Setup

[solacedagony]

Goal:
I wanted to building something with metal mids since I had used the Exclusives in my truck. I wanted another simple, affordable passive 2-way from a proven speaker builder. I didn't want to attempt to design one (passive or active) myself quite yet. I wanted a balanced signal path for noise immunity. I also wanted reusable, flexible equipment for future projects.

Equipment:
ZaphAudio Seas L18/27TBFCG Project (http://zaphaudio.com/audio-speaker17.html)
Seas L18 (http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=818&osCsid=1a551301d549be9e402c285d41e01dc5)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/58/658/5/65/18/2580565180087747380dIfqwl_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2580565180087747380dIfqwl)
Seas 27TBFCG (http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=795)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/57/457/0/17/76/2852017760087747380YrmsmG_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2852017760087747380YrmsmG)
M-Audio Firewire Solo Interface (http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FireWireSolo-main.html)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/52/652/5/90/26/2680590260087747380RifPuB_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2680590260087747380RifPuB)
Behringer DCX2496 Crossover (http://behringer.com/DCX2496/index.cfm?lang=ENG)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/52/652/3/1/95/2354301950087747380iyESSp_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2354301950087747380iyESSp)
Crown XLS202D (http://crownaudio.com/amp_htm/xls.htm)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/59/559/4/12/45/2310412450087747380ghZOTV_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2310412450087747380ghZOTV)
QSC RMX2450 (http://qscaudio.com/products/amps/rmx/rmx.htm)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/62/562/6/12/49/2570612490087747380OMzXqR_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2570612490087747380OMzXqR)
Signal Path:
Computer<Firewire>M-Audio Firewire Solo<XLR>Behringer DCX2496<XLR>Amps

Crown XLS202D will run the fullrange
QSC RMX2450 will run my DIY 4xDIYMA12
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/58/558/4/1/71/2839401710087747380xvBKcN_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2839401710087747380xvBKcN)

Comments: All opinions, suggestions, and criticisms are welcome.
I'm planning on starting to build the speaker cabinet when I get home tonight, if there is enough daylight left. I'm going with Zaph's suggestion of a .5cuft cabinet tuned to 42hz since there is a HUGE difference between the T/S parameters measured by Zaph and the ones on the Madisound site.

[William from NOLA]

Pretty nice, the only thing that is questionable is the Behringer. I have a bunch of Behringer items and they aren't magnificent, but they work and do a decent job.

[solacedagony]

Pretty nice, the only thing that is questionable is the Behringer. I have a bunch of Behringer items and they aren't magnificent, but they work and do a decent job.
Yea, I've heard odd stories of the DCX randomly not working or having noise problems. This is why I got a 2-year warranty on it, besides the standard warranty. But there simply isn't anything in that price range with the features the DCX has, so it's worth it to me. The dcx driverack is more, I think, in the $600-$700 range. That's as much as half my setup :)

[Jonathan]

Let us know how it sounds. I've heard the kit before, it's very impressive considering the price. I built the Waveguide TMM project but ended up giving it to a friend. Sounded really nice.

[solacedagony]

Let us know how it sounds. I've heard the kit before, it's very impressive considering the price. I built the Waveguide TMM project but ended up giving it to a friend. Sounded really nice.
I surely will post updates on the work and my impressions of the sound. I need to wait til Monday to hook anything up, because I was stupid and ordered male XLRs and no female XLRs :(
I was looking at the waveguide and the new 3.5 way as possible future projects.

[solacedagony]

Got as much work done on one of the cabinets as I could before I ran out of MDF. I probably won't get anymore done at least until the end of this week when I can pick up more MDF and actually have some time.

I'll be first to say that I'm not the best wood worker around here, so any criticism is welcome. I really need to get myself a table saw. I think that would eliminate a lot of problems. Because I can't cut straight with a circular saw. :)

http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/62/562/6/73/15/2933673150087747380MrnMcg_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2933673150087747380MrnMcg)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/63/663/1/56/11/2322156110087747380ViaPSx_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2322156110087747380ViaPSx)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/52/652/1/30/40/2206130400087747380RIVZlD_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2206130400087747380RIVZlD)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/64/564/7/6/80/2434706800087747380vscuwS_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2434706800087747380vscuwS)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/58/658/0/45/71/2147045710087747380QlBbnl_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2147045710087747380QlBbnl)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/62/562/8/82/42/2871882420087747380Htyslk_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2871882420087747380Htyslk)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/63/663/0/8/64/2522008640087747380NkbQyZ_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2522008640087747380NkbQyZ)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/63/663/9/13/45/2393913450087747380ctJgig_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2393913450087747380ctJgig)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/58/658/7/34/19/2573734190087747380aTfeFE_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2573734190087747380aTfeFE)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/58/658/9/35/9/2277935090087747380ViEHcv_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2277935090087747380ViEHcv)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/58/658/6/18/64/2944618640087747380hzggQS_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2944618640087747380hzggQS)

[solacedagony]

Got a couple more updates on the Webshots. Got both boxes done, but I realized I cut one of the baffles backwards, so I gotta get that baffle back off and put a new one on. Got pics of the crossovers. Also got pics of the DIY cables I made up. TRS 1/4" to XLR and XLR to XLR, all balanced cables.

[Ryan from Ohio]

I dont have a table saw either. But I sure do have a piece of 1 1/2" Aluminum angle iron and 2 clamps that allow me to cut straight.

I have access to a table saw when I really need one. Which was the case with that box that had a triple front baffle.

[solacedagony]

I dont have a table saw either. But I sure do have a piece of 1 1/2" Aluminum angle iron and 2 clamps that allow me to cut straight.
I have access to a table saw when I really need one. Which was the case with that box that had a triple front baffle.
The biggest piece of angle aluminum that I could find at Home Depot was like 1/2" or that is what I was going to do. I'm going to have to go over to Lowes and see if they have anything bigger.

For the baffles/rear panels, I cut them like 1/2" too long/wide and just routered them even with a pattern bit. Makes perfect baffles even if your box isn't perfectly square.

[Bwcad1]

Aluminum angle can warp and bend out of shape over time especially if set on its end. get yourself a good 4ft level for about 30 bucks and you should be golden. another tool i strongly reccomend is a good belt sander. even if your not the best with a table saw or a circ saw the belt sander comes in handy. my inside cuts are the only ones i worry about being 100 percent straight the rest i cut an 1/8th heavy and then sand with my angle grinder with 24grit and finish it up with 80 and 120 on the belt sander.

[JeremyC]

http://www.caraudiocentral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4794

[Bwcad1]

Jeremy i like that design a lot but i would use a piece of aluminum angle just cause you have a smoother surface to ride against and your wont ever have to worry about it wearing out. however if you do have an alumninum based saw it would be better to use steel. as similar metals rubbing can cause galling. Most saws have a magnesium base now though.

[JeremyC]

Thanks for the props bill. That was just a quick and easy way joey told me about. It works great, especially since the blade sets right against the edge. All you do, is measure the cut you want, clamp it down and your done. It takes all the figuring for base width out of the equation

[Bwcad1]

yea defiantly a good call. with those simple upgrades i mentioned it would last forever and be extremely precise every cut.

[solacedagony]

Another guy was just telling me about making one of those cut boards. I better get on that!

[solacedagony]

Got a WHOLE bunch more pics up at the Webshots, but I'm just gonna post the money shot for now... (URL: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562803295tQfDxA)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/52/652/5/86/16/2134586160087747380XLsvNM_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2134586160087747380XLsvNM)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/63/663/4/71/32/2042471320087747380VoRKMO_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2042471320087747380VoRKMO)

One done, one to go. I cut the speaker locations in the same spot instead of opposite on the second speaker so I spent today repairing instead of listening. :(

Actually having midbass and having the subs play 20-80 instead of 70-200 makes a huge difference in itself. I can't wait to hear both left and right :D

[solacedagony]

Finished up! More pics on the webshots, but here are the key ones:
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/63/663/2/64/35/2750264350087747380zQMeIi_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2750264350087747380zQMeIi)
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/52/652/0/54/85/2537054850087747380vBLIAz_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2537054850087747380vBLIAz)

I know these are way closer than they should be, but I don't have much room. I immediately noticed a difference from my truck as far as imaging and, specifically, response from the tweeters. My truck sounds bad now that I'm listening to these!!

[William from NOLA]

Awesome. Glad to hear it's good.

[CaptainPioneer]

now to get you a proper tv or projector..... lol Still glad to see someone has the right stuff goin on

[solacedagony]

now to get you a proper tv or projector..... lol Still glad to see someone has the right stuff goin on

i don't really watch tv or anything. When I actually do watch movies, it's on my computer anyway, so it works out. When I get my own apt/house, I'll probably get a projector for movies.

[CaptainPioneer]

i dont have my own place either but i decided that i love tv and movies way too much so I got serious and got a projector... and then my friend one ups me and buys a damn domino projector... I hate him! lol paid something like 4k for it... Amazing picture though

[solacedagony]

i dont have my own place either but i decided that i love tv and movies way too much so I got serious and got a projector... and then my friend one ups me and buys a damn domino projector... I hate him! lol paid something like 4k for it... Amazing picture though
What kind of projector are you running? Screen?

[CaptainPioneer]

Just a stock screen that i stole from my HS... Perks to having a brother in the A/V Club...
The projector is a LCD projector... Ummm lets see... Epson Home Theater got it for like $400 refurbed Factory direct. I went with LCD only because they tend to have a longer life... again thats negligible. All in all its a fun system to have just for movies and playing Halo and of course Guitar Hero.