Well since my home listening space is filled with my sister in laws stuff cuz she’s temporarily staying with us, here is my work desktop. Emotiva ego+ dac, Schiit Vali 2++ preamp/hp amp, unnamed powered speakers (Dayton kab250, rs125p, seas h1212).
I probably haven’t given them a fair shake in this design, but they have their strengths and weaknesses. To my ears they are a touch dark and cloudy, perhaps even a little dull on certain pieces, but have wonderful midbass and lower midrange. They really excel on the bass lines and kicks in music like Fourplay, and sound great with music like deep/dark/dry cello. Vocals (especially on vocal focused music) are very nice. Classic rock and such Im not as impressed, at least in this implementation. They also could use another 10-15hz of extension in a two way with no sub.
My personal thought of their best use is the bottom end (midbass) of a small three-way (plus a sub), or a two way to a robust tweeter that is crossed low / shallow, plus a sub.
My amp stand showed up, and after a hernia inducing moment lifting the Dreadnaught up and over it - I like it. Not a bad $60 to spend.
As soon as my longer interconnects show up, I'll get things cleaned up and shoot another picture. It really bothers me that the amp is not centered. A lot.
I look at them as though they are not caged, but outside the energized perimeter. The listener and pets and little fingers are caged, not the speakers.
Our basement home theater/exercise area was finished 12 years ago. The wall and ceiling voids are sound insulated and there's a small closet behind the wall for incoming internet, wifi, rear channel wiring and amps, outdoor antenna, etc. Over the years I've found myself using an SMSL Q5 Pro for 2.1 nearly 98% of the time. The Mrs. prefers viewing on the main floor. As such, the center and rears don't get much use, but the mains rotate frequently. Current iteration below.
Moved some of the sister in laws stuff to take a few pics. Gear: ARC LS15, JBL Synthesis S400, Technics SL1200MK2, Emotiva phono pre, MacBook Pro, Denon DCM555ii, MF v90 dac.
Not that it says much since I am not half the designer you guys are, but no matter what I build I can’t top these old speakers.. Probably the only design I actually ever got “very right”.
Oh and sorry the pics look like they were taken with a potato. My phone case covers the lens and is scratched to hell.
@Tom_S said:
Love that ARC preamp! I've always admired those. Just a classic look that appeals to me. Some day....
And I think I was running the same horns in a PA system in the late 80s. 2445 drivers on flat bi-radials?
Yeah I like it too thanks. I also love the look. Some of their stuff is too analytical for me, but (maybe it helps that it is their entry level piece at the time) this has a nice “tube preamp” sound. I had an LS7 before that also sounded very nice but I wanted a remote.
You have a keen eye for old JBL stuff lol, they are 2445s.
Our humble little spot. Certainly not perfect. Yes, the wife has a thing for elephants (I count 7 more above, outside of this shot lol). But she puts up with the stupid big speakers I build.
...and yes, the lack of symmetry between the speakers and subs does bother me but they are too heavy to switch sides willy-nilly. That or I am lazier than I am OCD.
Comments
They look great Jim.
How do you like the RS125P's?
I probably haven’t given them a fair shake in this design, but they have their strengths and weaknesses. To my ears they are a touch dark and cloudy, perhaps even a little dull on certain pieces, but have wonderful midbass and lower midrange. They really excel on the bass lines and kicks in music like Fourplay, and sound great with music like deep/dark/dry cello. Vocals (especially on vocal focused music) are very nice. Classic rock and such Im not as impressed, at least in this implementation. They also could use another 10-15hz of extension in a two way with no sub.
My personal thought of their best use is the bottom end (midbass) of a small three-way (plus a sub), or a two way to a robust tweeter that is crossed low / shallow, plus a sub.
My amp stand showed up, and after a hernia inducing moment lifting the Dreadnaught up and over it - I like it. Not a bad $60 to spend.
As soon as my longer interconnects show up, I'll get things cleaned up and shoot another picture. It really bothers me that the amp is not centered. A lot.
Here's the current rotation.
Why are they in jail?
Little fingers?
freethespeakers
I look at them as though they are not caged, but outside the energized perimeter. The listener and pets and little fingers are caged, not the speakers.
InDIYana Event Website
Wolfy's Photobucket
Yes, we cohabitate with a curious 3 year old.
Our basement home theater/exercise area was finished 12 years ago. The wall and ceiling voids are sound insulated and there's a small closet behind the wall for incoming internet, wifi, rear channel wiring and amps, outdoor antenna, etc. Over the years I've found myself using an SMSL Q5 Pro for 2.1 nearly 98% of the time. The Mrs. prefers viewing on the main floor. As such, the center and rears don't get much use, but the mains rotate frequently. Current iteration below.
Moved some of the sister in laws stuff to take a few pics. Gear: ARC LS15, JBL Synthesis S400, Technics SL1200MK2, Emotiva phono pre, MacBook Pro, Denon DCM555ii, MF v90 dac.
Speakers: “References” (Vifa PL woofers, d27tg45 tweeters)
Not that it says much since I am not half the designer you guys are, but no matter what I build I can’t top these old speakers.. Probably the only design I actually ever got “very right”.
Oh and sorry the pics look like they were taken with a potato. My phone case covers the lens and is scratched to hell.
Love that ARC preamp! I've always admired those. Just a classic look that appeals to me. Some day....
And I think I was running the same horns in a PA system in the late 80s. 2445 drivers on flat bi-radials?
Yeah I like it too thanks. I also love the look. Some of their stuff is too analytical for me, but (maybe it helps that it is their entry level piece at the time) this has a nice “tube preamp” sound. I had an LS7 before that also sounded very nice but I wanted a remote.
You have a keen eye for old JBL stuff lol, they are 2445s.
Ron, I'm envious of your space that's for sure. As much as I love my current situation, there is always room for improvement.
I really need to clean up my listen space and add some permanent room treatments. Your's all look really nice.
Got the amp stand and longer interconnects - symmetry has been achieved.
BASSment:
Living room:
damn it dynamo, just when I was getting over large horn designs you bring out your JBL's...
6thplant
hafler amp ?
Yup.
https://diy.midwestaudio.club/discussion/1484/hafler-dh200#latest
New house new listening space...
Office
My wife has the home theater setup in the family room. I rotate speakers in there but not much dedicated music listening.
That table is pretty! You make that too?
InDIYana Event Website
Wolfy's Photobucket
Yeah I made the river table. It's curly walnut with steel legs. There's a long story that goes with it.
My utility room system, Rival/Viawave TM with FX Audio DAC, tube buffer/preamp, and amp.
Where I do my soldering/assembling and sometimes run my WinXP box to play old games.
Our humble little spot. Certainly not perfect. Yes, the wife has a thing for elephants (I count 7 more above, outside of this shot lol). But she puts up with the stupid big speakers I build.
fair trade off
Turn those up loud enough and you might get the elephants to walk!
Got it cleaned up a bit more, O'Ryan currently rotated in.
...and yes, the lack of symmetry between the speakers and subs does bother me but they are too heavy to switch sides willy-nilly. That or I am lazier than I am OCD.