Topic: 2000 Tweeters!!!

[Fanny Pack]

Does the volume have to be turned up very loud to get decent frequency response out of those things?  Seems like at normal listening level the speakers would have to be underdriven and wouldn't perform very well.

[drlava]

I think that because he uses tweeters, mids, and subs this isn't as much of an issue, because each speaker is designed for the frequency range he's sending it.  And with tri-amping he can match the relative volumes very well at any level.

[James]

These things can produce outrageous volume, however, they sound spectacular at very low volume as well. Even when the volume is low, the sound still fills the whole room. Once I get a good balance between the woofers, mids, and tweeters, that mix seems to work well at any volume.

Seems like at normal listening level the speakers would have to be underdriven and wouldn't perform very well.

That's a fascinating thing about speakers! They work best at ridiculously low volume. As a matter of fact, when they are tested for parameters, you pretty much have to put your ear in the cone to hear anything. That's called "small signal response".

James. 

[James]

Nice, I hope I can hear them before they are sold.

We're going to have to get together for another Akron Basement LEM very soon!

Let's figure out what (soon) weekend works for most people.

I'm in!   

James. 

[James]

Tweeter beautification......

Ladies and gentlemen......

Announcing the pinnacle of design in audio reproduction by James Lehman.....

The Extra Stimulus OMG Model 1

I still have to put some sticky velvet around the top and bottom caps and polish up the black plastic half pipes down the sides. Then I need to come up with something a bit more attractive than 3" masking tape to hold the panel against the woofer boxes. That masking tape is pretty awesome! I'll have to put some real thought into replacing it with something better.

I think black duct tape would probably be the best thing.

James. 

[ImageLight]

Wow James,

Those speakers look cool as hell. 

Mark

[drlava]

cool as hell the day Apple sells its OS in a cardboard box.

I know I can't afford them but if I was rich I'd be tempted

[BlinkenLights]

cool as hell the day Apple sells its OS in a cardboard box.

ya lost me.. reference joke??

[James]

What do you think something like this should cost?

The reason I ask is because I have about 800 of the little TV speakers and about 2300 tweeters!

Sixteen of those 8" woofers is only about $220.

I'd like to come up with a design that sounds every bit as good, but is easier to build with less expensive materials.

Wow James,

Those speakers look cool as hell. 

Mark

THANKS! They sound WAY better than they look!

James. 

[Fanny Pack]

Probably depends on the workmanship of the cabinetry.  The same speakers arranged in a particleboard box would be worth next to nothing since no one would want them.  If they are in a finely made enclosure and the acoustics are right then could fetch top dollar. 

[James]

I guess what I mean is... what would you pay for a pair of speakers that gave you the same, outstanding sound, but were made of unfinished, unpainted materials?

Obviously, I would be putting all of my effort into making them sound as good as possible!

You can paint them!

James. 

[Fanny Pack]

I'm not into big speakers so I am not the one to answer.  I like the small satellite/sub-woofer combos since they take up so little space and sound pretty good.  For the type of stuff in your picture I think you really need to pay attention to the finishing part and sell them to the artsy fartsy type who will consider them to be art.  You could put a high price tag on them.  I'm not sure you will find much of a market for them in unfinished form but you can always try.  My good friend went into the speaker business for awhile making big musician crate type speakers.  He never really got past the protoype phase, though.

[James]

Well.... I guess it helps to know me and to know that I've been into this for a while. Then you'd also need to know what these speakers really sound like. I'm not trying to make millions from speakers. But, I would like to make it worth the time it takes to build a system that sounds this good!

Plus, those tweeters will only be available for so long...

James. 

[Fanny Pack]

Make a set and see what you can get for them and go from there.  Either that or set up a web page with some pics and specs and say that they are custom built and provide a price and see if anyone orders a set and then make them.  You're going to have to do a lot of salesman legwork I think.

[James]

I think, at first, I can make some deals with people I know. Good friends of mine were here just last night. The husband works at Audio Technica. Yes, THE AT headquarters for the Western Hemisphere (of Earth) in Stow, Ohio.

They have enjoyed my speaker creations for many years.

I talked to them about doing whatever it takes to get a set of speakers like this into their new home. (They just bought their first house!)

The wife said "I'm in!"

So I guess these speakers, even as bodacious as they are, must have some WAF; at least with wives who appreciate great fidelity! 

Hmmmmm. I'm sure WAF applies to laser projection equipment too!

James.