I'm typically listening at 85-90 at the loudest. I'd refer to the review by Erin's Audio Corner but at 90-96 they should be fine, especially if you use a sub.
-
WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!
Audio First Fidelia on Erin’s Audio Corner
- Thread starter Matt_Holland
- Start date
kawauso
Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2021
- Messages
- 25
- Likes
- 65
Harry-san,Happy New Year guys! I am back to work again...
View attachment 418283
Installed the R-axis and the Z-axis clamping frame.
View attachment 418285
The Z-axis is up!
View attachment 418286
Took quite a while to connect all the cables, tweaking the screws/nuts/tension wires to level the machine and it is basically done!
View attachment 418287
After cleaning all the bloody mess in the office, I extended the baseboard using extra MDF panels with rubber mats added underneath. That really stabilised the machine (Thanks for the suggestion from Erin and mrick39!). The black & yellow warning tape that comes in the package is a nice touch.
View attachment 418295
Running the very first test using a random speaker that I built some years ago. I have to say that the hardcopy manual from Klippel missed quite a few little details, I learnt from Erin and his video to get it started correctly (later on I found that the Klippel online manual is much more comprehensive...)
As you can see the computer desk is in an awkward location but there is no better place for it in the office for now. A funny moment to share with you guys - I started my first measurement with excitement standing in front of the desk but I didn't know how it would move at the beginning, then I saw the arm swinging toward me...
Anyway it was all good. Now I need to figure out a better place/way to set up the PC and the Klippel equipment, as well as learn all the details about the software settings.
Can't wait to start measuring the prototypes of my new designs!
It’s fantastic to hear that the Klippel setup is progressing smoothly. I’m very excited to see what kind of speakers you’ll design in the future!
Do you have plans to design speakers with larger compression drivers? While I’m very interested in your upcoming designs with Purifi woofers and smaller compression drivers, I wonder if something like the JBL 4367 might better suit my needs.
Thank you as always for sharing your updates, and I look forward to hearing more about your work!
Best regards,
kawauso
@Audiofirstdesigns I really like the Fidela, but it's a bit on the small side for me. Still I'm thinking about buying it, just so have a known good reference at home. Are there any plans of making a Fidelia with a 6,5" woofer?
I don't know if that's strictly the best way to go to fill the line up. The 6.5" woofer from SB Acoustics does provide some more extension and SPL but not all that much.
Meanwhile, I think a three way with an 8" would provide fill the speaker line better. I'd personally would love to see something like a KH 310. With a 1", a 3-'4" and an 8". The dimensions of the drivers themselves mean you can match directivities relatively easily, and if you cross the mid at ~300 Hz, you can avoid a lot of IMD coming from playing bass and mids on the same HP.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2024
- Messages
- 1,035
- Likes
- 3,378
Wouldn't that have a Directivity Index inferior to this model? For someone using a fixed listening position, I can understand. However, I think that I (and some other people) move enough that the change in spectral balance would be noticeable ... and irritating.
If he can design the baffle with the waveguide, I figure he can make it fit to other woofers as well, within resonable limits of course. Seeing Erin's measurements it's good to know that the tweeter can be below the listening axis
Because my current speakers which are 10cm higher, need the tweeter to be above the listening axis ideally. I'm just trying to figure out the way I would place them here. I guess I could live with this, I would pair them with subwoofers anyway. But having speakers that are little bigger would not hurt in my setup.
Having high quality measurements like this is priceless, at least I know before how to setup the speakers.
Last edited:
Has anyone built this as their first ever DIY speaker? I am highly considering building this as my first project and was wondering if there is anything in particular I should watch out for, or if its even a good idea in the first place. I have reviewed the build video and it seems to be relatively straightforward.
I have built a lot of speakers in the past, and from what I've seen on the video it doesn't get much easier than this. Not only are all the baffles already cut for you, but you don't even need to solder.
It wasn’t my first build but if you have some basic woodworking skills and knowledge you should be ok.
The YouTube build video pretty much nails it. My complications were painting induced. If you complete the entire assembly like in the video you should be fine.
My advice…
1) Keep cardboard protective pieces taped over the tweeters for as long as possible
2) Don’t use too much clamp pressure during gluing. The back panel is made as a slip fit but any bowing in of the sides makes it an interference fit, which sucks as I found out. Only clamp tight enough to hold panels securely in place.
3) Be patient and don’t go forward if you’re missing the proper tool or bit to perform a step.
4) Port tube screws are very small. Make sure you predrill with proper sized bit (very small diameter).
5) Get plenty of padding or towels ready to aid in not damaging or scratching the baffle and drivers during final assembly.
Good luck and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
My Fidelia build post is here:
My Fidelia DIY build
I purchased the Fidelia DIY speaker kit from Audio First back in late August. My kit's arrival was delayed until October due to my special request to have the baffle made in a gold color instead of the stock black. Much thanks owed to Harry at Audiofirstdesigns who was gracious enough to grant...
www.audiosciencereview.com
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2024
- Messages
- 17
- Likes
- 296
Actually I have sold quite a few pairs of baffles already. It is not a standard product certainly, but if people come and ask me I can accommodate.
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2024
- Messages
- 17
- Likes
- 296
Indeed. I worked on a design with a 6.5-inch woofer some time ago but you don't get a lot of improvement, so I lost interest.
I probably didn't mention it in any of my comments here but I have shared this update in my previous newsletter. I have been working on some new DIY kit designs recently since so many people asked me for something bigger and louder. You want big and loud? Okok I give you big and loud.
So Kharan you have made another very good guess here, but I am using a combination of 1.1" + 4.5" + 9". For this product, I am not targeting a constant beamwidth type of directivity like the Fidelia, but a very smooth and gradually narrowing directivity profile. The measurement of the very first prototype (see photo below) is showing some promising results, but I know I still need to improve the baffle and waveguide design.
The line-up will also include a 1.1" + 4.5" + 2 x 6" centre channel.
It is very challenging to juggle between production, new product R&D, customer communication and consultancy work just on my own. I am now on a work trip in China on behalf of a UK brand client and after I go back to the hotel at night I work on my prototype crossover design. I have to try not to kill myself and enjoy the ride. It's been a very busy and fun ride so far.
I look forward to showing you and releasing the final version of the product in a few months.
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2024
- Messages
- 17
- Likes
- 296
Thank you @mrick39 again for sharing about your build.
@red_delta Feel free to drop me a message/email too if you have any questions!
[email protected]
That's very nice, would you consider a horizontal version? With the same box but drivers placed like in a KH310?
Or alternatively, a Woofer-tweeter-mid version? Correct me if I'm wrong, especially since I don't know the crossover frequency between the medium and the woofer, but my guess is that you're crossing it fairly low and it shouldn't affect directivity negatively.
I'm mostly thinking that either of those versions would add a lot of flexibility in speaker height placement.
Last edited:
Welp, I ordered the Fidelia for now and probably will also get something bigger when you release it.
I did mean two versions, the current one that can be placed on low stands, and another one that can be placed on a console or taller stands.
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2022
- Messages
- 378
- Likes
- 261
Are you to use off the shelve production drivers in the build ? Reason I ask is it can be so very hard to get propriety driver replacements if one gets blown/accidental damage, etc in reality. I would say nice to be not cuffed to a proprietary driver. If someone puts their finger thru my mains I have to ask manufacture if any are even available instead of just going to Madisound web site & putting the driver in my cart.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say he's using off the shelf drivers. He's a small one man shop.
For a DIY kit... it also makes more sense ... just in case you do something wrong and blow a driver or something.
