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Audio First Fidelia on Erin’s Audio Corner

Is your flooring carpeted? If it is carpeted, maybe look into placing some sandbags or plate weights on the MDF to try to compress that carpet and minimize any rocking when the Klippel arm is rotating. It goes without saying that I don’t have a Klippel, but I have to believe any rocking would be detrimental in more ways than one. Looks like a fun project!
Yes it is carpeted. I am aware of that the MDF base is probably not heavy / big enough for the NFS. Erin also shared his experience on this (he used to have almost the same type of situation / setup) and I will do some modification on the base. I plan to extend the board and put rubber mat underneath the board and then add some more weight on top.
 
Sounds great. (I wasn't meaning to be nosey, but I was a manufacturing engineer in a past life and was part of a team that designed, tested, and implemented automated and semi-automated assembly line equipment for an automotive sensor manufacturer. Solid and stable foundations were crucial when things were moving/rotating/sliding).
 
@Audiofirstdesigns

Man i’m very excited to see someone enter the design space with your mindset.

I’m personally very much looking forward to a decent three-way design.

You obviously put a lot of attention on the vertical response and the coherence of the crossover region so i think your philosophy would really shine with a smaller midrange that can be crossed even higher.

I’m also curious to hear if you have any ambitions in the future make designs that are more linear directivity wise at the last octave. I know companies that make this happen usually do that with custom tweeters like the KEFs. But i think using a smaller tweeter afforded by a 3-way design that becomes directional later would also help.
 
@Audiofirstdesigns

Man i’m very excited to see someone enter the design space with your mindset.

I’m personally very much looking forward to a decent three-way design.

You obviously put a lot of attention on the vertical response and the coherence of the crossover region so i think your philosophy would really shine with a smaller midrange that can be crossed even higher.

I’m also curious to hear if you have any ambitions in the future make designs that are more linear directivity wise at the last octave. I know companies that make this happen usually do that with custom tweeters like the KEFs. But i think using a smaller tweeter afforded by a 3-way design that becomes directional later would also help.
Hope you don’t mind my commenting.
I’d like to see a floor-standing 3-way kit that essentially keeps the Fidelia’s tweeter, mid and waveguided baffle as this looks to be a winning formula for mid and hf accuracy and ideal dispersion for mid/far field listening. The addition of a couple of 6” or 8” bass drivers crossed at circa 400Hz (or at whatever frequency allows the mid-bass driver to run without baffle-step compensation), should add 4-5dB in sensitivity but importantly add proper bass capability and massively reduce distortion. I’m saving up for that kit already ;)
 
Hope you don’t mind my commenting.
I’d like to see a floor-standing 3-way kit that essentially keeps the Fidelia’s tweeter, mid and waveguided baffle as this looks to be a winning formula for mid and hf accuracy and ideal dispersion for mid/far field listening. The addition of a couple of 6” or 8” bass drivers crossed at circa 400Hz (or at whatever frequency allows the mid-bass driver to run without baffle-step compensation), should add 4-5dB in sensitivity but importantly add proper bass capability and massively reduce distortion. I’m saving up for that kit already ;)
subsrcibe to audiofirstdesigns newsletter on their website and you will get all the news of that and more..
 
Both drivers are mounted to the baffle itself, which is 3D printed and very robust.
Interesting.
I would have thought that w a 3d Printed baffle you may want something more solid, although I guess depending on the fill factor you can get a pretty dense baffle.

Also glad you didn't have any tear outs. My guess it would be down to their supplier's ply and quality. I know one of the box maker charges more for plywood that doesn't have any voids. (Higher quality)

Its wild but that there are some decent kits coming out now from various makers.
For me being in the US CSS has a slight advantage, while if you're in the EU the Audio First has the same advantage.

Now the real issue... do you go w a kit or for ~$1800USD get the Philharmonic BMR Monitors.
 
Interesting.
I would have thought that w a 3d Printed baffle you may want something more solid, although I guess depending on the fill factor you can get a pretty dense baffle.

Also glad you didn't have any tear outs. My guess it would be down to their supplier's ply and quality. I know one of the box maker charges more for plywood that doesn't have any voids. (Higher quality)

Its wild but that there are some decent kits coming out now from various makers.
For me being in the US CSS has a slight advantage, while if you're in the EU the Audio First has the same advantage.

Now the real issue... do you go w a kit or for ~$1800USD get the Philharmonic BMR Monitors.
There is a very high value to me in building/finishing my own speakers. I really don't plan to ever buy any type of speakers again. I'm currently patiently waiting for the flat pack of my "end game" build, the MEH by Scott Stinson.
 
Hello Harry-san from Audio First Designs,

I was amazed by the Klippel system—it has an incredible number of components! Just looking at the photos, it seems like assembling it must be quite a challenge. I’m eagerly following your future endeavors and hoping that someday you’ll develop a speaker that perfectly matches my needs
 
Happy New Year guys! I am back to work again...

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Installed the R-axis and the Z-axis clamping frame.

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The Z-axis is up!

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Took quite a while to connect all the cables, tweaking the screws/nuts/tension wires to level the machine and it is basically done!

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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.

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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...

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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!
 

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Development is both quicker and more accurate, just look at the Ascilab thread.
Keith
Anc cheaper. Not cheaper than renting an anechoic a couple of times a year, but much cheaper than building one (Dynaudio has a massive one for example). If you want to iterate fast then you need your own chamber (or NFS).
 
There is a very high value to me in building/finishing my own speakers. I really don't plan to ever buy any type of speakers again. I'm currently patiently waiting for the flat pack of my "end game" build, the MEH by Scott Stinson.
Oops I meant the MEH design from Scott Hinson
 
I'd probably also measure your Fidelia and compare with Erin's just to check everything is pretty close with accuracy
I'm far from an expert but here's an example of what I measured. This was taken at 1 meter with a UMIK-1 in my listening room, on axis at tweeter height with no EQ. (Ignore the vertical mic comment, mic was pointed directly at tweeter.)

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I'm far from an expert but here's an example of what I measured. This was taken at 1 meter with a UMIK-1 in my listening room, on axis at tweeter height with no EQ. (Ignore the vertical mic comment, mic was pointed directly at tweeter.)

View attachment 418820
Looks nice, I'm sure the speaker is fine:) I meant more in regard to Audio First measuring their own speaker on their new Klippel to check that the machine is measuring accurately enough in relation to Erin's
 
I'm far from an expert but here's an example of what I measured. This was taken at 1 meter with a UMIK-1 in my listening room, on axis at tweeter height with no EQ. (Ignore the vertical mic comment, mic was pointed directly at tweeter.)

View attachment 418820
hey, at what listeing levels are you normally listening to & can fidelia do 90-96 db without noticable distortion, would be interesting to know..
 
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