End Game Speaker Quest - The Final Chapter

[MKR]

Is it inspired by the show MKR? View attachment 403909

That would be a no

 

[MKR]

Fairly curious what the 10" drivers you are using are, if you can say. Plenty of $$ choices out there such as the Seas L26ROY, the Satori 9.5" textreme drivers, or the Scanspeak Revelators, but the choice gets harder if you don't want to pay $400-700 per driver. I mean, there are eight of them in the design, but still I suspect this isn't your chief concern

Nothing top secret about the drivers … 10s are SB Acoustics, 12s are GRS

 

[Pearljam5000]

How would you integrate subs if needed?
What about the warranty?

 

[AudioJester]

How would you integrate subs if needed?
What about the warranty?

Its got subs built in, and is designed to minimise room interaction - as in more subs should not be required.

@MKR how is variable directivity achieved? And is constant directivity more important? Also will it be time/phase coherent?

 

[MKR]

How would you integrate subs if needed?
What about the warranty?

As to subs, while I don't really need subs given the mains capability, subs always make the sound better, so in fact I plan to have 2x 15" Rythmik servos just behind the MLP. Those will also be a Soundfield design.

As to warranty ... 2 years bumper to bumper, full coverage by Soundfield. After this, if a driver or amp goes haywire, I can obtain replacements at Soundfield's procurement cost (so still on my dime, but I save a bit of money). Plus there is the standard Hypex warranty on the Fusions

 

[MKR]

Its got subs built in, and is designed to minimise room interaction - as in more subs should not be required.

@MKR how is variable directivity achieved? And is constant directivity more important? Also will it be time/phase coherent?

See my reply to PJ on the sub topic

On the other questions ...

How is variable directivity achieved?
This is some of Soundfield's secret sauce and is proprietary, sorry (and no, I don't know either ... all I know is the implementation works very well!)

Is constant directivity more important?
Absolutely. Each mode is constant. And note the different directivity modes (again, user selectable) are narrow, wide, and "omni" (note the omni is not direct like a real omni, but the effect is similar ... It's "delayed diffused". See link for more detail on this topic -> https://www.linkwitzlab.com/Recording/acoustics-hearing.htm)

Also will it be time/phase coherent?
Yes, absolutely

 

[Pearljam5000]

What is the material of the cabinet?
Sorry for the many questions
Just curious

 

[MKR]

What is the material of the cabinet?
Sorry for the many questions
Just curious

No prob at all on the questions! I wouldn't have started this thread if I didn't expect questions

No exotic material like your Genelecs, just good old reliable MDF ... All cabinets are using 24mm MDF, except bass module front baffles are 72mm (3-layer) MDF

 

[Pearljam5000]

No prob at all on the questions! I wouldn't have started this thread if I didn't expect questions

No exotic material like your Genelecs, just good old reliable MDF ... All cabinets are using 24mm MDF, except bass module front baffles are 72mm (3-layer) MDF

Well the flagship 8381 is actually MDF too

 

[MKR]

Well the flagship 8381 is actually MDF too View attachment 404015

Well then I am in good company

 

[FrantzM]

Well the flagship 8381 is actually MDF too View attachment 404015

I usually don't care about looks but.. darn! This is FUGLY!!!

Peace.

 

[dshreter]

I have no doubt that your new speakers will sound phenomenal. There's something truly special about the sound produced by 7 to 8-foot tall speakers that's simply unmatched.

Our perception of sound varies significantly at different volume levels. This variance can be even more pronounced with large, multi-driver speakers. Without sophisticated dynamic EQ systems that adjust frequency response based on volume, and highly efficient driver designs that maintain dynamism even at very low levels, listeners might notice a lack of vibrancy at softer volumes.

Many high-end tower speakers are engineered with larger rooms and higher volumes in mind. Their voicing and overall design often cater to these conditions rather than background listening. Moreover, large speakers interact more substantially with the room, especially in terms of bass response. This interaction becomes more evident at higher volumes, contributing to that "fantastic" sound you're anticipating. At lower volumes, however, room interaction is less perceptible.

Large multi-driver speakers excel at producing high sound pressure levels (SPL) without distortion, which is ideal for loud listening. But at lower volumes, not all drivers may be fully engaged, potentially diminishing the perceived dynamics. Additionally, the complex crossover designs in tower speakers, designed to distribute frequencies among multiple drivers, are typically optimized for higher listening levels where all drivers are fully active. At lower volumes, some drivers may not receive sufficient signal to operate optimally.

When you audition your new speakers in your space at various SPL levels, you'll quickly discern if they might benefit from a finely tuned "loudness" curve that automatically reduces as volume increases. This feature implemented effectively by RME, can greatly enhance the listening experience especially at background music levels.

I understand intuitively what you’re saying, as though a larger speaker and drivers have more inertia, and clunky to play at low SPLs.

But is this actually a real phenomenon? Were it the case, wouldn’t this show up as a non-linear frequency response? If a speaker didn’t play low SPLs accurately I’m not sure how it could play music accurately.

 

[prestigetone]

I usually don't care about looks but.. darn! This is FUGLY!!!

Peace.

I think the Genelecs look far better than these Soundfields

 

[jhaider]

Planar midrange is the GRS PT5010 (the former BG Neo) and the coax is the 12” BMS

A long time ago I heard an OB from AJ with a BMS coax and 18” woofer (Peavey Low Rider 18 maybe?). Very dynamic and fun.

 

[ban25]

Super cool project! Obviously, this is a bit further down the line, but I'm curious if you've settled on a specific finish or color?

 

[MKR]

Super cool project! Obviously, this is a bit further down the line, but I'm curious if you've settled on a specific finish or color?

Thanks … Most likely a dark high gloss rosewood

 

[JohnnyNG]

This sounds incredible! Which Hypex amp(s) are you using?

 

[MKR]

This sounds incredible! Which Hypex amp(s) are you using?

FA503

 

[JohnnyNG]

FA503

What a beast!

 

[MKR]

What a beast!

It should suffice