Cornscala-style speaker project. Input required.

[Uncle Seth]

After a few weeks of research or just searching for the right information and coming up short, I'm now asking for input from my esteemed and valued colleagues. (Yeah, you're all included).

 

I have a pair of Sound Dynamics S15 speakers that I got cheap. There seems to be quite a bit of love for these, although perhaps restricted to enclaves of fans.

So, now I'm wondering if there is value in transplanting the (totally working) drivers into a new cabinet and/or rebuilding or replacing the old crossovers.

 

I know that it won't be a Klipsch speaker, but would I be satisfied?  Or would I see a better outcome by just going with one of the Crites kits and commissioning the cabinets locally?

 

Thanks in advance for your intelligent and considered input.

Les

[davewantsmoore]

A new cabinet, and driver layout, will need a new crossover design.

 

So, unless you know how to design a speaker from scratch, then go with the kit where someone has already done the design work for you.

 

The thing with a speaker design is one of the "degrees of freedom" is the choice of drivers .... so actually,doing a new design where the drivers are not up for choice, is actually more difficult than the generic design process   

[Uncle Seth]

Thanks. I can buy a book and learn about speaker design. I figure it's easier if someone has already done the work, why re-invent the wheel?

Edited January 4, 2020 by Uncle Seth
missing letter

[davewantsmoore]

1 hour ago, Uncle Seth said:

Thanks. I can buy a book and learn about speaker design. I figure it's easier if someone has already done the work, why re-invent the wheel?

"design" takes a lot of trial and error..... if you want a good result right up, get a good kit. 

[A9X]

On 04/01/2020 at 11:16 AM, Uncle Seth said:

Or would I see a better outcome by just going with one of the Crites kits and commissioning the cabinets locally?

If you are asking these questions then you are less likely to pull off a successful DIY design, so go with the kit (I would rather you project came out great). Or, go full DIY and expect a very, very steep learning curve.

 

Buying a book won't really teach you much but the very basic stuff. I've been designing for over 30 years and I learn new things, even if they are older, just undiscovered by me all the time.

 

Note: Bob's cabinets are woefully underbraced and they can be improved considerably.

 

If I had to build one of them, it'd be Style C, based upon the knowledge of many of the components included. The JBL 2380 horn can be substituted for the PAudio equivalent from Cannonsound in Brookvale. They're identical and will save muchos $ especially at the current exchange rate and the cost of volumetric shipping for fairly large lightweight boxes.

 

If you decide to go ahead with the project, I think I have a pair of the PAudio horns in my store which you could have for say $100 donated to the RFS.