Zilch's AK Design Collaborative - Econowave Speaker

:) Thanks Vin. Just today I thanked him aloud as I tarped over my car for the coming rain. The tarps were rescued from the dumpster during the Zilchlab move. Without them, my car's interior would be soaked right now. (I got t-boned earlier this week--not my fault--I'm OK) Thank you again, Zilch.
 
Did Erse change the mounting configuration of their iron core inductors from 4 screws to 2? When I try to build up a standard ewave crossover from Parts Express components, I cannot find the stock 4 screw mounting inductor. PE hadn't a clue on the phone.
 
wiredbecker said:
Did Erse change the mounting configuration of their iron core inductors from 4 screws to 2? When I try to build up a standard ewave crossover from Parts Express components, I cannot find the stock 4 screw mounting inductor. PE hadn't a clue on the phone.
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I think you're seeing the "Super Q" H-core. PE doesn't seem to be carrying the I-core ones anymore (and the larger I-core ones had the four screw holes). Wait... now I see, for example, the standard "kit" version has an unbranded PE I-core (266-562), but looks like it has no mounting holes at all? I have a few the Erse "IQ" I-core ones here, so I thought I knew what you were talking about :scratch2:.
 
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Okay, maybe part #: 266-552 1.5mH .22 returning to stock on 12/16/11 can be unwound to .126 DCR? I'll order a pair.

Someone reviewed this type of iron core inductor with this bit of information:

"They are not shown in the photo, but these do have mounting feet with holes. You need #4 screws to mount these to the PCB. I found that there was not enough clearance between the holes and the endplates for a nut driver to install the nuts from the top side. I'd recommend 18-8 stainless Allen head screws inserted from the top, nylock nuts on the bottom."

On the upside, these Parts Express inductors are only $8.27 instead of Erse's $19.13..
 
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wiredbecker said:
Okay, maybe part #: 266-552 1.5mH .22 returning to stock on 12/16/11 can be unwound to .126 DCR? I'll order a pair.

Someone reviewed this type of iron core inductor with this bit of information:

"They are not shown in the photo, but these do have mounting feet with holes. You need #4 screws to mount these to the PCB. I found that there was not enough clearance between the holes and the endplates for a nut driver to install the nuts from the top side. I'd recommend 18-8 stainless Allen head screws inserted from the top, nylock nuts on the bottom."

On the upside, these Parts Express inductors are only $8.27 instead of Erse's $19.13..
Click to expand...

That's the part number from the standard parts list, which list them at $7.57. I've found that 6-32 screws work fine, with those lock nuts with the star washer built in. Nuts go on the top, they dig into the plastic a bit, so not too tight...
 
wiredbecker said:
Thanks 4343,

You have to order over 10 to get them for $7.54. Maybe I should build 5 pairs of Econowaves :scratch2:
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Same inductor is in Indignias, you can mix and match.:yes: They seem to be out of stock whenever I start a project too. I have an extra pair on hand though, if you're in a hurry.

Oh, and 10 caps of each value is enough to make 1 pair of charge-coupled crossovers AND a pair of standard ones...

Just got through showing off a couple pairs of ewaves, and the Indignias to my visiting relatives, my sister's upstairs rocking the C-C'd Indignias right now!:thmbsp:
 
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DX-5 is a 3-way with a 12" woofer? If so, probably not your best choice for an eWave since you need a woofer that plays nice to to 1500-2000 Hz. Only way to know is to find a frequency response curve for the C-V woofer. Or just spend the money, build it, and give it a listen.
 
donprice said:
Only way to know is to find a frequency response curve for the C-V woofer. Or just spend the money, build it, and give it a listen.
Click to expand...
There's also option C: spend $80-100 on a calibrated mic and used USB interface and measure the CV woofer response yourself. For anybody who plans to do any significant amount of DIY stuff, this makes the most sense.
 
You might do some searching here at AK. Seems to me that there was some one that did a CV but I can't remember the model.
 
This may be of interest ..!

Pyle Pro PH612 (Econowave) $15 and Celestion CDX1-1745 $90

Aluminium adapter is used on the compression driver to mount to screw-on waveguide
k78ip.jpg


Device under test:

mpDNF.jpg



Measurement graphs. Indoor, 1250 LR2 xo, no EQ or notches

Non-Normalised

ehhI6.png


Og5Db.png



Normalised

BRRKU.png


TulE7.png



Very smooth directivity, rivaling B&C DE250 + the same Pyle waveguide.

Three of us did listening comparison and can happily say this is as good as the more expensive B&C DE250. Very good value.

Blue: B&C DE250
Black: Celestion CDX1-1745
There is nothing between them even with the same XO configuration.

0t0UQ.jpg
 
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Project - JBL LE14A Econowave

This is my first re-build project past simply re-foaming woofers or cleaning pots. Found a pair of JBL L55s at an attic sale for 40 bucks. Tweeters didn't work and woofers needed re-foaming and from there I just decided to go econowave after talking to wiredbecker. I used the parts list/specs for the basic set up with the low pass accommodation for the LE14a.

So as you can see by the pics at this point all I've done is build the crossovers, assemble the waveforms and hook up the woofers/tweeters to the crossovers. I haven't modified the boxes to install the waveforms yet as I wanted to make sure I did all the soldering properly and I liked what I heard before taking the hack saw to the cabinets.

At this point the speakers are set up about a 18 inches from the back wall, about a foot off the ground and toed in toward my couch which is maybe 10 feet from the speakers. I put on a bunch of different music on both CD and vinyl and this point here's what I can say:

1) rock/pop such as Pink Floyd, The Smiths - I wouldn't say I'm impressed; sounds a little muddled and not transparent; very little soundstage

2) bassy electronica such as Mad Professor and Massive Attack - lovely bass and clear treble but still not feeling the soundstage

3) Coltrane (A Love Supreme) - needs more volume but really liking the clarity of things like drumsticks on the ride cymbal and up frontness of the sax

4) Springsteen (Greetings from Asbury Park), Leonard Cohen - clear bass but trebles/vocals giving me pretty quick fatigue; high end seems a little overwhelming and harsh/compressed

5) Dvorak Cello Concerto - UNBELIEVABLE. Classical seems to be where this set up really shines. Unfortunately I'm not a huge classical dude - I have a good collection and enjoy everything from Mozart to Messiaen to Stravinksy but I only find myself in the mood on rare occasions.

Questions then -

1) Placement tips would be appreciated - do they need to be higher off ground, farther from walls, farther apart?

2) Once I get the waveforms in the box and the drivers/wave fronts properly aligned, will the problems I mentioned above disappear?

3) I did not install the L-Pads - would doing so give me a means to control some of the high end harshness and listening fatigue

I'll continue to post updates/pics as I work.
 

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Hello EWavers!

#93 here. I'm not around much, mostly because I'm so happy with everything that I pretty much call the system done. Finally!

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BUT! I can't leave well enough alone sometimes. So in contradiction to the econo nature of the EWave, I dropped in $150 of fancy Obbligato Gold capacitors. Even more stunning. Jaw dropping. Late nights again where I can't go to bed. Just one more song! I am so happy with these loudspeakers.

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I don't know much about design, and I'm only a so-so implementer. And I haven't caught up on this thread, but I do wonder, has anyone gone with an all-out crazy implementation of an Ewave? Even with this investment and building cabs, what a bargain for the enjoyment they provide.
 
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