• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Zilch's AK Design Collaborative - Econowave Speaker

Rapidroy said:
Next update, L14a's in, old tweeter hole blocked. I'm just waiting for the xover parts. BTW the surround's on the L14's seemed soft so I haven't refoamed them yet, I have the foam but thought I would wait for now.
Click to expand...

I'd refoam them now, while you are waiting for the crossover parts.
 
Good work Tube King. It is just camera angle that does that. With the right equipment, I could look like a 32 year old MiLF.
 
Econo-Kappa 9's Start

Well here is the begining- am have the drivers I want to use. The EV SP15a woofers are rebuilt with 400 watt edge wound voice coils, foam surround, flat paper cones. The QSC lens have the Radian 475PB horn drivers adapted to them and the crossovers have been tweaked and finished. The xovers are the "Z19" types that are corrected for the woofers I am using. I really like the idea of dual adjustment on the upper end and these networks work perfectly- especially with the 21,000 hz upper limit of the Radians.

The pictures are the drivers in a test sound check cabinet. The actual modified Kappa 9 cabinets are still under modification/ construction- due to 100+ daily Texas heat it is a very slow prcess as you can only imagine!

Impression are VERY GOOD! This combination of drivers is spectacular! The woofer are very efficient at close to 94 db, they do indeed reach the upper 1.2khz upper end to cross over effectively to the larger QSC/ Radian driver combination. It is precisely there where they shine- it is seemless. The definition is superb of the 3 Econowaves I have now built these are by far the best. Better drivers is the key here- as is the custom xover.

In the test box the bass tuning is not addressed- that will wait for the completed custom Kappa 9 cabs in a few week from now. As tested I am super impressed with what I have heard- these will hopefully be giant killers. I am trying to build something that will compete and beat out the sound of my (custom) Altec 19's! That is a tall order- but from what I have heard so far in the test boxes I am well on the right track! Asthectically the modified Kappa 9's should out class the 19's- now if I continue to get the sound right then I will be there. The Kappa 9 cabs will need to be rebuilt to a 5.5~6.5 cu ft volume to get the bass I need to reach in the 32~36 range I am shooting for.

I have used a connection terminal that is bi-ampable so I have the option later on the insert a nice tube amp on the upper end.
DC
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6370.jpg
    IMG_6370.jpg
    64.6 KB · Views: 130
  • IMG_6372.jpg
    IMG_6372.jpg
    102.3 KB · Views: 97
  • IMG_6373.jpg
    IMG_6373.jpg
    83.5 KB · Views: 71
  • IMG_6374.jpg
    IMG_6374.jpg
    85.5 KB · Views: 98
  • IMG_6375.jpg
    IMG_6375.jpg
    86.4 KB · Views: 102
Last edited:
Those look great DC and I can imagine the EV woofer kicking butt. I bi-amped mine and really liked the ability to switch around amps to get the right match. What are the Kappa cabs? I found Infinity Kappa 9s....are those them? Good job. With all the second and third builds we must be up well over 100.
 
DC,
Looks great. I use the Z-19 as well. Congrats on your build so far.

I have not had my coffee yet. Like DJ, I want to know what is a Kappa-9 cab?
 
Here are the Kappa 9 cabs link. I plan to wrteck out the whole frony baffle and convert it to fit only the new drivers, get the horn/ woofer combo up at sitting ear level with a slight tilt back. I will extend the cab rears to get my needed cubic footage. I like the tall slender design of these with the slot cut rounded corners-very classy modern effect!


I posted pics of the cabs before, check them out here-


http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=306050

Thanks for the compliments guys- the sound is just soooo wondeful. That woofer combines extremely well with the Radian drivers. This is my first time using the radian drivers and I find them quite exceptional!!.

When I first got them I swapped them out for the 802's in my 19's and was blown away how good they sounded. If I keep my 19's they will get these Radian 475PB's driver somewhere in the furture!!!

DC
 
Thanks for the link DC. those should look stunning when you get done. I use the Radian diaphragms on my JBL 2441 drivers. I'd never go back to the stock dias. I think it is the mylar surrounds that make all the diff.

Although, I just sold them to Cosmos.
 
I wrestled with which Radian drivers to buy, but Gordon suggested the 475 as the better ones- the price differance between the 3 models I looked at was not all that much verses the performance features so I opted for the better 475 model. They are very impressive sounding units. Compared to the 802's I am completely sold on the Radian 475's. As I noted before I am not so sure the original phragms are in place on my 802-8G's as the differance I noted was pretty obvious. The 475's really get better at volume and when you have the dual level control option you can really dial in that high end to conpensate for room and electronic factors. I am not sue how the B&C and 802/802 with Altec phragms stack up to the Radians but would be interested to know other thought and comparos.
DC
 
Has anyone E-waved with the Eminence Dellta Pro-12?

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-510&ctab=2#Tabs

Specs look good for a subwoofer based system in a relatively small box and efficiency is very high across the spectrum so not much lost to BSC.....and the price is right too! Here's a box sim

VBResponseEminenceDeltaPro12.gif
 
my new e-wave

They are finished:banana: And they sound great. The cabinets are thrift store Radio Shack Nova 8, about 1.6 cu ft. Nice walnut veneer I just couldn't pass up for $5. The ZilchLab Delite 10 project over on PE Techtalk forum seemed perfect for them. This is not exactly the most econo project as it has 18Sound XT-1086 wave guides at $88/ea. Also uses the B&C DE250 and Eminence Deltalite II 2510. I only have an hour or so on them and nothing but great sound so far. A fun and rewarding project, thank you Zilch et al. I think I might put some old school AR style fabric grilles on them and call them complete. The Altec Carmels can go in the back room for awhile.
 

Attachments

  • P1000650.JPG
    P1000650.JPG
    80 KB · Views: 249
  • P1000651.JPG
    P1000651.JPG
    77.7 KB · Views: 174
  • P1000652.JPG
    P1000652.JPG
    59 KB · Views: 337
  • P1000653.JPG
    P1000653.JPG
    51.8 KB · Views: 251
Last edited:
Congratulations. Those look fantastic.
I've been wanting to use an XT-1086.
Are you using those with a sub?
Beautiful!

winkun said:
They are finished:banana: And they sound great. The cabinets are thrift store Radio Shack Nova 8, about 1.6 cu ft. Nice walnut veneer I just couldn't pass up for $5. The ZilchLab Delite 10 project over on PE Techtalk forum seemed perfect for them. This is not exactly the most econo project as it has 18Sound XT-1086 wave guides at $88/ea. Also uses the B&C DE250 and Eminence Deltalite II 2510. I only have an hour or so on them and nothing but great sound so far. A fun and rewarding project, thank you Zilch et al. I think I might put some old school AR style fabric grilles on them and call them complete. The Altec Carmels can go in the back room for awhile.
Click to expand...
 
winkun said:
They are finished:banana: And they sound great. The cabinets are thrift store Radio Shack Nova 8, about 1.6 cu ft. Nice walnut veneer I just couldn't pass up for $5. The ZilchLab Delite 10 project over on PE Techtalk forum seemed perfect for them. This is not exactly the most econo project as it has 18Sound XT-1086 wave guides at $88/ea. Also uses the B&C DE250 and Eminence Deltalite II 2510. I only have an hour or so on them and nothing but great sound so far. A fun and rewarding project, thank you Zilch et al. I think I might put some old school AR style fabric grilles on them and call them complete. The Altec Carmels can go in the back room for awhile.
Click to expand...

Beautiful Winkun!!! I wouldn't cover those....they look too good as is. Does this mean you are #100???
 
Excellent Job Duff......i'm in envy for sure! The 18Sound variant did measure the best of the bunch but certainly not the cheapest. I'm a big fan of the 2510 and have used it in several bookshelf designs. For those looking to save space and with a quality 15" sub, it probobly doesn't get any better. I think you're #100 but we'll have to wait for Zilch's press release.
 
You pay more for the Eminence woofers, but not signinficantly so. If 18-Sound wants to sell more XT1086 in the USA, they need to re-evaluate their distribution here. More DIYers would likely be using them if they weren't so expensive, and that money is not going to the manufacturer, rather, the middlemen. It's an excellent product, but up against $15 and less domestic alternatives, a hard sell in this market.

The Faital costs $50 here, but is Tractrix, not constant directivity....
 
I'll be reading into the Faital a bit more (and thus perhaps leave the ewave idea).

On prices/global trade; A shame we can't get QSC PL-000722-TS or PL-000447-GP over here in th EU.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom