markus
Master Procrastinator
So, about a year ago I built my first set of JE Labs Open Baffles . .
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=114192&highlight=labs+open+baffles
I had cut them to accept 12 inch drivers, and liked them VERY much . . . after a bit, I decided to enlarge the openign to accept 15 inchers, and cut the the holes an inch TOO BIG :cry: I still have them, and will eventually slap a second layer of 3/4 inch plywood on the face to repair them, but I decided to start from scratch and do 'em right . . .
Enter the '2nd Generation' JE Labs OB's . . .
I enlarged the dimensions ever-so-slightly to make more efficient use of the plywood (less fractions also means less screw ups :thmbsp Baffles are now 32 X 36 inches . .
I used my homemade circle jig to cut a hole for 15 inch woofers, and have also made my first set of spacer plates to accomodate 12 inch woofers.
Test # 1:
I'd been wanting to hear my big Magnavox Concert Grand 15 inch woofer on OB's, and FINALLY got my chance . . to test it, I used my active crossover to split my ipod signal to the woofer, and one of the EV horns from the Concert Grand . . . the only downside is my Magnavox '93' series PP 6BQ5 amp is a 4 Ohm amp, and the 15 incher is a 16 Ohm driver, so it wasn't the best match. . . I'll eventually try this setup with the factory '150' Bi-Amp amplifier . ..
Test # 2:
So the two mid-60's Zenith Consoles I have came factory with these very interesting 15 inchers . . . accordion surrounds, decent sized Alnico magnet, lightweight paper cone, and a vented dustcap . . . I had used them on some VERY primitive OB's in my garage, mounted to the ceiling, but hadn't heard them 'optimized' . . . in their factory setup, they roll off naturally on top, and as a midrange, Zenith used the venerable Jensen RP103 / 106 horn tweeter crossed over around 1000 / 1500 Hz . . .
Instead of using the Jensens, for this round I used my set of Radio Shack Lineaum Dipole Ribbon Tweeters crossed over at 2500 Hz . . kinda asking alot of these 15's to fill that gap, but the sound is VERY nice . . . decent bass, REALLY nice midrange (thank you vented dustcap!). I was listening late-night, so couldn't really crank it, but they sound quite nice.
I do love these JE Labs Open Baffles :yes: These Dipole Ribbon tweeters are the hot ticket for full-range open baffle high frequency fill :yes:
I still have to sand the inner mounting flange of the 12 inch spacer rings so I can squeeze my arsenal of 12 inch console drivers (RCA, Ampex, Zenith, Magnavox, etc . . .) into these babies . . .
Next up, hit the hardware store for some more 3/4 inch plywood and make spacer rings for my 8's (Ampex, RCA, Jensen, etc.) and my 6 1/2's (Radio Shack.
I also need to add the little 'mini-wing' that attaches to the top center of the baffle . . . I was curious to see how the sound was without it;
you'll have to excuse the crappy pictures - camera's flash has decided to not work anymore :tears:
I'll add more info once I finish the spacer rings . . stay tuned !
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=114192&highlight=labs+open+baffles
I had cut them to accept 12 inch drivers, and liked them VERY much . . . after a bit, I decided to enlarge the openign to accept 15 inchers, and cut the the holes an inch TOO BIG :cry: I still have them, and will eventually slap a second layer of 3/4 inch plywood on the face to repair them, but I decided to start from scratch and do 'em right . . .
Enter the '2nd Generation' JE Labs OB's . . .
I enlarged the dimensions ever-so-slightly to make more efficient use of the plywood (less fractions also means less screw ups :thmbsp Baffles are now 32 X 36 inches . .
I used my homemade circle jig to cut a hole for 15 inch woofers, and have also made my first set of spacer plates to accomodate 12 inch woofers.
Test # 1:
I'd been wanting to hear my big Magnavox Concert Grand 15 inch woofer on OB's, and FINALLY got my chance . . to test it, I used my active crossover to split my ipod signal to the woofer, and one of the EV horns from the Concert Grand . . . the only downside is my Magnavox '93' series PP 6BQ5 amp is a 4 Ohm amp, and the 15 incher is a 16 Ohm driver, so it wasn't the best match. . . I'll eventually try this setup with the factory '150' Bi-Amp amplifier . ..
Test # 2:
So the two mid-60's Zenith Consoles I have came factory with these very interesting 15 inchers . . . accordion surrounds, decent sized Alnico magnet, lightweight paper cone, and a vented dustcap . . . I had used them on some VERY primitive OB's in my garage, mounted to the ceiling, but hadn't heard them 'optimized' . . . in their factory setup, they roll off naturally on top, and as a midrange, Zenith used the venerable Jensen RP103 / 106 horn tweeter crossed over around 1000 / 1500 Hz . . .
Instead of using the Jensens, for this round I used my set of Radio Shack Lineaum Dipole Ribbon Tweeters crossed over at 2500 Hz . . kinda asking alot of these 15's to fill that gap, but the sound is VERY nice . . . decent bass, REALLY nice midrange (thank you vented dustcap!). I was listening late-night, so couldn't really crank it, but they sound quite nice.
I do love these JE Labs Open Baffles :yes: These Dipole Ribbon tweeters are the hot ticket for full-range open baffle high frequency fill :yes:
I still have to sand the inner mounting flange of the 12 inch spacer rings so I can squeeze my arsenal of 12 inch console drivers (RCA, Ampex, Zenith, Magnavox, etc . . .) into these babies . . .
Next up, hit the hardware store for some more 3/4 inch plywood and make spacer rings for my 8's (Ampex, RCA, Jensen, etc.) and my 6 1/2's (Radio Shack.
I also need to add the little 'mini-wing' that attaches to the top center of the baffle . . . I was curious to see how the sound was without it;
you'll have to excuse the crappy pictures - camera's flash has decided to not work anymore :tears:
I'll add more info once I finish the spacer rings . . stay tuned !