OB DIY Project

[Sherwood]

Has anyone any experience of this or similar?

https://www.decwareproducts.com/zms

See bottom for plans

[bumpy]

Has anyone any experience of this or similar?

https://www.decwareproducts.com/zms

See bottom for plans

I have been experimenting with DIY open baffles for about 4 years and love them, but they are not the Decware version. Do you have any specific questions?

[Sherwood]

I'm a big fan of full range drivers. In fact, I currently own a pair of Omega Alnico full range speakers which sound excellent. I have been very impressed by the various open battle speakers I've heard in the past and would really like to try a pair at home. I see that the 15" drive units used in the Decware OB speakers are currently on sale for $400 a pair and that the plans for the baffles are available for $30. Unfortunately, my poor health and severe arthritis mean that I cannot construct the baffles myself. Does anyone know of a company that's able to produce a pair of battles to a high standard, probably out of birch ply rather than hardwood?

Tx

[struth]

I'm a big fan of full range drivers. In fact, I currently own a pair of Omega Alnico full range speakers which sound excellent. I have been very impressed by the various open battle speakers I've heard in the past and would really like to try a pair at home. I see that the 15" drive units used in the Decware OB speakers are currently on sale for $400 a pair and that the plans for the baffles are available for $30. Unfortunately, my poor health and severe arthritis mean that I cannot construct the baffles myself. Does anyone know of a company that's able to produce a pair of battles to a high standard, probably out of birch ply rather than hardwood?

Tx

still got my full range alnico speakers 2 sets. not to everyone's taste but i liked them. never tried open baffles tho

[bumpy]

I'm a big fan of full range drivers. In fact, I currently own a pair of Omega Alnico full range speakers which sound excellent. I have been very impressed by the various open battle speakers I've heard in the past and would really like to try a pair at home. I see that the 15" drive units used in the Decware OB speakers are currently on sale for $400 a pair and that the plans for the baffles are available for $30. Unfortunately, my poor health and severe arthritis mean that I cannot construct the baffles myself. Does anyone know of a company that's able to produce a pair of battles to a high standard, probably out of birch ply rather than hardwood?

Tx

I have never heard the Lii Audio 15" full range drivers, but here is my 2 pence worth
1. Lii audio have a big following on the internet, fuelled a little bit by 'giving away' new drivers to established builders who funnily enough always give rave reviews.
2. Their specs for their drivers are often a work of fiction. There is a fair bit of criticism from builders, who have measured them.
3. I have tried in vain on various forums to get existing users to give listener comparisons with established full range drivers, both new and vintage - nobody has yet offered an opinion. So where they sit on the audiophile scale is as yet unestablished.
4. The term 'full range' is in the ear of the beholder. In open baffle the bass is naturally rolled off, particularly in modestly sized baffles like the Decware. Many users find the need to suppliment this driver with both a sub (not unusual with OBs) but also a tweeter
5. It is optimistic to expect a whizzer to seemlessly blend with a 15" cone. Lowther had problems with a whizzer on just 8" drivers. Some users have remarked on a drop out in the upper midrange, which they correct with advanced crossovers. Lii Audio have indeed released more sophisticated 15" drivers, I guess to help correct these anomolies.
6. You cannot buy Lii audio drivers sourced from the UK. Bare in mind you will need to add VAT and import duties to the price you see advertised from the distributer in Europe. There are also a lot of clone drivers out there claiming to be Lii Audio.

Have you thought about mounting your Omiga drivers in open baffles. If you are up to it, they can be mounted in cut down cardboard boxes to give you a taster.

Good luck, and if you are anywhere near Stansted airport you are most welcome to drop in and listen to mine.

[Sherwood]

I have never heard the Lii Audio 15" full range drivers, but here is my 2 pence worth
1. Lii audio have a big following on the internet, fuelled a little bit by 'giving away' new drivers to established builders who funnily enough always give rave reviews.
2. Their specs for their drivers are often a work of fiction. There is a fair bit of criticism from builders, who have measured them.
3. I have tried in vain on various forums to get existing users to give listener comparisons with established full range drivers, both new and vintage - nobody has yet offered an opinion. So where they sit on the audiophile scale is as yet unestablished.
4. The term 'full range' is in the ear of the beholder. In open baffle the bass is naturally rolled off, particularly in modestly sized baffles like the Decware. Many users find the need to suppliment this driver with both a sub (not unusual with OBs) but also a tweeter
5. It is optimistic to expect a whizzer to seemlessly blend with a 15" cone. Lowther had problems with a whizzer on just 8" drivers. Some users have remarked on a drop out in the upper midrange, which they correct with advanced crossovers. Lii Audio have indeed released more sophisticated 15" drivers, I guess to help correct these anomolies.
6. You cannot buy Lii audio drivers sourced from the UK. Bare in mind you will need to add VAT and import duties to the price you see advertised from the distributer in Europe. There are also a lot of clone drivers out there claiming to be Lii Audio.

Have you thought about mounting your Omiga drivers in open baffles. If you are up to it, they can be mounted in cut down cardboard boxes to give you a taster.

Good luck, and if you are anywhere near Stansted airport you are most welcome to drop in and listen to mine.

I'm familiar with the limitations of full range driver units. Yes they can be a little shouty, and yes they tend to be rolled off in the treble, often soon after 16 kilohertz. However, I accept these limitations for the coherence of a point source driver. The Lil Song drivers in question are those used by Decware In their open baffle speakers and have received positive reviews from widely respected parties.

All things considered, I am willing to take a chance on buying unheard, conditional upon being able to get the battles made at a reasonable price. My only remaining uncertainty is whether to go for a 12 inch rather than a 15 inch driver.

Thanks for the offer of a demo. Unfortunately, I live on the edge of Sherwood Forest and I am unable to drive anymore due to my health problems. C'est la vie!


BTW. Cannibalising my Omega units for the drivers is not really an option. These are US$2000 speakers and are in mint condition.


https://omegaloudspeakers.com/produc...nt=32172390732

[bumpy]

These might be worth checking out if you have not noticed them. They are good value and a lick of paint on the front panels could enhance them considerable

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285275381...cb27%7Ciid%3A1

[Sherwood]

These might be worth checking out if you have not noticed them. They are good value and a lick of paint on the front panels could enhance them considerable

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285275381...cb27%7Ciid%3A1

Interesting, I've actually been looking at the website and made an enquiry by email about open baffle frames. I will post any reply I get from Randy who hosts the site. I can't think what possessed the owner to go for the blood spatter colour scheme!

http://www.caintuckaudio.com/

I like the Maple 15 Baffe

http://www.caintuckaudio.com/Lii_15.html

[Sherwood]

Any suggestions for the dimensions for an open baffle for a single full range driver of 15" diameter?
Tx.

[Sherwood]

I have been experimenting with DIY open baffles for about 4 years and love them, but they are not the Decware version. Do you have any specific questions?

Painting in photo. Vietnam?