Open Baffle Opinions - I Won't go back to Boxed Speakers Evr Again (maybe....)


https://photos.app.goo.gl/cg64ScibP75b1YVF6

My very last DIY effort after doing the DIY Speaker thing (for myself only) for 35 years (only 5 pairs built in that time). These are my best effort WRT to sound quality. Bass down to 30Hz, sweet treble and midrange to die for.

All Parts Express Drivers. GRS Planar, GRS 12" (Qts = 1.27) Woofers, and Dynavox 5 1/4" midrange/midbass Drivers. All in $600. Still some tweaking to to on the Cabinet and the Crossovers. A simple 1st Order 16uF Sonicraft Capacitor on the Tweeter and a 2nd Order Bandpass on the 3 Dynavox Drivers. The H-Frame Woofers section is powered by an ICE Power Class D (1000W@4 Ω). Two for stereo of course. MiniDSP dialed in for a 250Hz Linkwitz-Riley 4th Order LPF, the Bandpass is 250Hz - 2500Hz, and the Magnetic Planar BG knockoff by GRS takes over at 2500Hz. No L-Pads anywhere !

My question is what is the Phantom Center like ? Mine is not as focused as I’d like it to be. But my God, the soundstage, imaging, front to back depth is amazing. Clarity like I’ve never heard before form a Box Speaker and the Bass is like I’ve never experienced. No Box Boom. 40Hz all Day and I can hit 30 Hz with very little attenuation

rajugsw

Showing 3 responses by jaytor

Hmm... I've only my GR-Research NX-Oticas in one room (my current room) but the center image is quite good. One thing that is different in Danny Ritchie's OB designs is that he uses a side wrong on the side of the speaker toward the center. This reduces the front to back wave interaction on this side of the speaker and may contribute to sharper imaging. 

You could experiment by talking a piece of stiff cardboard on the inside side of your speakers and see if that helps. 
Just noticed that autocorrect changed "wing" to "wrong" in my post. Meant side wing on the inside side of the speakers. 
@bdp24 , @atmasphere - I have also found that moving the speakers further into the room and adding some diffusion behind the speakers helps a lot with the imaging and soundstage. I have two 2x4' GIK panels with diffusor plates behind each speaker and have the speakers placed such that the front of the baffle is about 7ft from the front wall.  This creates a deep sound stage with nicely focused imaging. I wouldn't say it's the sharpest imaging I've ever heard, but I really like the overall presentation. 

@sejodiren - yes the DQ10s were one of the first speakers to popularize open baffle, although these speakers used a conventional box enclosure for the woofer.