Picking an Open Baffle speaker for 2w SET amp - plus bonus question !?!


https://imgur.com/a/PCQXpKa

I recently purchased a Decware Zen Triode 2.3w amp and want to experience what an OB speaker sounds like - with a budget of $1000. I do own 2 REL T5 subs that could be put to use if needed, and from looking around, especially on the Decware site, one obvious choice would be a Caintuck OB with either a Betsy or Lii Fast-8” full range driver. Others on the user forum site rave about the Lii 15” driver (in the same baffle) for offering a much fuller sound.
Where I get confused is primarily if I should go with one of the 8” driver options or with the 15” big boy. I am guessing the answer will have a lot to do with my particular room situation, which is very restrictive and from what I have read not ideal for OB speakers.

I am hoping someone with more experience could take a look at my odd room (floor plan & a couple pics attached) and make an educated guess what would perform better in my set-up (15” or 8” plus sub).

There are two rooms I’d like to try this out in:
One is my office, a “tidy” 12x12’ box.
The other is the more complicated space, a living room with an interesting layout.
https://imgur.com/a/PCQXpKa
The bonus question:
Is it possible with the addition of another device (and what would that be??) to control / set a crossover frequency for the Decware amp, when connecting a sub via the speakers tabs from the amp?

nkphoto

Showing 2 responses by dekay

Does your Decware amp have the high/low impedance switches?

Per their website they added this feature in 2015.

DeKay
The early Decware amp I tried here (maybe 20 years ago) with a few speakers did not perform well with speakers rated for 10+ ohms (Coincident stand mount speakers), but was OK @ lower volumes with my then owned Reynaud Twins MkII (think they dropped down to 3.4. or so, ohms in some areas).

Unfortunately I never tried the Decware with any of my vintage wide range single drivers (though some of them are rated as being 16 ohm).

The Decware had an interesting (memorable) sound with the Reynaud's that had a similar quality to a Roger Modjeski EL84 based amp that I later tried (lighter in weight, but similar).

Anyway, should be a non issue as you have a later model Decware.

Steve Deckert once commented on the unusual deviation from how most tube amps perform in regard to the early model, but I forget the details (this was @ Audioasylum many years ago).

Cheap and fun (for new drivers in OB) would be the high QTS Betsy drivers in a half sheet of plywood (if they are still around $100/pair) plus your subs.

The problem for me is cutting holes for the drivers as I barely trust myself with a Dremel (let alone a router), though I'm still good/confident using a drill/scroll saw and finishing up with hand tools.

DeKay