Would like to hear open baffle speakers

DIY a pair not hard many kits abound or just research and go your own way.

@sparkymaui , I would save yourself the trouble and find a dealer in Hawaii that Sells Magnepans or better yet Sound Labs. With the exception of subwoofers multiple driver arrays have never worked well, open or closed. The Nearfield Pipe Dreams are the classic example. You can make a speaker that goes very loud but it's response particularly in the bass is going to be very lumpy. It is even difficult to correct then with DSP because the power requirements are so high. 

Making a flat panel speaker is child's play. Making a full enclosure is far more complicated. Where open panel speakers work best is with small two way systems comprised of a tweeter and medium sized midrange/midbass driver 6 or 7 inches crossed over to subwoofers at 100 Hz or so. The plates can be made with solid surface material which is much heavier and stiffer than wood. You laminate it to 23/32" plywood making a panel almost 1 1/4" thick. A simple 2nd order crossover and 4 chains to hang the two speakers from the ceiling and you are good to go. Two subwoofers and an active 2 way crossover complete the system. Subwoofers should always be in enclosures. Cancellation effects make open baffle subwoofers virtually unmanageable. People do it but the sound is anything and everything but accurate. 

Very jealous of all your tools and woodworking skills.  Those speaker baffles in the video are absolutely gorgeous!!  Well done.  What do those speakers weigh in at?

Hi Michael,

I think that the speakers using the Lii Audio L15 probably sound very good. They might be a little rolled off in the highs and maybe not quite  have the lower bass impact that I like but they are probably pleasantly balanced. At any rate, they should give you a good sense of the OB sound I would think.

I played around with the Lii Fast 8 for a while and it sounded very good especially for the price. Ultimately the Fast 8 did not go low enough for my application.

If I was still building speakers I would build a pair using the Lii L15, the Lii W15 (active) and a dipole planer or AMT up top. They would definitely not be shaped like a barrel.

The speakers I have now I built. They are similar to the ones shown in the link below to one of my YouTube videos but with a different driver compliant and made from wenge. The speakers in the video have a 10" coaxial in the middle with two 10" active woofers above and below. Mine have a BG NEO 8 PDR planer in the middle with Beyma 10" mids above and below in an MTM configuration. The top and bottom positions are still 10" active woofers woofers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i85HpoGrpk&t=28s

Mike

Mike what a great idea! I have emailed the owner. I used to live next door to Penngrove in Petaluma before moving here. Its an easy drive from Sacramento.

Thanks for helping me out...if the speakers are still for sale when I arrive I am looking forward to a listen. I have been reading reviews and comments on this particular speaker. So will be good to hear it. 

I meant to ask you, which speakers do you have?

Michael 

Hi Michael,

These are a lot closer and might still be available for a listen. 
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649836909-decware-zf15m-open-baffle-single-driver-high-efficiency-speakers-walnut/

Mike

Hi, no physical store here. I was hopeful but to no avail....

thanks, 

people in Maui? Underwoodhifi?

Yep, it’s a trek but it’s a whole lot nicer down here than Sacramento. And almost as nice as Maui. 😉

I hope you get to hear some OB’s while you’re over, they are a game changer. 
 

Safe travels. 
Mike

Thanks for the offer Mike. About a 6 hour drive each way...only in town for a few days....but you never know! Thanks again.

Michael 

If you make it down to Santa Maria on the central coast you are welcome to hear mine. I’m a ways from Sacramento though.

Best,

Mike