September 2015 SAC Meeting
Whether you are a dedicated stalwart, heart on your sleeve proponent of one approach or an advocate of the science behind another, you have to admit it is a broad brush our hobby (calling it a hobby might even be enough to set the cat amongst the pigeons!).
As an audio club committee we have a challenging task to somehow make each month’s meeting interesting, stimulating, enlightening, enjoyable; well you get the idea.
If you took a look at the contradictions that we read in the members’ feedback every month, whether about the equipment, the music, the room, or indeed the tea and biscuits, you might begin to understand how hard it is to keep the overall feedback scores high from month to month.
One possible reason we seem to succeed (and our statistics do tell us we succeed) might be that we listen to our members and we do spend a good deal of time trying to understand what you say, what you think and, yes, predicting what you want. This month’s meeting showed the fruits of that approach.
For a while now we have had a growing number of requests for more accessible systems, in both monetary and practical terms. Yes, everyone does enjoy the exotica we showcase and where else are you going to hear it? Even with the dealers doing their level best, it is still a lot of work to get to hear the new kit you read about in the magazines or debate in the on-line fora. So your local (Sydney) Audio Club is a great place to go then.
However, particularly for those who need to spend that $5,000.00 on the car insurance, or beer, or even food for the kids, rather than on the latest phono cartridge or USB cable, exotica can become just a little bit tedious if you get too much of it.
For those who feel that way, the appeal of budget systems that can be giant killers, or DIY systems that are more affordable but leverage in your own effort and skill to add value, can be very attractive and involving.
So the committee decided to program in a series of DIY meetings. As Tom explained, we intend to have another DIY meeting next year, likely in the first half of the year, where members will be invited to nominate DIY gear via email, we’ll then take the most applicable and build a couple of systems and then ask members to present the systems and talk about their components.
So to this meeting. The first of that series of DIY meeting.
This month showcased the Linkwitz Lab LX Mini speakers.
These DIY speakers are one of many products from the fertile mind of Siegfried Linkwitz. Siegfried Linkwitz has over 40 years of experience in loudspeaker design, electro-acoustic system design and the perception of sound from loudspeakers in normal rooms. (As well, his name is one half of the infamous Linkwitz-Riley crossover filter). In his own words taken from the Linkwitz website, “The LXmini is a most remarkable loudspeaker. It converts electrical signal voltages into acoustic pressure variations, which are perceived as completely neutral and detailed even in a reverberant environment. With this design I want to give every music lover the opportunity to build and enjoy a reference quality sound system singing in their own living space.”
Details of the system
Linkwitz LX Mini speakers – Refer to http://www.linkwitzlab.com/LXmini/Introduction.htm plus http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:748550 and http://www.magiclx521.com/news.html.
These speakers utilize a 6.5 inch bass driver and a forward firing full-range driver in each speaker. The drivers are from the SEAS Prestige range. Here is an excerpt taken from the Linkwitz website, “…with directivity controlled in this way the LXmini becomes much less sensitive to room placement, while also gaining in 3D imaging precision. The small, full-range driver on top is superbly smooth and detailed. It blends flawlessly with the pistonic, infinite transmission line woofer for a completely neutral sound in a reverberant room. The speaker stands 40" (1 m) tall. It requires two stereo power amplifiers of 80 W for woofer and full-range drivers. The four input signals to the power amplifiers are generated in a miniDSP 2x4 processor from the left and right outputs of a preamplifier or other device with a volume control.”
By the way, Herb Reichert at RMAF 2014 had this to say, “The Linkwitz Lab's LXmini loudspeakers… produced the most musically enjoyable, naturally balanced, properly toned, correctly detailed, music I experienced in any room on my beat.” Refer to http://www.stereophile.com/content/rmaf-2014-reichert-sunday#7ui6svMXPrp4CCCz.97
The plans to build them can be purchased through the Linkwitz Lab web site (for $105 USD). You can order the kit through Madisound in the US for $398 USD (on sale at the moment). Refer to https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/2-way-speaker-kits/lxmini-linkwitz-lab-speaker-kit-pair/
The pair Graham demonstrated was built by him, closely following the Linkwitz plans with some minor cosmetic changes to the mounting of the high frequency driver and using solid granite bases. The finish on the pipe shaped enclosures is a polyurethane water-based varnish system applied over a textured and coloured paper substrate.
Subwoofer - 2 x 15inch dipole subwoofer.
NAD preamp – the NAD 1700 Monitor Series.
NAD Power amps – the NAD 2600 Monitor Series on the bass and the NAD C320BEE for the high frequency. Refer to http://www.thevintageknob.org/nad-2600.html and http://www.stereophile.com/content/listening-7-page-2#GmHHDGot6lhR7XQz.97
Oppo BDP-105 Universal player – Refer to https://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-105/ and http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/oppo-bdp-105-universal-blu-ray-player-and-dac/
The speakers we had on the day were built by inveterate tinkerer and dedicated Sydney Audio Club member Graham Allen. Graham gave a talk about the speakers between tracks.
These are unusual and interesting speakers and although they may appear on the small side we did expect them to be able to drive our room. As has often been the case in our ornery room, small floor standing speakers managed to sound better than many of the larger speakers we have had. It could be that the bass didn’t overpower the room. Graham’s preamp also had some tone controls, so we were able to dial back the bass a tad. He brought a subwoofer, but it was usually switched out. We trialled the sub a few times, for example, with the sub in, the ‘high-res’ version of Billie Jean had pleasing punch and drive. Most times though we played the system without the sub such that people could hear what the speakers themselves were doing. Most people seemed impressed but as is often the case with opinion and ears, there were debates about the overall sound quality.
When we separated them a normal distance (normal for our room) the soundstage collapsed. You wound up hearing each speaker as a distinct separate speaker with little centre image. When you got them too close to each other the soundstage was fairly small but they are small speakers and are really not intended for our huge room. At home Graham has them about 2.5 metres apart and sits about 2.5 metres away in a typical triangle. He points them directly at his listening seat. He believes they work best like that.
You can buy the DIY speaker kit from Madisound (in the US) for under $500USD, once landed here in Oz though it cost Graham around $700AUD for the kit he bought just recently (blame our weak dollar and shipping charges). The kit contains all the electronics and drivers but you'll need to spend a bit extra for an inexpensive piece of PVC pipe and something for a speaker base. And then there’s your labour, that has a monetary value of course but most of us would be pleased as punch to build these things.
Some feedback included;
It seems then that the DIY heading was as popular as we expected and that can only bode well for the next DIY meeting. Watch this space!
George Davidson
As an audio club committee we have a challenging task to somehow make each month’s meeting interesting, stimulating, enlightening, enjoyable; well you get the idea.
If you took a look at the contradictions that we read in the members’ feedback every month, whether about the equipment, the music, the room, or indeed the tea and biscuits, you might begin to understand how hard it is to keep the overall feedback scores high from month to month.
One possible reason we seem to succeed (and our statistics do tell us we succeed) might be that we listen to our members and we do spend a good deal of time trying to understand what you say, what you think and, yes, predicting what you want. This month’s meeting showed the fruits of that approach.
For a while now we have had a growing number of requests for more accessible systems, in both monetary and practical terms. Yes, everyone does enjoy the exotica we showcase and where else are you going to hear it? Even with the dealers doing their level best, it is still a lot of work to get to hear the new kit you read about in the magazines or debate in the on-line fora. So your local (Sydney) Audio Club is a great place to go then.
However, particularly for those who need to spend that $5,000.00 on the car insurance, or beer, or even food for the kids, rather than on the latest phono cartridge or USB cable, exotica can become just a little bit tedious if you get too much of it.
For those who feel that way, the appeal of budget systems that can be giant killers, or DIY systems that are more affordable but leverage in your own effort and skill to add value, can be very attractive and involving.
So the committee decided to program in a series of DIY meetings. As Tom explained, we intend to have another DIY meeting next year, likely in the first half of the year, where members will be invited to nominate DIY gear via email, we’ll then take the most applicable and build a couple of systems and then ask members to present the systems and talk about their components.
So to this meeting. The first of that series of DIY meeting.
This month showcased the Linkwitz Lab LX Mini speakers.
These DIY speakers are one of many products from the fertile mind of Siegfried Linkwitz. Siegfried Linkwitz has over 40 years of experience in loudspeaker design, electro-acoustic system design and the perception of sound from loudspeakers in normal rooms. (As well, his name is one half of the infamous Linkwitz-Riley crossover filter). In his own words taken from the Linkwitz website, “The LXmini is a most remarkable loudspeaker. It converts electrical signal voltages into acoustic pressure variations, which are perceived as completely neutral and detailed even in a reverberant environment. With this design I want to give every music lover the opportunity to build and enjoy a reference quality sound system singing in their own living space.”
Details of the system
Linkwitz LX Mini speakers – Refer to http://www.linkwitzlab.com/LXmini/Introduction.htm plus http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:748550 and http://www.magiclx521.com/news.html.
These speakers utilize a 6.5 inch bass driver and a forward firing full-range driver in each speaker. The drivers are from the SEAS Prestige range. Here is an excerpt taken from the Linkwitz website, “…with directivity controlled in this way the LXmini becomes much less sensitive to room placement, while also gaining in 3D imaging precision. The small, full-range driver on top is superbly smooth and detailed. It blends flawlessly with the pistonic, infinite transmission line woofer for a completely neutral sound in a reverberant room. The speaker stands 40" (1 m) tall. It requires two stereo power amplifiers of 80 W for woofer and full-range drivers. The four input signals to the power amplifiers are generated in a miniDSP 2x4 processor from the left and right outputs of a preamplifier or other device with a volume control.”
By the way, Herb Reichert at RMAF 2014 had this to say, “The Linkwitz Lab's LXmini loudspeakers… produced the most musically enjoyable, naturally balanced, properly toned, correctly detailed, music I experienced in any room on my beat.” Refer to http://www.stereophile.com/content/rmaf-2014-reichert-sunday#7ui6svMXPrp4CCCz.97
The plans to build them can be purchased through the Linkwitz Lab web site (for $105 USD). You can order the kit through Madisound in the US for $398 USD (on sale at the moment). Refer to https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/2-way-speaker-kits/lxmini-linkwitz-lab-speaker-kit-pair/
The pair Graham demonstrated was built by him, closely following the Linkwitz plans with some minor cosmetic changes to the mounting of the high frequency driver and using solid granite bases. The finish on the pipe shaped enclosures is a polyurethane water-based varnish system applied over a textured and coloured paper substrate.
Subwoofer - 2 x 15inch dipole subwoofer.
NAD preamp – the NAD 1700 Monitor Series.
NAD Power amps – the NAD 2600 Monitor Series on the bass and the NAD C320BEE for the high frequency. Refer to http://www.thevintageknob.org/nad-2600.html and http://www.stereophile.com/content/listening-7-page-2#GmHHDGot6lhR7XQz.97
Oppo BDP-105 Universal player – Refer to https://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-105/ and http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/oppo-bdp-105-universal-blu-ray-player-and-dac/
The speakers we had on the day were built by inveterate tinkerer and dedicated Sydney Audio Club member Graham Allen. Graham gave a talk about the speakers between tracks.
These are unusual and interesting speakers and although they may appear on the small side we did expect them to be able to drive our room. As has often been the case in our ornery room, small floor standing speakers managed to sound better than many of the larger speakers we have had. It could be that the bass didn’t overpower the room. Graham’s preamp also had some tone controls, so we were able to dial back the bass a tad. He brought a subwoofer, but it was usually switched out. We trialled the sub a few times, for example, with the sub in, the ‘high-res’ version of Billie Jean had pleasing punch and drive. Most times though we played the system without the sub such that people could hear what the speakers themselves were doing. Most people seemed impressed but as is often the case with opinion and ears, there were debates about the overall sound quality.
When we separated them a normal distance (normal for our room) the soundstage collapsed. You wound up hearing each speaker as a distinct separate speaker with little centre image. When you got them too close to each other the soundstage was fairly small but they are small speakers and are really not intended for our huge room. At home Graham has them about 2.5 metres apart and sits about 2.5 metres away in a typical triangle. He points them directly at his listening seat. He believes they work best like that.
You can buy the DIY speaker kit from Madisound (in the US) for under $500USD, once landed here in Oz though it cost Graham around $700AUD for the kit he bought just recently (blame our weak dollar and shipping charges). The kit contains all the electronics and drivers but you'll need to spend a bit extra for an inexpensive piece of PVC pipe and something for a speaker base. And then there’s your labour, that has a monetary value of course but most of us would be pleased as punch to build these things.
Some feedback included;
- ..thought they imaged well, threw a good sense of depth and provided good timbre on vocals and instruments alike.
- They didn’t shout at you – they portrayed a relaxed soundstage. Midrange had good transparency and was quite open sounding. The highs were clear.
- ….they were obviously a bit “out of their element” in our room in that they didn’t provide an exceptionally wide soundstage.
- …..frankly, for the meagre outlay of money, I thought the speakers did a remarkable job.
- ….such good sound could be had with such simple inexpensive gear.
It seems then that the DIY heading was as popular as we expected and that can only bode well for the next DIY meeting. Watch this space!
George Davidson