2 - Titan 39's and 2 - DR-280's

[Whiterob]

OK so I haven't started the build yet, and have been talking about it for some time, but with the holidays had ran out of time. Now it is time to start throwing some sawdust around and get the builds under way.

So first off I will be ordering all the hardware from the best source around (Leland), and want help figuring out what all I should order.

For the Titan's, ordering the kits with the Lab 12's, and the "deep dish" speakon connectors.

But for the Dr-280's, which kit should I order, and which crossover? That is one part I am confused on.. I know read the directions blah blah blah, but getting first hand advice on my questions is easier.

Thanks. Oh and I will be sure to photograph the build as it comes along. I am ascerred

[LelandCrooks]

Comp drivers or Piezo arrays is the question you need to answer first. Then how much of the materials do you want? Deluxe kits have practically everything. Driver kits are just the crossovers and drivers.

In my humble opinion DR deluxe kits are the way to go. There's a lot involved in build a DR, and you get most of the hard stuff already done, and some of the fasteners I send are hard to find and make the job easier.

[Scott Brochu]

I am always trying to look for a deal, especially being a builder. I use to go every where to gather all the stuff needed to build a cabinet. Sometimes it isn't worth all the trouble to shop around because after you pay shipping on everything you need from each place it is just as cheap to get everything from one place.
Plus Leland is one of us DIY'ers, he makes sure each kit will have what you need. Hence the Deluxe Kit.

[Whiterob]

Comp drivers or Piezo arrays is the question you need to answer first. Then how much of the materials do you want? Deluxe kits have practically everything. Driver kits are just the crossovers and drivers.

In my humble opinion DR deluxe kits are the way to go. There's a lot involved in build a DR, and you get most of the hard stuff already done, and some of the fasteners I send are hard to find and make the job easier.

Yes I was assuming I would buy the Deluxe kit as for comp or piezo, I would think Pieazo would be ok for me, as I only play recorded music (most 320kbps) and was thought just for S&G's I would add some extras like 8 or 12 instead of the standard 4. But I honestly will have to do more research on the difference of them before ordering, as the speakers I will be replacing are a very high quality speaker for just a powered main. (QSC HPR 152i) or so I have been told anyways.

So if I go with 8 Piezo's, the deluxe kit, and was thinking the Deltalite 2512, then what should I do for the x-over.. That is something I haven't thought anything about. And if you or anyone wants to suggest a different driver, I am all ears (except the kappalite, that is just a bit out of my price range for this initial build)

Sorry for Just want to make sure I am getting the most out of my money for these. The way I had figured it, I would be sending Leland about $9xx in the coming month or so.

[Bruce Weldy]

I would add some extras like 8 or 12 instead of the standard 4.

A melded array for a 280 is 22 piezos.

[wallywally]

The Dr280's will require either 11 or 22 piezo's (flat vs melded array).
Why do you think you need 280's ? Dr200's or 250's will work fine. I have 2 Dr280's and 4 t-39's bp102 loaded and the 280's will outrun the t-39's. The only reason I run the 280's is because I run aux fed subs and I want response down to 80hz. For recorded music you don't need to cross that low.
As for your QSC's I couldn't find an SPL chart for them, generally when a company is unwilling to supply this basic information they are trying to mislead the consumer. The only spec they do give is a calculated Max SPL of 135db and that is a whole lotta

Edit: The best bang for your buck is in the DR200

[Whiterob]

already bought the plans for the 280 as I like the idea of not always using subs, as right now I dj thursdays with just my QSC's, as there isnt a whole lot of people, and dragging along bog ol subs just isn't worth it. so 11 is the magic number then. As far as the QSC's go, I have yet to hear a set of powered speakers that have as clean of a sound. The new K-series sounds like garbage. So I just want to go balls to the walls on the 280's so that they will hopefully blow me away with clarity and full sound.

Still dont have any idea what to do for the x-over, so help would be appreciated, but here is a screenshot of what i am thinking so far.

well just click here.. I tried to insert the image, but it keeps giving the can only be 700 pixels wide.. (it is only 662)

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k427 ... reen31.jpg

*edit* oops there is supposed to be a quantity of 2 on the DR's as well. Now for someone to convince me I should get the 22 piezzos instead of 11. and what x-over. I have done my research on the subs, but not enough on the mains.

[wallywally]

If the audience is closer than 30ft you need the melded array (22 piezos).
I would get the HP/LP 500 watts. If your not so good with soldering get the prebuilt one.
Also order a few extra piezo's so when you screw up 1 or more getting the cuts just right you'll have enough to finish the build.

[Whiterob]

If the audience is closer than 30ft you need the melded array (22 piezos).
I would get the HP/LP 500 watts. If your not so good with soldering get the prebuilt one.
Also order a few extra piezo's so when you screw up 1 or more getting the cuts just right you'll have enough to finish the build.

Thanks for the advice, I will do that. Would it be worth the extra cost to go with the compression route for me? I honestly have no idea. I very well could just keep my mains, and just build the T39's, but I have faith that with the amount of people on here who praise Bill's designs that I will be a happy customer. I just want assistance to make sure I am ordering the best bang for the buck.

Thanks again

[wallywally]

Would it be worth the extra cost to go with the compression route for me?

Thanks again

IMHO No. The melded array sounds fantastic and gives wider dispersion.

[Tom Smit]

Stay with the piezos. Better dispersion when close in. There is a lot of "samenes" when cutting and glueing them. It can get a little finicky but the result is worth it, and, it's cheaper. The CD(s) still needs the horn to be built which can be just as, or more, finicky.

[LelandCrooks]

HP/LP 500watt version xover. Melded arrays for certain if you go the piezo route. You need that wider dispersion. 2512 was the premier driver until the 3012 came out.

[subharmonic]

What about a pair of DR250 using the 45/80hz removable port tuning option. These would be the cabs for your situation, with melded arrays of course.

[Whiterob]

Thanks for all the advice.. Really not too concerned about spending a little extra money if that is why people are suggesting the 250's over the 280's, So from the sounds of it, I am going with 22 melded array, HP/LP 500Watt, Deltalight 2512. Which tallies up to $289.15 a piece before shipping, wood, and Duratex. (and that is with having Leland build the x-over) So after wood etc. I figure around $400 a piece, and they will supposedly blow the doors off my current $1200 a piece speakers. Can't wait to hear them, and give you guys an Honest opinion as to what I think. (with 22 tweeters, I am getting kind of scared turning these up to "war" volume haha) Give me a couple months as I want to build my Titan's first before I start the DR's, but I am excited to say the least

[subharmonic]

Thanks for all the advice.. Really not too concerned about spending a little extra money if that is why people are suggesting the 250's over the 280's

It is not the reason. The price is very similar. You are building the wrong tool for the job.

already bought the plans for the 280 as I like the idea of not always using subs, as right now I dj thursdays with just my QSC's, as there isnt a whole lot of people, and dragging along bog ol subs just isn't worth it.

"not a lot of people" tells me, people close to speakers most likely. With the 4" tuned ports you get 45hz out of a DR250, unless you figured you needed a pair of DR250s per side most of the time your going down the wrong path. Will you be happy with DR280, of course, should you build them for your circumstance, probably not.

You may want to read this post:
http://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/viewt ... f=2&t=1298

and also reread the plans a couple times before you build. Seems that you may have missed a couple things in them. Print them out and leave them by the toilet, so when you are in your "study" you can read them.

editted to fix something that didn't make sense.