Holy Cow, not going to be able to DIY this puppy...

[racertomtom]

I have no doubt that he could design boxes that would not only compete, but possibly outperform the best designs out there..

How do you know that I haven't? Non-disclosure agreements prevent me from saying what designs I've done and which companies I've done them for.
What I can say is that technically the DR is king. The construction doesn't lend itself to inexpensive mass production, so it remains a DIY only cab, as DIY and our authorized builders don't have the overhead or labor costs that commercial outfits do. The HF section of the DR isn't perfect, but if I made it so average builders wouldn't be able to build them. I'm content with them being the best they can be that can still be built by just about anyone.

As a weekend warrior with an adequate selection of power tools and the ability to follow directions, I appreciate your efforts. After all, I don’t need to be in the best sounding band on the planet, just the best of the local acts. Mission accomplished. Thanks!

[Ian Westwood]

I have no doubt that he could design boxes that would not only compete, but possibly outperform the best designs out there..

How do you know that I haven't? Non-disclosure agreements prevent me from saying what designs I've done and which companies I've done them for.
What I can say is that technically the DR is king. The construction doesn't lend itself to inexpensive mass production, so it remains a DIY only cab, as DIY and our authorized builders don't have the overhead or labor costs that commercial outfits do. The HF section of the DR isn't perfect, but if I made it so average builders wouldn't be able to build them. I'm content with them being the best they can be that can still be built by just about anyone.

I'd also like to thank Bill and some of the original members for their efforts making this community what it is. The results you get if you follow the plans and (sometimes) unconventional advice never ceases to amaze me.

Bill, at the risk of speaking out of line, and coming from someone who is about to embark on the build of a bunch of DR280's. Regarding the DR HF sections. If I read you correctly. I presume there is a more complicated method of construction you have in mind that may yield better results? If so, would you consider having something like a "DR Pro" version that really is not for the wood working faint of heart?

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

If I read you correctly. I presume there is a more complicated method of construction you have in mind that may yield better results?

Not so much better that I'd even bother trying to so myself. Planars with the necessary sensitivity and power handling would work very well, and they do exist, but they're crazy expensive. For instance, these:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdet ... er=276-444

And you'd need four per DR280.

[eshadeol]

Bill, at the risk of speaking out of line, and coming from someone who is

Phew he didn't say anything crazy!
Just kidding

Geez that's expensive , so per 1 dr250 /280 it could add $1700-2000. Just one speaker cabinet. Not the LR pair. Omgosh.

[Israel]

ANYA WAS PRETENDING TO BE A CONVENTIONAL LOUDSPEAKER FOR THIS DATASHEET. ANYA WAS ONLY PRETENDING, SO THIS IS ONLY A PRETEND DATASHEET. THERE IS NO DATASHEET. THERE CAN NEVER BE A DATASHEET.

we really got it!!! the "Paris Hilton" of speakers

[doncolga]

Bruce, this is an interesting view you have presented. For example, if the rig needs to be flown, a BFM rig is out of the question. It wasn't designed for that, and doesn't meet structural requirements or certification. This all costs money to meet these requirements.

I often get the impression from posts on this forum that the BFM speakers are invincible and beyond reproach. The fact is, they are an efficient box and work well for the intended purpose, but certainly cannot compete with a large touring system. Another shortcoming would be pattern control, especially the HF component; a real horn compression driver is more expensive to be certain, but for valid reason.

From a straight "how does it sound" criteria, I'd have to disagree from my own experience with my rig. We all know that to a very large degree it's who is behind the controls. I heard a really nice large commercial touring system about two months ago at an outdoor concert with some very popular national acts, probably about 5000 capacity, and considering the rig they had, I wasn't that impressed with the sound, again based on what I've heard my own do. Same thing for our local sound company that has a flown Yorkville rig I believe. Totally not impressed...sounds piercing and strained. On the other hand, I've heard a small installed EV rig at our university's performing arts center and I was COMPLETELY blown away with how small and incredibly good it sounded and felt. Our system at church is all nice commercial stuff and it has sounded like poop, but now sounds really nice. I'm sure the previous rigs are very good, I just didn't care for how they sounded as configured. I like how my rig sounds just as well or better, which is a great feeling. I'd love to hear my rig scaled to the same proportions as the bigger ones, I just have totally no need to do that right now.

[Bruce Weldy]

We all know that to a very large degree it's who is behind the controls.

That is the truth Don.....

Friday night, I went to run sound for a young Americana/Rockin' Country band. Never worked with 'em before, but I know the guitar player/designated soundman.

They had JBL 728 subs (so far, so good), driverack (yeah, I can control that), and some JBL JRX double 15 tops (yuk....).

Took my board, some extra mics and a snake. Ran the Presonus RTA on the mains (adjusted with the PEQ) and cleaned up the vocal range some with the GEQs. They were instantly blown away just with some music running through it. It was ok as far as I was concerned, so it's all relative.

During the show, people who follow this band told me how much better they sounded. Personally, I thought it could have been way better with better top boxes.

My point is that increasing your knowledge of setup, EQing the system properly, and understanding how to mix can make even crappy boxes sound better. Not necessarily great, but much better.

So, when we compare different types of boxes being run by different engineers - it's apples and oranges. 9 times out of 10, the sound sucks because of the guy twisting the knobs and not the PA.

But, once you know how a system should sound, it's much easier to evaluate other boxes.

I'm pretty much jaded now that I have my OTops.....when I run other off-the-shelf boxes (always with 15s) the mids just don't sound that good.

While its nice to hear all the attaboys - my expectations have become so much higher, that I usually just shake my head wondering what they would think if they heard my BFM boxes.

[doncolga]

We all know that to a very large degree it's who is behind the controls.

Ran the Presonus RTA on the mains (adjusted with the PEQ) and cleaned up the vocal range some with the GEQs. They were instantly blown away just with some music running through it. It was ok as far as I was concerned, so it's all relative.

Hey Bruce,

I'm getting more jealous with every post you make about that. I need to play more with the RTA feature I have available to me at the moment on the DEQ. I've got a nice AKG studio mic, an RME Multiface PCIe Interface, a Grace preamp and couple of EV tops that I'm considering selling to fund one of the Presonus mixers....hmmm...have to think on that some more.

Donny

[Drey Chennells]

..one of the Presonus mixers....hmmm...have to think on that some more.Donny

I used a 24 ch Presonus for a concert last weekend. Excellent as usual.

[doncolga]

..one of the Presonus mixers....hmmm...have to think on that some more.Donny

I used a 24 ch Presonus for a concert last weekend. Excellent as usual.

Dang man...lol...pushing me that way even more. I'll have to put the small stuff on Ebay just to see if I get any takers. If I could move just the mic and preamp at the right price I'd pull the trigger.

[Bruce Weldy]

..one of the Presonus mixers....hmmm...have to think on that some more.Donny

I used a 24 ch Presonus for a concert last weekend. Excellent as usual.

Dang man...lol...pushing me that way even more. I'll have to put the small stuff on Ebay just to see if I get any takers. If I could move just the mic and preamp at the right price I'd pull the trigger.

Here....I'll make it even worse. The kid that I went and ran sound for Friday just ordered one online today. I think MF has a really good deal right now - I think he got it for around $1500.

The RTA function on the Presonus (hooked up to your laptop) is much easier to use than the Driverack. The driverack is still an important tool and I'll always have it set to flat with it's RTA. But, using the SMAART software, then walking the room with the iPad to clean it up with the GEQ is just way too dang easy.

It really makes this redneck look like he knows what he's doing.