12" or 15" driver in THTLP

[garyc_06820]

Hi! New guy here. I am planning to build 2 THTLP's. Due to a space constraint, I need to have them less than 18" wide to fit in an 18" area. If I go 17" wide, should I use a 12" or 15" woofer? I'm guessing the 12" is probably the best choice, but wanted to ask before I start. Either way, I am leaning towards the Eminence drivers.

Thank you, Gary

[Bruce Weldy]

If you have to go 17", then use the 12. It will give you more wiggle room in the build. And the difference in output will be negligible.

[garyc_06820]

Perfect! That was the answer I was looking for. This for a 2 channel vinyl setup, to augment my LaScalas and Klipschorns, so I didn't think I needed to go bigger to get deeper.

[Bruce Weldy]

Perfect! That was the answer I was looking for. This for a 2 channel vinyl setup, to augment my LaScalas and Klipschorns, so I didn't think I needed to go bigger to get deeper.

If it's for music listening, then you probably should build a Table Tuba. Records typically can't go all that low in the first place, so a THT is a bit of overkill.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I'd normally agree, but as he has LaScala and Klipschorns if they don't go as low as what he wants the THT is more appropriate.

[Bruce Weldy]

I'd normally agree, but as he has LaScala and Klipschorns if they don't go as low as what he wants the THT is more appropriate.

Gotcha.......has vinyl changed over the years to be able to produce lower frequencies without skipping? If I remember, they used to pretty much high pass everything around 70hz when mastering back in the days of records. I guess they also did it to keep the grooves smaller in order to get more time on each side. At least that's what my old brain remembers.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I don't know, I haven't used vinyl for at least 30 years. But they didn't high pass it per se. They used EQ in mastering to reduce the low frequencies to allow smaller grooves, restoring it on playback with RIAA equalization in phono pre-amps.

[Bruce Weldy]

I don't know, I haven't used vinyl for at least 30 years. But they didn't high pass it per se. They used EQ in mastering to reduce the low frequencies to allow smaller grooves, restoring it on playback with RIAA equalization in phono pre-amps.

I've bought a few re-mastered (not re-mixed) CDs from the 70s that I grew up with. The original CDs from the original masters really had very little low end like the records, but the ones that were re-mastered sounded great. The lower content really filled 'em out.

I know there are people who love their records....but, when I hear 'em say that the records sound better than CDs, I just shake my head. Having grown up on records, I don't miss the pops, crackles, and lack of bottom end at all.

I really think that younger folks who are embracing records may just be listening to older records and actually hearing the use of dynamics as opposed to the squashed crap that has been coming out for the last couple of decades. That certainly will make the music sound better.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Many remastered recordings have been done with better bass because today's speakers will reproduce it. That applies to vinyl and digital formats. I don't get the vinyl craze either. Nothing about it even remotely approaches CD quality.

[Bruce Weldy]

Many remastered recordings have been done with better bass because today's speakers will reproduce it. That applies to vinyl and digital formats. I don't get the vinyl craze either. Nothing about it even remotely approaches CD quality.

The one cool thing about records was the albums themselves. I would read every word on those things....multiple times. You got some of that with CDs, but with streaming - it's a lot less personal and people aren't as invested in the music they listen to.

Rick Beato did a great interview with Rick Wakeman (keyboards for Yes for you young folks). At the end he talks about the album-buying experience. His story is incredible - well worth the time investment if you are Yes or Prog rock fan....or just a music fan. The guy is still a monster...and funny as hell.

https://youtu.be/zppfjeculUs

[himhimself]

Many remastered recordings have been done with better bass because today's speakers will reproduce it. That applies to vinyl and digital formats. I don't get the vinyl craze either. Nothing about it even remotely approaches CD quality.

Me neither. It was fun to go to High End Munich last May and hear all the esoteric stuff, but good grief - the number of €250k turntables on display...WTF??? Kind of like 3/4 million for a pair of 1000lb Magico M9s - nothing but bragging rights for the deaf and/or ostentatious.

[Bruce Weldy]

Many remastered recordings have been done with better bass because today's speakers will reproduce it. That applies to vinyl and digital formats. I don't get the vinyl craze either. Nothing about it even remotely approaches CD quality.

Me neither. It was fun to go to High End Munich last May and hear all the esoteric stuff, but good grief - the number of €250k turntables on display...WTF??? Kind of like 3/4 million for a pair of 1000lb Magico M9s - nothing but bragging rights for the deaf and/or ostentatious.

That's why they are called "oddiophiles".

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Or audiophools.

[Seth]

... or oddiophools

[garyc_06820]

I guess you guys need to come by and hear my vinyl setup! Everyone who has heard my system has been blown away. At least a couple of listeners have found themselves "lost" in the music. In a really good way.
Now, maybe I could buy a higher end cd player (I do have one), but as it stands, my vinyl setup simply sounds better. Records are always handled with care, and ultrasonically cleaned IF needed. Very little surface noise. You would never notice it. At least on my setup, the CD's sound lifeless and dull by comparison.

Now we are also talking about a basement room that has been constructed for audio. Rough pine walls, ceiling open to insulation, rough wood floor, walls specifically built for the Klipschorns, Monoblock tube amps, custom built phono pre-amps, Moving coil carts on a variety of tone arms and turntables. Everything carefully setup and aligned. This is not from spending tons of money, it's from spending tons of time.

Just need to add the final touch - a couple of THTLP's! I am planning on a couple of DSP plate amps, and REW software to integrate and help place those properly. The smaller size 17" width, gives me more placement options. I just hope I can get what I need out of the smaller cabinets.