glad to be here, and thank you for sharing here what you all do (beautiful builds here, and super interesting to read)
Long time reader, had a break, now got back into it and want to start my own build starting with one pair of DR250. Bigger thoughts in mind, but for evaluating ideas this would be my starting point. In the end the first pair will probably used as (and i really love it to have found that expression inside this formun) texas headphones, and for the front use i'll look if 280 or 200 may be a better solution; will depend on my personal listening experience on the first 2.
Somewhat skilled woodworker, long time craftsman and full workshop available.
Some long story short background: decades ago forest raves; we had a horror combination of different parts of soundsystems that just went together somehow, but is was far away from a decent sound quality. A lot changed since then, left that hobby due to life changes and a lot else, and now i want to take that build to a decent level to redo some stuff we did once, but without puking eardrums.
A few questions i want to clear before messing ideas up; condensed to one post is probably the simple way to go.
Processing side
In theory, having a 2 in 6 out controller should be sufficent for every scenario. Bi-Amping is the target, DR-Line combined with subwoofers still to choose.
6 Outs should give me the option, to have 4 of them for stereo-DR-Bi-amped, and 2 for maybe two different Sub-ranges each in mono - or is there an error to that?
How about chaining two (let's say driveracks) togehter, when for instance frontfills will be needed with their own 4 channels for bi-amping? 8 or 10 outputs gets the thing quite expensive.
Handles on DR250
As far as i understand, it shouldnt be a problem to take in sunken Handles in the sides of the throat area. Thinking about models like these: https://www.adamhall.com/shop/en/brands ... 67f3818148. Is the volume taken out of the throat area to be considered and to be replaced? As far as my understanding goes, wavelenghts shouldnt "see" that as an obstacle. The reason for these handles is the option of strapping running through, as well as the better grip.
Second handling idea in the backpanel; including connectors:
To avoid sticking out cables, i really love the idea of hiding them sort of "inside".
Following sketch for the concept:
- Screenshot 2025-12-07 082847.png (8.84 KiB) Viewed 166 times
As long as cables are connected, handle is not needed. And when connected, cables just stick inside. Measurments to be taken, how far the backpanel has to be moved to fit speakon-connectors; but i think it could be worth it. Couldn't find something similar here, somebody done before on a DR?
Transport
Never seen dollys around for the DRs. Has that been done? Thinking about scaleable, scaling to four per side would be neat to have a Dolly with 4 DRs on it per side. My idea goes to a groundplate where two DRs fit on, fronts facing each other, and 2 DRs high. Eventually adding a soft cover, but probably possible without. Also for storing them when not in use a neat option in my mind at least - anybody done that?
Groundstacking
As to avoid the usual stands(tripods), i thought about building "empty" boxes as a ground support when not on top of bass bins. Closed Front, just need to add some weight for stability.
How about building a 19" rack inside these "empty" boxes, to have the amping close to the sounding end and avoid endless cable lenghts? Has that been done before, and i was just too stupid to find it by the search here? Going for cheaper heavier amps could be a benefit in that case in terms of stability. To me, it doesn't seem like a bad idea; but i know i can be stupid.
Coupling V-Plate
Now to the lower end, as the main purpose will be outdoors the final rig should be good to go with two towers. For the obvious benefits, the coupling of 4 bass bins per side and an added V-plate would be the most used usecase.
Two questions on that:
First of all, the plate could be used as a groundstack for the DRs. The bracing needed for the plate anyway could be a connector to take the DRs in the same way as the ground support plate in the plans - or is there an error to that? Done before? The plate would ne to be super tight fixed on the subs to avoid any movement; but this is a situation i can think of solutions to have the desired structural stability. But will vibrations be an error? Optional "soft" stacking the DRs? So a vibration damping connection between the plate an the DRs?
Second, now it gets probably a bit wild:
In terms of efficency, i like the idea to have each frequency played by a disgn optimized for that band.
The DRs go quite low, can be tuned even lower. But how about adding a third band between the DRs and the subs (which are still to choose)?
Probably influenced by systems i've heard, but kickbins between DR and SUB doesn't seem to be automatically bad. Designs like the B115 from martin audio would be an option i had in my mind - maybe the splitting in 2 sub bands is its own discussion. Here the question regarding the coupling V-plate: How about taking a Design like the b115, and take the bottom of that cab as the plate? Could be made fitted, whatever measures and fits best. And would be a "two flies by one slap"-situation, which i really like in my mind. Everything with fixed connectors, and on top of that midbass the groundstackadapter for the DRs.
Also, the hassle you buy by adding more bands/ways to fit togehter at each event would be somewhat lower when the tower stacks together the same every event. Delay and XO could be fixed to standards and then adapted on the local situation.
Picturing such two towers makes me sorta wet in my hearing mind tbh, but it hast to be a real benefit and not just eye candy. And sure the idea is placed in my mind by other similar systems where eyecandy was a bigger factor than it should be. but when the SQ can benefit from that, i'd love that idea.
Anyone experiences on that? Midbass added inbetween, and used as a V-Plate? Ore only V-plate as groundstack for DR? Thoughts?
Edit: In addition to the idea of an amprack as a groundsupport for stacked DRs; the full tower in mind coupled together leaves a spot in the back of said tower (where the both sides of the coupled bass bins touch their tip) and there should be a somewhat integrated amprack suitable as well, or do i have an error on placing amps that close? Sure both variants in secured racks, to avoid damages. But in my mind, that should be doable and save tons of cables esp. when bi-amping.
Subwoofer to add
The V-plate-questions imply the bassbin-question; depending on added midbass or not, which would be your subwoofer of choice. Probably the "smallest" version of my usecase would be around 400 dancing ppl, music with the deep frequencies that most music does not include at all (DnB/Psytrance, each rather the experimental styles of it...), until the rather maximum part with around 1500 ppl. As always coupled in 4, The T48 would be super sufficient according to the bass bin choose-thread. On the other hand, when taking the midbass out, which model would benefit the most in the range below the midbass?
All only relevant at the end, but kind of decides if i'll build the DRs ported or not. So better ask before, maybe there are ideas floating around i couldn't find.
