DR300

[Alan Star]

Well I finally screwed in the last parts of the dr300's that Harley built for me and fired them up for the first time yesterday afternoon. I had both of them sitting on top of my 4 lab subs, the most noticeable thing for me at first was how punchy and clear they were in the bottom end, I had them crossed over at 80hz with the labs and they seemed to meet really well there. They really added some serious thump to the labs that I haven't heard with my mackie sa1521's which I thought so far have sounded perhaps a bit tinny on top of the labs at times. I realize now that the mackies are good in the very top end but just don't deliver enough kick to meet the subs, the DR's definately do.

I am by no means a professional or very experienced sound person but the dr's seem a bit harsh at first impressions in the upper range with the eq flat, looking forward now to seeing if I can get fidelity with them using the driverack and rta mic for eq and will report back here once I have tested that.

So far I am very happy with the potential, any suggestions, tips with setting up and eq very welcomed.

Each DR is fitted with 1 eminence kappa pro and 2 eminence psd2002

This is what I tested with (bi amp set up).

2x DR300 - tweeters .... 2 x 200watts ? into 16ohms (1 zpe800 crossed at 1200hz)
- mid bass 12" .... 2 x 1000watts into 8ohms (2 mackie m1400's)

4x LABS - 2 x 2500watts into 2ohms (parralleled pairs/1 crown itech6000)

So each DR cab was getting over a 1000 watts and they sounded like they were fully lovin it. I was concerned that perhaps the 300's were more than what we needed but I don't think so, I think they will be good for what we got in mind ... now, just got to get em up high enough ?

Many thanks to Harley Dear by the way for a very thorough and professional job building these speakers and many, many thanks, of course, to Bill for sharing this design. I think this cab is going to end up being perfect for what we want.

[Harley]

I think this cab is going to end up being perfect for what we want.

Thanks for that feedback Alan, it was a pleasure building these for you depsite the hurdles we had with the noddies at the freight depot and the family tragedy smack dab in the middle of the build.

I'm glad they suit your needs and if you ever need any more, you know where to come! Also glad to know they survived the trip from Auckland to Perth.



Cheers

Harley

[DJ Big Ronn]

I A/B'd My 250's against my buds Powered Mackie tops. By the time he pushed them hard enough to try to match the volume of my 250's the horns sounded so shitty and the mids so garbly that I was embarrased for him. Oh well, a $1400.00 lesson for him. The funny part was that no matter how crappy they sounded, he kept trying to justify his purchase. Did I mention that he's had them for six months, and has had to repair them 3 times already. I cant wait to see his expression when I line up the T48's next to his powered Mackie 18's (1400.00 a piece)

[Alan Star]

I don't think there is any real comparison between a horn loaded sub and mackie subs, particularly outdoors. The mackies might work ok indoors, but outdoors, they are worlds apart. I think the same goes for comparing the mid bass and kick of the dr's to the same of the mackie tops. I do think however that as far as fidelity is concerned, the mackies sound very good in the upper ranges.

I have a feeling it is easier to get the piezo dr's sounding really good straight off compared to the comp. driver dr's.

The reason i went with the 300 is I needed something that went down to 80hz.

Big Ron, I'm guessing were you comparing the dr250's to a pair of srm450's ?

[DJ Big Ronn]

I don't think there is any real comparison between a horn loaded sub and mackie subs, particularly outdoors. The mackies might work ok indoors, but outdoors, they are worlds apart. I think the same goes for comparing the mid bass and kick of the dr's to the same of the mackie tops. I do think however that as far as fidelity is concerned, the mackies sound very good in the upper ranges.

I have a feeling it is easier to get the piezo dr's sounding really good straight off compared to the comp. driver dr's.

The reason i went with the 300 is I needed something that went down to 80hz.

Big Ron, I'm guessing were you comparing the dr250's to a pair of srm450's ?

If thats the Mackies with the 12's in them then yes. They are a quality sounding speaker at moderate levels and I thought it was the best sounding thing that I had ever heard. After comparing speakers, I'd guess that it would take 4 Mackies to keep up with the 250's, and then there's the problem combing if you put them side by side. I didn't mean any disrespect to the Mackies and maybe my bud plays them too hard, but with the down time and price, its exorbatantly outmatched.

[Alan Star]

but with the down time and price, its exorbatantly outmatched.

I have to agree with that, i have definately had my fair share of downtime and repair expenses with my mackies.