Re: The Minuet5 in development.

[ZRH]

Thanks for such a good explanation! Is it safe to assume that the same principles apply to the L&R as you go vertical off axis? I think most folks with normal length couches and normal height listening needs would be very happy with this Minuet 5 design. It just so happens that I have a Landice treadmill right behind the long conversational sofa (basement room is 18' x 23'), so when I’m on it my ears are at an extra tall height. The wife of course likes small footprint, skinny, and unobtrusive speakers, and I of course really like the drivers chosen for this monitor design. This leads me to wonder if these drivers would lend themselves to a MMT or a 2.5 type design? Maybe that would take better care of my off axis needs, and the center could be identical to the L&R putting the tweeter at a more optimal height just beneath the TV. What would be your opinion on this idea?

[Clearwave]

Thanks for such a good explanation! Is it safe to assume that the same principles apply to the L&R as you go vertical off axis?

That is correct but 30 degrees off axis on the vertical plane is pretty steep. Most listeners will be within 15 degrees I would imagine-- but that would depend on your listening distance of course.

I think most folks with normal length couches and normal height listening needs would be very happy with this Minuet 5 design. It just so happens that I have a Landice treadmill right behind the long conversational sofa (basement room is 18' x 23'), so when I’m on it my ears are at an extra tall height. The wife of course likes small footprint, skinny, and unobtrusive speakers, and I of course really like the drivers chosen for this monitor design. This leads me to wonder if these drivers would lend themselves to a MMT or a 2.5 type design?

A 2.5way requires a full 6 dbs of baffle step compensation. I usually find that this too be a bit much if using a speaker within a couple feet of a wall boundary. A 2.5 way also usually requires the pair of woofers to be in parallel with eachother. The Minuet5 has the woofer wired in series to net an easier impedance load. If they were in parallel it would net around 2 ohms nominal impedance, so that's a no no.

Also, depending on the crossover slope, more than likely a 2.5way center channel would be doing some funny things in the polar response.

Maybe that would take better care of my off axis needs, and the center could be identical to the L&R putting the tweeter at a more optimal height just beneath the TV. What would be your opinion on this idea?

My opinion is the 3 way is the "best" solution for dispersion. However, if you want to go with a MTM type solution, we can use the small format Illuminator tweeter that is a close relative of the SS 6600. It will allow us to mount the midwoofers much closer together, and it also allows a crossover point that will help minimize lobing issues inherent in most MTMs that use a standard sized tweeter flange. I'd suspect the lobing to be minimized greatly in this design. Also, depending on your woodworking skills, we could build something really unique with the 2 scan speak woofers mounted closely together.... like I do for the Dynamic 4CC midranges, and the small format tweeter mounted just above them. That way the mids are not canceling much at all off axis.

For the mains you'll want a standard vertical arrangement with the tweeter maybe 3/4" off center. Since it is advisable to have the tweeters more in row for the mains to get the best horizontal coverage. Therefore the center will cover the vertical polar response really well and the mains will cover the horizontal coverage really well. It would in theory come much closer to the ideal of having a 3 way. If this is something you are interested in pursuing, shoot me an email and I can send you a proposal of the plan. A lot of it depends on whether you want to build your own boxes or use the off of the shelf PE cabinets.

Jed

[Clearwave]

Here are some ideas I have to eliminate lobing as much as possible.

Cool looking box but harder to build:



Easy to build box:



Mains in a sealed box: