Quote Originally Posted by Poultrygeist View Post
Ajani,

Unlike 99% of the speakers discussed on this forum there are no passive crossovers in this system. The 15 inch full range bass drivers are powered by Dayton/Emo monoblocks which have active crossover controls that I set at 80db . The middle Tang Bands are driven by Paramour 2a3 monoblocks and they run full range. The horn super tweeters have two small caps that filter out all but the very high fequencies and connected in parallel, share the Paramours with the TBs. What we have here is a 3 Way that is quad amp-ed ( 6 drivers driven by 2 pair of monoblocks ). I tried driving the tweets with a Topping t-amp which worked great but I didn't feel like tieing up the t-amp when at 98db the tweets take nothing away from the Tang Bands.

Passive crossover networks are the sound destroying, power sucking, bottle necks that prevents drivers ( wide band or not ) from operating full range. Getting rid of passive crossovers in a system makes all the difference in the world. Wide banders/full rangers like all other speakers are a compromise but they do produce a superior frequency range vs purpose built drivers.

We can achieve good bass from large full range box speakers but OB's are another story. Open baffle speakers are known for their "live dipole sound" but like planers they are bass shy. The large 15 inch bass drivers produce more realistic bass than I've ever heard from a sub.

To some on this forum these Open Baffle 3 ways may appear crude but I'd put them up against anything out there. I've never heard a commercial speaker at any price sound like these. My Zu's have been relegated to HT duty as the OB 3 ways now rule the 2 channel roost.
It may look crude but considering that audio pioneers like Nelson Pass use similar designs, then there must be some real merit to the sound quality...

I love the idea that you can build such a pair of speakers in stages! Start with just the Tang Bands in an OB, then add the bass drivers and finally the supertweeter...

+ you always have the option of building a more attractive baffle with an exotic wood veneer later on... I've seen some really attractive looking OB designs on DIY sites (also seen some that look like true Frankenstein creations)...

Quick question what frequencies do the bass drivers and supertweeters kick in? I'm guessing somewhere outside of the range our ears are most sensitive to...