My Open Baffle Speaker Adventure: You Will Think I am CRAZY!

[@hificave]

Lady Bug baffles, sound clip. www.patreon.com/posts/99811578? @ThomasAndStereo reviews my stereo system. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYG5Y4B5qpKii5osi=El1y1ze9eLDnZhE7 Open Baffle Series kzbin.info/aero/PLhPRXwzAk-Q-zDkEURHdemyvyNWIDmqBb Upfiring driver video kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZKvhp99lsaXY5osi=FRv8S0l5y7htWST5 @abxaudiophiles get inspired by Hi-fi Cave idea! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ3HlpylfttoY8ksi=7vEhm40iPN3sh864 Patreon (for more sound clips): www.patreon.com/Hificave My channel: www.youtube.com/@hificave

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Like panel dipoles w subs 🤠

[@lazdow9229]

This was a fascinating video and so well produced. Just incredible in every way…..information, production, the chronology……I could go on and on! Thank you!

[@bayard1332]

I appreciate the honest recap. Getting it right is considerably more difficult than just putting drivers in a single sheet of 3/4" MDF and using a flimsy stand....

[@hificave]

Amen

[@glennivor3250]

After playing records and improving my system the last 20 years! YOU make me look like a normal dude! Thanks for the Content! im amused to death! love from Denmark!

[@hificave]

Hahaha thanks! 😊

[@briancoffelt1131]

There are many of us who would love to see you do the ABX Baffles.....

[@metalink]

Thank you for sharing your adventures in OB..yah! you rock for telling us this story. Love it

[@adsph]

Very informative. As a ABX OG baffle builder this content helps me on the journey. Thank you

[@legione1capone]

That was fun!! You sure can whip out a video lol. Keep up the great work and experimentation. Love ya brother

[@ceylonmooney]

hey, you may be crazy, but your appreciation for tubes and open baffles isnt crazy

[@darrellanderson3197]

Great Video!!! very creative and can’t wait to see the next build! Thanks for sharing.

[@hificave]

More to come!

[@svtcontour]

open baffles are amazing. I built my first DIY set back in 2013 and revision 2 in 2020 which is what I have now. I cant ever go back to anything else.

[@hificave]

Amen!

[@jimfarrell4635]

Great video with excellent presentation. Both the blessing and curse of audiophilia, the urge for change and transformation. Submerging ourselves in the river of experimentation and constant flux. Metaphorical flux and, if you are into DIY tube gear, real flux. Recently I came across a pair of concentric Tannoy Eaton drivers in excellent condition, but with knackered cabinets. For a moment I wondered how they would work as open baffles, but chickened out and am getting new cabinets built from 18mm Eucalyptus Ply, with a real American Mahogany veneer. I've never heard open baffles, but am fascinated by the idea, especially as Lii drivers are relatively affordable. I look forward to your future adventures.

[@hificave]

Thank you for your comment.

[@saverioricchiuto5386]

Hi Loic, thanks for the recap. As you said, it’s all in the journey. Your journey so far has been very inspirational. Sticking to “internationally available” drivers helped us (your international fan base) a lot. It would be awesome if you could take elements from the ABX OBs evolution and “build on those” without moving to drivers that would make economically hard to follow you for whomever is not based in North America. My two cents.

[@hificave]

Thank you for this advice. I had not considered this.

[@neilobrien7307]

This is probably a stupid suggestion but anyway.... How about buying an old square table, glueing some mdf to the top to stiffen it. Then mounting a driver in it to fire straight up and down. Then puting a conical diffuser above it wrapped with silver foil and maybe have a larger conical diffuser under it on the floor? All the best ..Neil

[@hificave]

Not a stupid suggestion. Thanks!!

[@photohum]

Exciting journey! 🎉🎉

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

I have no dought open baffle sounds 🔥 espically matching Room ' Size ' Thanks for Video'

[@hificave]

Thanks for dropping by Tee-Jay!

[@JohnZolla-bp7tl]

I have my Betsy Baffles sitting on a pair of SVS subs. The subs are sitting on Kallax cubes. You would be surprised. ( Or not. )

[@audio_acoustic_engineering]

Love this! 🎉🎉🎉

[@alexiheaka1074]

The ABX baffles are something else. Love the sound. I would love something like that but in a way smaller version.

[@hificave]

They are developping a baby baffle…. Its promising so far.

[@alexiheaka1074]

@@hificave nice. Nice.

[@christophericeman7597]

This is so EPIC!!! 🥰

[@hificave]

It’s the hi-fi pillow isn’t it?

[@Yeybeth]

Very nice project !!! You are like me, try to find the sound! My wife she say I’m crazy but she say I’m happy to see you like a kid ! And she trust me , and she always say to her friends . He is doing speakers 🔊 👍 ✅ keep going I enjoyed your video

[@hificave]

Thank you!

[@alwayslearning3130]

I auditioned the Decware “ladybug” style speakers and loved the sound. I am seriously considering buying. The fact these are made out of solid hardwood adds cost. A question I would appreciate an answer is how much of an impact does the wood used for the baffle have on the sound?

[@hificave]

To the untrained ear, not much. But it does make a difference. But not saying you need it to get good sound. But it does look very good.

[@travis4619]

I'm going down this rabbit hole myself :)

[@hificave]

Lots of fun!

[@HifiBoomer]

YES BUILD IT!!!

[@nikleiser5888]

Can you explain Slot-loading ?

[@akosvarju192]

Have you built the ABX baffle since? Which setup is do you feel was better? Standing baffles but subs placed seperate or ladybug config either with coax / speaker+tweeter?

[@davebutler3905]

"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." T. S. Eliot

[@mannytheseacow7381]

Damn you, Loic. Now I’m building another set of speakers. We’re the reason wood prices are so high.

[@hificave]

Hahahaha no chance. 🤪

[@ccdccd8615]

I really appreciate this channel and the ABX channel for insights on building speakers. But for ABX, I never would have thought of using butcher block instead of MDF. Your suggestion of adding weight to the base of the speaker to address vibrations is something I never would have thought of. This video suggests more food for thought. Instead of a MTWW configuration where I have to put the midrange above the tweeter to make room for the 15” woofers, I should have considered doing a sub/sat system. I’m thinking of MTMs on stands with separate subs. With dual 10” woofers, there should be no issue getting the mains down to 80-100 Hz. Decoupling the woofers from the rest of the speaker addresses vibration and I have the ability to position the woofers in the room as needed. The changes in the design I was thinking of were questionable in terms of impact. This has the potential to actually be worth doing. Thank you!!!!

[@hificave]

Great feedback sir. Let me know how your experiments turn out.

[@ccdccd8615]

@@hificave Will do. I’m using different drivers than you are using. The tweeter is the SB Audience Compression driver in a custom built horn and rear cover. Using a horn/wave guide for a compression horn is common. Controlling the rear waves with a rear cover FAR less common. The 10” mid-woofer is the Scan Speak Classic 10” paper cone and the 15” woofer are the SB Bianco Open Baffle woofer. Crossover parts are high quality (Mundorf/Goertz) and minimal. Basically you need resistors to attenuate the compression driver to match the 10” woofer and a cap to keep the compression driver from destroying itself by trying to play too low. That’s pretty much it. Have high hopes for how the speaker turns out. But if I want something more, your journey has helped to direct me as to what to try next to have the biggest impact.

[@paulsochinfan]

Why will slot loading the woofer reduce the bass vibration influence to the mid and high?

[@John8910]

Wow you have spent a PILE of money on your journey. Thanks for sharing! Do you still have the Triton speakers? Thanks

[@hificave]

I only have the diy open baffles now. Sold all the older stuff.

[@j-rod6420]

I am looking for recommendations for an open baffle driver thats geared towards midbass . I am looking to add them to my magenpan lrs+. They are mated to a 15 powered sub which covers the deepest lower end but they are in definte need of some warmth and midbass punch. The lrs+ aren't capable of decent bass and do not like being pushed at all in those frequencies as they can't move air and distort. If you're someone who just listens to jazz ,classical or ambient stuff, they are fine as they are, but I'm not one of those.

[@hificave]

I use the lii-song W15 ( 2 of em) in their own open baffle on class D amps. They perform between 30hz and 2khz. But you cross them at the frequency you want to fill the gap you are looking for. They also have a 12, 18 and 21 inch model.

[@j-rod6420]

@@hificave thanks😊

[@christophericeman7597]

Hi Fi pillow FTW 😊 11:32

[@hificave]

Hah!!!

[@pfunk34]

If Maggies were your reference for soundstage, how do you compare your system now? Wider? Higher (like a cathedral)? I imagine your imaging is much better because of the cone drivers.

[@hificave]

Its different, not as forward as maggies. But otherwise wide and deep. Large image with enough crisp detail but not as crisp as a berilium tweeter can I guess. And really, I find maggies that are optimized have better soundstage then a high end 3 way sealed or ported design.. but its a matter of opinion.

[@blugato22]

@@hificave That's intriguing. How do you optimize your maggies?

[@hificave]

@@blugato22 fuse upgrades and propper in room positioning. (You can also upgrade their crossovers, kits are sold online).

[@darekkawulok2462]

Hello. I have been following your Chanel for a while now. I like it a lot. Thanks for sharing your journey. I am at a crossroads with openbaffle buying decision. I would like to ask some questions but don’t want it for free. I would like to do Patron, do you have a link. ? Thanks for a great job.

[@hificave]

Yeah man. www.patreon.com/Hificave?

[@darekkawulok2462]

Thanks. Just joined. But it seems i cannot send you a message :(

[@hificave]

@@darekkawulok2462 i also get an error when trying to send you a message.. Email me hificave at gmail dot com

[@davebutler3905]

Is there an affiliate link to those essential hifi pillows?

[@ferchizzle]

Great storytelling! Thank you for sharing your journey. Have you tried mounting a driver without a baffle?

[@hificave]

Not quite, but i done skinny baffles and these drivers I find need some baffle. :-)

[@charllie1]

Hi Nick, have you listened to the LX521? They are great

[@hificave]

Not yet

[@paulsochinfan]

Your F15 was once with a yellow surround, how come it became black later?

[@hificave]

The yellow surround was the fast-15

[@paulsochinfan]

@@hificave oh, thanks. That looks more like the Maco one with the yellow surround paint black, coz the Maco has a wider surround, just like your yellow one

[@keithmortensen8451]

Great channel!! I just subscribed. What did you use for a crossover when you had the f-15s in a baffle and separately had the w-15s in the corners on the floor? Or did you just have them both connected in parallel?

[@hificave]

F15 full. And w15 was driven by a crown xls with built crossover, 30hz to 90hz.

[@Ae0nte]

Lots of useful information. What's your verdict and are you still using the decware pills in your system? Thanks!

[@hificave]

Yes I am.

[@jerrybeute8884]

I was going to ask you abt the abx coaxial today

[@hificave]

I have been wanting to do it for a while.

[@jerrybeute8884]

@@hificave I'm not a fan of the slot loading as something I'm going to have to look at. I know there have been ob's in the past that did the smaller hole for the bass

[@BullrullarN]

I bet you got asked this before. But what's your take on actual good speakers like Kef "Reference Meta" or Genelec "The Ones" ?

[@hificave]

They are great!

[@BullrullarN]

@@hificave Have you heard the JBL 4367? It's my current speaker and I feel like the compression driver gives the same soundstage/impression as a Kef/Genelec coaxial or any full range driver, combined with the distortionless and dry bass as a big woofer or PA system gives. I'm personally really happy apart from the relativly shitty off-axis performance.

[@hificave]

@@BullrullarN haven’t heard those. But jbl.. i can imagine. Great stuff. Off axis sucks with most speakers. But im lucky to be able to sit where it sounds great.

[@bengleason508]

Help me James!

[@abxaudiophiles]

Help me, Help me.... I have fallen down and can't get up... HAHAHA

[@cdgerhart]

Be nice get a sound demo of your system.

[@hificave]

Patreon, bunch of them there and free 7 day trial. Just cancel before 7 days to avoid the 2$.

[@abxaudiophiles]

#Snuggle Buddies.. HA

[@Pete.across.the.street]

I think you're crazy😅

[@LewpyDrewpy714]

Yes you are crazy. Rich. Tentons? I'll say this. A polished turd sells better than one that's not. Look at the speaker. How does sound propergate? Circular. Make it look like a snow man. Front loading woofer sounds great. The bass is just, no slop. Seriously people. All tripping about this and that. Squared edges on a circular sound wave. I'm surprised you didn't get weird cancellations.

[@hificave]

Hahahahahahah 🤪🤣🫵👍. 🤦‍♂️

[@LewpyDrewpy714]

@@hificave just being goofy. I really would love to get the average person into hifi. Don't need big bucks for a good system. I'm not hating if you have. Contrary. The average person walks into a home and hears a decent system. They think you're rich. Of course seeing four thousand dollars worth of just tubes. I actually need one for my Viking receiver. WW2 equipment. LoL you ever turn a ham radio linear into a amp? LoL 😆😆😆😆. It's only four soldering points. And stuff.

[@zack2147]

Very nice to see the progression and the thinking/trying that went into each set!!! That is helpful to me to understand what I may need to do to improve my own system. I also believe in the sonic benefits of separating the base drivers from the mids & highs. Swedish Carlson speakers with their angulated drivers create an intriguing, floating, detailed non direction sound. With that concept open baffles might add speed and intensity. Looking forward to new insights. Thanks 😀 Best Zack 👩‍🦯‍➡️PS: Any suggestions for a very neutral and fast DAC for my very dynamic system with active monitors.

[@hificave]

Neutral… hmm. I love my dac, musical paradise, because I can play with it’s tonality, by changing tubes, capacitors and rectifiers… before this dac, the idea of neutral was so subjective to the person making the recommendation it always led to frustrations. My perception of neutral might not be yours. Also, to make a recommendation without knowing what your system is or your sonic taste would be flawed on my part. I can tell you what I enjoyed so far: Denafrips venus (heck any denafrips are good) Audiobyte hydra and black dragon Gustard r26 Kitsune holo may or spring Chord dacs are very fast and detailed and I enjoyed them very much with previous systems. I would also consider the new LAIV harmony… conceptually is very promising. If you are into tinkering and tweaking or rolling components, musical paradise.

[@zack2147]

@@hificave Thanks for recommending the DACs you enjoyed! 😀 I may opt for the Musical Paradise as it gives me the most tuning possibilities. Your right of course there is no one right answer to my question, it really depends on so many things, taste, system, etc.. The DAC I liked best is the one in the Audio Research CD9SE a friend of mine uses. An older but at the time very expensive CD Player.