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Open Baffle Convert

I recently took my 12" audio nirvana full range drivers out of their cabinets and into open baffles with wings. I can't believe the diference in sound. So much more 3 dimensional and lifelike. I was concerned the bass would roll off but I dont find it a aproblem at all. Munting them 14 inches to center of driver off of the floor seems to be enough. I am curious how many of you have heard this design. All of the downsides I had read about never materialized. Any thoughts?
128x128veroman
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 
Have you guys heard of the DIY OB/Dipole sub from GR Research/Rythmik? Very special!
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atmasphere
11,800 posts
 
Open baffle has rear output which allows the speaker to take advantage of the ear/brain system's abilities to find the source of the sound- in effect, the reflected sound improves the soundstage.

They can make bass too if properly set up. However it does seem that you get the best results if the output impedance of the amplifier is higher rather than lower! A tube amp that does not use negative feedback is recommended- this will put the output impedance in the right range and it will be easier for the speaker to make bass.
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veroman OP
299 posts
 
I have them about 32" from rear wall. I have used both a small tube amp 3.5 watts per, and a t amp of 15 watts. The drivers are 97db so power is never an issue. I would think putting them too far from the wall would make them less effective. the front baffle is 24" wide
cjaronica
113 posts
 
Open baffle speakers load the room differently than a enclosed box. Bass increases rather than decreases as the speaker is moved away from the front wall.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
11-19-15: Cjaronica
Open baffle speakers load the room differently than a enclosed box. Bass increases rather than decreases as the speaker is moved away from the front wall.
Yep. Just ask any Magnepan owner. With an open baffle design, the back wave is out of phase with the front, so the closer to the wall behind, the stronger the out-of-phase wave, which cancels much of the bass extension firing to the front.
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