MTM with 414s

**Tom Brennan** · March 11th, 2009, 11:42 AM

Well the fella in Japan who was gonna buy my AS-21s didn't come across so they're gonna go back up to Chicago with me but they're not suitable for the new apartment.

HOWEVER the notion of a tower speaker with the components is appealing. I'm thinking of making an MTM with two 414s and the GPA 902 on an Emilar bowtie between them, crossover in the 800-1200 range.

Any thoughts or advice? Think I'd be better off stacking like the old Malibu?

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · March 11th, 2009, 01:27 PM

Another option would be to run the auction again, once you get to Chicago. Bigger city = more people within driving distance able to do a pickup. Even if you only sell the cabinets.

GM · March 11th, 2009, 04:26 PM

Did a 511/414/500 Hz dbx digital XO MTM for a large basement HT long before 'HT' became popular and they rocked. With an 811 the accepted MTM 1 WL XO point spacing limit dictates a max ~1300 Hz.

Having built numerous TMM layouts, I don't much like them unless either a very low XO point that allows < 1WL acoustic XO spacings is used or I'm far enough away to make them appear as a single point source, otherwise I prefer a 9844 tandem woofer layout. The TMM can work extremely well though if the bottom woofer is rolled off to create a TMW 2.5 way.

GM

**mah** · March 11th, 2009, 10:27 PM

Hi, Tom,

The last post in this thread states that the 414 has an electrostatic speaker like sound. What do you think?

Klangfilm Eurodyn [Archive] - pink fish media

Marshall.

**Tom Brennan** · March 11th, 2009, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by mah

Hi, Tom,

The last post in this thread states that the 414 has an electrostatic speaker like sound. What do you think?

Klangfilm Eurodyn [Archive] - pink fish media

Marshall.

Well I was planning to replace these with Martin-Logan electrostats. IMO only good ESs can match the clarity of the best Altec woofers and the 414 is one of the best. I think the 414s sound as good in the upper bass and lower mids as anything does, including the 515B.

I think this MTM thing is gonna work and I'm encouraged by GM's response. The plan is to use cherry cabinets from the Linear line at Room and Board and modify them. Then they'll go with the new furniture my wife is getting. In fact using the Room and Board cabinets is her idea.

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · March 11th, 2009, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Brennan

........The plan is to use cherry cabinets from the Linear line at Room and Board and modify them. Then they'll go with the new furniture my wife is getting. In fact using the Room and Board cabinets is her idea.

Which cabinets? I did a quick search of "Linear" on the Room and Board website, but didn't see anything that would be your obvious choice.

**Ronald Lee** · March 12th, 2009, 02:59 AM

Originally Posted by mah

Hi, Tom,

The last post in this thread states that the 414 has an electrostatic speaker like sound. What do you think?

Klangfilm Eurodyn [Archive] - pink fish media

Marshall.

I have never listened to any recent electro-stats. The last ones that I heard were built by Infinity 30 years ago, they sounded pretty good back then.

I have set of speakers that has 2 414-8, 811 horns/806 drivers, and an EV T350 super tweeter. If you have the inclination, I would suggest using an electronic crossover because 10 watt amps to power 806/811 are inexpensive from Parts Express. 10 watts is probably more than enough power to fill a small auditorium, let alone an apartment.

**Tom Brennan** · March 12th, 2009, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by Audio_by_Goodwill

Which cabinets? I did a quick search of "Linear" on the Room and Board website, but didn't see anything that would be your obvious choice.

The 20" "E" cabinets. I'd get the doors with the silver perforated metal (doors and shelves are included in the price). I'd beef them as needed and can use the shelves as braces. Add a baffle with the drivers. Listen through the perforations or open the doors.

http://www.roomandboard.com/images/p...tom_linear.pdf

They're not cheap but what the heck, I was gonna spend 4-5 grand on Martin Logans anyway. These could look really cool.

And the cabinets are made in the Midwest.

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · March 12th, 2009, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Brennan

The 20" "E" cabinets. I'd get the doors with the silver perforated metal (doors and shelves are included in the price). I'd beef them as needed and can use the shelves as braces. Add a baffle with the drivers. Listen through the perforations or open the doors.

Interesting...... I wouldn't mind finding a pre-made enclosure that I could adapt for speaker use. I just purchased a used commercial credenza that I'm using as my TV/stereo cabinet. It's out of a local factory..... must have been in an office for years, as it looks like it's from the 60's to me. It's scratched up, but I've been cleaning, oiling, and waxing it, and it looks pretty good considering I haven't gotten real serious with the finish.

And the cabinets are made in the Midwest.

Very Good! I did see on their web page, that they advertise a high percentage of their furniture comes from the US. Sounded like they buy from several sources, rather than building themselves.