Home Stereo Speakers

[NKBassman]

So, I just picked up a pretty sweet vintage Kenwood KR-6400 amp for cheap, basically for listening to radio at home and playing my record player through.

Unfortunately, the speakers I have are kinda garbage, not sure what size they are, but they have no bass response at all.

So... I had two ideas:

1) Build a pair of full range speakers and run these as mains, with my existing speakers as extras for parties and whatnot. Something like a 12"+6"+Tweeter/horn?

2) Build a pair of Bass/midrange speakers and use my existing (smallish) speakers for a little extra highend clarity.

I'm not thinking audiophile quality here or anything, just something that will provide a nice clear sound with some nice bass response (without being too muddy), and that I can build myself without too much trouble.

So, can anybody provide any suggestions on the speaker enclosures and/or what speakers to put in them?

The floor is open...

[Jazzdogg]

As a starting point, you may want to look at:
www.BillFitzmaurice.com

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by NKBassman

So, I just picked up a pretty sweet vintage Kenwood KR-6400 amp for cheap, basically for listening to radio at home and playing my record player through.

Unfortunately, the speakers I have are kinda garbage, not sure what size they are, but they have no bass response at all.

So... I had two ideas:

1) Build a pair of full range speakers and run these as mains, with my existing speakers as extras for parties and whatnot. Something like a 12"+6"+Tweeter/horn?

2) Build a pair of Bass/midrange speakers and use my existing (smallish) speakers for a little extra highend clarity.

I'm not thinking audiophile quality here or anything, just something that will provide a nice clear sound with some nice bass response (without being too muddy), and that I can build myself without too much trouble.

So, can anybody provide any suggestions on the speaker enclosures and/or what speakers to put in them?

The floor is open...

You might just get a subwoofer to add to your existing speakers if the bass response is all that is lacking. Low freq's don't need to be stereo and most music is mixed with the low end mono anyway. The type I am thinking of (like this one: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1207957311041) has its own built in amp and you just route the regular stereo speaker wires through it, so hookup is a breeze and it doesn't tax your stereo amp.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by NKBassman

So, I just picked up a pretty sweet vintage Kenwood KR-6400 amp for cheap, basically for listening to radio at home and playing my record player through.

Unfortunately, the speakers I have are kinda garbage, not sure what size they are, but they have no bass response at all.

So... I had two ideas:

1) Build a pair of full range speakers and run these as mains, with my existing speakers as extras for parties and whatnot. Something like a 12"+6"+Tweeter/horn?

2) Build a pair of Bass/midrange speakers and use my existing (smallish) speakers for a little extra highend clarity.

I'm not thinking audiophile quality here or anything, just something that will provide a nice clear sound with some nice bass response (without being too muddy), and that I can build myself without too much trouble.

So, can anybody provide any suggestions on the speaker enclosures and/or what speakers to put in them?

The floor is open...

building home stereo stuff is even harder than building bass cabs as they have to reproduce everything.....you can find decent stuff used so cheap it's hardly worth the effort

[NKBassman]

Yeah I may end up buying used. Thanks for the input though.

[Fishheadjoe]

Get a speaker system that employs a sub woofer. Your bass concerns will be over.
Fishheadjoe

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Fishheadjoe

Get a speaker system that employs a sub woofer. Your bass concerns will be over.
Fishheadjoe

i would consider a good 2 way.....subs start to get pricey before they get good

[P. Aaron]

I have a pair of DCM Time Windows that I have owned since 1983. They were originally built in 1977. They are, I believe, the most accurate, defined and imaging speakers one can get.

They are built flat and give you what's on the recording, nothing more. These things are original and I swear, they are still amazing.

Find a pair of these used...if you can. DCM QED's are also fine, but the Time Windows are the better of the 2.

UPDATE It turns out that today's DCM corporation is not the same company that made the Time Windows. According to a few chat sites I went to, DCM Time Windows are sought after by many audiophiles as are the QED's. But you can get them. There are a few techies that also can help with replacing old or broken speakers. FYI. I still love my Time Windows.

[Jerry J]

Originally Posted by P. Aaron

I have a pair of DCM Time Windows that I have owned since 1983. They were originally built in 1977. They are, I believe, the most accurate, defined and imaging speakers one can get.

They are built flat and give you what's on the recording, nothing more. These things are original and I swear, they are still amazing.

Find a pair of these used...if you can. DCM QED's are also fine, but the Time Windows are the better of the 2.

UPDATE It turns out that today's DCM corporation is not the same company that made the Time Windows. According to a few chat sites I went to, DCM Time Windows are sought after by many audiophiles as are the QED's. But you can get them. There are a few techies that also can help with replacing old or broken speakers. FYI. I still love my Time Windows.

I had a pair of these that I bought new years ago. They were the my favorites after the Martin-Logans.

I was putting together a PA so I sold the Time Windows with original boxes for cheap. And they were in mint condition. Well I've come to learn that PA speakers aren't necessarily the best for home music reproduction. Fortuantely I still have my old Adcom GFA-555 which kicks major butt for home stereo.