DM2's over GSub's

As a project system, I'm wanting to build a large passive system for some shows.  As most of my shows are rock bands, a large system would look impressive, especially with some of the 80's bands that I've worked with.  This is more of a "large and loud" system vs. small and portable, like my other system is going to be.  I was thinking something like 2 DM2's over GSub's or similar reflex boxes.  Goals are to have as light of a weight as possible, and as good & flat of a sound as possible for the least cost.  The plans call for all Eminence drivers (Kappa 15", Delta 10" and a PSD2002 on an SST1 horn), but the GSub is more designed for PD/RCF drivers vs. finding a good Eminence driver.  I would like to tri-amp the tops, but if not, tri-amping the entire system would be fine, and I would build something like the XM15's for floor monitors to go with it, with everything carpeted and grilles on the front to give it the retro 80's look would round it all off.  Anyone ever done a project like this or have any opinions?

djiceman96 wrote: 2 DM2's Goals are to have as light of a weight as possible

If the DM2s are the cabs I think they are then this is a bit mutually exclusive. They look a bit interesting in a retro way but by the time you've built loaded, and processed them (4 way too when combined with subs which makes for more configurability but also more cost) then with modern drivers you might be a lot better off with midtops like a 2x12" + comp. driver. Or maybe 2 midtops per side with 1 12" or 15" plus horn. This would give more horizontal coverage.

You probably need to consider a few more details really like the space you would like to cover and and what SPL. That will help a lot with your cab and driver choice.

Edit: How's this for an idea. Get a couple of massive older cast iron or maybe fibreglass horns second hand. Mount it above a couple of 12" drivers on an angled baffle matched to their dispersion. That'd be a retro looking rock box but yet bloody loud I would imagine. 1.4 or 2" compression drivers could work depending on the sound you're after. Won't be cheap but it'd be very capable and individual.


Edited by odc04r - 26 March 2014 at 9:50am

bitSmasher wrote: Big reflex boxes with neo drivers, big HF horn, round grilles and paint your grilles and horns a metallic colour. Forget the carpet though, yuck. Fine line between retro and tacky, but you could get it right and impress your rock dinosaurs.

Sounds like a plan for me.  I would probably outfit it with something cheap but decent, like Eminence drivers, or maybe Peavey's, just to keep cost down.  If I want to put down a ton of money on the project, I'd be better off buying some used SRX700 series stuff.  Maybe not carpet though, it was just a thought, not sure what I could use to coat it with, something that won't ding and dent easily.  Getting these suckers on top of subs will be the fun part anyways, haha.

djiceman96 wrote: not sure what I could use to coat it with, something that won't ding and dent easily

Duratex

Tony's V4 on top of a couple of my PPSL woofer cabinets would make a very powerful PA, and use all Eminence cone drivers. I would use a BMS compression driver like Tony did.

Edited by _djk_ - 29 March 2014 at 12:03am

I'm currently building a rig based loosely on the DM2 plans. To make the rig easier to move, I've split the mids / tops into a single box and then each 15 in it's own enclosure. Also I can use just two 15s for small gigs and the 4 when I need the extra output.

The test mid / top cabs sound pretty good. Using Radian 1.4 CDs and P audio horns as that's what I had. Sound clarity I'm well pleased with. Have only built one 15 enclosure so far. I'm working on a second now.

Not sure if the rig will do what I want just yet. Still building, testing, buying amps when I have the spare cash. Wanted a rig for mobile DJing and small House music events for 100 ish people. Ultimately, I'm toying with the idea of splitting the G sub into two enclosures to go under the reflex 15s from the dm2.

Only issue I can see is how low the mids will play. Only down to 250Hz. The reflex 15 sounds sweet playing up to the mids. Yet when you want more bass and turn the 15 up, the bass obviously increases but the mid bass up to 250 Hz is too much and sounds plain wrong. I can knock the crossover point down to compensate. Just sharing where I'm at with it right now. Hope that helps a bit djiceman. Like you, I'm open to advice :)