Advices to build a first sound

I re-read your post and answer to my questions, here are some thoughts:

stache wrote: bob4 wrote: How much practical experience do you have with PA/sound reinforcement/sound system in general? > Absolutely none whatsoever.

good old proverb: first learn to walk before you run 

a lot to learn:

- woodworking

- connectors and cables

- active VS passive crossover

- stereo vs mono

- loudspeaker tuning 

- system tuning

- gain structure

…..

…..

…...

stache wrote: > Would you be able advice on the type of drivers/box design for your suggestion that would fit our requirements?

Your requirements are unfortunately not very precise. No problem really, you just need a little bit of experience doing it, then you will begin to know what you like, or need or want in the end. 

I noticed the part about the rdh preamp, and that you repeatedly talk about a stack. So you clearly want to go in the reggae/dub sound system style.

I respect these choices.

But although I understand that ultimately you want a traditional "sound system stack" look, I would still recommend a pair of good and powerful top cabs (12" + HF) plus 15" subwoofer(s)  as a starting point.

why? 

- "mini stack" with a lot of separate boxes has to be always stacked everything over each other, you don't have other options. This means either that the stack is going to be not tall enough (to keep transport easy), or it will become big (and not easy to transport)

arguments for a pair conventional 2-way passive PA tops:

- easy to transport

- easy to connect

- you can put them on stands

- you can use it as mono if you like

- you can play it with your mono preamp by using the full range out 

- you can put the tops next to each other "sound system style" and splay apart for a wide coverage from one point

- or you can put them in two corners of a room etc

-> more flexible to set up; you can cover a bigger area; 

- you can rent it out like a normal PA system, or in general do more "PA" type events if you want to

- you can use the tops as monitor or delay line or whatever if you proceed to build a bigger system

- it's easy to sell the tops later if you decide you need something completely different

DIY   VS   factory made new/second hand 

- start by building subs, they are easier 

- buy ready-made tops 

- if you absolutely want to build the tops yourself, I recommend you build from a proven DIY kit with ready-made passive crossovers

mono VS stereo

- 2 channel stereo has some problems in big PA application, but it is still the way that most music is produced

- if you play back mono, you WILL loose some of the original signal

- in the end both are fine and work, but they both bring compromise of some sort

- it's good to hear and know the difference yourself, then you can make a confident choice

- try to play some events stereo, some mono, listen to your favorite tunes, and what happens to them in both cases….

sorry for the long post, I hope it helps more than it confuses  :D

as a dessert:

Here are two threads in which you can follow forum member "app"s process to build his own small sound system called "dub disco loFi":

http://forum.speakerplans.com/cheap-driver-box-combination-to-get-low-and-loud_topic89375_page19.html

http://forum.speakerplans.com/fane-12250tc-full-rangers_topic89634_page1.html