DIY Speaker & Full range Shootout @ Mensicus Audio

[meniscus]

We are half way through the wide range shootout. Taking a quick break.

[bkeane1259]

Many thanks to Matt for arranging and to Mark (Meniscus) for hosting. It’s always a pleasure to hang out with the Meniscus boys and this time we could do it on their turf, which was a blast. Mark’s vintage speaker altitude test was awesome….oh yeah – and the full range shootout (blind test) was really fun and educational. On Saturday, the various DIY builds (many new ones in attendance) were really really great to listen too. The informal atmosphere was perfect and we had a chance to push a few of the larger floorstanders to insane levels in a great sounding room – that was really cool.

A few of us hung out with Matt and Mark after hours, affording us a chance to partake in some fine Grand Rapids food and drink. Thanks again for that!! All-in-all a great time. Very much looking forward to next year’s get-together.

[Eric Best]

Great time!

[craigk]

I agree, had a really good time.

[Wolf]

Sorry I missed the FR shootout, I really am. Sounds like the Alpair won the challenge though- I really am not surprised.

Thanks to Mark, Joel, Matt, and Bryan for all of it. Thanks for humoring me on the switcheroo there at the end of the day- glad it was of use and knowledge to some of those present. It was a LONG 21 hr day for me, but well worth the drive and time!

I'll post some pictures later,
Wolf

[speedle]

I'll post the same reply I posted over at TT, which was...

Thanks over and over again to the meniscus audio gang and Matt and Bryan! This was a fantastic event. Glad I could meet all the great people on this and the other forum! Heard lots of fantastic sounds, and was inspired to up my game for sure. Just need to buy some more stuff...

[mattsk8]

Thanks to everyone that made it out, I had a riot!! Really good hanging out late with Mark, Mike and Bryan on Friday night (into Saturday morning), super fun meeting new people and seeing familiar faces as well, also a lot of fun going to dinner after the event!! Their were lots of great designs to be heard, the full range demo/competition was very fun and eye opening (already working on a project based on those results ), and Ben's demo at the end was an eye opener as well- turns out you CAN hear the difference between different brands of capacitors. I definitely need to do more critical listening regarding that, because I still can't say if the difference was good or bad, just a tiny bit different. The speaker "sacrifice" was a great time as well!!

I didn't hear anything that sounded bad, the whole event was great!! I finally got to hear more of Paul Carmody's designs (great ears), and lots of other new designs as well. Regarding the different projects people brought, a couple standouts...

Craig's build using the 5" drivers. I've always said "There's no replacement for displacement"; but this build definitely didn't fit that adage, very full sounding pair of speakers using small drivers.

The Doceros are a great sounding pair of speakers. I heard these last spring in Indiana as well, nice job Jeff B on the design, and nice job Bryan on the build!!

Of coarse, the Statement II was amazing. The new mids sounded incredible, and I think we gave those the ultimate "durability test" at the end of the event . Thanks Jim for making the drive and bringing all those wonderful speakers, and also for allowing me to punish them so much!!

Mark's (Meniscus Audio) local radio station project. A pair of TM monitor speakers designed by Jeff B that sounded amazing and will be priced very efficiently. These will make for a great sounding, low budget build!!

Can't wait for pics!! Unfortunately I didn't have any time to take many, I think I only managed to take 1 with my phone. Thanks again Meniscus for hosting, and thanks again to everyone for coming out. Next year I'll try to find a bigger spot in Grand Rapids, already working on that . But we'll maintain the same laid back atmosphere for sure .

The only photo I have...

[bkeane1259]

I went thru my video clips and pictures and created an archive page on the Midwest Audio Club website. Please feel free to post comments on the pictures, especially if you are the designer. I'm horrible with remembering details on the designs so if you recognize the design and/or drivers, please chime in under the social tab in the picture gallery.

Here's the archive page - Enjoy.

http://www.midwestaudioclub.com/event-a ... scus-2014/

[Mike220]

Man, that was a crazy event. I had an excellent time and even after resting sunday I decided to take another day today to relax. I got to hang out with the meniscus guys (mainly Mark), Bryan, Jim holtz and Matt Friday. We did the full-range driver test which was a great learning experience. Those little single fullrange drivers have great separation and imaging.

Thank you Meniscus for hosting the event. It had an excellent turn out and some new faces I haven't met. It was great to put some faces to monikers. Actually I got to hang out with Mark from meniscus Bryan and Matt Sobie both days for some local food and drink. Craigk went out with us on Saturday after the show. It was really nice getting to sit down, chat and share our experiences through life. Top notch company to have during a nice little getaway from home.

MArk, i'll give you a call in the morning I need to place an order. I really wish I thought of this while I was in Michigan but I was having a good time and it slipped my mind.

[S7910]

Thanks to all involved in putting this event on. I had a great time and look forward to next year.

BTW, Mark: I tested the Neo8 planars when I got home and they work fine.

[Jim Holtz]

I had a great time and really enjoyed meeting people that I knew only through the forums or email. Of course, I also really enjoyed listening to the great speakers! The downside is, I always start thinking of new builds after attending events.

Thanks to Mark and all the Meniscus crew, Matt for MC'ing and Bryan for all his hard work creating test tracks, CD's and creating the great videos! I know how much work and planning is required to have a successful event. You all did really good!

It was a lot of fun and I hope you all can make it to Iowa in October.

Jim

[Wolf]

Here's a link to my photos...
http://s18.photobucket.com/user/wolf_te ... t=3&page=1

Later,
Wolf

[Jim Holtz]

Here's a link to the pictures I took at the event. If you weren't there this year, put it on your calendar for next year. It was a great time!

Jim

http://jimholtz.slickpic.com/albums/201 ... per&viewer

[mattsk8]

Thanks everyone for the pics!! Another good vid I found for anyone that wasn't able to attend. Not sure who put it together, but its done well and captures a lot of what we did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZz-IR0LxSc

[bkeane1259]

Thanks everyone for the pics!! Another good vid I found for anyone that wasn't able to attend. Not sure who put it together, but its done well and captures a lot of what we did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZz-IR0LxSc

LOL....who could it be?