My Foray into Open Baffle Speakers

Posted by AudioDwebe (A) on July 8, 2023 at 15:51:04

Picked these up locally to try out, as I've been curious about the open speaker designs. And I figured there is no way such a speaker can sound any good, regardless of their niche popularity.

I think the seller told me the wood is Birch. The speakers are the Lii Song F15s. Right now, they're being driven by an Inspire SET pushing 5 watts, I think.

I picked these up two days ago. When I brought them home, I just put them to the outside of my speakers in at that moment (Blumenstein Naga with their matching sub) to make sure they worked, since the purchase was just a drive-by.

With the speakers about 10 feet apart, toed in, with my chair only about 7 feet back I was shocked the soundstage was smack between the speakers. And the way they presented music sounded really different. A bit bright and light, but pretty cool at the same time.

I swapped the speakers out today since I needed to put a coat of Danish oil on the Nagas anyway. And since they have to cure for a day, I figured I'd put the Lii in.

The speakers sounded bright and beaming in the high frequencies, and the lower frequencies were subdued in the mix. With the threaded feet, the speakers were aimed at my face. I took them out and put them on a homemade pedestal of sorts. It has larger Isoacoustc footers under the board and the smaller ones under the feet of the speakers. This raised the speakers up a few inches and now the tilt-back is very minimal.

The beaminess is now gone and the speakers sound rather full and balanced. The soundstage height is similar to that of other speakers I've had in the room even though the speakers are way below my ear level. Even considering the tilt, I think they're still below my ears.

Not too sure how to describe the difference, but it seems like these present a larger soundstage between the speakers. More holographic, perhaps.

I've only had them is a few hours, but am liking them quite a bit.

"Man, that mouse is Awesome." - Kaemon (referring to Jerry, of Tom and Jerry fame)

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Topic - My Foray into Open Baffle Speakers - AudioDwebe 15:51:04 07/08/23 (21)

RE: My Foray into Open Baffle Speakers - HiOnFi 10:43:49 07/19/23 (0)

RE: My Foray into Open Baffle Speakers - Mats Gunnars 17:10:32 07/08/23 (19)

RE: My Foray into Open Baffle Speakers - AudioDwebe 08:23:50 07/09/23 (2)

RE: My Foray into Open Baffle Speakers - Mats Gunnars 11:37:50 07/09/23 (1)

RE: My Foray into Open Baffle Speakers - AudioDwebe 12:03:01 07/09/23 (0)

yes, that is a very small baffle for "full range" reproduction - mhardy6647 04:20:02 07/09/23 (15)

RE: yes, that is a very small baffle for "full range" reproduction - Tom Brennan 18:22:06 07/09/23 (5)

very high Qts on that driver, Tom :) - mhardy6647 06:39:06 07/10/23 (1)

RE: very high Qts on that driver, Tom :) - Tom Brennan 07:47:11 07/10/23 (0)

RE: yes, that is a very small baffle for "full range" reproduction - Mats Gunnars 19:37:35 07/09/23 (0)

How old are you Tom ? 82? - Wojciech 19:35:25 07/09/23 (1)

RE: How old are you Tom ? 82? - Tom Brennan 20:04:22 07/09/23 (0)

RE: yes, that is a very small baffle for "full range" reproduction - AudioDwebe 12:02:27 07/09/23 (3)

RE: yes, that is a very small baffle for "full range" reproduction - Retsel 16:26:38 07/12/23 (0)

RE: a baffle needs to be 130" in length - Bill Fitzmaurice 12:13:20 07/09/23 (1)

RE: a baffle needs to be 130" in length - Scott L 15:25:41 07/19/23 (0)

RE: OB is very much a fringe niche. - Bill Fitzmaurice 05:15:33 07/09/23 (4)

And for most home audio types, so are horns - Edp 15:09:06 07/10/23 (0)

RE: OB is very much a fringe niche. - RPMac 06:58:50 07/10/23 (1)

RE: OB is very much a fringe niche. - Bill Fitzmaurice 11:08:48 07/10/23 (0)

no argument from me :) (nt) - mhardy6647 15:29:56 07/09/23 (0)

My Foray into Open Baffle Speakers

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