Hello.
Unfortunately, I have lots of stuff and I need to downsize because I really have no space for all my stuff not time to enjoy so many things built and bought during the last years.
FS my Jeff Bagby Helios Spaeakers.
Simply the best 2 way bookshelf I have ever heard.
SB Acoustics Berillyum Tweeter in waveguide + 9,5" satori bass driver + 10" SB acoustics passive radiator.
Crossover was built with intertechnik and Jantzen Audio air core coils (Cu 1,4mm) and jantzen z-std and cross cap
The best speaker Jeff ever made, and his last creation before passing.
I'm asking 1400€ for these fully built speakers, what I think it's like a bargain because only the drivers, not including crossover, wood and work, will be that amount.
they habe been used less than 15 hours.
Shipping within EU will be like 40€. I have all the original boxes for all drivers and would be safely shipped in separated boxes if needed.
Unfortunately, I have lots of stuff and I need to downsize because I really have no space for all my stuff not time to enjoy so many things built and bought during the last years.
FS my Jeff Bagby Helios Spaeakers.
Simply the best 2 way bookshelf I have ever heard.
SB Acoustics Berillyum Tweeter in waveguide + 9,5" satori bass driver + 10" SB acoustics passive radiator.
Crossover was built with intertechnik and Jantzen Audio air core coils (Cu 1,4mm) and jantzen z-std and cross cap
The best speaker Jeff ever made, and his last creation before passing.
I'm asking 1400€ for these fully built speakers, what I think it's like a bargain because only the drivers, not including crossover, wood and work, will be that amount.
they habe been used less than 15 hours.
Shipping within EU will be like 40€. I have all the original boxes for all drivers and would be safely shipped in separated boxes if needed.
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Those speakers look stunning. Out of curiosity, what are the two three-way speakers at the far end?
The bigger towers (white drivers) are Jungson HSBS speakers.
Those you say "stunning" (thanks) are a self creation. SN acoustics Berillyum tweeter+Textreme midwoofer+Satori bass
For sale too if interested
Those you say "stunning" (thanks) are a self creation. SN acoustics Berillyum tweeter+Textreme midwoofer+Satori bass
For sale too if interested
Good score, stretchneck. Once you get them you have to let all of us know how fabulous they sound. 😀
I promised I would write up a little on the Helios that I received (in excellent condition thanks to raelman!).
Some notes on this speaker:
How do they compare with the LX521 - surprisingly close despite being a completely different design. LX521 has a more open sound with more depth, and neutral tuning. Jeff Bagby Helios is slightly warmer, slightly less open and less soundstage depth.
However, LX521 is a pain to live with, you need DSP/ASP and 6-12 channels of amplification. I am sufficiently satisfied with the Helios, and can also run them with a regular 2-channels of amplification. I think SIT-3 will significantly narrow the gap. I also prefer the slightly warmer tuning of the Helios. Pass amps are also buttery smooth, which is really nice (I had no hope trying to use a First Watt amp to drive LX521's, they need 50-80w per channel).
I did previously have Troels 3WC-15 with the SBAcoustics TW29BN-B-8 and 18 SOUND 8NMB42 - Didn't last very long in my setup as the vertical sweet spot was very narrow and they just didn't have much soundstage height (due to MTW?). I significantly prefer the Helios, although the 3WC-15 has a more lifelike and detailed sound. I thought the waveguided Beryllium tweeter in the Helios would have equalled that of one in the 3WC-15, but it does not - perhaps it is the fact that the TW29BN-B-8 is a direct radiator (no waveguide) in the 3WC-15, or it's the 18 SOUND 8NMB42 which is superior, or a combination... I don't know.
Things I would like to improve on the Helios - it would be great if they had a wider power response (30 degrees both vertical and horizontal) from 5kHz to 15kHz, but try finding a tweeter that will do this kind of response off axis is almost impossible. It'd also become a completely different speaker, perhaps as a 3-way.
Some tweeters that might achieve this wide off axis frequency response:
Could add a super-tweeter to the Helios...
I'm presently researching Boelab 5, ELAC 4Pi Plus.2 etc... or Dan Neubecker style: Facebook
Anyone else got any direct radiating tweeter suggestions? Flat frequency response between 0 to 30 degrees horizontal and vertical up to circa 15kHz? I don't mind if the crossover point is quite high e.g. 5 kHz or above.
Some notes on this speaker:
- They're circa 85dB efficient and 8 ohms or higher throughout most of their frequency response (only dips down to 4ohms once in the bass). They work fine off my Aleph 3... I'm yet to test them with the SIT-3... will do so this week hopefully.
- They have excellent wide directivity - and I believe this is one of the key features why they sound so good.
How do they compare with the LX521 - surprisingly close despite being a completely different design. LX521 has a more open sound with more depth, and neutral tuning. Jeff Bagby Helios is slightly warmer, slightly less open and less soundstage depth.
However, LX521 is a pain to live with, you need DSP/ASP and 6-12 channels of amplification. I am sufficiently satisfied with the Helios, and can also run them with a regular 2-channels of amplification. I think SIT-3 will significantly narrow the gap. I also prefer the slightly warmer tuning of the Helios. Pass amps are also buttery smooth, which is really nice (I had no hope trying to use a First Watt amp to drive LX521's, they need 50-80w per channel).
I did previously have Troels 3WC-15 with the SBAcoustics TW29BN-B-8 and 18 SOUND 8NMB42 - Didn't last very long in my setup as the vertical sweet spot was very narrow and they just didn't have much soundstage height (due to MTW?). I significantly prefer the Helios, although the 3WC-15 has a more lifelike and detailed sound. I thought the waveguided Beryllium tweeter in the Helios would have equalled that of one in the 3WC-15, but it does not - perhaps it is the fact that the TW29BN-B-8 is a direct radiator (no waveguide) in the 3WC-15, or it's the 18 SOUND 8NMB42 which is superior, or a combination... I don't know.
Things I would like to improve on the Helios - it would be great if they had a wider power response (30 degrees both vertical and horizontal) from 5kHz to 15kHz, but try finding a tweeter that will do this kind of response off axis is almost impossible. It'd also become a completely different speaker, perhaps as a 3-way.
Some tweeters that might achieve this wide off axis frequency response:
- Scanspeak revelator d2904-710003
- SBacoustics SB26CDC - hardly anyone seems to use this tweeter?
- RAAL 140-15D - surprisingly wide directivity for a ribbon, it makes an almost semi-spherical sound wave
Could add a super-tweeter to the Helios...
I'm presently researching Boelab 5, ELAC 4Pi Plus.2 etc... or Dan Neubecker style: Facebook
Anyone else got any direct radiating tweeter suggestions? Flat frequency response between 0 to 30 degrees horizontal and vertical up to circa 15kHz? I don't mind if the crossover point is quite high e.g. 5 kHz or above.
Attachments
Could you kindly share here what speaker projects you have found using the bliesma metal domes? I know they have been tried successfully with the purifi midwoofer, you may be aware of that thread.
ARA - Suesskind Audio
Joachim Gerhard also using them on his new purifi 2 way
https://www.monoandstereo.com/2021/07/new-joachim-gerhard-collection-speakers.html
Joachim Gerhard also using them on his new purifi 2 way
https://www.monoandstereo.com/2021/07/new-joachim-gerhard-collection-speakers.html
A lot - 28000 euro apparently. A relative bargain compared to other high end speakers though. I have just sent a private message the designer, Joachim Gerhard, who is an active member here. Will keep you posted.
Just been reading more about Joachims work - utterly amazing design, about as technically perfect as you can get with current technology.
The TMMW arrangement uses a 'Transitional filter in series-parallel circuit and power split technology in the midrange' - good luck replicating that without Joachims experience.
Suesskind speakers, Beo or Ara should be an improvement upon the Helios - I can't really find any other passive loudspeaker designs that best what the Helios does.
I think adding a Elac 4pi plus.2 is the best available modification to boost the Helios design further (better directivity / spaciousness in the treble) - will see if I can source one.
By the way, forgot to mention that min. seating distance for Helios is 2m, listen closer than this and lobing occurs in the vertical plane. Go for Spirit Wind or Revolution Mini Be if you do more nearfield listening.
The TMMW arrangement uses a 'Transitional filter in series-parallel circuit and power split technology in the midrange' - good luck replicating that without Joachims experience.
Suesskind speakers, Beo or Ara should be an improvement upon the Helios - I can't really find any other passive loudspeaker designs that best what the Helios does.
I think adding a Elac 4pi plus.2 is the best available modification to boost the Helios design further (better directivity / spaciousness in the treble) - will see if I can source one.
By the way, forgot to mention that min. seating distance for Helios is 2m, listen closer than this and lobing occurs in the vertical plane. Go for Spirit Wind or Revolution Mini Be if you do more nearfield listening.
Doesn't helios have a waveguide? You could try and design one that widen the response up top, as replacement. Hard work though.
Some diffraction interference seen on the helios polar map, dip on axis ~2kHz, peak at ~3kHz. If you want to improve the helios you have you could do it by adding slants/roundovers to the baffle reducing the baffle edge diffraction effects, like the Joachim Gerhard speakers have for example. If you end up making new front panel with slants the mid tweet c-c spacing could be changed as well to help the vertical dispersion at the xo, reduces the effect of lobing you mention but needs changes in the crossover as well. Search for alias Kimmosto suggestion to use ~1.4wl c-c with slants for smoothest early reflections.
Have fun!🙂
ps. 'Transitional filter in series-parallel circuit and power split technology in the midrange' sounds like marketing talk, maybe a glorified zobel? It is difficult to see through marketing text, would be cool to read what it is in more technical language 🙂
Some diffraction interference seen on the helios polar map, dip on axis ~2kHz, peak at ~3kHz. If you want to improve the helios you have you could do it by adding slants/roundovers to the baffle reducing the baffle edge diffraction effects, like the Joachim Gerhard speakers have for example. If you end up making new front panel with slants the mid tweet c-c spacing could be changed as well to help the vertical dispersion at the xo, reduces the effect of lobing you mention but needs changes in the crossover as well. Search for alias Kimmosto suggestion to use ~1.4wl c-c with slants for smoothest early reflections.
Have fun!🙂
ps. 'Transitional filter in series-parallel circuit and power split technology in the midrange' sounds like marketing talk, maybe a glorified zobel? It is difficult to see through marketing text, would be cool to read what it is in more technical language 🙂
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Uh, edit time over and I now see photo of the speakers on the first page. New front panel might ruin the nice enclosure so bad advice, keep them as is. Seems to be close how they are designed. If interested on any of my suggestions new enclosures would be better option, prototype or two after measurements, new xo and all means lotsa work but could be interesting to compare if the sound gets any better.