Forums - Print Page

Forums
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl
AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> DNA Sound compared to open baffle
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1514834395

Message started by Dana on 01/01/18 at 19:19:55

Title: DNA Sound compared to open baffle
Post by Dana on 01/01/18 at 19:19:55

Long time lurker first time poster :) Stereo on the web is really difficult to assess but from what I’ve experienced the Decware philosophy regarding sound reproduction most closely aligns with my own. I was able to attend Burning Amp this year and got to experience many different approaches to sound reproduction. I’ve learned that I don’t like the boxed enclosure as well as the more open sound of a dipole and amps do make a difference. (who would have known)
About me: I’m getting ready to retire and feel that building stereos would be a great hobby. I’m currently running bi-amped Dalquist DQ-12 on two Dynaco st-70 amps in a small living room and mostly listen to acoustic Americana music with a female vocalists. (this month). The need for chest thumping bass is not the driving force for my selection but deep bass is.

My questions are
Does the DNA speaker sound going to give me that “airyness” that I’d get with an open baffle? Is it close? At burning amp for me the best sound was a home built folded horn speaker with an AMT Heil tweeter on top driven by a 12 watt SE tube amp.
Is it just phrasing “For people who want to attempt their own DIY build of the DNA horn” or is the build extremely difficult to complete?
Big price difference but how do the DNA compare to the ZOB?

Any and all suggestions / observations are welcome.

Title: Re: DNA Sound compared to open baffle
Post by Frimpy on 01/02/18 at 16:50:12

I am in Tenneessee near Athens. If you are near you could listen to my DNA's powered by my Rachel. You could call call and ask Steve. Palomino might chime in he has open baffles and is familiar with the DNA's.

Title: Re: DNA Sound compared to open baffle
Post by Dana on 01/02/18 at 18:40:47

Frimpy thanks but I live near Seattle and as much I appreciate the offer it's a little out of my "it's just a short drive, let's spend the day."

Title: Re: DNA Sound compared to open baffle
Post by Palomino on 01/03/18 at 14:17:56

Its difficult to compare the two. Completely different sounds, especially now with the MarkAudio driver in the DNAs.

I am also very biased towards the openness of the OB and the tight bass produced by the Augies in my setup.

The bass in the DNAs will surprise you for their size. Also, while the MarkAudio sound is a bit different, I found it very engaging and fluid. I have heard the DNA with three different drivers and the MarkAudio is the least single driver-like if I recall correctly.

OBs with full rangers can be difficult to dial in. Randy's Betsey OBs are probably the exception.

If you have room to pull the speakers out into the room a bit I would steer you towards OBs like Randy's with some bass augmentation. These are also more efficient I think.

If space is limited and/or you have a little more horsepower in your amp, you may like the DNAs more.

If it were me, I would try to get a listen to some OBs first to see if you like the OB sound.

Title: Re: DNA Sound compared to open baffle
Post by Dana on 01/04/18 at 16:14:42

Thanks that helps. I have listened to some open baffles. Both versions of the Linkwitz were terrific but so many amps and low watt SE is out of the question. I've also listened to the Rainier MKII clones but wasn't a fan. I'm not sure what you can really tell from a YouTube video but the sound difference between the DNA and ZOB is huge to me. In real life I don't know if that's really the case??? Finding a way to listen to Tube amps and Open Baffle is a challenge which is why I'm here. Space is an issue but I'm not above mounting casters on the bottom to move them out for listening and back for the rest of the time