Linkwitz Orion DIY loudspeaker, February-March 2006
Here's some notes and pics of my Linkwitz Orion loudspeaker build. Despite the complexity of the Linkwitz design and the active crossover system, the speaker was pretty easy to build -- if you have help. Luckily for me I had Scott from Arcade Depot build most of the cabinets and Don did the soldering. Thanks guys.
The Orion is more than a speaker, it's a speaker system that integrates with a custom active crossover and eq. A word of caution. This system is so detailed that only the finest recordings should be played at concert levels. The system can be shrill for rock and average recordings. Strings and horns are extremely accurate.
Also, despite strong recommendations about placement away from back walls, I found the placement quite forgiving. They sound great wherever they are. Ok, on with it then.
Update Jan 07:
I've discovered a placement that works well for me. In a room 32 feet long I place the Orions 5 feet off the front wall and listen 22 feet back. This works well for rock and live concert recordings. It just sounds like you are in the middle of the audience. If I am listening to classical guitar or bluegrass I put myself at 10 feet for that in the-room sound. This setup is similar to what I get with Magnepan.
Also, I haven't heard a speaker with bass as accurate as the Orions.
| The Orion has some complex side panels that I just didn't feel comfortable building. So I found this guy Scott at Arcade Depot and he built me the sides and baffles for a real good price, thanks Scott! |
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I was able to build the rest of the cabinets myself. Actually my first version you might call skewed. Dave G helped me with these. |
| The side panels are easy, just screw 'em in. |
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The finished cabs sans drivers. Finally the real fun begins! |
 The Seas 8" midrange and the prototype mounting system. One of these days I'll paint it black. 
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The Orions uses a dipole bass design with bottom woofer on reverse polarity. Those are Peerless XLS long excursion woofers. They move a lot of air. |
| I hooked those Peerless woofers up to an Adcom GF-2535 4-channel amp and the mids and tweets up to my 4 channel Jacko 4180 Class D Hypex UCD-180 power amplifier. That's the Orion active crossover and EQ (ASP) on the top. Don from Washington DC built the ASP for me. I understand this was the first to have the plexiglass window on top. Nice touch. I've since moved the amps down to the garage. Out of sight, out of mind and they run 24-7. |
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 Hook up the Neutrik connectors and do some final testing. |
For more info about the Orion contact me at johnnymc -at- privateradio.org or visit the Linkwitz site or the Orion Owners Forum.