Loudspeaker Kit StartAirKit by Gerd Lommersum

StartAirKit - StartAirKit floorstanding and shelf speaker with Vifa/Peerless drivers as in Hobby HiFi 5/2008

Technical data of the floorstander 2S:
- size (HxWxD): 100 x 22.5 x 28 cm
- impedance: 8 Ohm
- sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 85.5 dB
- crossover frequency: 2900 Hz
- frequency range (-3dB): 43 - 28000 Hz
- speaker type: bass reflex

Technical data of the shelf speaker 1R:
- size (HxWxD): 38 x 22,5 x 31 cm
- impedance: 8 Ohm
- sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 85.5 dB
- crossover frequency: 2900 Hz
- frequency range (-3dB): 55 - 28000 Hz
- speaker type: bass reflex

It was Gerd Lommersum's and Remo Cattaneo's idea to design a universal and reasonably priced loudspeaker. They decided on a Vifa HT250 F/4 dome tweeter and a Peerless SDS 6-25/08 mid / bass driver, both from the Tymphany stable. The kit should be built either as a shelf or a floorstanding speaker.

A kit that may be turned into a shelf or a floorstanding speaker is not fundamentally new. For example, Lagrange XT, Pascal XT and some other models offer the same benefit. For a linear bass set-up a floorstanding bass reflex and a sealed shelf speaker are usually used, since a linear bass reflex is generally 2 to 3 times larger than a sealed cabinet.

It's, therefore, surprising to see the two StartAirKit versions both in bass reflex:
- the StartAirKit 2S floorstander
- the StartAirKit 1R shelf speaker

According to Hobby HiFi's lab results the bass reflex design seems to be working in different volumes without problem; it is true that the smaller shelf speaker shows a stronger bass exaggeration but in accordance with the review this doesn't cause any irritation:
Start Air Kit 1R aus Hobby HiFi 5/2008

Excerpt from the review in Hobby HiFi 5/2008

"We organised a shoot-out between the two StartAirKit versions in the magazine's listening room. The solid shelf speakers placed on sand filled Atacama stands had already quite convincing sound based on a full bass foundation. Vocals were reproduced clearly and concisely. Instrumental music surprised with an immense attention to detail due to the Vifa tweeter's remarkable resolution. The soundstage is deep and wide and all sound sources are precisely placed at clearly distinguishable positions with lots of shimmering air in-between. The floorstanders added quite a bit more bass: the bass is really fat and low, particularly noticeable when listening to double bass or church organ. Additionally, there is a clearly pronounced bass line. A certain lack of precision within the lower vocal range that is noticeable on closer listening to the shelf speaker, is clean gone. We had the really interesting opportunity to compare our contestants to the Visaton Clou (see page 28) that was available. While the Clou graciously alleviates smaller faults of the electronics, the StartAirKit mercilessly reveals all faults originating from the source components. As a result the vocals enormously vivid and display an audiophile devotion. The Vifa - Peerless combination thrives on excellent electronics. In the long term this kit is, therefore, a good choice, especially when a system enhancement is in intended."

Our kit contains per speaker

- the Vifa HT 250 F/4 tweeter
- the Peerless SDS 6-25/08 bass / midrange driver
- a clip terminal
- 1 resp. 2 1/2*) bags damping material polyester wool
- bass reflex tube BR70
- 10 screws with 3.5 mm diameter
- 2 resp. 3*) metres cable 2 x 1.5 mm2
- building instruction

- a universal PCB for mounting the crossover components
- 1.8 mH pin core coil
- 0.27 mH air core coil, 0.7 mm
- 6.8 μF MKT foil capacitor
- 3.9 μF MKT foil capacitor
- 10 μF MKT foil capacitor
- 3.3 Ohm, 5 Watt resistor
- 15 Ohm, 5 Watt resistor

*) The floorstanding kit comprises more damping material and speaker cable.

Price for StartAirKit 2S floorstander without cabinet: EUR 99,50 excl. VAT: € 83.61 / $ 101.17

Price for StartAirKit 1R shelf speaker without cabinet: EUR 89,10 excl. VAT: € 74.87 / $ 90.60

Impedance correction for valve amps

In case you intend using the StartAirKit with a valve amp, the crossover should contain an impedance correction comprising:
- 10 Ohm resistor (10 Watt),
- 22 μF ELCO non-etched and
- 0.47 mH coil

Price for impedance correction per speaker: EUR 10,20 excl. VAT: € 8.57 / $ 10.37

High-end kits

If you prefer the kit with higher quality components we supply
- a larger terminal with gold plated brass binding posts
- all three capacitors as MKP with 400 V DC
- A Mundorf 1.8 mH baked varnish coil with 1mm wire instead of
the standard pin core coil that generates harmonic distortion
- Metal oxide resistors instead of wire resistors

Price for one StartAirKit 2S floorstander high-end without cabinet: EUR 127,00 excl. VAT: € 106.72 / $ 129.13

Price for one StartAirKit 1R shelf speaker high-end without cabinet: EUR 116,00 excl. VAT: € 97.48 / $ 117.95

For impedance correction please use the one above (better components wouldn't make sense)

Kit with top crossover

Our top crossover comprises a coil in series to the bass driver with lower resistance to eliminate the slight bass exaggeration. High quality, lowest-loss Mundorf MCAP Supreme (3.9 μF and 10 uF) are being used in the path to the tweeter.

Price for StartAirKit 2S floorstander with top crossover without cabinet: EUR 209,00 excl. VAT: € 175.63 / $ 212.51

Price for StartAirKit 1R shelf speaker with top crossover without cabinet: EUR 199,00 excl. VAT: € 167.23 / $ 202.34

For impedance correction please use the one above (better components wouldn't make sense)

center loudspeaker StartAirKit 4C with two woofers

Technical data of the floorstander 2S:
- size (HxWxD): 45 x 19 x 32.7 cm
- impedance: 4 Ohm
- sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 88 dB
- crossover frequency: 3500 Hz
- frequency range (-3dB): 43 - 28000 Hz
- speaker type: bass reflex

This compact speaker is suitable for use as a centre, front or rear speaker.

Our kit contains per speaker

- Peerless BC25TG15-04 (= HT250 F/4)
- 2x Peerless SDS-P830656 (SDS 5-25/08)
- 2x Bass reflex tube HP50, 50x145 mm, black
- Damping Sonofil 100 x 35 cm for 20 litres
- Spring loaded terminal T56 D
- 3x Speaker cable 2x1.5 mm2, transparent
- 2,25x Pan screws 3.5x17 black, cross recess, 8 pieces
- Printed circuit board LP05 without Accessories, 150x115 mm
- building instruction

- a universal PCB for mounting the crossover components
- Audaphon MKT CAP 3.9 μF / 160 Vdc
- Audaphon MKT CAP 8.2 μF / 160 Vdc
- Audaphon MKT CAP 10 μF / 160 Vdc
- Audaphon air core coil L7, 0.27 mH/0.44 Ohm
- Mundorf H core coil H71, 1.2 mH/0.27 0hm
- Ceramic resistor 4.7 Ohm/5 Watt
- Ceramic resistor 8.2 Ohm/5 Watt

Price for StartAirKit 4c center speaker without cabinet: EUR 114,00 excl. VAT: € 95.80 / $ 115.92

Home Hobby HiFi Overview