PI Speakers by Wayne Parnham, The 4-PI, A DIY Masterpiece

Sometimes the search for high-efficiency loudspeakers that deliver output and dynamics, with precision, using low-powered amps, can be challenging.  The audio marketplace simply doesn't provide products like those for "normal" buyers.  Sure, for $40k/pair, or more, horn-loaded speaker designs using bespoke drivers and hand crafted cabinetry can be found. But typically the only affordable solution is a DIY approach. Enter PI Speakers. 

Wayne Parnham is a software engineer by profession, but his passion is designing audio equipment, specifically speakers.  Many years ago, Wayne decided to design a few systems and custom build them for people needing affordable and impactful solutions.  Word caught on, and instead of shipping large, heavy speakers all over the place, Wayne made his designs available for DIY builders...For Free...And PI Speakers was born. 

That's a long-winded introduction to the speaker system we have here.  This is the 4-PI. One of PI Speakers' most popular designs due to its simplicity, easy-to-build premise, and price-per-performance ratio.  The 4-PI is in fact, a lovely speaker to listen to.  The design starts with a highly-performing, nearly ubiquitous, JBL bass driver as one of the design options, the 2226H - a 15-inch paper pulp cone driver capable of 30 Hz bass performance with 97 dB of output efficiency.  This driver is the basis for so many other highly-efficient hifi and pro audio speaker designs, they are too numerous to list.  This point is, this driver is legit, and the 4-PI design puts it to great use in a moderately sized slot-ported enclosure, tuned to a -6dB output to 50 Hz. 

The 2226H is paired with an equally stellar high frequency driver from B&C, the DE250.  This 1.7-inch compression driver is designed for high-powered performance with a "flat" response curve from 1,000Hz onward.  With 108dB efficiency, it obviously needs to be tempered by use of Wayne's carefully crafted, measured, and vetted crossover design. 

High frequency dispersion is controlled by a waveguide horn designed specifically by PI for this driver.  With a 1" throat, the H290C waveguide uses an OSEC flare profile (Oblate Spheroidal Elliptic Cylindrical).  When you have finished processing what that means and untied your tongue, understand that the waveguide has the job of ensuring that the wave propagating from the driver moves smoothly, without unnecessary turbulence, and "transitions" the waveform from the round-shape of the throat opening to the rectangular surface of the speaker baffle.   It's science.   And it works.  

That's a lot of technical jargon to say, these speakers are simply sublime.  If you were EVER thinking of building your own 2-way horn-loaded, 15" JBL, highly-efficient speakers but had no idea what to do, or where to begin.  Get these.  They will answer the call and save you from spending $4,000 at Home Depot for tools that will put your hearing and finger tips at risk.

Vocals, instruments, details, imaging... It's all there.  Are they the last answer in bass response? - No they are not, but that's a tall order for a high-efficiency speaker of this size. Add a modest powered subwoofer for the last octave and relish the clarity these horns deliver.  

Demos are encouraged in Andover, MA. 

$2,899 (plus sales tax if applicable)

*NOTE, shipping via personalized delivery along the east coast USA, or freight anywhere within CONUS, is available on request.  In person pick up is always preferred - then we can chat and hang while listening to good music and enjoying a Charlie Caplin at our bar.