Good starter DIY speaker project - recommendations pls

Discussion in 'DIY Discussion' started by lAmBoY, Jan 24, 2006.

  1. lAmBoY

    lAmBoY Lothario and Libertine

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    Right then, For a long time I have toyed with the idea of building a 2nd system for my home office, just as a way of taking this hobby to the next level - and hopefully learning some stuff on the way.

    So Ive decided on speakers as the first project - nothing fancy, just some simple smallish bookshelves. I want to build from scrtach and not buy a DIY kit.

    So....any recommendations on here for a project? I will put together a build diary on the way. Hell, if they are any good Im sure I will start another more daring build:)

    Thanks in advance //lamboy:D
     
    lAmBoY, Jan 24, 2006
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  2. lAmBoY

    Tenson Moderator

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    Well, if you want I can provide you with measurements / plans for building a PMC AML1 cabinet. I expect Thorsten could suggest some drivers that would work well in it (PMC use their own).
     
    Tenson, Jan 24, 2006
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  3. lAmBoY

    hifikrazy

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    A sealed box is far easier than a ported design. And the easiest drive unit to use is of course a full range unit. (could be used with a super tweeter to extend the treble using a just capacitor and maybe a resistor to crossover to the tweeter). I believe that fostex make some decent full range drivers.

    Lots of stuff can be found on diyaudio.com.
     
    hifikrazy, Jan 24, 2006
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  4. lAmBoY

    Dev Moderator

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    PM Julian, he's done it and they sound very good IMO.
     
    Dev, Jan 24, 2006
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  5. lAmBoY

    julian2002 Muper Soderator

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    lamboy - have a look at some of the single driver plans on the net - no crossover which is the hardest bit if you are a diy noob. the rest is basically a box with either 1 or 2 holes in it and some bracing. they can sound remarkably effective too - especially if you have a small room - they do certain things better than anything else.
    i'd recommend going for a kit though - especially as it;s your 1st time. ipl's are good :D
    cheers


    julian
     
    julian2002, Jan 24, 2006
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  6. lAmBoY

    Bloosman

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    Having just finished a pair of rear loaded horns using Fostex drivers...and their own plans...I can certainly reccommend them to you...

    Dougie.:)
     
    Bloosman, Jan 24, 2006
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  7. lAmBoY

    LiloLee Blah, Blah, Blah.........

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    LiloLee, Jan 24, 2006
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  8. lAmBoY

    bottleneck talks a load of rubbish

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    just a thought, why not buy a pair of well made speakers with duffed in drive units, and replace the drive units with top units with similar parameters?
     
    bottleneck, Jan 24, 2006
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  9. lAmBoY

    avanzato

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    If you're going that route(r) then you'll need to add the cost of some power tools and software to measure drivers and workout the boxes/crossovers. Or do lots of pen and paper maths :eek:

    For a first go a driver/plans kit would be my recommendation and that's what I did. You get to do some manly workshopping but avoid the possibility of the speaker not working right as someone else has figured it out for you. The kit suppliers listed above usually have flatpack cabinet kits to fall back on if it all goes horribly wrong.

    So far I've done couple of small easy projects, the next one is a two way from plans and then a scratch build line array... probably.
     
    avanzato, Jan 24, 2006
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  10. lAmBoY

    Vikash Mad About Sound

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    Vikash, Jan 26, 2006
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  11. lAmBoY

    zanash

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    Check out Wilmslow audio 's kits too.....

    good sounding andeasy to build as a first dip the toe in type project.
     
    zanash, Jan 27, 2006
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  12. lAmBoY

    hifikrazy

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    Vikash - how do the FR125S work in an open baffle config?
     
    hifikrazy, Jan 27, 2006
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  13. lAmBoY

    Vikash Mad About Sound

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    Attached Files:

    Vikash, Jan 30, 2006
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  14. lAmBoY

    lAmBoY Lothario and Libertine

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    Will you be posting the details on the ported version???

    Hmmmm, very tempting:)
     
    lAmBoY, Jan 30, 2006
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  15. lAmBoY

    Vikash Mad About Sound

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    Indeed ;) I've done the build process write-up, just waiting to do the finish (spray prime and top coat - bit cold at this time of year for it).

    Sneak peek of enclosure below (9 litre tuned to 54Hz). Frequency response is without any filters and smoothed to 1/16 octave only. Bass is jawdropping.

    Edit: pic taken before port hole cut out on the front ;)
     

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    Vikash, Jan 30, 2006
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