overnight sensations variant complete

[bmaupin]

I wanted to use the ND20FB's that I've had sitting around for 3 or 4 years. I ended up using automotive paint since the 2nd coat of rattle can blistered - which still came through the auto paint on one of the speakers, but is hard too see after the second coat. I used thinned fiberglass resin to seal the mdf - works great, but is a lot of work - especially in the cold.

I really fought with the B4N to get a nice lowpass response because of the peak around 4kHz and surprisingly ended up moving the crossover point to 5K from 3.5k to get a smooth response. I think if I was going to do this again I'd try a tweeter that could cross at 2.5k like the Vifa DQ, but the ND20FB does sound nice. Unfortunately the measured final response has a 6dB hole at the cross point and I'd rather not post the crossover. I measured the tweeter response and it is crossing over at 6k instead of 5k. They sound great to me, but just not the measured match of the model I'm used to.

I build these for a friend as a xmas/b-day present. I am also sending along a DTA-1.

Thanks to Paul and builders of his project for the inspiration - the B4N is super for this application and I'd highly recommend it. The bass is great for such a small speaker.

https://home.comcast.net/~bradmop/overnightsensations/frontback.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~bradmop/overnightsensations/updown.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~bradmop/overnightsensations/single.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~bradmop/overnightsensations/ontop.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~bradmop/overnightsensations/ondesk.jpg

[johnnyrichards]

Those are pretty!

[joeybutts]

I
heart
orange.

Beautiful looking speakers...

[Wolf]

Yeah- me-3!

That orange is beautiful against the bronze...
Later,
Wolf

[Knowsknone]

+4 on the Orange Bronze...
I bet it sounds as good as it looks too!
Superb job, even though the paint wouldn't co-operate, but that is winter for you.

[jonasz]

Beautiful little speakers!

Got any info/impressions about the Millennium/Uscher combo?

[joeybutts]

I'm sure this has been answered before, but how far from the back wall should these be?

[spasticteapot]

What kind of fiberglass resin did you use? How much did you thin it? And what kind of paint is that?

If you can't tell, I'd like to be able to replicate your rather excellent results. :)

[bmaupin]

What kind of fiberglass resin did you use? How much did you thin it? And what kind of paint is that?

I use the B-440 resin and styrene 10-15% for the thinner from US Composites - http://www.shopmaninc.com/ You can use acetone for a thinner, but styrene is the thinner used in the product. The paint is PPG Delstar enamel, but I'd probably buy PPG's cheaper enamel if I didn't have the reducer on hand for the Delstar.

[bmaupin]

I'm sure this has been answered before, but how far from the back wall should these be?

I've been listening to them mostly at my computer with them about 1 ft from the wall, but I probably wouldn't worry about it too much. I find that stuffing or lining the walls with foam helps reduce the amount of midrange that comes out the port - that's why I like the port in the back.

[tom_s]

Very nice! I bet you are the only one who would notice the paint imperfections at a normal viewing distance.
And I would say that a 6dB dip at 5K might not be all bad....you'll never have a problem with sibilance;)

Great job!

[bmaupin]

If I were to build another small speaker I would use 3/4" for the baffle and make a removable rear. The removable rear would make it easy to line the walls and adjust stuffing. I was worried that after counter sinking the woofer that the amount of material was too thin for using hurricane nuts and 3/4" material would eliminate that. I think that any woofer needs to have the rear chamfered to allow breathing and avoid reflections. The B4N needs the relief to come about 1/8" or so from the mounting surface.

I used my Craftsman router guide to cut the ND20FB's hole - nice since the size is not standard (why oh why is it not 1.5"???).

https://home.comcast.net/~bradmop/overnightsensations/rear_chamfer.jpg

[bmaupin]

Got any info/impressions about the Millennium/Usher combo?

They are nice. I do not think the Millennium is worth the money, but is nice. The Ushers recently replaced the Scan 8545 and is soooo much better! I'd highly recommend the Usher - especially on sale.

[gowa]

Those look real nice. Is that pumpkin?

[bmaupin]

Those look real nice. Is that pumpkin?

Ford orange

[MSaturn]

Question is, what's your 8945P doing in a corner? :D

[Paul Carmody]

Yeah, the breakup is a bit of a challenge on that little guy. So you are correct; a 5 KHz cross is pretty much out of the question, but at 3.5 KHz, they'll be plenty happy. Excellent finish job! The fiberglass makes the whole thing look seamless, and the orange makes it look like candy! Love it!

[MSaturn]

Indeed, that's a freaking fantastic paint job.