Possible 'InDIYana 2012' Theme-builds?

[Wolf]

Some events have a competition for a certain set of parameters, or size class, or cost.

In reference to this thread:
http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?t=229769

Whattaya say we take this on? Who can make the best performing ugly-chic set of speakers? No carpenters need apply. Just misjoint some boxes with hot glue and come join in the fun!!!

The more creative, the hi- errr... LOWER the score! We'll need a set of inhonorable-mentions, and rate things in the red.

Sound like a fun idea?
Wolf

[Paul Carmody]

Just thinking about this makes me giddy!!

(Guys, now's the time to use those crates of crappy drivers Meniscus was handing out a few years ago. Just slap bunches of them on a 2x4 or something!!)

[isaeagle4031]

I think I just might take this on. I was already planning on bringing 2 pairs to InDIYana, so I guess the second pair could go with this. I have plenty of boxes n stuff sitting around and I already have all the hardware sitting here. Hmmmmm :)

[Wolf]

I think I just might take this on. I was already planning on bringing 2 pairs to InDIYana, so I guess the second pair could go with this. I have plenty of boxes n stuff sitting around and I already have all the hardware sitting here. Hmmmmm :)

I see you changed your post, but yes- sounds good in a crappy-looking box.

I have plenty of ideas to utilize on a short-list I made to make these things UUUUUGly! :D

I'll likely use some drivers I've had for awhile.
Later,
Wolf

PS- If this gains more traction in the next couple days, I will add this to the website for those wanting to enter that section of the event.

[OlderMongrel]

You could have a related contest, and vote for the greatest-but-most-poorly-recorded music, to play on them.

John

[isaeagle4031]

Even if it doesn't happen to be part of the event, I might just do it anyway just for the fun of it :)

[Wolf]

You could have a related contest, and vote for the greatest-but-most-poorly-recorded music, to play on them.

John

I don't think that'll go along.
But thanks for the idea!
Wolf

[Wolf]

Even if it doesn't happen to be part of the event, I might just do it anyway just for the fun of it :)

I have some old Sansui/Apex-ribbons, and a set of RatShack Full-rangers that may suffice....We'll see what I have in the cellar....:D

Later,
Wolf

[bkeane1259]

I might give this a go as well. Have some old shelving material that can be cut up and easily made into a box. There's really no rule set for this right?? We can break all the classic rules like....

-don't use hardwood
-a glue joint is better than screws
-baffle roundovers are beneficial
-watch your driver c-t-c spacing

etc etc.....

Better be careful...this might catch on.

[Wolf]

I might give this a go as well. Have some old shelving material that can be cut up and easily made into a box. There's really no rule set for this right?? We can break all the classic rules like....

-don't use hardwood
-a glue joint is better than screws
-baffle roundovers are beneficial
-watch your driver c-t-c spacing

etc etc.....

Better be careful...this might catch on.

It is supposed to sound good though, remember that!
But yes- absolutely!

I was looking for something fun and unique- this is it this year! :D
G'Night,
Wolf

[OlderMongrel]

I don't think that'll go along.
But thanks for the idea!
Wolf

Maybe better the other way around, the worst music recorded with pristine clarity.

[edlafontaine]

Man, I wish the produce section still had those wooden crates...remember the cool labels they had on them?...I could revisit the first open baffle speaker I ever built...and memorized Rubber Soul and sang along with The Beach Boys.

She's real fine my 409...

[maynardg]

My open baffles will be naked I think. That's as crude as I'll be this year.

[bkeane1259]

This is a pretty open-ended proposition. As soon as Ben suggested it, I started thinking about all the crap scraps of "whatever" that could be effectively crafted into an InDIYana contender. This is going to be interesting indeed!! :D

[Paul K.]

I guess I'll be the wet blanket on this idea. I don't want to spend time and effort to intentionally build something that's ugly. I still consider myself to be an amateur woodworker but I do take pride in what I build and hope others appreciate my efforts. That's why I've never brought a speaker to an event in raw MDF. Sorry, I guess I fit the "ol fuddy-duddy" label really well.:(
Paul

[DanP]

I love this idea! Most of my efforts would meet these requirements anyways. :D

Dan

[Mark65]

I love this idea! Most of my efforts would meet these requirements anyways. :D

Dan


Yeah, me too!:D

I like the idea, though, hope I get to see the contenders!

Oh, and Paul K., don't think of them as ugly, think of them as "Shabby-chic"! The women all seem to dig that sort of thing, might catch on , actually....hmmm.


Mark

[E Biddy]

In college, we had speakers mounted in the box from a case of Weidemans beer.

[bkeane1259]

I guess I'll be the wet blanket on this idea. I don't want to spend time and effort to intentionally build something that's ugly. I still consider myself to be an amateur woodworker but I do take pride in what I build and hope others appreciate my efforts. That's why I've never brought a speaker to an event in raw MDF. Sorry, I guess I fit the "ol fuddy-duddy" label really well.:(
Paul

I have hesitated in the past to bring stuff because it was unfinished. This gives me the impetus to put some of my ideas together in a "rough draft" and not have to worry about any sort of acceptance factor. Plus I get the added bonus of having the system critiqued by some of the best ears in the Midwest. Win win as far as I'm concerned.

I really like the idea.

[Zach C.]

I like this idea as a fun way to "mix it up." Sometimes, I feel like the DIY events fall into one of two loose categories:

Competitions
Tightly regulated, and scripted in an area where the very notion of competition is very flawed. Speakers are designed and voiced for a specific room, spl, etc. We take them out of that scenario and ask them to "compete" in some pretty awful rooms, and then ask folks to decide which they like best. This is to me, conceptually flawed. Add to this the fact that speaker building is a hobby that I find to be inherently non-competitive. We should approach this with a "helping" mindset. I'm not calling for group hugs here, but the judges and formality really put me off. Feedback is great. Rankings, not so much. We have plenty of other opportunities to compete in this world.

Show and Tell
This is by a long shot the format I prefer, though it often seems to devolve into minor chaos with the participants all wanting to play "just one more" through their speakers.

Both are still a lot of fun but...

Now that I've bagged on the events I love to attend...

I think these kind of "themes" are a great idea to keep things fresh and interesting. I like the idea of de-emphasizing certain aspects, like appearance, in this case. Another theme that I think would be interesting is a "grills required" event, where the details of the speakers would be kept secret until afterward. This would give a chance to listen without the prejudice of driver type, configuration, price, etc, and allow us to focus on what sounds good to us. Of course, we'd still see box size, and know that certain designers like certain things, etc. Grills present their own problems, we're still in crappy rooms, yada, yada. It would be fun to try to guess what's in the box.

Back under my rock.

Zach

[marvin]

I guess I'll be the wet blanket on this idea. I don't want to spend time and effort to intentionally build something that's ugly. I still consider myself to be an amateur woodworker but I do take pride in what I build and hope others appreciate my efforts. That's why I've never brought a speaker to an event in raw MDF. Sorry, I guess I fit the "ol fuddy-duddy" label really well.:(
Paul

I'll side with Paul at least to a degree.........I enjoy these events as much to admire craftsmanship as to listen. My critical listening involves more time than what is allowed for each speaker (slow processor :p).

OTOH, Wolf's proposal could be a fun sideshow as long as it doesn't dominate the show! I can see merit to offer a fun project time slot which gives opportunity to newbies intimidated by the normal standards of the seasoned veterans.

Another significant element to these events is the opportunity to consult with others face-to-face.

Marv

[Wolf]

I'll side with Paul at least to a degree.........I enjoy these events as much to admire craftsmanship as to listen. My critical listening involves more time than what is allowed for each speaker (slow processor :p).

OTOH, Wolf's proposal could be a fun sideshow as long as it doesn't dominate the show! I can see merit to offer a fun project time slot which gives opportunity to newbies intimidated by the normal standards of the seasoned veterans.

Another significant element to these events is the opportunity to consult with others face-to-face.

Marv

The last one I went to where there was a verified theme, was likely Dayton 04, and it was a 'high-sensitivity design' theme. I think Jim Griffin had the only one present, an MTM with an AC ribbon and PHL pair, and he only needed about a 1W to get really loud.

We sorta had a small-speaker shootout at Chicago, informally, and had maybe 3-4 pair.

These themed entries don't usually overtake the well-executed visuals you normally see at an event, so there is no worry there.

As Zach said-

a fun way to "mix it up."

And to his other note-
I like the all-grille option, even though I've never made a set. ;)

Later, fellas,
Wolf

[isaeagle4031]

I actually like the grill idea too. Is the rat rod official yet? I've got a few ideas already percalatin......

[Wolf]

I actually like the grill idea too. Is the rat rod official yet? I've got a few ideas already percalatin......

I think we can go with it! We have at least 5 people interested. I put it up on the website.

Rat-Rockers!!! :D

You ought to see my list of uglies....
Wolf

[isaeagle4031]

Cool its a go then. Now to get to work!!!