Techtalk Speaker Building, Audio, Video Discussion Forum - Speaker Project Gallery http://techtalk.parts-express.com/ Show off your speaker projects by posting the details and images of your creations. We encourage you to discuss with the speaker project designer his methods and results. en Tue, 21 May 2013 13:42:54 GMT vBulletin 60 http://techtalk.parts-express.com/images/misc/rss.png Techtalk Speaker Building, Audio, Video Discussion Forum - Speaker Project Gallery http://techtalk.parts-express.com/ Shop Speaker Project Yeilds Goodness http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237631-Shop-Speaker-Project-Yeilds-Goodness&goto=newpost Sun, 19 May 2013 22:48:29 GMT When the Smaller Advents that I was using for shop speakers began to strain at the volume level required for the environment, I decided to build a... When the Smaller Advents that I was using for shop speakers began to strain at the volume level required for the environment, I decided to build a new speaker system to take their place. My goal was to replicate as closely as possible the characteristics of the Advents while increasing power handling, and I must say that the results have far exceeded my expectations despite the fact that the crossover is an off-the-shelf Dayton unit.

I chose the Dayton DA270-8 aluminum coned 10" woofer because it is rated as extending out to 6k, though the response graph shows that it exibits an almost 15dB peak in the 4-5k range. Crossing over at 2.5k or below is necessary to completely avoid this peak. Efficiency is 88.2dB.

The tweeter I used is the very popular Dayton DC28F 1-1/8" silk dome. It gets glowing reviews from other users, and is rated down to 1.3k. Efficiency is 89dB.

I'm using the Dayton 260-142 two-way 2.5k crossover with attenuation at 12dB/octave. (There is no doubt that a custom-designed crossover would have been desireable, but I've just begun studying crossover design, so customizing one at this early stage of study is just out of the question.) Since the tweeter really does have usable response down to 1.3k, I may have benefitted from an even lower crossover point, but I wanted to preserve as much tweeter power handling as possible.

The enclosure volume is 1.18 cubic feet. This size was dictated by the space available for the speakers' placement in my shop. The boxes are constructed of pre-finished LDF. I understand the advantages of using MDF, but I went with the former simply because I had a large amount of the LDF on hand and the pre-finished surfaces saved me a lot of time. Though the boxes have been heavily braced, no amount of bracing -- not even doubling the panel thickness to 1-1/2 " -- would make it equal to MDF in quelling resonance. But time and expense prompted me to use what I had on hand, and the results have been good despite the LDF shortcomings.

The cabinets were joined by using an old Sears dadoe wobble blade. Because the DC28F tweeter has a heavily-doped silk dome that remains extremely sticky, it is essential that it not be exposed to dust or sawdust -- in a shop! To avoid the dust issue I recessed the speaker baffle by 3/8" to accomodate a tight-fitting grill. The recess will force the dust to make a coupe of hard turns before gaining access to the tweeter. Like most of us, I hate using a grill, but necessity dictates. The enclosure faces and corners are all rounded. The enclosures were loosely filled with polyester pillow stuffing and the crossovers and speakers installed using minimum amounts of clear silicone.

I'm exceptionally pleased with the results. The woofer produces powerful bass and does a fine job of handling the midrange. The tweeter more than lives up to its reputation with excellent definition and none of the harshness that is exibited by some hard-dome tweeters. I read a few reviews in which the writer complained of a lack of volume from this tweeter, but that has NOT been my experience. I have tinitis and high frequency hearing loss, but these tweeters deliver the goods in a most pleasant way.

In short, if you like your music loud but clearly defined and with minimum listener fatigue, this may be your speaker. I'm sure hard-core audiophiles would find some shortcomings, but I'm simply pleased beyond my expectations. (I intend to use my band's Real Time Analyser to get a graphic picture of what these speakers are doing, so I may be surprized by the results. But that will not detract from the listening pleasure that I expect to hear for a time to come.)

Total cost of built excluding labor, sheet material, and wiring: approximately $200.00. Click image for larger version.  Name: Speakers Build, Patsy, Haylee, Family 068.JPG  Views: 81  Size: 622.4 KB  ID: 36456Click image for larger version.  Name: Speakers Build, Patsy, Haylee, Family 077.JPG  Views: 126  Size: 636.4 KB  ID: 36457
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]]> Speaker Project Gallery gdmoore28 http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237631-Shop-Speaker-Project-Yeilds-Goodness Crossover Testing Methods http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237612-Crossover-Testing-Methods&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 20:26:39 GMT Well I got the crossovers all done and need a way to safely test if it is working, other than hooking it up to the speakers. I have a oscope... Well I got the crossovers all done and need a way to safely test if it is working, other than hooking it up to the speakers. I have a oscope available.
Thanks,
papajoe ]]> Speaker Project Gallery papajoe http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237612-Crossover-Testing-Methods Lola Redux - boombox http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237607-Lola-Redux-boombox&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 12:52:06 GMT Hi guys..

my second speaker build after a pair of Tritrix's.

This one with a little more of my own flavor in it. 1/2 inch mdf, Its powered by a Lepai amp, has a bluetoooth wireless connection and a pair of old school Vu meters for eye candy.

Its based around Paul Carmody's Sprite except that the center partition is open in order to achieve the aesthetics i wanted. Probably could have done it better but it was a "feel as i went along" project and this is how t ended up. This is the second version after i didn't like how the original version looked.

btw, does it matter that its not a sealed partition?

Waiting for the paint to cure before screwing on feet and a carry handle.

It was a fun build and my first time working mdf. The lack of proper tools made it more difficult than it should have, used lots and lots of sandpaper to correct for poor edges. Wood filler become my best friend.

It sounds pretty good for what its worth. It could do with an active volume contoured EQ to make it perform like some of the commercial products out there. Nothing that cant be achieved with a little good old fashioned knob twiddling for maximum effect at any given volume. :)

And thank you Paul for giving me a very workable head start to work with. Much appreciate the effort you put into your designs and sharing them with us.

Regards,
asmd.


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]]> Speaker Project Gallery asmd http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237607-Lola-Redux-boombox First big speaker project http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237596-First-big-speaker-project&goto=newpost Thu, 16 May 2013 19:51:44 GMT Well I've decided to take on my first big speaker project. I plan on building two considerably large towers with the following components per tower:
2 x Dayton Audio RS28F-4 1 1/8" Silk Dome Tweeters
4 x Dayton Audio RS180-4 7" Reference Woofer
1 x Dayton Audio RSS390HO-4 15" Reference Subwoofer
The subwoofers will each be in their own ported enclosures constructed of 1" MDF all around (2" thick front baffle), with a roughly 4.84 cubic foot net volume and tuned to 30hz, with two 4" flared ports on the front of the box. The woofers will be in two separate chambers, one on top of the other, and each chamber will have 2 woofers and a tweeter, as well as a 4" flared port. I haven't decided on internal dimensions for the woofers, as I can't decided on what frequency to tune the ports to. I was thinking around 60hz, but the box will be extremely tough to build with the port length needed for that.
All of this will be actively crossed over and powered by live audio amplifiers. The picture included is just a rough sketch done quickly in sketchup, the dimensions are not exactly the respective cutout diameters for each component (except for the 4" port on the far right), and the woofer tower dimensions are arbitrary. Any feedback is much appreciated, and I'll have more pictures down the road.
*Note: The goal of this build is SPL, as this system will spend most of its time as a shop system. SQ is of concern, but not as much as SPL.
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]]> Speaker Project Gallery claibornemyers http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237596-First-big-speaker-project Overnight Sensation 5.0 http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237562-Overnight-Sensation-5-0&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 07:15:31 GMT So I finished the remaining speakers in this system a couple weeks ago, but was too exhausted to post them because of how long they took. I just... So I finished the remaining speakers in this system a couple weeks ago, but was too exhausted to post them because of how long they took.

I just started to type a brief summary of my mishaps, when I realized there was no way to make it brief. Let's just say I am NOT a natural and I spent a lot more time and money (on paint) than I would have thought possible. I still managed to sand through to primer on one of my MTM's w/2000 grit, but I plan on covering that up with Sharpie or something. I don't notice any of the flaws from where I will be sitting, so I am content.

The rear MT's were assembled from the PE 1/2" birch kit with dayton tweeters. They were finished with Rustoleum Painter's Touch flat black, but have taken a beating while being used as computer speakers since December (a couple spills of beer, falls off the books I was using as stands, etc).

The L/R MTM's and center MMTMM were my first cabinets constructed (aside from one sealed car sub). The MTM's are 3/4" MDF w/ one window brace, and the center is 3/4" with no braces. Total overkill on the center, I chamfered quite a bit but I still worry the 3" B3N's do not have enough airflow. These three speakers use the HiVi tweeter from Meniscus. They were finished with Rustoleum PT flat black, flat clear, then sanded to 2000 and polished. Doesn't make much sense I know seeing as they are clearly not flat anymore, but adding the clear was an afterthought - I finally had a nice matte finish, but I found it too fragile and wanted some durability.

LISTENING IMPRESSIONS:

I do not have much listening experience, so there's not much to compare to. I sold my Logitech Z623 2.1 speakers when I finished my OS MT's, as they are clearly better in everything but muddy LFE.

I was underwhelmed when they were powered by a DTA-1 amp, but I ended up having to send that amp back after a channel started cutting out, so maybe it was faulty all along. All speakers are now powered by an Emotiva UPA-500 which lets them play to their full potential.

When I hooked up my MTM's with the different tweeter, I immediately noticed a difference. I don't know how to describe it well, but I think the MTM's with the HiVi tweeter sounded a bit "darker" and less "airy" than the MT's with the Dayton tweeter. I'm trying not to let the fact that Paul claimed he felt the HiVi disappeared better in the MTM influence my judgement, but I think that's what I hear as well. I can hear the dayton tweeter in the MT, the MTM's with the HiVi tweet just blend together better. I prefer the MTM, but not to any great degree.

As for the center, I haven't really listened to it alone much or watched any movies since I've hooked it up. I did notice some not-good sounds when playing bass from the speaker; but if I turn the speaker to "small" in my sound card @ a 120-150hz crossover, it sounds completely clean. I'm not sure if:
a) The 3/4" baffle, despite the chamfering I did, does not allow enough airflow for the drivers,
b) I need to adjust stuffing. As of now I just have a handful in each empty side of the cabinet.
or c) The speaker is intended to be run as a "small" speaker with a HPF, as I have it set now.
Note: Although I altered the original call for 1/2" stock to 3/4", I retained baffle size and internal volume.

Anyways, thanks to Paul Carmody for providing these designs and the DIY community as a whole for completely altering the course of my life! (I have eight other drivers that I ordered before even finishing these speakers). Here are some crappy pics:

http://imgur.com/a/7WxNd#0
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]]> Speaker Project Gallery Exarch http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237562-Overnight-Sensation-5-0 Single Driver Center Channel http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237485-Single-Driver-Center-Channel&goto=newpost Fri, 10 May 2013 02:32:51 GMT Based on the recommendation from Dr. Mark over on AH I've decided to try out a single driver center channel. I'm not really worried about finishing it, although I plan to eventually, since I already have a center. Anyways, this center will utilize a fairly unique driver. It is an old Jordan Watts Module that I purchased from him. Below are some pictures he sent of the driver. I'm planning on external dimensions of 8.5"H X 11.5"W X 10.5"D made from 3/4" MDF. I wanted to minimize the height as much as possible without restricting the driver, but since the module is 6" tall 8.5" external is about as short as I dare go. It will be sealed with heavy fill. I'd love to hear any comments on the driver or design. Cheers.





]]> Speaker Project Gallery fuzz092888 http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237485-Single-Driver-Center-Channel And Some More Paul Carmody Speedsters http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237467-And-Some-More-Paul-Carmody-Speedsters&goto=newpost Wed, 08 May 2013 23:29:36 GMT After completing my front L & R speakers, center channel and two subwoofers it was time for side and rear speakers to complete my HT room. So I decided to build 4 Speedsters. I used 1/2" Appleply for the cabinets and 3/4" Appleply for the front baffles. If you are unfamiliar with Appleply, it is a very high quality void free plywood made in Oregon. Normally I would use baltic birch, but I had this taking up space in my workshop from a prior project. Two of the Speedsters were veneered with tiger maple and the other two were done in curly cherry. The finish is Waterlox varnish, about 10 coats wiped on with a rag. Here are the pictures:













After completing these I measured the response of all of them There was a wide dip in the frequency response centered around 3000 Hz indicating the drivers were our of phase even though they were wired per the instructions. So I reversed the connections to the tweeters and like magic, very flat frequency response.

Here are some pictures of the rest of my system:







The main speakers are hybrid electrostatic/dynamic and both the center channel and left and right speakers are bi'amp'd. ]]> Speaker Project Gallery fperra http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237467-And-Some-More-Paul-Carmody-Speedsters <![CDATA[Finished: Mzisserson's New Horizons]]> http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237423-Finished-Mzisserson-s-New-Horizons&goto=newpost Sun, 05 May 2013 20:58:20 GMT Just finished a set of Mzisserson's New Horizons.
I used some hardwood (maple or birch) glue-ups a neighbor had made for shelves.
He gave them to me when he got divorced. There are about 5/8" thick. Nice wood.

Ran out of the wood for the bases, so I used birch plywood and edged them with the remaining hardwood.
The speakers have relatively prodigous bass and really sound much bigger than they are. Really nice.

I was amazed in the weight difference between the RJB Microbes and the New Horizons, neo + thinner hardwood vs. shielded + MDF.
These would make a great small room stereo speaker set. It is too bad they have been pulled from the public domain.
Fortunately, I copied the XO to my computer when I bought the drivers a long time ago.

Build pictures: http://s126.photobucket.com/user/akr...41867752701292











Andy. ]]> Speaker Project Gallery andykriech http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237423-Finished-Mzisserson-s-New-Horizons Trym MLTL http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237359-Trym-MLTL&goto=newpost Wed, 01 May 2013 00:35:55 GMT This build is a treat to myself to help celebrate the purchase of a new home....a single family *detached* home, meaning no more common walls with... This build is a treat to myself to help celebrate the purchase of a new home....a single family detached home, meaning no more common walls with neighbors who don't appreciate loud music and nice tight low bass. LOL. It will be my new reference and "jam out" speakers.

Anyway, with the help of Paul K., who expertly modeled the TL portion of the system this is a floor-standing 2-way MLTL with Seas W22EX001 woofers and Seas T25CF002 Millennium tweeters. It is based on the Seas Trym bookshelf kit.

BTW- these are not quite done yet, but they won't be touched until mid-summer, when I plan to spiffy up the finish and do a bit of crossover tweaking. I may add some progress to the build thread at that time, but this will remain as-is in the project gallery.

Build Thread is HERE















]]> Speaker Project Gallery bkeane1259 http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237359-Trym-MLTL Rebuilding Klipsch KG 5.5 http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237320-Rebuilding-Klipsch-KG-5-5&goto=newpost Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:42:41 GMT http://www.klipsch.com/kg-5-5

I have inherited a nice pair of Klipsch KG 5.5's. My Father bought these for my older brother when he was a teenager (in 1998 slightly used) and I was just a little kid in 4th grade or so. I remember loving these speakers when I was young and never grew out of big speakers with 10" woofers. This was my first experience with Klipsch and have been a fan since. When I was old enough and made enough money I put my Home Theater together with Klipsch RF-82 main and RB-81 center. These KG 5.5's will be my surrounds.

I was putting together all the parts for my KL-650 clones, but decided to go with these KG 5.5's. I like the sound and aesthetics of a floorstanding speaker and placement is easy for me because I don't have to worry about stands or wall mounts. Plus these were my brother's so they are sentimental.

My brother passed away about 5 years ago now and these were collecting dust at my Mom's house. No one was using them or claiming them (I have a lot of siblings) so I asked my Mom if it was okay to take them. I couldn't ship them as-is, and I wanted to build new cabinets anyway. So I disassembled them and boxed up all of the components to ship them to myself in Alaska.

Since then, I have ordered Bob Crites crossovers for them, and Titanium diaphragms for the tweeters. I saw several areas where these speakers could be improved. I have also bought precision port flared ports and sonic barrier foam. The original cabinets were not braced and lacked dampening. I also bought some feet and I have the 3/4" MDF already. I don't plan on running grills.

I will take pictures of the process and am open to tips and suggestions. These are going to be built well and used as surrounds for my 5.1 (actually 5.2 since I'll be running dual subs) for a long time. That's the plan at least. I have not decided on the finish yet for the cabinets. They'll be black of some sort. These will finally be my first DIY project and I think it's a great start. I have the plans for my cabinets and all the components are there and the crossovers are already built. I felt like it was a good idea to do something like this rather than 100% DIY for the first time. I was nervous about building other speakers, but I already know these sound great and I like the sound of them. I hooked them up to a receiver and placed them as well as I could. I auditioned them using a handful of different songs I like to listen to. I was pleased with their sound.

I think they will blend well. All 5 speakers will have Ti Tractrix horns. All 5 are ported, 2 way speakers. And the crossover frequencies are pretty close. I am excited to say the least. ]]> Speaker Project Gallery KodiakHT http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237320-Rebuilding-Klipsch-KG-5-5 1D QRD (Diffuser) http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237277-1D-QRD-(Diffuser)&goto=newpost Fri, 26 Apr 2013 01:00:18 GMT Four panels, two of which will be inverse.

Quote:
Each panel is 20" x 40". Their target is 715Hz, with a cutoff at 6,615Hz.
They use 17 wells, and the period length is 493mm. (minus 3mm, because I will use the QRD frame for the end fin.)
First picture:








]]> Speaker Project Gallery icor1031 http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?237277-1D-QRD-(Diffuser)