Concrete 2-way monitor speakers, a good idea??

[chad1376]

FWIW, I've pondered the idea a few times. A few thoughts on this:

- Unreinforced concrete can and will crack. You might consider fiberglass additive, like this:
https://www.amazon.com/32-500-4-Inch.../dp/B000CODWAE

- Formwork would be difficult. You'd want to incorporate the speaker and other cutouts in the form. Perhaps Styrofoam would be a good internal form material, since you could hog it out or use acetone to dissolve it. I think you'd also want to do a monolithic cast, since doing it in separate pieces would require a construction joint.

- Choose your mix wisely. Regular old ready mix has fairly large aggregate for the wall thickness you are describing. You'd probably see the aggregate, and have visible voids. In any case, getting a fine finish might be tough.

- Getting the concrete to fully fill the form without voids might be tough too. You might consider some way of vibrating the form during the pour to help the air work it's way up and out.

- Not sure what the best way to mount the speakers would be. Perhaps adhesive (silicone?)

[billfitzmaurice]

I didn't know that. Parts Express doesn't know that.
Just because PE sells them in the pro section doesn't mean they're pro. I'm just saying the stated line of reasoning isn't something everyone has considered.

They have to list them somewhere. Consider the best selling near field monitor of all time, the Yamaha NS-10M. It was a hi-fi speaker. Yamaha eventually came up with with an NS-10M Studio, but that was long after the hi-fi version had become a ubiquitous studio fixture.

[duronboy]

Chads post reminds me of a video I watched a while back. There definitely better mixes than others and they get pretty fine. As far as mounting drivers, I don't see why one couldn't have bolt holes in the mold.

But yeah, concrete looks to be a way bigger deal than MDF or wood.

[duronboy]

They have to list them somewhere. Consider the best selling near field monitor of all time, the Yamaha NS-10M. It was a hi-fi speaker. Yamaha eventually came up with with an NS-10M Studio, but that was long after the hi-fi version had become a ubiquitous studio fixture.

They could have listed monitors in the home A/V space. But they didn't.

Consider all the other retailers sell studio monitors that sell strictly music/content creation tools and practically zero openly consumer A/V.

Look at the backs of the average studio monitors. Do those look consumer friendly?

I'm not saying their average quality is professional, or that consumers don't buy monitors. But the average PA system sold might not pass those two indicators, either.

[Matthew7]

As concrete makes for very strong material and provides excellent characteristics to be used in the audio environment tellsubway, many speaker brands have started manufacturing concrete speakers with refreshing artistic designs.

[billfitzmaurice]

Name one. Where 'artistic designs' are concerned speakers intended for professional use are made to sound good, not to look good. Many consumers listen with their eyes, but sound professionals tend to use their ears.

[Dukk]

Referring to the original topic - this guy made a set of concrete enclosures. I think his method was pretty clever. http://projectgallery.parts-express..../concrete-2-1/

I would consider it if only as a talking point.

[Geoff Millar]

Referring to the original topic - this guy made a set of concrete enclosures. I think his method was pretty clever. http://projectgallery.parts-express..../concrete-2-1/

I would consider it if only as a talking point.

Here's a firm in Australia which makes them:

http://sophera.com.au/; http://sophera.com.au/index.php/desi...-concrete.html

Similar speakers called "Audiospheres", I think, were sold through "Encel Stereo" in Melbourne some 30 years ago, I remember hearing them and thought they sounded OK but were very heavy, easily 20kg each. They had a very nice, polished finish.

They used SEAS or Coral drivers and were way out of my price range at the time. They weren't very popular and were only available for a short time.

Geoff

[Dukk]

Here's a firm in Australia which makes them:

http://sophera.com.au/; http://sophera.com.au/index.php/desi...-concrete.html

Similar speakers called "Audiospheres", I think, were sold through "Encel Stereo" in Melbourne some 30 years ago, I remember hearing them and thought they sounded OK but were very heavy, easily 20kg each. They had a very nice, polished finish.

They used SEAS or Coral drivers and were way out of my price range at the time. They weren't very popular and were only available for a short time.

Geoff

The marketeering on that page is pretty heavy but a neat design and certainly a conversation starter.

[3rutu5]

Chads post reminds me of a video I watched a while back. There definitely better mixes than others and they get pretty fine. As far as mounting drivers, I don't see why one couldn't have bolt holes in the mold.

But yeah, concrete looks to be a way bigger deal than MDF or wood.

you can do that rounded edge for a table pretty simple with Ply and kerfing..but yes i like the look of the concrete, but sure it would weigh a bit and just be more for show. There is a guy on youtube who makes a bluetooth speaker using concrete and ND65's, which looks unreal

[nackesww]

I did a few projects using GFRC from Trinic. Its amazing stuff!! I made a double sink vanity top, a surround for a drop in tub, a fireplace hearth. Regular concrete is around 300 psi, where GFRC is well over 10,000 psi. I did some sample pieces to test the strength. I did a 12"x12" 1/4" thick and I couldn't break it. I literally laid it on my work bench and smashed it with a hammer before it would break.