Newbie with a few Zaph 5.3 questions and a Little Praise for the Forums

[Crayborn]

First of all I would like to complement these forums for the great advice that I have been reading and the way it is handled. I am a member of many speaker forums but feel a tad intimidated by the arrogance that the member put forward. The Parts Express Forum is much different, and I thank you all for that.

Now on to my questions, please forgive me sine this is the first home speaker project that I have undertaken. I am currently building the Zaph 5.3 and 5.3c set. My boxes are built using 3/4" MDF that has been glued and nailed. Outside has been Bondo'd. On the inside all seams have been sealed with glue, painted with Zinser primer and have three coats of duplicolor beadliner. I have 1.5" wedge and pyramid foam sitting in the shop to be installed.

1. Would the addition of bubble wrap on the inside of the box's wall under the foam be useful?

2. Can anyone make me a shopping list of the Xover components? I have a friend that can build them but I do not want to trouble him with the deciphering of the components.

3. Any use in heat shrinking the Xover once assembled?

4. I am a doesn't woodworker and have both Jasper jigs but they only go up by 1/16" increments. The mesurments for the speaker cutouts are not in 1/16". How close do I need to get the cutouts for the speakers to fit. I have not ordered them yet so I cant dry fit. I would like to finish the boxes before I order them.

4. Any recommendations for a 10" or 12" DIY sub design. Will be used of 50/50 movie/music.

Thanks for you time and effort.
Chuck
Mobile, Alabama

[r-carpenter]

1) No
2) Zaph has a list already
3) BIG NO
4)in terms of sound or appeal?

[djg]

Welcome to the forum.

1. No, bubble wrap is not going to do anything.

2. You have to decide on the quality of crossover parts you want to use. The components that Madisound uses in their prebuilt crossovers would be good enough for me.

3. I would not heat shrink the crossover, you would need very large heat shrink for that.

4. Don't cut the speaker holes until you have the speakers in hand. The Jasper Jig is close enough for most people, if you have them already, use them. Do test holes on scrap.

5. Someone else can recommend a design. I am not familiar with normal box subs.


Good luck. Post up some pics.

[donradick]

1. Would the addition of bubble wrap on the inside of the box's wall under the foam be useful?

3. Any use in heat shrinking the Xover once assembled?

4. I am a doesn't woodworker and have both Jasper jigs but they only go up by 1/16" increments. The mesurments for the speaker cutouts are not in 1/16". How close do I need to get the cutouts for the speakers to fit. I have not ordered them yet so I cant dry fit. I would like to finish the boxes before I order them.

Thanks for you time and effort.
Chuck
Mobile, Alabama

1: Bubble wrap will not be useful. It will just reduce the volume of the box.
3: Heat shrink insulate crosover wires if you wish. It's not necessary.
4: The Jasper Jig fits some drivers better than others. If you are a decent woodworker, you may want to get the "router buddy" or make your own custom jigs for a perfect driver fit.
Hope this helps,

[fbov]

1) No. You want foams that allow air through as they dampen sound by making the air follow a convoluted path.

2) These are documented designs from Zaph's site, right? Why not use his BOM??

3) No. I've seen some potted in epoxy, but never resistors as they need to dissipate heat.

4) A 1/16" tolerance (0.0625") is split in two. Getting within -0.000/+0.030" will do you just fine. However, bad idea to cut without parts to fit. Very bad, bad idea unless you have a bunch of different size rabbeting bits.

5) Many good subs out there. PE's RS HF series have been used by many builders here. Mine's a Tempest X; you'd be interested in the Shiva from Kevin Haskins at DIY Cable.
http://www.diycable.com/main/product...roducts_id=693

Have fun,
Frank, who hopes he isn't the only respondent....

[Crayborn]

Thanks so much for the quick and friendly answers and comments. Please forgive my ignorance for I am just an ecological biologist not a electrical engineer. I tried Zaph xover drawing and PE did not have some of the components so i'm just going to order the Madisound kits and take the easy way out.

Chuck