Want cheap? Want easy? New ultra-budget desktop monitors.

[johnnyrichards]

This is what I have been working on for the last couple of weeks. This is the first system I designed using my own measurements.

It uses the Max Fidelity Peerless clone 3.5" poly buyout woofer, and the 1" aluminum dome Peerless of India tweeter.

Shopping cart:

Response measured 1m on tweeter axis, reasonably accurate above 500 Hz:

Crossover schematic:

The finished product:


Couple changes: the schematic shows a Dayton poly in the woofer shunt circuit, but I actually used a NPE, and there is a 100 uF series cap before the woofer crossover.

These offer a reasonably flat response, the bass that is there is surprisingly decent. Pair these with a small subwoofer, and IMHO they will offer a very satisfying near field experience.

They are in a sealed, 0.06 cubic foot enclosure, stuffed with 3 ounces of polyfill.

[johnnyrichards]

Re: Want cheap? Want easy? New ultra-budget desktop monitors.

I should add that buying direct from Erse and substituting one of their Mylar caps for the poly series cap will save another couple bucks.

[philiparcario]

Re: Want cheap? Want easy? New ultra-budget desktop monitors.

so the box is 1.9 liters like 5" by 7" by 4"?

[johnnyrichards]

Re: Want cheap? Want easy? New ultra-budget desktop monitors.

so the box is 1.9 liters like 5" by 7" by 4"?

Pretty close to that, yes.

There are a lot of improvements that could be made, especially with the crossover - but $$$ is important on this project.

[AMC]

Re: Want cheap? Want easy? New ultra-budget desktop monitors.

great project, but you did forget one pair of resisters (4 ohm) in the parts list. That's going to push the price beyond $39.00, and just too far outside my budget.

I like the way you used the faceless tweeter.

[jbruner]

Re: Want cheap? Want easy? New ultra-budget desktop monitors.

great project, but you did forget one pair of resisters (4 ohm) in the parts list. That's going to push the price beyond $39.00, and just too far outside my budget.

I like the way you used the faceless tweeter.

A couple of these won't bust the budget! Haha.



Johnny- how about a better pic please?

[deewan]

Re: Want cheap? Want easy? New ultra-budget desktop monitors.

PERFECT! I was looking to build something small and cheap for my computer at work. Is there a chance to get an updated BOM and corssover layout? I read a few updates that may not be shown in the first post.

Thanks for sharing!

[johnnyrichards]

Re: Want cheap? Want easy? New ultra-budget desktop monitors.

I'll post the updated schematic, a better picture and some build instructions later this evening.

[johnnyrichards]

Re: Want cheap? Want easy? New ultra-budget desktop monitors.

Well, due to 497" of rain in the last week or so, my garage floor is swamped and I am currently sifting through what is salvageble and what is trash. Except for a rather large (~4.5 cubic feet) subwoofer cabinet that was in process, no projects were harmed as I always leave them off the floor (except for my ginormous 100# cabinet). Said subwoofer cabinet must have weighed purt-near 150 pounds after is soaked up water and swelled twice it's size. Too bad, I think I had almost 20 hours in it, it was close to paint stage :(

So when I am done pushing water out, I will post some updates.

P.S. 1/2 of my city is on a "do not use water" warning because of the rain and a broken sewer pipe. Crazy times here.

[deewan]

Re: Want cheap? Want easy? New ultra-budget desktop monitors.

Man, that sucks. Sorry to hear about all the rain and for your losses. I went through a situation like that back in 2008. The city in live in has 6 water wells. We lost all but 1. People were told not to flush, run water, wash clothes, or take showers for a day. After that day passed, people on the odd side of the streets could shower and do 1 load of laundry, the next day people on the even number of the street had those pleasures. Really make syou realize what things you take for granted.

Anyway... get taken care of what you need to. I'll speak for us all and say we can wait for your excellent budget design. But maybe throw some pics of yoru sub design up once (if) you complete that.

[johnnyrichards]

Re: Want cheap? Want easy? New ultra-budget desktop monitors.

(My heart was breaking as I threw that enclosure away, I think I am going to postpone that build for awhile)

Updated crossover schematic:


Notes:

I used a cheap iron core inductor 'cuz I had one. The design will not suffer much using a cheapie air-core, instead.

I had a 14uF and a 1.2uF which is why the zobel shows that way in the schematic.

[jmc]

Re: Want cheap? Want easy? New ultra-budget desktop monitors.

Well, due to 497" of rain in the last week or so, my garage floor is swamped and I am currently sifting through what is salvageble and what is trash. Except for a rather large (~4.5 cubic feet) subwoofer cabinet that was in process, no projects were harmed as I always leave them off the floor (except for my ginormous 100# cabinet). Said subwoofer cabinet must have weighed purt-near 150 pounds after is soaked up water and swelled twice it's size. Too bad, I think I had almost 20 hours in it, it was close to paint stage :(

So when I am done pushing water out, I will post some updates.

P.S. 1/2 of my city is on a "do not use water" warning because of the rain and a broken sewer pipe. Crazy times here.

Ugh, sorry to hear that. We had a flood here like that 2 years ago.

[PWR RYD]

Re: Want cheap? Want easy? New ultra-budget desktop monitors.

Johnny,

What are you using to draw your crossover schematics? I use MS Visio at work, but have nothing here at home :(

[johnnyrichards]

Re: Want cheap? Want easy? New ultra-budget desktop monitors.

Crossovers built and ready to go:


Truly, ultra-budget

[johnnyrichards]

Re: Want cheap? Want easy? New ultra-budget desktop monitors.

Ugh, sorry to hear that. We had a flood here like that 2 years ago.

This is officially the wettest summer on record for Sioux Falls, SD. Crazy, my lawn looks awesome - but I can't mow it enough