3.1 - Overnight Sensations + Cerberus sub

[beemain]

Well, all the parts are in. Now I just need 5 minutes to myself and some mild weather and I can pound these out.

I'm making a 3.1 for my living room. Criteria: small sub that can be tucked behind entertainment armoire and L&R + center speakers that will fit on bottom shelf under the TV (about 24” off floor)of our entertainment armoire. The idea is the L&R speaker can be removed and set on stands for when we entertain, thus allowing the doors on the armoire to be closed.

After over a year of creeping sites I have come up with this combination. L&R will be the regular Overnight Sensations and the center will be the MTM on its side. The published dimensions will only be modified +/- ½” to make for a nice fit. Everything I read is that these speakers perform well and materials seem to be priced well too.

The MTM will be front ported and I’m still not certain if the L&R will be front or back, probably back. When in the Armoire the L&R will sit on their sides so all 3 speakers will be the same height. I’ll fabricate a one-piece speaker grill that covers all three to give the appearance of one speaker or really nothing at all as the shelf is relatively low and the wood is dark (stealth! To please the other half).

The sub of choice is the Cerberus design as it’s a nice compact size. I’m modifying it to down firing and I’m using the Dayton 100W amp vs the 70W as I feel it’s better featured and obviously has more power. The idea being the bass will travel along the floor under the armoire better than if it’s firing into the back of the cabinet. The armoire is set across a corner at about 30 degrees.

This will be my first home audio build. I have a pretty stacked woodworking shop and experience in car audio so I’m pretty sure it should go together pretty well. I’d like to get it built in the next couple weeks as it’s supposed to be my wife’s birthday present.

Should have some picture updates.

cheers

[djg]

Re: 3.1 - Overnight Sensations + Cerberus sub

I did a 5.1 with that sub and three OS, later updated with an MTM for the center. Recipient was very happy, now wants more bass, he's a kid. Paul put a pic of the original system on his site.

[beemain]

Re: 3.1 - Overnight Sensations + Cerberus sub

I did a 5.1 with that sub and three OS, later updated with an MTM for the center. Recipient was very happy, now wants more bass, he's a kid. Paul put a pic of the original system on his site.

haha, that's what lead me to the sub

[tomzarbo]

Re: 3.1 - Overnight Sensations + Cerberus sub

I've used the Tang 6.5" sub for 3 different sub designs so far, and it is a good performer.
Your project sounds solid. Please post up some pics as you go, we'd love to see them!

TomZ

[beemain]

Re: 3.1 - Overnight Sensations + Cerberus sub

Finalized the dimensions:

single ONS (x2) = 6-3/4" x 8-5/8" x 8-3/16" Deep using 5/8" MDF

MTM ONS (x1) = 6-3/4" x 16-1/8" x 8-3/16" Deep using 5/8" MDF

this should minimize table saw set-ups as I only need to rip 6-3/4" and 8-3/16" strips.

I laid them out with the speakers on cardboard, the dimensions are good and within appealing proportions.

good news, looks like it should be warm enough to possibly do my big board cutting Friday night. I dream of cutting circles but reality is that's probably a dream

[beemain]

Re: 3.1 - Overnight Sensations + Cerberus sub

Here is my mock cross overs. MTM on the left and the single on the right. I made them narrow enough to fit through the B4N speaker hole. What are some tips for soldering cap-to-cap, cap-to-inductor ... etc? I'm assuming you need to scuff off the varnish then just go for it? I'm not a noobe at soldering, just haven't done a cross over. Thanks


[IMG][/IMG]

[Paul Carmody]

Re: 3.1 - Overnight Sensations + Cerberus sub

What are some tips for soldering cap-to-cap, cap-to-inductor ... etc? I'm assuming you need to scuff off the varnish then just go for it? I'm not a noobe at soldering, just haven't done a cross over. Thanks

The leads on the caps, resistors and coils are almost always tinned at the factory. All you need to do is twist them together, and flow the solder into the twisted bunches.

[beemain]

Re: 3.1 - Overnight Sensations + Cerberus sub

Thanks

I have most of the wood cut too. Just need to add dado's (yes, I like the hard way) to the edges and of course router the holes. I'll be flush mounting everything. Of course with a 2 and 3 yo there isn't much time for me, haha. Hope to have the wood work at least dado'ed (is that a word) so I can start making router dust over the week.

Right now my thoughts on finishing are to skim coat with a light weight body filler, block, prime, prime, prime, light coat of "hammered steel paint" for a bit of texture and finish with satin black or black/brown. No texture on the front face. Time's a ticking and I need these done.

[beemain]

Re: 3.1 - Overnight Sensations + Cerberus sub

Phew, got the dado's all cut and ... everything fits! Nice to see some dry fit boxes on the saw. Get out the Jasper jig, time to cut some holes. I'll post my cut sheets tomorrow for anyone that's interested (I used 5/8")

[beemain]

Re: 3.1 - Overnight Sensations + Cerberus sub

Here are the cut sheets for my version of the ONS. This gives you a left and right and an MTM center.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

I like to add an 1/8" all around on the pieces that have outside edges, such as all the front, and the tops and bottoms of the side pieces. This way, once assembled you run it through the router table with a trim bit and all the corners (edges) are perfectly tight and matching. The dimensions above do not allow for this. If desired add 1/4 when cutting and make your dado's 1/8" deeper, only on the dimensions that have dado's, none dado'ed edges are cut exact fit.

[beemain]

Re: 3.1 - Overnight Sensations + Cerberus sub

Well, got the 4" speaker holes cut and practiced the tweeter holes. They won't take long at all using the drill press. Here are some pictures:

I used a Jasper jig. To make it safe and avoid loosing the center pin when I get to the bottom of the hole I like to screw from the back side the piece getting the hole to another piece of scrap. In this case plywood. The plywood is nice an long so I can clamp it to the work bench and not hit the clamps with the Jasper jig. When you get through your good piece the center pin remains intact and no danger of is skating and ruining your work.

Here I have the flush hole done, ready to cut the speaker hole
[IMG][/IMG]

Hole cut, center pin still intact
[IMG][/IMG]

core removed (note, I have the Left and Right screwed to the same piece of scrap wood)
[IMG][/IMG]

And the result, a nice flush mounted speaker (this one is inserted into the MTM face plate)
[IMG][/IMG]

Note: no front port on the MTM, it just wouldn't fit. If I had the space I'd make it 2" wider and front ports would fit. I could had front ported the L&R but I thought it looked silly with the port right beside the tweeter.

[Paul Carmody]

Re: 3.1 - Overnight Sensations + Cerberus sub

I see that picture, and all I can think about is "Day of the Tentacle"

[beemain]

Re: 3.1 - Overnight Sensations + Cerberus sub

Got a little more done

[IMG][/IMG]

you know these look so nice that I'd consider a plexi glass bottom on my speakers to show them off. anyone do this? have pictures?

[NyxOne]

Re: 3.1 - Overnight Sensations + Cerberus sub

I see that picture, and all I can think about is "Day of the Tentacle"

Hummm! Unauthorized usage of my avatar!!! ;)

Chuck

[Soundslike]

Re: 3.1 - Overnight Sensations + Cerberus sub

You do nice work. I like the tip about anchoring the center pin location from behind. Is that whiteboard you're using for your crossover networks?

All that talk about "Day of the Tentacle" sent me scurrying to Wikipedia. Us, uh, more mature types, have to do a little research now and then. So it's a video game...

I'll be watching your build with interest. I have the components for two (sets) of Paul's Overnight Sensations.