Pico Neo build

[gleite311]

I was ordering tweeters for another, more ambitious project (the Ansonica) and saw that the Aurasound NS3 was on sale for $12.50 from Madisound. I decided to purchase a few and try a more simple build while I wait for the Exodus Anarchy woofers to become available again. Amazingly, I had some solid Purpleheart left over from another project several years ago and it was enough to use as the front baffles for each speaker. The rest of the cabinet is leftover 3/4" plywood from a doghouse I built. They will live in the bedroom and are powered by a Dayton DTA-100a amplifier.

Here are some photos:

[gleite311]

Re: Pico Neo build

Here are a few more photos

[feltrider99]

Re: Pico Neo build

They look great! How do they sound? I've wanted to do a pair of these for a while.

[dustinbagby]

Re: Pico Neo build

They look great! How do they sound? I've wanted to do a pair of these for a while.

Not my thread, but for the money you cant beat them. No crossover, just some 1/2 to 3/4 mdf, and a fot or so of 1.25" pvc and voila, a very impressive sounding pair of speakers. For what they are, you arent going to get better in this price range.

The highs are more than acceptable, the mids arent stuffy at all, and the bass still impresses me. Every once and a while they will dip pretty low and you wouldnt guess its a 3" speaker.

[gleite311]

Re: Pico Neo build

They look great! How do they sound? I've wanted to do a pair of these for a while.

I'm really impressed with how 'big' they sound. Considering that the drivers only set me back $25 for the pair and all of the materials were leftovers from other projects they're a steal. I would definitely recommend building a set, you won't be disappointed.

[fastbike1]

Re: Pico Neo build

Nice job with the cabinets. I love the look of Purpleheart, but hate working it.

[kanemack]

Re: Pico Neo build

just a question, why do you hate working with purple heart? i haven't made any audio stuff with it, but i've turned pens with it and made jewelry boxes. never a problem. just asking.

[gleite311]

Re: Pico Neo build

just a question, why do you hate working with purple heart? i haven't made any audio stuff with it, but i've turned pens with it and made jewelry boxes. never a problem. just asking.

Well, I can't speak for fastbike1, but that stuff is really hard. It took quite a while to sand off the burn marks from the router and to carve out the notch to clear the driver terminals.

[kanemack]

Re: Pico Neo build

Well, I can't speak for fastbike1, but that stuff is really hard. It took quite a while to sand off the burn marks from the router and to carve out the notch to clear the driver terminals.

i guess i never really thought about the hardness for this application. good point. i have mostly used it for decorative pieces. i wish i could do a baffle made of bahama cherry, but so far i have only seen one piece. it's similar to purple heart, but it's bright red.

[fastbike1]

Re: Pico Neo build

In addition to gleite's comments, it's really hard on your tool edges and I get a skin reaction from the dust/chips. That's not uncommon w/ some of the exotic woods, but none of the others (so far) affect me. Like a mild poison ivy.

Well, I can't speak for fastbike1, but that stuff is really hard. It took quite a while to sand off the burn marks from the router and to carve out the notch to clear the driver terminals.

[fastbike1]

Re: Pico Neo build

Redheart and Padauk are also bright red if you can get finish on them before they age.

i guess i never really thought about the hardness for this application. good point. i have mostly used it for decorative pieces. i wish i could do a baffle made of bahama cherry, but so far i have only seen one piece. it's similar to purple heart, but it's bright red.

[gleite311]

Re: Pico Neo build

Yeah, I have used padauk before as trim on my Shiva subwoofer that I built about 13 years ago. Nice looking stuff