Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

[Wolf]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Maybe a dumb question, but on these caps......does it matter which end goes to the amp or which end goes to the speaker? Also....if anyone has used the AURA NS3 on a build, what did you do to seal it to the baffle?

The caps are not directional.

I used some black silicone from Permatex. If you use the 'adhesive' type, just a finger-rub around the perimeter before mounting should make a nice gasket. If you use more than that very thin layer the driver might not ever be removed safely. Just rub off the excess after mounted.

Later,
Wolf

[greywarden]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Awesome! I have some real wood that has been cut for boxes, I'm kind of scared to actually glue it together, though, haha! One day I'll get the gumption to do it

[Derekj]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Looking good Jeff! Keep the updates rolling.

[dustinbagby]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

I purchased a sheet of black craft foam from wally world and cut a 3" hole to accommodate the driver, then after mounting the speaker I codes an x-acto knife to trim it clean. Worked like a charm

[Cajun Jeff]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

I was able to make a little sawdust the last couple afternoons. Ive decided to plane some of my material down to 1/2 inch to use for the backs. They will be countersunk into a rabbeted edge. That will be my goal for tomorrow!!!

Progress to date!......

I cut the pieces I am using for baffles a tad oversize. After glue up I will use a flush trim bit to match them to the cabinets.


Setting up the Jasper Jig for the through hole. Ive used painters tape and a pencil to mark the correct 3-1/8" hole.


The through holes dressed at the spindle sander.....


I used the router table with a chamfer bit to chamfer the inner side of the baffle to allow the NS3 to breathe. I'll be mounting the drivers with wood screws so no worries about the bevel on the backside.


With a straight bit, I notched for the speaker terminals.


Next, I glued up the cabinets. It's a lot of squeeze out, but it will clean up fine!


With the glue dried on the exterior of one of the boxes, I used the belt sander to smooth off the boxjoints.


A closer look.... I sure am pleased with how the box joints turned out!


Maybe a dumb question, but on these caps......does it matter which end goes to the amp or which end goes to the speaker? Also....if anyone has used the AURA NS3 on a build, what did you do to seal it to the baffle?

[Cajun Jeff]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Very interested in how the Lepai will be able to drive all of this and especially the Voxel as that's another side project I want to do! OS TM's + Voxel sub run by the Lepai!

I had another search for 2.1 amps and found this if it is of interest:

http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=64

I have no idea if it's any good but on paper it has a fair bit more poke albeit at nearly $100 more! I'm surprised there isn't more 2.1 amps (DIY or otherwise) springing up to cater for the PC speaker DIYers or the sound bar fans!

Maidisound has the Keiga KG3100. A 2.1 that's rated at 50w plus 2x50w. It looks to be a decent product but at FIVE times the cost of the Lepai. Needing 5 amps myself, THAT price would have made my project impossible.

[Benji]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Very interested in how the Lepai will be able to drive all of this and especially the Voxel as that's another side project I want to do! OS TM's + Voxel sub run by the Lepai!

I had another search for 2.1 amps and found this if it is of interest:

http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=64

I have no idea if it's any good but on paper it has a fair bit more poke albeit at nearly $100 more! I'm surprised there isn't more 2.1 amps (DIY or otherwise) springing up to cater for the PC speaker DIYers or the sound bar fans!

[Wolf]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

You're quite welcome. Was yours shipped with the hole empty? I haven't checked all 5 of mine.

Dunno- got mine at the tent sale, and it came in a Chinese covered box, very unlike those of what you have there.

In any case, I am borrowing the form factor from forum member "andykriech" with the exception of taking into account the 3/4" thick material I am using. Images from "andykriech's" PC build are HERE(link) in his photobucket album.

I thought of Andy's version when I saw your dimensions.

Can you offer guidance on stuffing and foam in the PC? I have mattress topper foam as well as accousta stuff and poly fill here on hand.

Being these are so small, Sonic barrier would likely be best on the inner rear wall, but topper would work. poly-fill or A-stuf would also be fine for the fill, and I always say 1-2oz, and that's a lot to go in that size of a box. That small distance reflection is the main issue these sound hollow, and damping it successfully remedies most of that.

Later,
Wolf

[Derekj]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

To Derekj.....




We feed crushed walnut hulls through the air intake of a 90,000 horsepower gas turbine at work. This is to "dust" the compressor blades. About a gallon ice cream container full once per week. The hulls are incinerated as they pass through the waste heat boiler and out the stack. It creates the most incredible smell.

My shop smells the same right now. The walnut was all rough cut, so I have a dust collector about half full plus a 50 gallon garbage bag nearly full of shavings. In every sense, the walnut has so far been a pleasure to work with. I am concerned with how the router work will go since it is such a hard wood. My intent is to rear mount the driver and round over the front of that cut out. Also, I want to do some rounding over on the cabinet edges. I suppose I will find out soon enough whether my vision has exceeded my tooling/skill level.

Sounds like pretty cool job Jeff!

I can just imagine what the shop must smell like! We have a cedar shingle sawmill not too far from my house and I just love the smell as I drive by.

[Cajun Jeff]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Ah nice, i love your photog- er speaker build threads! ;D

Stay tuned my friend!....
.....and Thank you for your kind remarks.

[Cajun Jeff]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Those box joints are very cool!

I agree! I have always liked the look of them. I have a few non speaker projects that I want to use box joints on as well.

[Cajun Jeff]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

To Derekj.....

Sub'd to see what you are going to do with the baffles. Looks sweet so far - love that wood!

We feed crushed walnut hulls through the air intake of a 90,000 horsepower gas turbine at work. This is to "dust" the compressor blades. About a gallon ice cream container full once per week. The hulls are incinerated as they pass through the waste heat boiler and out the stack. It creates the most incredible smell.

My shop smells the same right now. The walnut was all rough cut, so I have a dust collector about half full plus a 50 gallon garbage bag nearly full of shavings. In every sense, the walnut has so far been a pleasure to work with. I am concerned with how the router work will go since it is such a hard wood. My intent is to rear mount the driver and round over the front of that cut out. Also, I want to do some rounding over on the cabinet edges. I suppose I will find out soon enough whether my vision has exceeded my tooling/skill level.

[Cajun Jeff]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Thank you! Looks like I will mod mine to clamp the chips to the case. I just felt like it was meant to be that way, so I'm glad I asked about it.

You're quite welcome. Was yours shipped with the hole empty? I haven't checked all 5 of mine.

Walnut looks great! I see you changed the dims a smidge, but as long as it's internally a single liter, you'll be okay. Mine were rectangular to have a false bottom for the capacitor. Internally is a 4" cube.

The inner volume will end up at 65 cubic inch verses the 64 cubic inches of the 4" cube. The cap will be inside and possibly some bits of board to act as braces to accept screws from back panel. The dimensions are really skewed on the boxes at this point in my build. I added extra to the depth with the intention of running the jointed panels through the table saw to ensure that the fingers at each end(front and back) are of a matching size. Also, I haven't decided if I will shorten the box to mount the back panel to it or to flush mount (inset) the rear panel. In any case, I am borrowing the form factor from forum member "andykriech" with the exception of taking into account the 3/4" thick material I am using. Images from "andykriech's" PC build are HERE(link) in his photobucket album.

Oh- and I thought the Sprite was based on the ND90. PC is the Aura, and I don't aspire to the thought that these are interchangeable in terms of spec. At least mine aren't, being from the earlier production times.
Later,
Wolf

I certainly won't argue the point, but I based my decision on a couple factors. The Chris Roemer "pico neos" use a .15 cubic foot enclosure and AURA NS3. Paul Carmody calls for "around 4 liters" The posted drawings on his "Sprite" write up show internal dimensions to be a breath away from .15 cubic feet. The only real difference between the two designs other than drivers are port size and the filter on the "Sprite". This, plus the fact that others have been satisfied when interchanging thug two drivers has shaped my decision.

Not to mention I was able to buy 10 AURAs for $125 verses $185 for the same number of Daytons.


Can you offer guidance on stuffing and foam in the PC? I have mattress topper foam as well as accousta stuff and poly fill here on hand.

[Wolf]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

****Note to Wolf ****
On the left hand side of the amp. The side that runs between the power switch(front) and the power cable connection(rear) there is a phillips head screw in the hole that I believe you had asked about. I can get a photo the next time I have a camera in the shop if need be.

Thank you! Looks like I will mod mine to clamp the chips to the case. I just felt like it was meant to be that way, so I'm glad I asked about it.

Walnut looks great! I see you changed the dims a smidge, but as long as it's internally a single liter, you'll be okay. Mine were rectangular to have a false bottom for the capacitor. Internally is a 4" cube.

Oh- and I thought the Sprite was based on the ND90. PC is the Aura, and I don't aspire to the thought that these are interchangeable in terms of spec. At least mine aren't, being from the earlier production times.
Later,
Wolf

[Derekj]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Sub'd to see what you are going to do with the baffles. Looks sweet so far - love that wood!