1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

[greywarden]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Looks really great, I need to twist my wires like that, because with 5 drivers in each tower, it gets a little messy haha.

[bkeane1259]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

I'm guessing EMI almost never comes into play with speaker wire, but I suppose it can't hurt especially if you live near a HAM radio operator...LOL. But seriously, I twist them too (not that tight though) and then I twist the tweeter and woofer leads and run them to the crossover. This makes it very easy to zip-tie or otherwise secure the driver leads so that they don't ever make noise in the box. Especially for MLTLs, where your driver-to-crossover distance could be 36"....why fuss with multiple leads when you can have one nice twisted lead that you can secure to window braces on the way to the crossover and/or terminal cup? ….and it looks dead sexy when you take pics.

[Gordy]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Thanks for the kind words. I have about 10 hours on it now and will be doing a follow up impressions and the what's and why's write up in a few days or when time allows.

This is one of those times when I'm reminded that suck at woodworking.


Magnificent job. Great build log, as well. This is a project I've wanted to see someone build for a long, long time.

Thanks Paul! I don’t recall seeing one and thought this would be a good chance to try one out. I have been building things with wood since my younger years and was in the 12v industry for 5 years. Lots of making panels and forming things, but never any box building. That being said, this was my first attempt at building anything like this. A good belt sander and flush cut bit for my router really helped me make the cabinet look good.

I experimented a lot before I made final cuts or routed any edges. Having the right tools really made the job easier. I would not have been able to do any of the build without my drill press that I picked up a few months ago. I also recently was able to turn my 3rd car garage into a shop and that only helped. I have a lot packed in a small space

Great looking build. OK, I have seen this a few times.....twisting of the speaker wire. Is there anything to this or just a builders preference to keep them together?

Thanks! This is a throwback to my 12v years. We would put wires like this in a drill and a vice and twist them up just to keep them together. There is no other reason than that. If it helps with EMI then bonus!


Here are some pics that I took this morning. They show off the box a little better.

[jared]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Looks great! Very clean project.

So the volume control is via bluetooth device only? And what bluetooth module did you use? Most of the ones I've seen are 5v - did you use a small regulator to step it down from 12v?

[Gordy]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Looks great! Very clean project.

So the volume control is via bluetooth device only? And what bluetooth module did you use? Most of the ones I've seen are 5v - did you use a small regulator to step it down from 12v?

Yes the volume is controlled by the bluetooth device (phone, tablet etc). The BT module used was a Millennia MIL-BTREC and it is 12v. There are not that many of these on the market in 12v. I was only able to find 2 are their availability is sketchy at best.

I purposely chose the amp and the BT module because they are 12v. No step-down regulators to deal with and it minimizes parts. There is some feedback at zero volume that sounds like data transfer but once the volume is turned up is go away and is drowned out by the audio.

[Brian Steele]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Gorgeous work!

[Ryan]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Great build thread, lots of pics! Clearly you built the furniture in the background of one of your pictures!

[Melby Audio]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Wow, super nice craftsmanship! You could probably get rid of the noise with a little work, not sure how bad it is. I have had good luck using DC-DC isolated converters to run the BT. It would be a shame for it not to sound as perfect as it looks.

[Gordy]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Wow, super nice craftsmanship! You could probably get rid of the noise with a little work, not sure how bad it is. I have had good luck using DC-DC isolated converters to run the BT. It would be a shame for it not to sound as perfect as it looks.

Tell me more about the DC-DC isolated converters

[bkeane1259]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Tell me more about the DC-DC isolated converters

Yes, please. And Gordy...this is incredible.....I'm sure Paul Carmody is grinning from ear to ear. If you're ever close to a DIY event, this must be seen.

[Gordy]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Wow, super nice craftsmanship! You could probably get rid of the noise with a little work, not sure how bad it is. I have had good luck using DC-DC isolated converters to run the BT. It would be a shame for it not to sound as perfect as it looks.

I was researching isolated DC-DC converters and found this. Is this what you are referring to.

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...kELw%252bCU%3d

[Melby Audio]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Yes, that is actually the exact series that I typically use.

[Melby Audio]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Double Post.

[Gordy]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Yes, that is actually the exact series that I typically use.

My knowledge of how to apply the isolated converter is very limited. I was looking at the 1212SC. Is it as easy as wiring this device inline - in from the power supply and out the BT module using all 4 pins? Any help is greatly appreciated. My Dad has been making it very clear that he wants one of these. So it looks like I will probably be making another.

[greywarden]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Basically there's an input/ground and output/ground...

page 6 of the pdf http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/281/kdc_nke-10123.pdf