SB Acoustics monitors build

[randyohoh]

I watched a recent video on youtube by GR-Research https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YckmpzQX37U and the op was asked what pair of speakers could be purchased that wouldn't need immediate upgrades to be acceptable to him. He noted a new design from Tyler Acoustics which used SB Acoustics drivers which appear to be the same as used in this project. Tyler did tune the cabinet with a SB passive radiator and the op spoke about the woofer only requiring one cap and one inductor and a 3rd order on the tweeter along with a slight addition to modify the phase and shape the response. The drivers appear to be SB17NRX2C35-5, SB29SCAC-C000-4, & SB16PFCR-00. The op seems to have contributed to the design and to have a relationship with Tyler Acoustics but if he is honest in his review you seem to have selected a great set of drivers for this project. The op shows measurements which are great and the pair sells for $2400.

[DeZZar]

I watched a recent video on youtube by GR-Research...

I saw that one too and thought it was kind of funny that it showed up just as I'm wrapping up this design.

I doubt I'll ever have the opportunity to hear those but I would be very curious to compare.

I did notice in the off-axis response the same 2-3khz flare appears to have gone unaddressed in the design so I wonder if they will sound bright. The woofers I measured had pretty strong breakup which was hard to satisfactorily suppress with just a second order filter. Maybe they found a way.

I just wish that at the same time as he quotes "some of the best cabinets in the industry" and turns the box to the side, you didn't see the seams of the box construction through the veneer!!!

Otherwise neat looking speaker. If anyone has the opportunity to listen to these I'd love to know what you think of them!

[randyohoh]

If I remember correctly the op stated that the xover was at 1800 or 1850 hz and the woofer cone breakup occurs at 4500 hz according to the published specs. The op could easily be prejudiced as it appears to be his design.

[a4eaudio]

Crossover parts arrived today!Laying them out on some blank PCB perf boards. Smallish boards - large crossover - so I'll use a few of these

I know you make good use of the 3D printer. If I had one, I'd make crossover boards like these...https://www.css-audio.com/crossover-boards

[DeZZar]

I know you make good use of the 3D printer. If I had one, I'd make crossover boards like these...https://www.css-audio.com/crossover-boards

Oh absolutely. Those are awesome. They look even better assembled with nice parts. I might try that eventually - I just want to get these ones out of the workshop now as they were an unplanned project!

However, can't make the thought of building another set of these taken to the next level with better drivers out of my head......no..no no...must finish other speakers first!!

[DeZZar]

A quick final update on these. (Was in the US for the last month hence lack of progress!)

They have now been delivered to their deliriously happy new owner and I am kind of sad to see them go. I was really enjoying listening to them. They have such a smooth rich tone with bags of detail underpinned by a bass performance that consistently sends eyebrows flying upwards beyond the limits you would have considered possible for eyebrows to go!

Here's a few final photos.

I added a small recessed base to them which gives them sort of a floating look when sitting on a desk/shelf


And now in final form...

[djg]

Much nicer without the blue tape. Very good job.

[Unbiasedsound]

Professionally built. You are just missing the grill covers. lol

[DeZZar]

and yes I know it's completely pointless and a cliché piece of music to boot but here's a little sample I recorded on my phone. It does illustrate the sort of tonal balance these have anyway...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DaRjW86Lyu6jw8HM8

[uncola]

hehe I've heard that song so many times. I hope Keith didn't go ;) Sounds great, looks super nice

[Geoff Millar]

I've been looking at another DIY audio site where some people have said that DIY speakers can never sound or look as good as commercial: looking at these, plus the two ways you did with the RS180s, I have to say 'what a load of b - - cks'!

Well done

Geoff

[DeZZar]

...looking at these, plus the two ways you did with the RS180s, I have to say 'what a load of b - - cks'!

Thanks Geoff, that's very kind feedback!

...some people have said that DIY speakers can never sound or look as good as commercial

Yeah that's very very broad, mostly ignorant statement that quickly gets me upset hahahah. I can sort of sympathise with where it might come from as there is a plethora of sub-par DIY examples even on youtube that make me shudder. But the people making that statement have clearly never looked beneath the plastic coated chipboard of a commercial offering to truly understand what they are buying. I would go so far as to say that in terms of a well designed "DIY" by someone that knows what they are doing you will always get a better result dollar for dollar against commercial. I would honestly put the above bookshelves up against any other two-way bookshelf I've ever heard regardless of price.

Where does DIY start and end? If I registered a company and put a logo on the front of this box - is it still DIY?

Fit and finish just comes down to the skills and resources of the individual. Lets not forget that in a large majority of cases we are looking at someone's first and only attempt. If I was to put the above into "production" even in small quantities there are A LOT of things that would be improved and ironed out. Everything would come off a CNC, fitment would be perfected, crossover assembly would on a custom printed board, finish would be sprayed on professionally etc etc.

[JonathanPenner]

Excellent work! It’s a lot of fun following your build threads.

Where does DIY start and end? If I registered a company and put a logo on the front of this box - is it still DIY?

That reminds me of a thread on diyaudio where Martijn Mensink shared his explorations with cardioid and constant directivity designs. About about six years after the start of that thread he formed Dutch & Dutch and released the 8C.

[DeZZar]

Wow those 8C's are expensive!! They look pretty awesome though and the stated performance is incredible!

[tktran]

Lets not forget that in a large majority of cases we are looking at someone's first and only attempt. If I was to put the above into "production" even in small quantities there are A LOT of things that would be improved and ironed out. Everything would come off a CNC, fitment would be perfected, crossover assembly would on a custom printed board, finish would be sprayed on professionally etc etc.

Spot on. Most of our builds are “prototypes”.

Build once and move onto the next project. Here’s my last project from a decade ago.

[DeZZar]

Wow! Looks fantastic! I bet people don't think these are DIY.

[Kevin K.]

Just finished reading the thread from start to finish, great documentation and super nice build! Not sure how old you are but there's a good chance you will have lost all of your hair before your barber can fully repay this.

Have been away for a while, needed a break to recharge. Picked back up on a project started over a year ago and hoping to add some details about the build to the forum soon. Looking forward to more of your stuff, keep it coming.

[DeZZar]

hahaha.....well lets just say old enough that loosing my hair is a distinct possibility :P

Looking forward to seeing some more of your awesome builds as well!

[tktran]

Welcome back Kevin.

I hope that you have been travelling ok and in reasonable health; physically and mentally.

best wishes.
Thanh