Feel free to ask questions here, I do stop in frequently. But, you're likely to get quicker responses from CJD and I at HTguide. I also have a little more info in the HTguide post that isn't repeated here for brevity.
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This project is designed for my younger brother. My brother is big into music and movies with a collection of well over 2000 CDs. He loves all types of music from, first and foremost, classic rock to single female vocalists to world music. But unfortunately with having his first child arrived in November, he is low on budget. Up to now, he has used a HTIB. But, January brought him a lot of overtime hours, so he has challenged me to build him a complete 5.1 system for $700. Here we go...:
The project will be using the Dayton ND140 and Vifa BC25SC06. My intent is that there will be 'The Ochocinco MTM' and 'The Seiscero TM'. With both a 8 ohm and 4 ohm version of the ND140 available, we intend to make these solid 8 ohm speakers so they work with low end receivers. My brother intends to power them with an Onkyo SR607.
ND140-4 http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=290-216
ND140-8 http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=290-218
BC25SC06 http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...umber=264-1028
We're looking to build a value leader that will be able to rock out but also sound great with whatever music is thrown at it. They will be placed in a larger basement family room. The center channel will go over/under a 46" DLP.
If you haven't picked up on the joke yet, the goal is to have each MTM cost $85 and the TM to cost $60 or $375 for the 5 speakers. I am also figuring on another $250 for a Dayton 15" DVC and 240SA plate amp (TubaHT?). Then add in wood, terminal cups, poly fill, blah blah blah, and I'm slightly over the $700 limit - and I haven't paid CJD yet! :eek:
(PS, I'm not a Cincinati Bengals or Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson fan at all, but I do enjoy his sense of humor. And, when I saw in my budget estimate that the MTM was $85/ea, it just made me chuckle and continue to chuckle for a couple of weeks)
EDIT: 06/06/2010 - PROJECT DONE!!!
The project is done and delivered to my brother. I think they turned out fantastic, and when considering the price they are excellent. I found 3 MTM's up front delivered plenty of dynamics for HT use. They sound plenty detailed and articulate for music. The sound is clean, crisp and clear with a big room filling soundstage. The speakers look good upfront too: Not too big, not to small, and are designed to be close to the back wall so they'll fit in with most decors.
Please note that my boxes and crossovers are constructed to hit specific price points and level of effort. I've tried to note areas where I recommend upgrades / optimizations to increase performance.
PE 0.75cuft box: 20"h x 8"w x 13"d, 3/4" roundover along the vertical edges.
Cut sheet for the front 3 - 0.75cuft MTM from a 48"x96" sheet (Save the big scrap, we'll use that later for the rear TMs):
Crossover:
(Speaker wire is the input. The white disconnects along the bottom are the driver negative terminals, top-left disconnect is the tweeter positive terminal, top-right disconnect is the midwoofer positive terminal)
Light fiberglass stuffing inside - about 1.5" to 2" thick. I also put a fistfull behind each driver.
BOM for As-Built
An all PE BOM. With free shipping, the cost difference is minor. This has the upgraded poly cap on the tweeter. You'll also need to parallel two - 8uf caps to make the 16uf cap. Remember, PE is a forum sponsor: