DIY Flat Panel Speaker Love

[captainjack115]

Hey guys,
I was looking through Youtube and found a company called AER. They have a very unique looking exciter they call BBX, it has a small tweeter integrated with it.
Here's the url: http://aer-loudspeakers.com/aer-bbx/?lang=en

[WernerM]

Hey guys,
I was looking through Youtube and found a company called AER. They have a very unique looking exciter they call BBX, it has a small tweeter integrated with it.
Here's the url: http://aer-loudspeakers.com/aer-bbx/?lang=en

i question wether or not you need to cut a hole for the tweeter to radiate through...

[WernerM]

I confess that I haven't fully read through this thread or the NXT thread, so I apologize if it has already been stated, but I was experimenting yesterday with thick card stock, aluminum foil, a picture frame and some heat shrink window insulation film. I haven't purchased the rigid foam yet, I am still in the " having fun" mode. The card stock sounds more natural than the styrofoam I was playing with, but it lacks highs as well. Then I decided to use spray adhesive and cover the exciter side with aluminum foil. I used an ID card to smooth it out on the card stock. It definitely increased the upper octaves. Then I took an old picture frame and removed the glass. On the backside I used two sided tape around the edges and covered it with window insulation film that can be found at home depot for about $5. I carefully used a heat gun to shrink it and get rid of the wrinkles. Once I was satisfied with the tension I glued one of of pieces of card stock to it. It is amazing at how much more pronounced it became. It definitely helped the low end, and didn't interfere with the upper octaves. Still isn't perfect, and I may never be able to get a fully flat fr from one exciter without eq, but if nothing else the window film trick makes a great suspension. Btw I made up several identical pieces of the card stock so the I could compare as I made changes. Sorry no measurement's at this time.

[WernerM]

This is the window insulation film I have been toying with...

You can use a hair dryer to shrink it if you don't have a heat gun...

[Kornbread]

thick card stock, aluminum foil, a picture frame and some heat shrink window insulation film. Then I decided to use spray adhesive and cover the exciter side with aluminum foil. I used an ID card to smooth it out on the card stock. It definitely increased the upper octaves. On the backside I used two sided tape ... glued one of of pieces of card stock to it.

That sounds like a good idea. What kind of glue? I have some full size frames that might work on.

Get some pics up. And of course some measurements wouldn't hurt.

[Unbiasedsound]

I confess that I haven't fully read through this thread or the NXT thread, so I apologize if it has already been stated, but I was experimenting yesterday with thick card stock, aluminum foil, a picture frame and some heat shrink window insulation film. I haven't purchased the rigid foam yet, I am still in the " having fun" mode. The card stock sounds more natural than the styrofoam I was playing with, but it lacks highs as well. Then I decided to use spray adhesive and cover the exciter side with aluminum foil. I used an ID card to smooth it out on the card stock. It definitely increased the upper octaves. Then I took an old picture frame and removed the glass. On the backside I used two sided tape around the edges and covered it with window insulation film that can be found at home depot for about $5. I carefully used a heat gun to shrink it and get rid of the wrinkles. Once I was satisfied with the tension I glued one of of pieces of card stock to it. It is amazing at how much more pronounced it became. It definitely helped the low end, and didn't interfere with the upper octaves. Still isn't perfect, and I may never be able to get a fully flat fr from one exciter without eq, but if nothing else the window film trick makes a great suspension. Btw I made up several identical pieces of the card stock so the I could compare as I made changes. Sorry no measurement's at this time.

When using a frame to hold/secure the surrounding edges of the chosen material, it will automatically make it sound more pronounced and increase (TIGHTEN UP) the bass response....I am glad you discovered this on your own.

[Gary.M]

I confess that I haven't fully read through this thread or the NXT thread, so I apologize if it has already been stated, but I was experimenting yesterday with thick card stock, aluminum foil, a picture frame and some heat shrink window insulation film. I haven't purchased the rigid foam yet, I am still in the " having fun" mode. The card stock sounds more natural than the styrofoam I was playing with, but it lacks highs as well. Then I decided to use spray adhesive and cover the exciter side with aluminum foil. I used an ID card to smooth it out on the card stock. It definitely increased the upper octaves. Then I took an old picture frame and removed the glass. On the backside I used two sided tape around the edges and covered it with window insulation film that can be found at home depot for about $5. I carefully used a heat gun to shrink it and get rid of the wrinkles. Once I was satisfied with the tension I glued one of of pieces of card stock to it. It is amazing at how much more pronounced it became. It definitely helped the low end, and didn't interfere with the upper octaves. Still isn't perfect, and I may never be able to get a fully flat fr from one exciter without eq, but if nothing else the window film trick makes a great suspension. Btw I made up several identical pieces of the card stock so the I could compare as I made changes. Sorry no measurement's at this time.

Interesting experiment. Can you share photos of the construction?

[WernerM]

I will try to get measurements and pics up as time permits... Being on 3rd shift and working most weekends makes it difficult. I am currently working on a better solution for taking measurements, or rather my area for taking them, so that I don't have too many reflections interfering.

[captainjack115]

i question wether or not you need to cut a hole for the tweeter to radiate through...

As I understand it, the back side of the exciter mounts directly to the radiating panel, the front side has the small tweeter radiating into free space.
Referring to Post #918.

Jack

[rmeinke]

As I understand it, the back side of the exciter mounts directly to the radiating panel, the front side has the small tweeter radiating into free space.
Referring to Post #918.

Jack

Hey interesting find Jack!!!! I didn't read anything about it (yet), but to me it appears that you have to mount the panel to the front to the "exciter" where as the back of is held in place by a spline or frame. Then a cutout in the panel for the tweeter. I only say this because the speaker inputs are VERY close to the back surface of the exciter. If it was that close to the panel it would surely make contact with the panel it seems?!? Just a hunch.

Sure looks beastly and of top quality. Solid engineering!!!

[Unbiasedsound]

Hey interesting find Jack!!!! I didn't read anything about it (yet), but to me it appears that you have to mount the panel to the front to the "exciter" where as the back of is held in place by a spline or frame. Then a cutout in the panel for the tweeter. I only say this because the speaker inputs are VERY close to the back surface of the exciter. If it was that close to the panel it would surely make contact with the panel it seems?!? Just a hunch.

Sure looks beastly and of top quality. Solid engineering!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04CT-NwiTow

This is the only vid I could find on those AER BBX Exciters

[oTRONo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04CT-NwiTow

This is the only vid I could find on those AER BBX Exciters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfV85--I7HQ

They have the exciters displayed in this video from AER. Looks like they are mounted on the front. I don't know which speakers are playing in the video though. Maybe all of them?

[Unbiasedsound]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfV85--I7HQ

They have the exciters displayed in this video from AER. Looks like they are mounted on the front. I don't know which speakers are playing in the video though. Maybe all of them?

I missed that one , thanks oTRONo...now we can clearly see and hear how those exciters work.

[WernerM]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfV85--I7HQ

They have the exciters displayed in this video from AER. Looks like they are mounted on the front. I don't know which speakers are playing in the video though. Maybe all of them?

It appears that the large full range horns are what is playing. He also seems to suggest this with his hand gesture...

[Unbiasedsound]

I just finished my last dml flat panel today which was the sub panel......Not sure if I am the first to do it but I am using ALL DML flat panels for my surround sound home theater and music.....My Bertagnis are the main L/R speakers while the center and L/R surround rears as well as the sub is from my own custom designs. After a little experimenting and dialing all the speakers in to my desire preference they just sound awesome....all of them utilize a wooden frame with built in stands.....the surrounds are the smallest panels at 10inchX16inch....center 24inchX16inch.....Sub is 21inchX16inch.....surrounds use the cheap panasonic XO at 200Hz and up....while the center uses a 2 way 4.5 dayton crossover.....sub is running on a older polk audio amp at 50watts....this is still just my prototype as I feel and know how to make them sound even better but right now my funds are limited so this will do for now. lol