[dayneger]

I'm finally getting around to making the Studio speaker kit I purchased from the now (in)famous Peter Thomsen at Acoustic Reality.  The parts kit had basically no directions, and Peter hasn't bothered to answer my emails , so maybe someone here can help me out!

The Studio is a 2-way rear-ported stand speaker with a cabinet measuring 8" wide, 15" high and 13" deep (200 x 380 x 330), 3/4"=19mm MDF cabinet with a Vifa ring radiator and a 6.5" Scan Speak Super Revelator mid-bass.  Here's what it looks like: http://www.acoustic-reality.com/us_diystudio.htm

The kit included some 1.75"=40mm thick eggshell acoustic foam.  I'm assuming I'm supposed to put it on the inside top, sides, bottom and back.  Should the foam cover the XO (I'm mounting it on the bottom at the back) as well as the connector plate?  There isn't enough in the kit to cover all surfaces to 100%, so where can I leave it open?  The connector plate is more or less behind the woofer and the port is lined up with the tweeter.

My biggest question is what to do around the woofer area, since the woofer opening is almost the full internal width.  Putting foam on the sides there would likely inhibit the correct functioning of the woofer, right?  So what do I do, scallop out the foam in that vicinity?

If anyone cared to enlighten me about what filling up most of the interior volume with foam has for an effect (other than reducing internal reflections and standing waves), that would be great, too!

Thanks, Dayne

[JohnR]

You'll want to cut away the foam so that it's clear of the back of the woofer. I don't think there's any need to cover the crossover and the back plate.

There are more sophisticated linings that also damp vibration from the cabinet walls, like Black Hole 5, but they're expensive. At any rate you might like to consider adding extra bracing inside the cabinet.

HTH

[dayneger]

Thanks, that does help.  I'll set the foam in and then carve it out until it looks like the woofer can breathe ok.  Black Hole would be sweet, maybe a future upgrade?  For now I'm planning on putting 2-3 dowels across the middle to stiffen the side panels.

BTW, does one just let the driver wires dangle in the air, or should you try to strap them down somehow?

Dayne

[markC]

As long as the wires do not interfere with any driver movement, etc., or cause any mechanical strain..let 'em dangle. I have not had any problems with the 2 pair that I have built.

[dayneger]

Thanks Mark.  I was concerned that the cables might vibrate when the bass notes kick in, but if that's no problem, then I'll just let them hang loose. . .