[neekomax]

Hi friends,

I'm wondering what you think would be a good project for a new-to-DIY speaker builder who really loves speakers. Budget flexible.

I'm interested in:

Open baffle designs
Controlled directivity
Maybe high sensitivity for trying tube amps
Has to LOOK kinda awesome - I want to get my gf in on the build (we built my audio racking together out of pine), and she'll be more psyched to help if they look cool.

Please note: My skills are limited, but I take good care when I do stuff. An EE I am not.

TIA, audiobros (and -sisses)!

[jparkhur]

Easy baffle, multiple driver choices, can add subs later.   

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=111297.0

Or anything in this grouping, not necessarily this one..  JP

[neekomax]

Easy baffle, multiple driver choices, can add subs later.   

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=111297.0

Or anything in this grouping, not necessarily this one..  JP

Thanks, j. What is the configuration and specs of your build? How much did it cost you?

[jparkhur]

Pick your driver 8 inch.  100 dollars per or more or less.  The 8 inch subs are your call.  You can go all the way from servos from GR Research to off the shelf stuff.  In that model there is 1600 dollars in just parts, not including wood, stain and time.  But, you could do the top portion for 200 dollars and add as you go?  Options are limitless depending on time and end result.  JP

Look at my posts for other options... 

[neekomax]

What about this 8" Eminence coax?, any good for this?

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=290-500

If I did 3x GR servos under, they can all be driven by one Rhythmic amp per side?

Can the shape of the baffle modified to look a bit different without negatively affecting the quality of the speaker?

[jparkhur]

You can use what ever driver you want, but the baffle you dont want to change too much.  Too large will make a big bsc issue and may bring the overall freq. down, but the 8 inch servos, one amp per side, will go all the way to 300 without issue.  If you could get them to 200 that would be great.  You will just need to find an OB driver.  Some of the Paudio drivers work, not sure about all of them.  ???

Jon

Going to have to do some more digging , but this may be a good start.

[WC]

If you want a larger OB type project you could do Hawthorne Audio which has 10" and 15" drivers. They are highly efficient.

You could do what Jon is talking about with a bunch of different drivers either full range or coaxial. The coaxial will have a crossover in it. I am kind of intrigued using an Omega 8" driver when Louis starts selling his DIY drivers with 8" servo drivers underneath. You could always use a smaller diameter driver over an 8" driver. For a full range driver the smaller they get the better they are a producing high frequencies, but at the expense of low frequencies. A larger full range driver will be better on the low end, but at the expense of the high end frequencies. Larger diameter full range drivers tend to be more efficient also.

[WireNut]

You might find something you like over at Troels Gravesen’s site, or, Tony Gee’s site under downloads.

http://troelsgravesen.dk/Diy_Loudspeaker_Projects.htm

http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/

[neekomax]

If you want a larger OB type project you could do Hawthorne Audio which has 10" and 15" drivers. They are highly efficient.

You could do what Jon is talking about with a bunch of different drivers either full range or coaxial. The coaxial will have a crossover in it. I am kind of intrigued using an Omega 8" driver when Louis starts selling his DIY drivers with 8" servo drivers underneath. You could always use a smaller diameter driver over an 8" driver. For a full range driver the smaller they get the better they are a producing high frequencies, but at the expense of low frequencies. A larger full range driver will be better on the low end, but at the expense of the high end frequencies. Larger diameter full range drivers tend to be more efficient also.

Good thoughts, thanks. I guess it's all about trade-offs. My current speakers use coax drivers, and I like the concept better than full range drivers, which seem to have more limitations. Am I correct in the assumption that the xover in a coax is already integrated into the driver, and thus one less thing to deal with?

[WC]

Good thoughts, thanks. I guess it's all about trade-offs. My current speakers use coax drivers, and I like the concept better than full range drivers, which seem to have more limitations. Am I correct in the assumption that the xover in a coax is already integrated into the driver, and thus one less thing to deal with?

I would guess in most cases, no. There isn't physical space on the driver for the crossover, so the crossover is on an external board. The reason many people like full range drivers is the lack of a crossover or at least not a crossover in the midrange. On a coax or other two way speaker the crossover point is very dependent on the drivers used and how noticeable the switchover is depends on the crossover materials used and the expertise of the crossover designer. There is no perfect driver or speaker arrangement. They are all a little different and our perception of the same drivers also varies.

[Rclark]

DIY speakers? I'd probably build Gedlee Abbeys, knowing me.

[neekomax]

So, hmmmm...

Checked out the Gedees site... anyone know anything about the sub builds? Apparently you get them assembled, unfinished, and the crossover and eq is customized to your room per Dr. Geddes' calculations, for smoothing room modes, etc. So, basically, an acoustic consultation with the good doctor, with gear tweaked accordingly.

http://www.gedlee.com/Subs.htm

Says $300 a pop, as of March '13. Might be fun just to put everything into finishing them really nicely. Looks like I'll need sub amplification, but maybe AJ could help me configure the 300w BASH amps in my SAM1s

Anyone know these subs?

[wagnju]

also nice speaker designs can be found here
http://www.speakerdesignworks.com/index_page_2.html

[rajacat]

I'd suggest checking out the SEOS waveguide kits. There are a number of threads dealing with these designs and group buys for the parts. There are complete kits, for a VERY reasonable price.http://www.diysoundgroup.com/waveguide-speaker-kits/fusion15-kit.html
Here's the main monster thread. http://www.avsforum.com/t/1291022/hey-guys-we-need-a-little-rallying-here
From all reports, these waveguide speakers have maximum sound quality for the money. I suspect that the more tweaked out units would easily match or better the Geddes speakers.
 I've gathered all the parts, except for the active crossover stuff, to build a pair of 18" SEOS/ BA750/ AE TD15M waveguide speakers.
A recent addition to the line is a @24" SEOS waveguide


Most of the kits include passive crossover design and parts so no need for an active crossover.
If you opted for the absolute best parts, you could assemble a very high end speaker for a very reasonable cost.

[neekomax]

Wow, cool, horns!

I like how you can customize them aesthetically. The whole kit is $400??!!

[rajacat]

There are a bunch of options. You can just get the waveguide and the drivers and build your own box. If you buy the fiberglass WG, you can get it in any color. Maybe use an active crossover,there many combinations. Depends how ambitious you are. There are designs where all you have to do is assemble the kit and you're good to go. Read through the monster thread if you're really interested.

[neekomax]

There are a bunch of options. You can just get the waveguide and the drivers and build your own box. If you buy the fiberglass WG, you can get it in any color. Maybe use an active crossover,there many combinations. Depends how ambitious you are. There are designs where all you have to do is assemble the kit and you're good to go. Read through the monster thread if you're really interested.

Gracias, bro. That is indeed a monster thread, it'll take me weeks to get through that thing! I see now that the kit with 15" driver is $400 PER speaker.

Man, even a twelve incher would be sick. Get a glossy white fiberglass waveguide, and finish the boxes gloss white. My girl would love 'em.

[AJinFLA]

Looks like I'll need sub amplification, but maybe AJ could help me configure the 300w BASH amps in my SAM1s

Hmmm, I could swear they already are. Slave output on unused terminals. Plus I also suggested..wait for it..DIYing a pair of subs for them. For <$400. All in my last email to you (I checked).

cheers,

AJ

[rajacat]

Gracias, bro. That is indeed a monster thread, it'll take me weeks to get through that thing! I see now that the kit with 15" driver is $400 PER speaker.

Man, even a twelve incher would be sick. Get a glossy white fiberglass waveguide, and finish the boxes gloss white. My girl would love 'em.

One thing to consider, depending on kit, you'd probably have to add a sub or two for full range response.

[neekomax]

Hmmm, I could swear they already are. Slave output on unused terminals. Plus I also suggested..wait for it..DIYing a pair of subs for them. For <$400. All in my last email to you (I checked).

cheers,

AJ

Sometimes a man has to take his time figuring things out, bro. 

What about signal processing with passive subs?