First DIY project

[io-waiter]

Hi,

I´m planning on building two speakers, hopefully it´s fun and there will be more built =)

I want to replace my current 4.0 system with a decent 2.1 system that I can expand to 5.1. I´ve been eyeing the zigmahornets or preferably something small closed boxish with a depth off around 15cm. Large speakers is an no go, to little WAF and the kids will probably kill them. Speakers need to work ok close to or mounted on a wall. Focus here is HT but they need to work decent with music, heavier rock and acoustics like PJ Harvey, Cash e.g.
I been lookin at KEF and Arcam kits but nothing has felt right, I rather build them if I don´t suffer massivly in quality or cost.

To keep it easy I have decided to go with a broadband design(, but I´m easily persuaded if needed). An NAD L70 reciever will be powering it and the room is maybe 20squar meters but opens up into other open areas making it closer to 60square meters.
I´d been looking around and not all manufacturers are available localy, Tang Band isn´t for example. To make it simple this is what I can find easily,though some elements are a bit pricy, the Vifa would fit nicely in my price range but he Fostex sigma and the Jordans need to be in a very proven concept to make the budget. Basicly I can find the stuff listed below.

3"
Fostex FE87E
Peerless P830986
Pro Audio AV-300
3,5"
Vifa TG9FD-10-04
4"
Fostex FE108EZ Sigma
5,25"
Jordan JX92S
6"
Fostex FE167E

As for woodworking I´m far from pro and I lack some tools but I´m not a newbie. I like perfection and I can but some time into making my speakers.

I´m aware that this will be a game of compromise, but I´d like to try. All and any advice and feedback is very welcome, any hints on where to start ?

[jaencer]

Originally Posted by io-waiter

Hi,

I´m planning on building two speakers, hopefully it´s fun and there will be more built =)

I want to replace my current 4.0 system with a decent 2.1 system that I can expand to 5.1. I´ve been eyeing the zigmahornets or preferably something small closed boxish with a depth off around 15cm. Large speakers is an no go, to little WAF and the kids will probably kill them. Speakers need to work ok close to or mounted on a wall. Focus here is HT but they need to work decent with music, heavier rock and acoustics like PJ Harvey, Cash e.g.
I been lookin at KEF and Arcam kits but nothing has felt right, I rather build them if I don´t suffer massivly in quality or cost.

To keep it easy I have decided to go with a broadband design(, but I´m easily persuaded if needed). An NAD L70 reciever will be powering it and the room is maybe 20squar meters but opens up into other open areas making it closer to 60square meters.
I´d been looking around and not all manufacturers are available localy, Tang Band isn´t for example. To make it simple this is what I can find easily,though some elements are a bit pricy, the Vifa would fit nicely in my price range but he Fostex sigma and the Jordans need to be in a very proven concept to make the budget. Basicly I can find the stuff listed below.

3"
Fostex FE87E
Peerless P830986
Pro Audio AV-300
3,5"
Vifa TG9FD-10-04
4"
Fostex FE108EZ Sigma
5,25"
Jordan JX92S
6"
Fostex FE167E

As for woodworking I´m far from pro and I lack some tools but I´m not a newbie. I like perfection and I can but some time into making my speakers.

I´m aware that this will be a game of compromise, but I´d like to try. All and any advice and feedback is very welcome, any hints on where to start ?

so something:
- Small
- Easy
- From above list of drivers
- Wide range

That last one's tricky because you're preffered drivers listed are full-rangers. But then again you have a sub. I would do the FE167E in bass reflex (the 'fostex recommended' enclosure plans may be difficult, but just do it, its not THAT bad). http://www.fostexinternational.com/d...7e_enclrev.pdf good luck

[loninappleton]

If you are serious about wall mounting and have access to the Fostex 12x series of 4 inch, there was a flat design on here some time back from Planet 10. This was one of the Onken variations: hangs on the wall, is very shallow but wide and vented out the sides like a Cornu.


Kids and cats can be thwarted with metal grilles with a removable insert or grilles made of pet screen. The metal grilles with removable inserts are commonly available.

Wall hanging wouldn't be my first choice with these other things you can do to protect the driver.

[steviedon]

http://www.geocities.com/rbrines1/Pages/FB-16/Main.html

[human.bin]

i once red an interview of Ted Jordan (it's on TNT-audio) explaining how good it would be to have 4 of his little drivers wall mounted... maybe it would be out of price...

but well markaudio alpair 5 and 6 with rectangular shape can be an alternative if in price, i think that if they are unavailable in your country you will be directly served by their site... the 5 i think would make a very "HD" system if it is what you are looking for, they also used to have a sub kit on the site... (but on this forum you will soon discover that double H-frame dipole woofers rule )

perhaps the advantage of such a choice would be that you can expand it by the time, starting with one driver per side and then augmenting it and adding the other two channels.

if you where to consider the bigger jordan, the smaller can be a choice as a start of a very promising system: I THINK, i have no way ever heard it... but then Ted Jordan word would not be the last one in my consideration. good luck!
one thing i can suggest: when i started this diy thing a year ago i tought i had to go cheap and save money on the drivers, now i'm starting to understand that all the money spent on cheap drivers is money thrown away, since once you'll see it's possible to build up your ultra-fi rig yourself you'll be wanting the best and you'll be seeking for something like an "enthusiast choice".

[Alex from Oz]

g'day io-water,

Fostex FE167E. Gives you plenty of enclosure choices.

Cheers,

Alex