Pioneer B20 in 1.3cuFt box, nice

[spgjmf]

hi folks,
Just sharing my newest build. Pioneer B20FU in a sealed box. 1.3cu ft is the volume. About 34" high. Inside some poly fill and I stapled some heavy felt padding around the top 12".
Such an easy and rewarding project - the sound is easy to listen to. bass full and musical. I have the little dayton tweeters to add, but so far I like them as they are. If I add the tweeters, they would need an L-pad for sure....

I am driving them with my JE labs 2a3 (finished back in January)and I could not be happier.

I recommend these for first time full range builders...easy and very nice. I got all the info from zillaspeak's great web site.

best,
jeff

[Nanook]

yup, use an L-pad or resistor to "pad down" the tweeter. If I were to do it all over again, I'd consider the Pioneers for my bro, rather than the FE167 BR's I gave him.

[Godzilla]

>>> I got all the info from zillaspeak's great web site...

Thanks! I am so happy you like the speakers. Very easy to build! I really can't take credit for the design other than actually building it and putting the page together on the web to share. The driver works well in sealed boxes from .75 to 1.5 cf... over 2 cf and i think a ported cabinet works best. Just get them close to ear height and enjoy. The B20, while not perfect, offers a lot of non fatiguing, crossoverless sound. But this is at the expense of detail and speed. Adding a tweeter only enhances the overall sound.

Every few weeks it seems someone builds a pair of these and emails me how much they like them... sometimes they don't like them LOL... but at least they are inexpensive enough to try as a DIY project to better understand and appreciate 'wide range' drivers and how they minimize listening fatigue by removing the crossover from critical frequencies. Fostex are better overall as are some others but those brands also have certain characteristics that music lovers may not like (Fostex for example are brighter and more forward sounding and maybe less relaxing to listen to... but some crave their detail and speed).

Btw, the ZillaSpeak website will 'expire' in April. I will try to move everything to

www.ZillaAudio.com

into the DIY section over the next few weeks. I only want to maintain one website.

http://www.zillaaudio.com/pioneerb20-piezo.htm

http://www.zillaaudio.com/pioneerb20-3cubox.htm

[freddi]

one can build something really costly, complex and end up unhappy so B20 is kind in that regard. What's typical Qtc for 1.3CF and some stuffing? - got one surviving B20 but its surround has dried out and starting to crumble. FWIW ran B20 vented with passive radiator.

[badman]

Modifications of B20

I have been working with the B20 for some time now- attached is some documentation of modifications performed.

[freddi]

nice - if Dave got $1/dot then he'd be doing pretty good

[badman]

If he got a dollar a dot I'd be talking to bud for a license!

[Godzilla]

Some more mod impressions to ponder...

http://www.zillaaudio.com/b20-mod.htm

[repeddler]

Jeff, what kind and size lumber is that? Looks like solid pine for sides and baffle is some kind of ply?

[infinia]

Isn't the B20 whizzer version preferred for the FR, ie no helper tweeter?
I'm always confused w B20 because there are 3 or 4 versions of these Pioneer drivers at any given time... maybe scads more counting different versions over the years.