"Full Circle" desktop ND90 speaker build

Semisentient · 27th August 2010, 03:34 AM

A number of years ago I got the idea into my head to build myself a set of speakers. I made a pair of Zigmahornets, and found a love for woodworking.

Full Range Speaker Photo Gallery

Since then I have acquired better tools, most recently a CNC router.

I wanted to make a pair of small speakers to use with my laptop, as the built in speakers are horrible. It can be hard to convince the wife we need another set of speakers... I can't complain, a few years ago she OK'd a pair of JBL 4435s . Not exactly easy to hide!

I did a bit of research and it seems the Dayton ND90 is a nice driver for this purpose. A pair are on their way, but I couldn't wait so this is what I cut up this evening:

I am calling them the "Full Circles" as they are somewhat circular, and because I have gone in a full circle - I started with my first Zigmahornets, found I enjoy woodworking, made some other stuff, and back to making speakers once again!

The cavity should be a bit over a litre, I may just run them straight to the amp. I guess I will see how they sound.

I cut this one up from a sheet of MDF. If I like them I will probably make the set out of some nice hardwood. I guess I could veneer the MDF, or maybe paint. I don't seem to have it all figured out yet...

Now, what are the chances the delivery guys are making late night dropoffs? Ha, hope the drivers get here before the weekend!

Mungo Park · 27th August 2010, 06:06 PM

Looks good, might even be doable for the non CNC owners, I would think veneer would be the easiest, well after paint I guess.
Cheers Ron.

Semisentient · 27th August 2010, 06:33 PM

Thanks

Yeah, this would be a very easy build with templates and a router.

It looks like I will be going the paint route. After rounding the inside of the driver cutout, I thought to myself how nice it looked... So I did the outer edges.

My order for PE arrived this morning! Very quick delivery, if not cheap. The extra fee Fedex charged was a special surprise.

I must get some better router bits. MDF is pretty abrasive, seems to kill HHS fairly quickly. Made some not so nice cuts.

dooper · 27th August 2010, 07:06 PM

USPS > Canada Post is much more reasonable when it comes to brokerage fees. Not sure if PE will use the postal service but it would be worth looking into.

Semisentient · 27th August 2010, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dooper

USPS > Canada Post is much more reasonable when it comes to brokerage fees. Not sure if PE will use the postal service but it would be worth looking into.

Yeah, I sort of went against my better judgement. There were three options (including USPS), one specified additional fees so I picked the cheaper of the others. I guess there was a fee on this one as well. It did come quickly though, so at least I can play this weekend.

Got the cabinets glued up, just waiting for them to set.

Semisentient · 1st September 2010, 01:41 PM

Here they are more or less finished.

I ended up painting them with epoxy appliance paint. Good paint, but it globbed a bit.

I stuffed them with undyed cotton batting.

They sound nice for what they are - desktop speakers.

Things I should have done differently:

-Recessed driver (If only they were round...) or back mounted.
-Used something other than drywall screws to affix driver.
-Built cabinet such that they tilt up. They sound better tilted up. I guess they would be fine on a raised bookshelf.

Now to decide what to build next!

Thanks for looking.

wolf_teeth · 1st September 2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semisentient

-Recessed driver (If only they were round...) or back mounted.
-Used something other than drywall screws to affix driver.
-Built cabinet such that they tilt up. They sound better tilted up. I guess they would be fine on a raised bookshelf.

They look nice! You don't have to recess the thin frames like these. They really result in no sonic benefit in doing so. Button-heads are typical for flat-framed drivers such as these.

Again- nice job!
Wolf

Semisentient · 1st September 2010, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf_teeth

They look nice! You don't have to recess the thin frames like these. They really result in no sonic benefit in doing so. Button-heads are typical for flat-framed drivers such as these.

Again- nice job!
Wolf

Thanks Wolf

I read many of your posts in the PE forum while coming up with this design. I went with your recommendation of a 64 in sq. (4x4x4) cabinet for this driver. Well, changed a bit for the circular enclosure.

If I wanted to recess the driver it would just be for aesthetics. Back mounting would have been the best as it would protect the driver when handling (sticks out quite a bit).

thunk303 · 4th September 2010, 11:37 AM

Very nice. I love the clean looks.

I have to ask, did you build or buy the router and how have you found it??

Cheers
Dean

aptquark · 4th September 2010, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunk303

Very nice. I love the clean looks.

I have to ask, did you build or buy the router and how have you found it??

Cheers
Dean

Yea, Im curious also.

27th August 2010, 03:34 AM	#1
Semisentient diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2005	"Full Circle" desktop ND90 speaker build A number of years ago I got the idea into my head to build myself a set of speakers. I made a pair of Zigmahornets, and found a love for woodworking. Full Range Speaker Photo Gallery Since then I have acquired better tools, most recently a CNC router. I wanted to make a pair of small speakers to use with my laptop, as the built in speakers are horrible. It can be hard to convince the wife we need another set of speakers... I can't complain, a few years ago she OK'd a pair of JBL 4435s . Not exactly easy to hide! I did a bit of research and it seems the Dayton ND90 is a nice driver for this purpose. A pair are on their way, but I couldn't wait so this is what I cut up this evening: I am calling them the "Full Circles" as they are somewhat circular, and because I have gone in a full circle - I started with my first Zigmahornets, found I enjoy woodworking, made some other stuff, and back to making speakers once again! The cavity should be a bit over a litre, I may just run them straight to the amp. I guess I will see how they sound. I cut this one up from a sheet of MDF. If I like them I will probably make the set out of some nice hardwood. I guess I could veneer the MDF, or maybe paint. I don't seem to have it all figured out yet... Now, what are the chances the delivery guys are making late night dropoffs? Ha, hope the drivers get here before the weekend!

27th August 2010, 06:06 PM	#2
Mungo Park diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2009	Looks good, might even be doable for the non CNC owners, I would think veneer would be the easiest, well after paint I guess. Cheers Ron. __________________ In my limited expierence never pet a burning dog.

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27th August 2010, 06:33 PM	#3
Semisentient diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2005	Thanks Yeah, this would be a very easy build with templates and a router. It looks like I will be going the paint route. After rounding the inside of the driver cutout, I thought to myself how nice it looked... So I did the outer edges. My order for PE arrived this morning! Very quick delivery, if not cheap. The extra fee Fedex charged was a special surprise. I must get some better router bits. MDF is pretty abrasive, seems to kill HHS fairly quickly. Made some not so nice cuts.

27th August 2010, 07:06 PM	#4
dooper diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canada	USPS > Canada Post is much more reasonable when it comes to brokerage fees. Not sure if PE will use the postal service but it would be worth looking into.

1st September 2010, 01:41 PM	#6
Semisentient diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2005	Here they are more or less finished. I ended up painting them with epoxy appliance paint. Good paint, but it globbed a bit. I stuffed them with undyed cotton batting. They sound nice for what they are - desktop speakers. Things I should have done differently: -Recessed driver (If only they were round...) or back mounted. -Used something other than drywall screws to affix driver. -Built cabinet such that they tilt up. They sound better tilted up. I guess they would be fine on a raised bookshelf. Now to decide what to build next! Thanks for looking.

4th September 2010, 11:37 AM	#9
thunk303 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Eltham, Melbourne, Australia	Very nice. I love the clean looks. I have to ask, did you build or buy the router and how have you found it?? Cheers Dean