Foam Core Board Speaker Enclosures?

[xrk971]

ChrisRiggle,
Hey thanks! This project is a lot of fun but I would say it is one of the more advanced builds compared to the spiral horn. The curved wing turned out better than I thought it would. How this one will sound remains to be seen (urh, I mean herd....), but I have a feeling it's gonna be great!

[xrk971]

I mounted the Vifa this morning, used a small amount of stuffing behind driver and no more than 2 inches below it. I only have a mono setup so I will have to say that it may be different with stereo but... what I have heard, I really like. I put it through maybe 6 different songs I use to test sound and they all sound very nice. It is very different in character to Cornu which has a very wide soundstage and has much more mid bass. This FF3 sounds more even in character and the bass appears to go lower in frequency or is more pronounced than Cornu at sub 100 Hz. I almost want to say that it sounds more neutral - almost like a studio monitor. The trebles and and vocals sound fantastic, and there is a nice tight and punchy lower bass. However, it needs more volume before the bass kicks in whereas the Cornu is better at lower volumes. This may have to do with placement - I have it about 2 ft from a wall right now. When I place my hand at the vent, you definitely feel the pressure wave on the kick drums. Amazing bass for a 3.5 in driver actually. It will be interesting to see how it measures and compare to the sims.

I really like the sound which can now do rock much better. I think it is a great speaker in a 30 in cabinet paired with the TC9FD. I highly recommend this build. 3.5 sheets of foam per speaker is required.
Attached is a quick sound clip for you to get the idea of the sound. I had a lot of fun building this and the best part is the speaker looks great.

[zayne742]

Xrk,
Those look great. Got to thinking on finishing, these could be fiberglass coated, of course that adds a bit to the project. Even a simple cotton material, think t-shirt, could be stretched accords the surface and then coated with resin. Many times this method is used for odd angles or custom boxes, then covered with the fiberglass mesh. May not have to go that far with the foam core providing the strength. Just an idea...

[xrk971]

Zayne,
That's a good idea that I will have to try one day. The polyurethane resin is a sticky noxious mess. I think that pva glue and cloth saturated with it will do a lot. This is cheap and non toxic. The speakers don't really need the strength, they seem to sound pretty good as is. It would add durability to the cabinet and probably raise the resonance frequency. Thanks for the suggestion.

[surface tension]

Originally Posted by xrk971

I mounted the Vifa this morning, used a small amount of stuffing behind driver and no more than 2 inches below it. I only have a mono setup so I will have to say that it may be different with stereo but... what I have heard, I really like. I put it through maybe 6 different songs I use to test sound and they all sound very nice. It is very different in character to Cornu which has a very wide soundstage and has much more mid bass. This FF3 sounds more even in character and the bass appears to go lower in frequency or is more pronounced than Cornu at sub 100 Hz. I almost want to say that it sounds more neutral - almost like a studio monitor. The trebles and and vocals sound fantastic, and there is a nice tight and punchy lower bass. However, it needs more volume before the bass kicks in whereas the Cornu is better at lower volumes. This may have to do with placement - I have it about 2 ft from a wall right now. When I place my hand at the vent, you definitely feel the pressure wave on the kick drums. Amazing bass for a 3.5 in driver actually. It will be interesting to see how it measures and compare to the sims.

I really like the sound which can now do rock much better. I think it is a great speaker in a 30 in cabinet paired with the TC9FD. I highly recommend this build. 3.5 sheets of foam per speaker is required.
Attached is a quick sound clip for you to get the idea of the sound. I had a lot of fun building this and the best part is the speaker looks great.

Very nice indeed! I'll have to add this one to the cue. First I need to tidy up my previous projects and make my final 20" cornu for myself. I'm getting backlogged already!

[Cal Weldon]

Originally Posted by xrk971

polyurethane resin

Polyester?

Man that FH3 looks great!

[Cal Weldon]

Originally Posted by surface tension

I'm getting backlogged already!

lol. I haven't even mounted the drivers in the 20" yet and I'm already thinking about the next one.

[planet10]

Originally Posted by xrk971

the Frugel Foam cabinet

xrk, I like what you are doing, but please don't call it a Frugel-horn, it is not. FH3 inspired yes.

dave

[xrk971]

Originally Posted by Cal Weldon

Polyester?

Man that FH3 looks great!

Thanks Cal!
Whatever surfboard fiberglass resin is, I thought it was polyurethane? You better get cracking with mounting those drivers!

[xrk971]

Originally Posted by planet10

xrk, I like what you are doing, but please don't call it a Frugel-horn, it is not. FH3 inspired yes.

dave

My original post did say it was an homage to the FH3. I have been referring to it as the Frugel Foam but can call it something else then.
My apologies.
Xrk971