Beginner

[sreten]

Hi,

You will get lots of suggestions - where you start depends on budget.
you will also need to factor in the cost of the subwoofer amplifier.

I'd consider perhaps 4 x Zaph's latest design the ZBM4, perhaps
a sealed box * with less depth, and depending on placement
the reduced BSC version of the crrosover (when its posted).

* As you intend to use a subwoofer from the off.

/sreten.

[tareqx2]

I don't really want to buy a kit that much. The reason being that i want to make a custom box casing for it.

http://www.creativesound.ca/details.php?model=FR125S

This is kinda what i am looking for. Now, from here, i'm not sure what i would need to buy part wise and where i could find instructions on how to set it up. Also may be someone could give me the basics on some of these components like drivers, cross over compents, and terminal cups. I mean I know what a driver is, but many of these terms i don't know what they mean. Thank you guys for helping a beginner out.

[planet10]

Originally posted by tareqx2

FR125S

This is kinda what i am looking for. Now, from here, i'm not sure what i would need to buy part wise and where i could find instructions on how to set it up. Also may be someone could give me the basics on some of these components like drivers, cross over compents, and terminal cups.

The FR125s eliminate any need for an XO. I have a box library on my site for these drivers (i also have modded, matched versions of these -- sorry for the advert) ....

http://www.planet10-hifi.com/boxes-CSS.html

With subwoofer support, sealed or aperiodic boxes probably make the most sense.

dave

[tareqx2]

a couple of questions. Why is it harder to make a surround sound system rather than a stereo system? isn't the surround system just adding in some rear speakers? I mean if i have a home theater receiver then i shouldn't have to do anything else right?


One question that i have been looking for but never really got the answer to is, is this project as easy as buying some speakers, putting them in some boxes that i make and connecting them to a receiver? That is my one major question, i don't really need box plans or speaker web sites (thanks for your help), i just need to know the electrical part of this project.

[gvr4ever]

I only suggested stereo first to get started. If you want to make your own boxes and everything, it takes time and practice to get good at it. Your first boxes will probably look like dog, ur, well, you get the point.

You can build stereo speakers to get good sound, and then build the rest in time for your surrounds.

The biggest pain for me in DIY speakers is time. It isn't really too hard, and I enjoy it, but it just takes so much time to make the boxes look good.

I guess it depends on how much spare time you have. I don't have enough, so I have spent about two weeks in my very short spare time trying to finish some full range speakers.

Also, nothing wrong with ordering a kit. They come with nice looking boxes, and good components. I wanted to build a project from zaph audio, but I knew I just didn't have the time right now. I ended up ordering a nice kit from madisound.

[pinkmouse]

Originally posted by tareqx2
a couple of questions. Why is it harder to make a surround sound system rather than a stereo system?

It isn't.

One question that i have been looking for but never really got the answer to is, is this project as easy as buying some speakers, putting them in some boxes that i make and connecting them to a receiver?

Yup, it is. That's why I recommended the FR125s. You need to buy wood for enclosures, the speaker drivers, connectors for the back of the boxes, and possibly,(depending on the box design), a little stuffing for the completed cabinets. However, in your first post, you implied you had a load of old speakers to cannibalise. You could pull the stuffing and connectors from them.

As for tools, (apart from your woodworking stuff that you imply you also have), you'll need a 30W soldering iron to solder cable from the driver to the back connectors, or a crimp tool with appropriate spade connectors. Thats it.

[Foxx510]

Just be aware that in some boxes, the shape of the front of the box will cause the FR125s to have a hump in the midrange, that can make it sound a bit thin and nasaly without equalisation. They also don't go very loud unless you filter the low end out. I would check out some of the designs on Zaphs page.

[tareqx2]

Well then basically i'm set. Sorry for all the questions but i am new at this, one more. Could anyone explain how i can read some of those graphs they have for all the speakers? I cant understand any of them. Also what are some speakers that you have bought and tried and really like?

[tareqx2]

What do you guys use for stuffing inside the boxes?

[gvr4ever]

Originally posted by pinkmouse
It isn't.

More time, more money. If he doesn't like the sound, or the way they turned out, then he has a lot of time and money invested.

You can build two stereo speakers, and a sub. Hook it up to a newer 5.1 receiver and and use the amps active crossover.

Or, you can just build 5 speakers and a sub and hope you are happy with them.