Loudspeaker Electronics

[morfius]

I am going to build a relatively simple speaker and have found two components in particular which I need to ask some questions about.

1 - 300mm (12”) 300W Bass Speaker

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?...doy=17m12#spec

2 - Standard Horn

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?...doy=17m12#spec


The operating frequencies only overlap by 1khz and the horn can apparently be wired across the bass speaker without the need for a crossover.

Are these two speakers a good combination for eachother?

Would my circuit be as simple as:

Speaker input at binding post -> Bass Speaker -> Speaker binding post

and the horn wired parallel across the bass speaker.

with just simple wires and no other components needed?

Is there a particular design that is needed for high frequency speaker cabinets?

Please may you use relatively simple technological language as there are probably many speaker related words which I don't understand.

Thank you for any help

[dnsey]

What will you use the finished speaker for?

It'll be OK as a 'party' PA unit, but won't be hi-fi.

No need for anything special as a high frequency cabinet, but what's your design for the bass cab?


You can just run these drivers in parallel - not the best way, but they will work - but note that this is because the HF unit is a piezo type: you couldn't do the same with a moving-coil tweeter without destroying it almost instantly!

[Pano]

I'm sure you'll get a lot of online advice about this one, so let me start.

Yes, it will work. All you need is a series resistor on the horn.

But..... It's going to sound pretty bad. There are tons of cheap PA/DJ boxes out there that are made like this. The universally sound awful.

Asking a normal 12" to work up to 4K is looking for trouble. Crossing at 2K you would be much better off.

A Piezo tweeter can sound better if you do a little work, search the forum, there are some suggestion about using piezos here.

So yes, it will "work". But it won't sound very good. You'll get tired of it fast.

EDIT: DNSEY posted while I was typing. I agree with him

[morfius]

When you say it will sound quite bad, just how bad do you mean?

Is there a way of improving sound quality with the same sort of setup?

The speaker will simply probably used for parties where volume is necessary.

For the bass cabinet, it will most likely be either cubular or drum shaped with a bass reflex port.

[dnsey]

When you say it will sound quite bad, just how bad do you mean?

All 'boom and tizz' , and piezo tweeters are particularly tiring to listen to when run as you propose. You've heard the sort of sound many times before at (typically) mobile discos etc.

If you're going to spend 50 quid a side on bass drivers, you might as well do the rest at least half decently!

[sometimesuk]

Alright mate,

I have never made a speaker myself so cant offer you any advice but I noticed you have selected drivers from Maplins, I thought you would like a link to firm that sells a range of Hifi drivers in the uk:

https://secure.wilmslow-audio.co.uk/catalog/

I hope this helps. They also sell a range of books on speaker building as well as kits, if you just want to screw it all together.

[morfius]

Originally posted by dnsey
you might as well do the rest at least half decently!

What do you suggest?

and thanks sometimes for the useful link

[morfius]

In large heavy duty box speakers such as those found at music concerts, Ioften see the tweeter, subwoofer combination, yet they sound perfectly fine. Is there any reason why it would sound worse if I tried this combination?

[dnsey]

It all depends on your expectations!

I agree with Panomaniac - I've never heard one of these which sounded good, but I have a similar pair, which I use for small speech PA jobs, and they're fine for that.

Give us an idea of your budget, expectations (sound quality, loudness, size of room, style of music etc.), and what you'll be using to drive the speakers, and you'll no doubt receive a lot of suggestions for possible systems.

OTOH, if you just want something cheap & cheerful for parties, why not go for something like the Skytronic range of drivers, which will do the job just as well, and save you money.

[morfius]

Can you tell me more about the skytronic drivers and would I still be using the tweeter, sub combination without the need for a crossover?

For the subwoofer, is there a specific internal housing volume that is needed and what type is best - sealed or ported?

I expect the speakers to simply be able to produce music at the main frequencies to a quality that can be enjoyed (not world class, but not immensely bad)

Ideally, it should be powerful enough to be used for outdoor parties (loud)

In terms of music, ideally, it should be able to produce powerful bass that may wow people.