3" computer speakers

wicked1 · 30th June 2009, 12:48 AM

I want to build a set of computer speakers w/ nice wood enclosures.... I'm also leaning towards powering them w/ a small tube amp, but I'm not sure yet.

The design goal is that I want to replace some old ugly computer speakers w/ some very nice wood ones. I want to keep the the entire enclosures (for the mid/trebble that sits on my desk) at about 4x8 inches or less. I guess that means the drivers can be 3" or smaller.

Does anyone have any advice on what drivers to use? Are there some small full range drivers available?

-edit- I should add, I have a very nice audio system in the same room, and if I want to hear something as good as I can, I'll play it there. This is just for basic, but decent(as good as I can in those tiny dimensions) computer speakers.

thanks!

BHTX · 30th June 2009, 01:08 AM

Fostex FF85K.
A bit of a step down from that would probably be something like the Tang Band W3-1364SA.
Try Madisound for the Fostex. Parts Express for the Tang Band.
There's also the Markaudio stuff, if you wanna get into that.

Richard Ellis · 30th June 2009, 01:13 AM

Try these guys..they seem to have a decent collection at OK prices....the Fostex line of drivers (Not from here) can get REALLY expensive...& I really wouldn't think it the best choice for your application. A tube amp at just eight watts of Single ended power will set you back half a grand in greenbacks. perhaps you should rethink that as small speakers will eat up a half dozen watts in a heartbeat.
www.partsexpress.com
____________________________________________Rick.. ........

planet10 · 30th June 2009, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BHTX
Fostex FF85K

I'll second that. Fully modded sitting in uFonken, these can (ignoring the limited LF) embarass some much larger (and more expensive) systems. Designed foremost as a REALLY good computer speaker, they keep finding themselves mated with woofers in bigger systems.

a tiny bit larger than your 4x8" spec http://homepage.mac.com/tlinespeaker...en-0v9-map.pdf

dave

wicked1 · 30th June 2009, 01:32 AM

There is still definitely no final decision on the amp. I've built a nice tube amp, and I like the way they look (maybe strangely, this project is about visual aesthetics), but actually, any tube amp would probably be too big for this application.

wicked1 · 30th June 2009, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by planet10

Fostex FF85K

a tiny bit larger than your 4x8" spec http://homepage.mac.com/tlinespeaker...en-0v9-map.pdf

dave

Thanks! I think I'll go w/ those drivers.
and if anyone has any basic advice for a small amp (diy, and w/ a pcb available would be ideal!), and wattage, etc, I'd like to hear it. I'll get deeper into that aspect in the correct forum, when I get to it.

thanks again

sandyhooker · 30th June 2009, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wicked1

Thanks! I think I'll go w/ those drivers.
and if anyone has any basic advice for a small amp (diy, and w/ a pcb available would be ideal!), and wattage, etc, I'd like to hear it. I'll get deeper into that aspect in the correct forum, when I get to it.

thanks again

Mini-Aleph should be considered... I've used an LM-1875 chip amp with 12 volt transformer with decent results. Boards are available for either from chipamps.com. Good luck!!

Cal Weldon · 30th June 2009, 03:11 AM

I was wondering what the fuss was about the FF85KeN drivers and thankfully had a chance to listen to them on Friday night. Now I understand. What a nice little driver. I am strongly considering them for my next build. I should mention they were the uFonkens shown in the planet10 pics. No driver sound just music.

BHTX · 30th June 2009, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cal Weldon
I was wondering what the fuss was about the F85 drivers and thankfully had a chance to listen to them on Friday night. Now I understand. What a nice little driver. I am strongly considering them for my next build. I should mention they were the uFonkens shown in the planet10 pics. No driver sound just music.

Nice. Can't wait.

wicked1 · 30th June 2009, 06:56 PM

I can't wait either!
Madisound is out of those fostex drivers.. guess I'll have to wait.

So, those speakers are only 88db. Do you think that little 8 watt or so mini-a will be enough power?

My 'big' tube amp is only about 8 watts per channel, but the speakers on it are 98db sensitivity.
I don't want my computer speakers to be nearly as loud as my living room speakers, so it might be about perfect!
I'm just not sure how much difference those 10db of sensitivity makes.

30th June 2009, 12:48 AM	#1
wicked1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2008	3" computer speakers I want to build a set of computer speakers w/ nice wood enclosures.... I'm also leaning towards powering them w/ a small tube amp, but I'm not sure yet. The design goal is that I want to replace some old ugly computer speakers w/ some very nice wood ones. I want to keep the the entire enclosures (for the mid/trebble that sits on my desk) at about 4x8 inches or less. I guess that means the drivers can be 3" or smaller. Does anyone have any advice on what drivers to use? Are there some small full range drivers available? -edit- I should add, I have a very nice audio system in the same room, and if I want to hear something as good as I can, I'll play it there. This is just for basic, but decent(as good as I can in those tiny dimensions) computer speakers. thanks!

30th June 2009, 03:11 AM	#8
Cal Weldon Speakerholic diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: British Columbia	I was wondering what the fuss was about the FF85KeN drivers and thankfully had a chance to listen to them on Friday night. Now I understand. What a nice little driver. I am strongly considering them for my next build. I should mention they were the uFonkens shown in the planet10 pics. No driver sound just music. __________________ Next stop: Margaritaville Some of Cal's stuff \| Cal Weldon Consulting

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30th June 2009, 01:08 AM	#2
BHTX diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006	Fostex FF85K. A bit of a step down from that would probably be something like the Tang Band W3-1364SA. Try Madisound for the Fostex. Parts Express for the Tang Band. There's also the Markaudio stuff, if you wanna get into that.

30th June 2009, 01:13 AM	#3
Richard Ellis diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mar del Plata, a BIG seasonal getaway city, can see the Ocean from our residence.	Try these guys..they seem to have a decent collection at OK prices....the Fostex line of drivers (Not from here) can get REALLY expensive...& I really wouldn't think it the best choice for your application. A tube amp at just eight watts of Single ended power will set you back half a grand in greenbacks. perhaps you should rethink that as small speakers will eat up a half dozen watts in a heartbeat. www.partsexpress.com ____________________________________________Rick.. ........

30th June 2009, 01:32 AM	#5
wicked1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2008	There is still definitely no final decision on the amp. I've built a nice tube amp, and I like the way they look (maybe strangely, this project is about visual aesthetics), but actually, any tube amp would probably be too big for this application.

30th June 2009, 06:56 PM	#10
wicked1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2008	I can't wait either! Madisound is out of those fostex drivers.. guess I'll have to wait. So, those speakers are only 88db. Do you think that little 8 watt or so mini-a will be enough power? My 'big' tube amp is only about 8 watts per channel, but the speakers on it are 98db sensitivity. I don't want my computer speakers to be nearly as loud as my living room speakers, so it might be about perfect! I'm just not sure how much difference those 10db of sensitivity makes.

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