My Tips for the real Newbie Speaker Builder...

[ChrisR1983]

Hi Guys

I am a complete newbie when it comes to building speakers and I'm just about to finish my first pair of speakers.

There seems to be a lot of threads that go into way too much technical jargon that is often difficult to understand to the complete novice.

I wanted to share some of my experiences, a couple of gotchas and a few other tips for the newbie speaker builders.

Please feel free to comment, call me a newbie fool, etc, etc:

- Use a tried and tested design; I can't imagine anything more annoying than speading 100s/1000s (in your chosen currency) on a design that is flawed. I live in the UK and would recommend speaking to Neil Smith at Wilmslow Audio (although their prices on drivers are sky high their cabinets are awesome)

- DO make a list of everything you think you need and get it double checked. I must have spent several hundereds on kit I didn't know I needed. Think: silver solder, driver mounting kits, BAF, acoustic panels, hook-up wire

- Don't under estimate how long a quality pair of speakers can take to build; don't rush it!!!

- Don't take everything for granted that you read. Lots of people have lots of different opinions on kit. It is up to you to decide what you like. Not what someone thinks sounds the best in their environment

- Spend money getting a good design. Start off getting the speakers working; half the fun in this hobby is getting the satisfaction from getting the thing working and THEN upgrade with more specialist kit.

- I'd recommend a 2-way stand mount speaker to begin with

- Test everything you can as you go. I recently learned a tip that a 1.5v battery between binding posts will create a brief kick from the speaker if you're wired up properly (although this doesn't mean the design is correct - just there are no breaks in the circuit)

I did many of the above incorrectly but I believe I have a nice set up now: Wilmslow Audio Phoenix Cabinets (pre-veneered), Mundorf Supreme Caps, Alpha-Core inductors, Duelund hook-up wire and resistors, Cardas Binding Posts, Scan Speak D2904/7100 tweeters and Scan Speak 8531 Woofers.

Please feel free to add to this Tips Post

Thanks

Chris

[Glowbug]

All good advice

[prickears]

G'day Chris,

Not a newbie fool by any means, it's good to see you have such a good methodical approach. Having said that, once youv'e got that feel for it, there is nothing more challenging than your first 'from the ground up' design. DIYing bites us all to varying
degrees, its just so damned addictive!! (The wheels'a rollin')

Don't be afraid to show us your work. I hope this takes you on that big never ending journey!!

Good luck, and, don't be a stranger!!

Thanx, Mick.