Ikea spherical speakers, first build done.

Studio Au · 01:47 PM

I thought I should post pictures of my first build.

Project was inspired by Cabasse and the curves employed in B&W 800 series, although on a much smaller budget. Had the idea to use bowls, Ikea had the wooden Blanda which seemed perfect. After scouring the net, found several others using these, although none using the 28cm versions. Design is an active 2 way design.

First completed photo (no tweeter), initially using Zero class T amps.

Current incarnation, using rotel 6 channel amp, channel for tweeter and mid, bridged for 15" sub, experimenting with solid oak sleeper stands and granite plinths.

Tweeters rather delicate positioning on top, seems to be fine without an enclosure, however I am experimenting with casting tapering tubes using champagne flutes.

The Sound: To my humble ears they sound rather good, haven't obtained a microphone to do testing. Definitely better than my Mission V63, which have an rrp of over £500. The 'no baffle' 15" add good low level sound reinforcement, as they don't go terrifically low or have very much bass

The drivers are Peerless M16GH (link below to drivers and excellent seller from eBay) Peerless & CO M16GH/4 Mid Woofers X 2 New/OldStock. on eBay (end time 25-Jan-10 10:15:24 GMT)

The tweeters are also Peerless metal domes, model unknown.

Currently crossed at 15" Sub 20-150Hz, Mid 50Hz-3Khz, tweeter 3Khz-20Khz

The sphere's come in at around 8L, (9.1L before cuts and driver displacement) One has eggfoam stuffing the other is naked will aquire some different materials for testing when I have a good mic.

They need another sand down, better integration with the stands and experiments with internal wadding, and the new tweeter housing, when time allows.

Studio Au · 01:49 PM

Build Process:

Studio Au · 01:52 PM

Build process drivers and testing:

Testing drivers using old Eltax crossover.

Sanding down, a pain staking process, still not 100%.

The weight of the driver meant the stand had to face the other way.

4mm Banana gold plated binding posts

Experiments using small aluminum Blanda bowls as omni directional tweeter.

SY · 21st January 2010, 02:10 PM

Terrific work! I am inspired to try this...

Colin · 21st January 2010, 02:17 PM

Brilliant thinking outside the box. Nice to see the build process too.

Studio Au · 21st January 2010, 02:18 PM

Cost:

Bowls £12ea, = £48
Mids x2, = £35
tweet x2 = £22
Binding posts x4 = £5
Screws, glue sand paper = £5

£115 total

Key · 02:29 PM

Very cool. Great idea using the bowls. Looks like you only need a saw, drill, and soldering iron - my kind of project.

barackuda · 21st January 2010, 02:36 PM

Now imagine to put some fullrange driver inside

i.e. Jordan, Fostex and such....
Great system for the bedroom !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Might build one to please the wife

Danny

human.bin · 21st January 2010, 02:37 PM

how do they sound compared to the box they where in?

Pano · 21st January 2010, 02:57 PM

Brilliant. Such nice work. And with a hand saw, too!

21st January 2010, 01:31 PM	#1
Studio Au diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bristol	Ikea spherical speakers, first build done. I thought I should post pictures of my first build. Project was inspired by Cabasse and the curves employed in B&W 800 series, although on a much smaller budget. Had the idea to use bowls, Ikea had the wooden Blanda which seemed perfect. After scouring the net, found several others using these, although none using the 28cm versions. Design is an active 2 way design. First completed photo (no tweeter), initially using Zero class T amps. Current incarnation, using rotel 6 channel amp, channel for tweeter and mid, bridged for 15" sub, experimenting with solid oak sleeper stands and granite plinths. Tweeters rather delicate positioning on top, seems to be fine without an enclosure, however I am experimenting with casting tapering tubes using champagne flutes. The Sound: To my humble ears they sound rather good, haven't obtained a microphone to do testing. Definitely better than my Mission V63, which have an rrp of over £500. The 'no baffle' 15" add good low level sound reinforcement, as they don't go terrifically low or have very much bass The drivers are Peerless M16GH (link below to drivers and excellent seller from eBay) Peerless & CO M16GH/4 Mid Woofers X 2 New/OldStock. on eBay (end time 25-Jan-10 10:15:24 GMT) The tweeters are also Peerless metal domes, model unknown. Currently crossed at 15" Sub 20-150Hz, Mid 50Hz-3Khz, tweeter 3Khz-20Khz The sphere's come in at around 8L, (9.1L before cuts and driver displacement) One has eggfoam stuffing the other is naked will aquire some different materials for testing when I have a good mic. They need another sand down, better integration with the stands and experiments with internal wadding, and the new tweeter housing, when time allows. Last edited by Studio Au; 21st January 2010 at 01:47 PM.

21st January 2010, 01:34 PM	#2
Studio Au diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bristol	Build Process: Last edited by Studio Au; 21st January 2010 at 01:49 PM.

21st January 2010, 01:39 PM	#3
Studio Au diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bristol	Build process drivers and testing: Testing drivers using old Eltax crossover. Sanding down, a pain staking process, still not 100%. The weight of the driver meant the stand had to face the other way. 4mm Banana gold plated binding posts Experiments using small aluminum Blanda bowls as omni directional tweeter. Last edited by Studio Au; 21st January 2010 at 01:52 PM.

21st January 2010, 02:10 PM	#4
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	Terrific work! I am inspired to try this... __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache

21st January 2010, 02:20 PM	#7
Key diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2009	Very cool. Great idea using the bowls. Looks like you only need a saw, drill, and soldering iron - my kind of project. Last edited by Key; 21st January 2010 at 02:29 PM.


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21st January 2010, 02:17 PM	#5
Colin diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2003	Brilliant thinking outside the box. Nice to see the build process too.

21st January 2010, 02:18 PM	#6
Studio Au diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bristol	Cost: Bowls £12ea, = £48 Mids x2, = £35 tweet x2 = £22 Binding posts x4 = £5 Screws, glue sand paper = £5 £115 total

21st January 2010, 02:36 PM	#8
barackuda diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	Now imagine to put some fullrange driver inside i.e. Jordan, Fostex and such.... Great system for the bedroom !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Might build one to please the wife Danny

21st January 2010, 02:37 PM	#9
human.bin diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2008	how do they sound compared to the box they where in?

21st January 2010, 02:57 PM	#10
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	Brilliant. Such nice work. And with a hand saw, too! __________________ Take the Speaker Voltage Test!

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