Newbie Speaker Builder, Need Some Resouces.

[Zartla]

I really love music, and my library is filled with a whole slew of different types of music. I can go from listening to a bass enthralled Dubstep to Ben E. King's rendition of Stand by Me. If it's a well made song, then chances are I like it, and most likely own it.

I really didn't get into the quality of music until a couple of years ago when I learned about FLAC. Once I had listening to a couple of FLAC songs and comparing them to their MP3 others I realized that quality audio with quality music makes for a better listening experience. A month or two later I traded in my overpriced skull candys for a pair of Sennheiser 202s. Then less then a week later I bought the LS21 2.1 speaker system from Logitech. I used it for about a month until I craved even better quality. So I bought X-540 5.1 logitech speaker system, which I still use today.

My family nagged me too much about the volume being too loud so I decided to buy a better pair of headphones, that would emulate the experience that I already get from my sound system and then some. I ended up buying Darth Beyers, which are notorious for it's bass response.

Now, a couple of months later, I'm looking for a project to do over the summer, and I'd like to replace my speakers with some awesome custom built ones that sound great, and match my custom build computer. I have some sound responsive CCLs in my system and I think it would be awesome to build some ported speakers with CCLs by the ports.

TLDR: I like all types music, and I want to build good speakers with sound responsive CCL's in them.

Only problem is, I know nothing about speaker building, I can work with electronics fairly well, seeing as I built my own computer. I know that speakers have drivers stored inside a cabinet, with some other electrical components in them, and that the three types of drivers are subwoofers, tweeters, and midrange drivers. But I still have some questions:

1. I have access to a shop, and I have my own soldering iron, if one is needed. Are there any other tools I will need?
2. What are some very good and easy to understand resources for the newbie speaker builder? Where do I start?
3. Is it reasonable to build a good sounding full range system for 250$?
4. Is a 2 month build time reasonable?
5. What's a good resource for acronyms and other fancy lingo?
6. Any other tips/comments?

Thanks a lot!

[trd1587]

Myabe you should start with full Rangers.
Look in the Full Range Section, you'll find plenty you would'nt know wich one to build!

Marc

[planet10]

Originally Posted by trd1587

Myabe you should start with full Rangers.

That is what i was going to suggest. For near field use you'll get better intergation and performance -- particularily withing your budget.

Are these going to sit on your desk, or beside or behind?

What amp do you have.

dave

[Spasticteapot]

I'd go for a nice 2-way. If you need something small, you can do the Overnight Sensations - at $80/pair for drivers and xovers, it's a very cost-effective project.

http://sites.google.com/site/undefin...ightsensations

[Zartla]

I tend not to listen to my music amped, my x540 speakers are plenty loud and I don't want to hurt my hears or anything, also I use my darth breyers unamped at like 90% even though it's 80 ohms of resistance.

Also could you guys give me a little more direction or links for full range speakers? Or could a mod move this thread to the full range section, thanks.


@spasticteapot
Something like that looks awesome, but is there something similar with a ported design, I really would like to add a couple of CCLS.

[dantheman]

DIY Speakers and Subwoofer Projects and Kits - Loudspeaker Building
Zaph|Audio
Projects Gallery
mh-audio.nl - Home

There's a couple sites to read.

Dan

[Jimmy154]

Took me a while to figure out what's what around here and in the diyaudio world. The main thing you have to remember when some one here gives you advice is that 80% of the people here are crazy. They build speakers and audio equipment their whole lives for no sensible reason. Then you have to remember that half the people here are s that grew up listening to record players, tube amps and vintage speakers (plausibly fullrange or close to it, fullrange type woofers). They got used to the sound when they were younger and still think it sounds good.

Go to zaphaudio.com he has one of the few rational DIY websites I have come across. Still he has a cult like following like others in the past, but I guess if you have to follow you might as well follow him.

Also I realized over the years that passive cross-overs are a waste of time and money. Go active. You can buy a used 3-way active cross-over and 6 channel amp for $300 (over budge I know). I turned my computer sound card (kx drivers) into and 3-way cross-over and got a 6-channel amp for $230. Of course you could go 2-way for much cheaper. If you copy a design though, especially a 2-way, then passive will be cheaper.

Good quote to remember I read on this website in some one's signature is: "in the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few."

A good 2-way speaker in my opinion is a fullrange 3-4" driver and a 15" woofer/subwoofer A 1" tweeter and 5" woofer is good for my apartment, maybe even a fullrange would sound good at the whisper quiet volumes I play my music at. Actually I just listen to alternative media broadcasts mostly which sound the same on any speaker. Never really cared for music, waste of time, just like writing this post I might listen to music more, but I can't really listen to deafening bass that comes from most electronic music in my apartment at satisfying volumes.

[picowallspeaker]

CCLS
sorry man ..!!
Computer
Controlled
LoudSpeaker
??

[Jimmy154]

I wish I could take back my post That was mean It's kind of true though

[Zartla]

Originally Posted by picowallspeaker

CCLS
sorry man ..!!
Computer
Controlled
LoudSpeaker
??

cold cathode light
What is a Cold Cathode Light?