Books!

[dirkwright]

I seem to have a need to learn some more about the fine points of hifi speaker design. Thanks to some very helpful people here, I've learned a lot already, but hate having to keep asking questions. I've read many papers and articles on this subject, from horn design to other aspects, but I'd rather do some of my own reading, but I can't tell which book(s) to get. Does anyone have recommendations on really good professional level books on loudspeaker and crossover design?

[Cal Weldon]

Loudspeaker Design Cookbook
Vance Dickason

[sreten]

Hi,

Books can be overwhelming as they often try to cover everything.

Truth is 90% of everything usually doesn't matter much, 10% does.
The links below sort of cover around 15%, don't agree with it all.

You don't have to ask questions, you can research on the internet.
You will find practising researching, its better than listening to a
set of answers that are often contradictory, some ill-informed.

Searching on intelligent combinations often gives intelligent links.

Books are great if you want to know all about the stuff you ignore.

rgds, sreten.

http://sites.google.com/site/undefinition/diy (see FAQs)
Zaph|Audio
FRD Consortium tools guide
RJB Audio Projects
Speaker Design Works
HTGuide Forum - A Guide to HTguide.com Completed Speaker Designs.
DIY Loudspeaker Projects Troels Gravesen
Humble Homemade Hifi
Quarter Wavelength Loudspeaker Design
The Frugal-Horns Site -- High Performance, Low Cost DIY Horn Designs
Linkwitz Lab - Loudspeaker Design
Music and Design

[dirkwright]

OK, thanks. I read the reviews of Vance's book and it looks like his cookbook tries to cover too many subjects and is somewhat disorganized.

Mostly right now I think I need to learn the fine points of passive crossover design. I'll look at those links when I have time. Thanks!

But, having a book specifically about passive crossovers would be cool.

[AllenB]

Then I'd suggest you specialise. Perhaps you could find some direction, decide to learn what end result you are really seeking....that's invaluable. If not you could pick on some obscure and interesting specific like, um, plasma tweeters and pursue it for a while. It's a good way to broaden the horizons.

[dirkwright]

Originally Posted by AllenB

Then I'd suggest you specialise. Perhaps you could find some direction, decide to learn what end result you are really seeking....that's invaluable. If not you could pick on some obscure and interesting specific like, um, plasma tweeters and pursue it for a while. It's a good way to broaden the horizons.

Maybe so. In a way, building vented boxes is a new direction for me, since 20 years ago I designed a 70Hz straight horn and paid someone a lot of money to build it. I didn't know much back then. I think I did a little measuring with a Radio Shack sound level meter and a sine wave generator and that was about it. Used manufacturer's data to design a crossover to my Edgar 500Hz tractrix horn. I can't remember how I designed the crossover for the Peerless bullet tweeter. I think someone gave that to me.

So no, I don't know nothing, but there seems to be a lot more to learn.

I have a design for a 60Hz tractrix straight horn I intend to build myself, just need some quickie box speakers right now.