Has anyone built or heard the ELF1.0?

[Saurav]

I'm talking about the little speaker with the Tang Band driver, not the subwoofers of the same name. I'm looking for something to build for use with the computer (yes, I realize I'll need an amp), mostly for my wife (she listens to her music on the computer and my DIY ego can't have her listening to those dinky speakers that came with the PC). So I've decided to build speakers for the computer, even though she doesn't think she wants them.

But anyway, that's a digression.... I saw the W3-871S get good press on a few websites, and most places that talked about any of the ELF variations pointed to DIYAudio as the place to come ask questions at. The ELF1.0 seems to be the best match for what I need - small, cheap, easy to build, and should sound pretty good. It'll be up against a wall, so should get some bass reinforcement there as well.

I'm just throwing this question out there to see if there are any other significantly better options abailable to me. I don't have woodworking tools so a pre-built cabinet is a big plus. And the pair of speakers will cost me less than $100, so that's roughly my price limit. Is the ELF1.0 a pretty good choice for these requirements, or is there anything else that I should be looking at?

Thanks,
Saurav

[seangoesbonk]

I've heard them, and they'll kick the pants off any computer speakers you can buy.

You can get a complete kit for a pair of ELF1.0 for $60usd each at www.creativesound.ca.

If you are willing to spend more, the ELF1.5 kits + cabs will total $122usd. It's hard to beat the sound of these at that price. After shipping (and MDF, paint, etc.) they are probably a bit over your budget.

It sounds like the 1.0 might be better suited to your situation.

[Saurav]

Yes, and the 1.5s look like they're just a little bigger, which might meet with resistance from my wife

Thanks for the feedback... I think I'll go ahead and order these.

On a side note - what's a good way of painting speakers? Do I do them a few sides at a time? I can't hang it in the air and paint all sides together, so there must be some way that people do it to get even paint coverage on all 6 surfaces And any painting tips in general? I've tried spray painting before and since all I have to work in is a windy porch, that usually doesn't turn out too well. I tried a roller and flat/satin black paint on my current (much larger) speakers, and that turned out OK. I'm thinking of trying a glossier finish on these little guys. Should I try multiple coats and sand between them? Use a brush? Put a clearcoat on top? Any tips to make these look good without too much skil or effort would be nice

Thanks,
Saurav

[swirv]

Me and my pal just built a set of SuperELF's. Awesome for there size!! These things will make you think twice about how loud and clear 3" speakers can get. They just sound great. We changed one thing in Al's design. I put the 871 and the 319s aligned down the center.

However, you will need a sub with these if you use them as computer speakers. They are also not that efficient. My w4-656 based speakers are around 6db louder than the SuperELF's so plan on giving them some power--active crossed at 90Hz and you can give these things some juice.

And as far as painting them... We hung them from one of the 3" driver holes with a thick plastic coat hanger and hit them up with some Truck bed paint.

I will post pics and a full review soon..

Great Job Al (aka RAW).

[Saurav]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll think about the sub after I hear these. This system will primarily be used by my wife, and I don't think she's too bothered about bass extension or high volumes.

And as far as painting them... We hung them from one of the 3" driver holes with a thick plastic coat hanger and hit them up with some Truck bed paint.

That's that black/grey textured stuff I've seen in some pictures? Did you spray that on? Any specific brand of paint? And does it go straight on the MDF, or did you use a coat or two of primer?

Thanks,
Saurav

[seangoesbonk]

Truck bed liner is easy to apply and looks totally pro. Check out this thread: (there's a link to the product on post #12)

My TB w4-657s Project Pics

So far I have truck-bed-linered a sub, a pair of speakers and a pair of stands. It kicks a$$! (Thanks Al!)

Edit: Oh yeah, the TBL dries incredibly fast, so I just place the cabinet on a piece of cardboard, paint the the top, wait 15 mins, turn it over, paint the bottom. The TBL is non-tacky after only a couple of minutes, but I wait for 10-15 mins before I flip it. (just to be extra careful) Al says it's a good idea to let it harden overnight before mounting the drivers, etc.

Good luck and have fun!

[RAW]

I just finished spraying 2 sub cabinets a few minutes ago.
As I have said before in otehr lines about this method.
PRIME with a cheap latex black paint.I use any cheap black i can get.Rona,HD,Wal-Mart.What every.
Then use the liner spray and stand back a few feet.Watch the spray as you have to patern match it all over the sub.
But in just a few minuetes it is done.
I have them in my garage now and it is a very cool 8 dgrs out there now.
I fired up a heater and sprayed the bottoms of a few 14" cabinets.Let them sit while I layed out a few Diluceo front baffles, then flipped them over sprayed the cabinet complete and finished laying out a set of baffles for a design for Brian.And once I was finished laying out I walked over they were dry .
Fired up the router and dust collector and started on the baffles.

Let them stay for a day then blow off the dust and assemble them on Sunday.


Best let them sit over night to assemble just makes the paint cure for 24hrs, other than that the driver and amp will stick.If you are not that time minded, just spray thenm and after 30 minutes you can assemble them.

And best you get a hard finish that looks Pro .

Al
HSU has started doing subs this way.

[Saurav]

Thanks. That finish does look really nice, and I think I'll give it a shot.