Just learing about building speakers looking for some input.

cruciform · 17th November 2012, 01:52 PM

I'm new to the building of speaker components. I have a fair grasp of how it all functions, but I'm looking for essentially a guide that will provide me with a step by step build instruction, with explanations along the way, so I can learn what I'm doing as I build the speakers.

I'm a craftsman, with a lot of experience with metal, fiberglass, and wood work, and I have a metal lathe as well. My inexperience lies in the formulas behind speaker building, so I figured my first build should be pretty simple rear surround speakers. I'm a Mid-century modern design fan, so I'd love to include something that would fit my decor. I'm very capable of building the cabinets, as long as I have some parameters to go by.

I'm looking to compliment my Polk Monitor 10's which is what I'm currently using as fronts, (and would love to build my own in the future, after I have a better grasp) and an inexpensive subwoofer, which will be my next project, after the surround speakers.

thanks for any and all help!

system7 · 18th November 2012, 12:28 AM

It's a great hobby, at whatever level you want to start.

Troels Gravesen is as good as it gets for diy:
DIY Loudspeakers

Visaton's Boxsim simulator works best with their own drivers, but is very easy to use and includes Zobel and reflex and closed box calculator.
Downloads

The Rolls-Royce of drivers is probably SEAS of Moss in Norway. These people know what they are doing:
Welcome to SEAS, THE ART OF SOUND PERFECTION BY SEAS

Enough to be getting on with there. At this forum, I always read Lynn Olson, Jeff Bagby and Joachim Gerhard with great interest.

prairieboy · 18th November 2012, 12:30 AM

Check for designs from any of the following:
Zaph|Audio
https://sites.google.com/site/undefinition/diy
DIY Loudspeakers
Lou's Speaker Site
Projects Gallery
and there are more ....
Something to consider when trying to match your 'Mid-century' modern (whatever that is) is to keep the baffle dimensions the same + or - 1/2" (12 mm) and don't add 'lips' or protrusions around the baffle to create diffraction.
Have fun reading ...

tvrgeek · 18th November 2012, 12:24 PM

After the cookbooks, it really helops to understand what the measurements mean and what you are actually measuring. I recommend Joe D'Appolito's Measuring Loudspeakers.

True Audio also has a lot of good info. Let's not forget Linkwitz.

There is no one brand of speaker driver that is the best. I use a lot of Seas, but SB, Peerless, ScanSpeak, Fostex, Fountek.....and a host of sub specialty makers. You need to learn how to choose drivers for applications.

17th November 2012, 01:52 PM	#1
cruciform diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2012	Just learing about building speakers looking for some input. I'm new to the building of speaker components. I have a fair grasp of how it all functions, but I'm looking for essentially a guide that will provide me with a step by step build instruction, with explanations along the way, so I can learn what I'm doing as I build the speakers. I'm a craftsman, with a lot of experience with metal, fiberglass, and wood work, and I have a metal lathe as well. My inexperience lies in the formulas behind speaker building, so I figured my first build should be pretty simple rear surround speakers. I'm a Mid-century modern design fan, so I'd love to include something that would fit my decor. I'm very capable of building the cabinets, as long as I have some parameters to go by. I'm looking to compliment my Polk Monitor 10's which is what I'm currently using as fronts, (and would love to build my own in the future, after I have a better grasp) and an inexpensive subwoofer, which will be my next project, after the surround speakers. thanks for any and all help!

18th November 2012, 12:28 AM	#2
system7 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2008	It's a great hobby, at whatever level you want to start. Troels Gravesen is as good as it gets for diy: DIY Loudspeakers Visaton's Boxsim simulator works best with their own drivers, but is very easy to use and includes Zobel and reflex and closed box calculator. Downloads The Rolls-Royce of drivers is probably SEAS of Moss in Norway. These people know what they are doing: Welcome to SEAS, THE ART OF SOUND PERFECTION BY SEAS Enough to be getting on with there. At this forum, I always read Lynn Olson, Jeff Bagby and Joachim Gerhard with great interest. __________________ Good Night, and Good Luck. Best regards from Steve in Portsmouth, UK.

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18th November 2012, 12:30 AM	#3
prairieboy diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2010	Check for designs from any of the following: Zaph\|Audio https://sites.google.com/site/undefinition/diy DIY Loudspeakers Lou's Speaker Site Projects Gallery and there are more .... Something to consider when trying to match your 'Mid-century' modern (whatever that is) is to keep the baffle dimensions the same + or - 1/2" (12 mm) and don't add 'lips' or protrusions around the baffle to create diffraction. Have fun reading ...

18th November 2012, 12:24 PM	#4
tvrgeek diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Md	After the cookbooks, it really helops to understand what the measurements mean and what you are actually measuring. I recommend Joe D'Appolito's Measuring Loudspeakers. True Audio also has a lot of good info. Let's not forget Linkwitz. There is no one brand of speaker driver that is the best. I use a lot of Seas, but SB, Peerless, ScanSpeak, Fostex, Fountek.....and a host of sub specialty makers. You need to learn how to choose drivers for applications.