DIY Portable Speakers?

fury · 11th June 2005, 09:16 AM

Hey...
I'm interested in creating some small portable speakers.
They will be run off a small tripath amp (2x25wrms @4ohms) through an ipod shuffle.

I understand obviously i'm going to have to compromise somewhere, and in this case it'll probably on lower end extension for portability.
At first I was thinking of just buying a set of cheap 4" car component speakers (tweeter, woofer, xover) but I figure I might's well as you guys what to do before I get anything.

I was now thinking a pair of 8 ohm 4" drivers, and a small 4ohm tweeter per side. Ultimately I'd like final impedence to be 4ohms as to get the most from the amp.
I was considering mounting these open baffle, just a small baffle with a stiff wire mesh around front and back to keep the drivers protected.

Couple of requirements I have...
All up the drivers can't cost more then about $50 AUD (+$20 if i feel it's worth it).
Also the drivers must be easily available in Australia...

Anywho, any help would be appreciated.

Cheers.

Stocker · 11th June 2005, 04:30 PM

I don't know if you can get them inexpensively where you are, but Aurasound has some nifty-looking 3" drivers with (relatively) huge excursion...

NS3-193-8A is the one I am thinking of, but the NS3-194-8E might be a perfect fit for you, size and price.

The only thing about these drivers is that they are a little deep, but not excessively so.
madisound

AJinFLA · 12th June 2005, 12:30 AM

I am listening to these right now as I type. I would go with the best 4-6" car drivers you can find (used if possible) for your $. You may be suprised by how good they end up sounding OB. You could also hinge the side wings so that they fold over the drivers front to protect it when not in use. Then fold back when in use.

cheers,

AJ

AJinFLA · 12th June 2005, 12:33 AM

Btw,
those are JBL P422's. Very nice sounding drivers.

fury · 12th June 2005, 06:23 AM

I've been thinking, hinged walls that fold behind to protect the driver, and grill mesh over the front to protect the cone...
Those NS3-193-8A's look awesome, and have more xmax then any speaker < 6" i've used! but i'm worried that they're too inefficient and we'd end up pushing the amp too hard.

How do the NS3-194-8E sound?
They're slightly cheaper and would probably run 2 of them per side, if postage isn't too bad.
I can't seem to find any "decent" 4" speakers for ~$10 AUD each nearby, so a pair of car splits might be on the cards (although 6" or bigger == bigger baffle == less portable).

Cheers

Jim McPherson · 15th June 2005, 02:28 AM

Hi,
I've been following your power thread on 41hz.com as well. I'd have a good look at the 2'' full range Aurasound. I just built an iPod speaker system with the Sonic Impact T-amp and a pair of the 2'' full range Aurasound's. I'm QUITE surprised at how well it sounds. It's as loud as I have any desire to play music. My wife loves it for it's compact size and portability. These little 2'' speakers can fit in a super small box. Sure your not going to hear much below 200hz, but it's portable, what should you expect? I highly recommend this setup for the iPod.

-Jim

quiet · 4th July 2005, 05:13 PM

i made a little something for my recent trip to jamaica -

The Rasta Boom Box

had great low end thatnks to 2 harmon 4" and the mids where ok
i used 2 oval compaq speakers - dont bash till you here -

powered with a cyber acustic 3 way amp - i liberated from some desktop speakers - so it runs via ac and with a home made battery pack

got it down to 50 hz via tone generator - befor it got crappy
from 10 feet its loud and has enough punch to listin to dub and hiphop

checkit out !!

RASTA BOOM BOX

quiet · 4th July 2005, 05:13 PM

oh yeah did i mention they are made out of cardboard

Netlist · 4th July 2005, 05:19 PM

I like the duck tape....you're not going to cross the borders with them aren’t you?

/Hugo

AJinFLA · 4th July 2005, 05:50 PM

That is a very impressive use of the materials at hand. Did you watch MacGyver often

? Seriously, I like what you have done.
Now for even more portability, you could leave some of the sides folded (but still attached) and the back untaped together, carry a roll of duct tape with you , then unfold and assemble on site! Sweet. Myself and this gentleman are impressed. Just be careful not to put any acoustic "stuffing" in the box when returning from Jamaica...

Cheers,

AJ

11th June 2005, 09:16 AM	#1
fury diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: aus	DIY Portable Speakers? Hey... I'm interested in creating some small portable speakers. They will be run off a small tripath amp (2x25wrms @4ohms) through an ipod shuffle. I understand obviously i'm going to have to compromise somewhere, and in this case it'll probably on lower end extension for portability. At first I was thinking of just buying a set of cheap 4" car component speakers (tweeter, woofer, xover) but I figure I might's well as you guys what to do before I get anything. I was now thinking a pair of 8 ohm 4" drivers, and a small 4ohm tweeter per side. Ultimately I'd like final impedence to be 4ohms as to get the most from the amp. I was considering mounting these open baffle, just a small baffle with a stiff wire mesh around front and back to keep the drivers protected. Couple of requirements I have... All up the drivers can't cost more then about $50 AUD (+$20 if i feel it's worth it). Also the drivers must be easily available in Australia... Anywho, any help would be appreciated. Cheers.

11th June 2005, 04:30 PM	#2
Stocker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin	I don't know if you can get them inexpensively where you are, but Aurasound has some nifty-looking 3" drivers with (relatively) huge excursion... NS3-193-8A is the one I am thinking of, but the NS3-194-8E might be a perfect fit for you, size and price. The only thing about these drivers is that they are a little deep, but not excessively so. madisound __________________ Jesus loves you.

4th July 2005, 05:19 PM	#9
Netlist diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003	Rasta Boom Box. I like the duck tape....you're not going to cross the borders with them aren’t you? /Hugo

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Small Portable Speakers and a T-Amp	guitarobert	Full Range	2	24th January 2008 06:40 PM
Wanted: External, portable CD-ROM or DVD drive; decent USB DAC, portable speakers.	Spasticteapot	Swap Meet	0	31st May 2006 02:13 AM
Building portable speakers	banalex	Multi-Way	5	3rd November 2004 09:48 PM


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

12th June 2005, 06:23 AM	#5
fury diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: aus	I've been thinking, hinged walls that fold behind to protect the driver, and grill mesh over the front to protect the cone... Those NS3-193-8A's look awesome, and have more xmax then any speaker < 6" i've used! but i'm worried that they're too inefficient and we'd end up pushing the amp too hard. How do the NS3-194-8E sound? They're slightly cheaper and would probably run 2 of them per side, if postage isn't too bad. I can't seem to find any "decent" 4" speakers for ~$10 AUD each nearby, so a pair of car splits might be on the cards (although 6" or bigger == bigger baffle == less portable). Cheers

15th June 2005, 02:28 AM	#6
Jim McPherson diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Maryland, USA	Hi, I've been following your power thread on 41hz.com as well. I'd have a good look at the 2'' full range Aurasound. I just built an iPod speaker system with the Sonic Impact T-amp and a pair of the 2'' full range Aurasound's. I'm QUITE surprised at how well it sounds. It's as loud as I have any desire to play music. My wife loves it for it's compact size and portability. These little 2'' speakers can fit in a super small box. Sure your not going to hear much below 200hz, but it's portable, what should you expect? I highly recommend this setup for the iPod. -Jim

4th July 2005, 05:13 PM	#7
quiet diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CT	i made a little something for my recent trip to jamaica - The Rasta Boom Box had great low end thatnks to 2 harmon 4" and the mids where ok i used 2 oval compaq speakers - dont bash till you here - powered with a cyber acustic 3 way amp - i liberated from some desktop speakers - so it runs via ac and with a home made battery pack got it down to 50 hz via tone generator - befor it got crappy from 10 feet its loud and has enough punch to listin to dub and hiphop checkit out !! RASTA BOOM BOX

4th July 2005, 05:50 PM	#10
AJinFLA Banned Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tampa	That is a very impressive use of the materials at hand. Did you watch MacGyver often ? Seriously, I like what you have done. Now for even more portability, you could leave some of the sides folded (but still attached) and the back untaped together, carry a roll of duct tape with you , then unfold and assemble on site! Sweet. Myself and this gentleman are impressed. Just be careful not to put any acoustic "stuffing" in the box when returning from Jamaica... Cheers, AJ

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read