Help a Nub Out

Arc · 21st September 2005, 06:15 AM

Ok so I am new to the whole DIY thing here, I've done some car stereos and enclosures so I know the BASICS of enclosure design. I am planning on doing a HomeTheatre set up and I am going to start with the center channel so that is where I will start here.

I want it to have 5 drivers, the reason for this if it is odd is that I don't know for sure if this project will continue so it might become my pc speaker. I plan on having 1 6.8" Adire Emtremis Midwoofer, 2 3" Adire Wideband Driver, and 2.75"/1" Tweeter (Don't know which yet)

Now I am a complete noob at this so I would appreciate any suggestions/comments.

Some questions I have about it as of now is:

1. will I need a crossover if I am using a Nakomichi (sp) reciever?
2. do I need to put an amplifier to it?

Finally is there a place that gives a basic outline of things I need to know before I decide to tackle this project over the weekend.

Thank you so much sorry for the ignorance.

Jennice · 21st September 2005, 12:27 PM

Excuse me for saying so... but I think you're in over your head.

1: Your list doesn't have 5 drivers, but 4.
2: Why do you want it to be these drivers?
3: A speaker with this configuration is not likely to be a good center speaker. These are normally symmetrical, horisontal speakers due to the sound field you want from them.
4: Yes, unless you have a 3-4 power amplifier channels for each speaker, you will need a cross-over. A cross-over for this kind of speaker is not easy. (This is one of the reasons that many DIY speakers are 2-way designs, as they're easier to make a success).
5: This takes time. Spending this kind of effort, you will want a clear goal. If you have a Wife Acceptance Factor to consider, too, the enclosure finish will also take a lot of effort (or money to have a paint shop do it for you).

For a beginner, "even" a 2-way speaker can be hard to be successful with. Thus, I would stongly suggest to things:
1: Think this over once more, if you want to DIY.
2: If you decide you want to DIY, find a kit or construction plan for a well-proven design.

I'm not saying it can't be done. I'm not trying to discourage you either. I'm just concerned that you'll end up with a lot of money spent on something you won't be happy about.
Speaker building isn't all about black magig... but sure isn't all science either. I would say it's grey science.

Jennice

Arc · 21st September 2005, 01:41 PM

I agree, after reading more I realized that I was completely over my head so trying to read and come up with better idea.

So i am doing more research and going to go with a 2 way design. Thanks Jennice for your input.

Vikash · 21st September 2005, 01:54 PM

I would also consider a fullrange design. Look into the TB W3-871S/HiVi B3S, or the CSS FR125S drivers.

Jennice · 21st September 2005, 03:30 PM

Indeed...
Full-range designs have their limitations (as to all other sedigns) but they're easy to have a success with. They also have a nice coherenct sound (may seem obvious as they do not need the cross-over). A related type is the so-called "transmission line" design (also referred to as "T-line" or "TL"'s when you search the forum), which has better low-end extension than an ordinary closed design, but are more work to build (well, supposedly, 'cause I haven't tried building any...yet).

Consider: What are your needs/wants, what is your budget, and what kind of music do you listen to?
Cheap, good & loud are three words that are hard to combine. You can pick any two combinations (within reasonable limits) but playing loud and clean with a lot of bass means moving a lot of air. Doing this in a good way is hard to combine with cheap and good.

You mentioned a home theatre. One way to success could be to build s powered sub (you'll probably need an extra amp as very few TH amplifiers have a power amplifier for sub built in). From your car DIY, you should be sable to do this, although you will want a different driver unit. Supplement this with 4 identical, smaller 2-way or full-range designs, which can be found in kits or at least design plans.
Dependent on listener/viewer position, you may not need the 5th (center) channel, or you may find a related design, similar to the 4 "main" speakers.

I would start it all by building the 2-way or full-range front speakers. This way, you know if you're pleased, and if you'll be ready for building the rest.

Jennice

audiobomber · 21st September 2005, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Arc
I want it to have 5 drivers, the reason for this if it is odd is that I don't know for sure if this project will continue so it might become my pc speaker. I plan on having 1 6.8" Adire Emtremis Midwoofer, 2 3" Adire Wideband Driver, and 2.75"/1" Tweeter (Don't know which yet)

Check out the Exodus speaker kits. Pretty close to what you want, and easy enough for a beginner to build: http://www.diycable.com/main/default.php?cPath=24_92

AJinFLA · 21st September 2005, 06:15 PM

Well,

"I think" what he wanted was to have the extremis as a sub, the 2 (3") fullranges and 2 (1")tweets as satellites IF he were to build some computer speakers. He could make an MTM center using the 3's and 1 tweeter, with the extremis mounted on the top of the cabinet as a "sub" woofer (I think I have seen a design like this previously, can't remember where

).
The question is if he should attempt such a center. That he will have to answer himself

.

cheers,

AJ

21st September 2005, 06:15 AM	#1
Arc diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	Help a Nub Out Ok so I am new to the whole DIY thing here, I've done some car stereos and enclosures so I know the BASICS of enclosure design. I am planning on doing a HomeTheatre set up and I am going to start with the center channel so that is where I will start here. I want it to have 5 drivers, the reason for this if it is odd is that I don't know for sure if this project will continue so it might become my pc speaker. I plan on having 1 6.8" Adire Emtremis Midwoofer, 2 3" Adire Wideband Driver, and 2.75"/1" Tweeter (Don't know which yet) Now I am a complete noob at this so I would appreciate any suggestions/comments. Some questions I have about it as of now is: 1. will I need a crossover if I am using a Nakomichi (sp) reciever? 2. do I need to put an amplifier to it? Finally is there a place that gives a basic outline of things I need to know before I decide to tackle this project over the weekend. Thank you so much sorry for the ignorance.

21st September 2005, 12:27 PM	#2
Jennice diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Planet Earth	Excuse me for saying so... but I think you're in over your head. 1: Your list doesn't have 5 drivers, but 4. 2: Why do you want it to be these drivers? 3: A speaker with this configuration is not likely to be a good center speaker. These are normally symmetrical, horisontal speakers due to the sound field you want from them. 4: Yes, unless you have a 3-4 power amplifier channels for each speaker, you will need a cross-over. A cross-over for this kind of speaker is not easy. (This is one of the reasons that many DIY speakers are 2-way designs, as they're easier to make a success). 5: This takes time. Spending this kind of effort, you will want a clear goal. If you have a Wife Acceptance Factor to consider, too, the enclosure finish will also take a lot of effort (or money to have a paint shop do it for you). For a beginner, "even" a 2-way speaker can be hard to be successful with. Thus, I would stongly suggest to things: 1: Think this over once more, if you want to DIY. 2: If you decide you want to DIY, find a kit or construction plan for a well-proven design. I'm not saying it can't be done. I'm not trying to discourage you either. I'm just concerned that you'll end up with a lot of money spent on something you won't be happy about. Speaker building isn't all about black magig... but sure isn't all science either. I would say it's grey science. Jennice __________________ I get paid to break stuff. My g/f gets paid to play with children. Life is good.

21st September 2005, 01:54 PM	#4
Vikash diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2003 Location: UK	I would also consider a fullrange design. Look into the TB W3-871S/HiVi B3S, or the CSS FR125S drivers. __________________ "The human mind is so constituted that it colours with its own previous conceptions any new notion that presents itself for acceptance." - J. Wilhelm. (But I still think mine sounds better than yours.)

21st September 2005, 03:30 PM	#5
Jennice diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Planet Earth	Indeed... Full-range designs have their limitations (as to all other sedigns) but they're easy to have a success with. They also have a nice coherenct sound (may seem obvious as they do not need the cross-over). A related type is the so-called "transmission line" design (also referred to as "T-line" or "TL"'s when you search the forum), which has better low-end extension than an ordinary closed design, but are more work to build (well, supposedly, 'cause I haven't tried building any...yet). Consider: What are your needs/wants, what is your budget, and what kind of music do you listen to? Cheap, good & loud are three words that are hard to combine. You can pick any two combinations (within reasonable limits) but playing loud and clean with a lot of bass means moving a lot of air. Doing this in a good way is hard to combine with cheap and good. You mentioned a home theatre. One way to success could be to build s powered sub (you'll probably need an extra amp as very few TH amplifiers have a power amplifier for sub built in). From your car DIY, you should be sable to do this, although you will want a different driver unit. Supplement this with 4 identical, smaller 2-way or full-range designs, which can be found in kits or at least design plans. Dependent on listener/viewer position, you may not need the 5th (center) channel, or you may find a related design, similar to the 4 "main" speakers. I would start it all by building the 2-way or full-range front speakers. This way, you know if you're pleased, and if you'll be ready for building the rest. Jennice __________________ I get paid to break stuff. My g/f gets paid to play with children. Life is good.

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21st September 2005, 01:41 PM	#3
Arc diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	I agree, after reading more I realized that I was completely over my head so trying to read and come up with better idea. So i am doing more research and going to go with a 2 way design. Thanks Jennice for your input.

21st September 2005, 06:15 PM	#7
AJinFLA Banned Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tampa	Well, "I think" what he wanted was to have the extremis as a sub, the 2 (3") fullranges and 2 (1")tweets as satellites IF he were to build some computer speakers. He could make an MTM center using the 3's and 1 tweeter, with the extremis mounted on the top of the cabinet as a "sub" woofer (I think I have seen a design like this previously, can't remember where ). The question is if he should attempt such a center. That he will have to answer himself . cheers, AJ

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