First time Home Audio DIY'r......

Yousuredo · 5th June 2006, 02:35 AM

I am a DIY'r at heart...
everything i do, i try to do as much as i can, myself...
But i do know my limitations of knowlegde...

I Have always wanted to dive into this. I was researching alot a year ago and found alot of great sites...with a ton of usefull info...

but the more i read, the more confused i get....
I see so many different styles, makes, and modles of speaker & boxes...

What I want:
A Proven design...
for use with HT and Music...
Most bang for dollar (of course)...

What I have currently:
Polk CS-i Center(MTM), L & R (MT)
Some El-cheapo pioneer Floor (WMT)
Infinaty Rear surounds (MT)

I would love to know:
how the DIY (MTM) Pairs & centers, Priced at $200 for a pair:
compare to mine (Each retailed for more that)

Sence I am in an 1 bdr. appartment, I never get to turn up loud...
But i do want to build a system that will grow with me...

I dont currently have a sub and was thinking that might be first diy audio project,
but if the C-L-R are a huge improvement(over mine), I might do it insted...

Budget is about $200-$250 for drivers and 'premade' cross overs ect...
I already have the MDF, and things needed to make the box's...

Recomendations welcome...

and thanx a ton
Chris

xstephanx · 5th June 2006, 03:13 AM

id reccomend you google "dayton 8", there are a couple people who have built them, the one going into most detail is on dave tenneys site, they go LOW and are fantastic for ht, as they probably wont need a sub for most HT in a small apartment.

Normally i would reccomend a sub for a first timer, but since youre in an apartment 4x8" drivers should have enough low end for movies. HOWEVER they do have a bit of a "loudness countour"built into them, especially off axis. so the mids are a bit "scooped" although on acis they should be pretty flat.

IIRC they come in under 200$ US for the pair of em, and if you stretch the budget a bit you can probably buy parts for a centre channel and just put it in a sealed box(or appropriate size) (since the centre doesnt need to reproduce that much LFE)

although you must understand that your budget is tight, and premade crossovers ALWAYS(95% of the time) miss the mark with poorly made components, making those crossovers shouldnt be difficult at all, and with all the help at DIYaudio the project should be a breeze if you think ahead and are a decent woodowrker.

remember before you build anything go through the ENTIRE build proscess in detail in your head, that usually prevents the majority of problems.

angsuman · 5th June 2006, 04:26 AM

Yea don't buy premade crossovers. There are many many proven designs out there and reading the schematics is pretty simple to assemble your own crossover. Just practice soldering a bit.

Yousuredo · 5th June 2006, 04:24 PM

well...never tackled anything like the cross overs before...But I am willing to try...(just remember i will need it to be dumb down so i can understand it)

Any Recomendations for 'proven MTM Designs' (floor standing prefered)...

Any idea how they will compare to my current POLK'S-LSi's (L&R) & CSi' (Center)...

chris

mrlots2do · 5th June 2006, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Yousuredo
Any Recomendations for 'proven MTM Designs' (floor standing prefered)...chris

Try building the Triunes, about $60 each....
Keep baffle width as designed change height for tower so tweeter is approximately 40" from floor.
http://www.partsexpress.com/projects...une/index.html]

I built the Impresarios pictured here....
http://www.partsexpress.com/projects...ario/index.htm

This is my Impresario-Triune center channel crossover....
http://www.partsexpress.com/projects...crossover1.jpg

LightwaveDude · 5th June 2006, 08:02 PM

Currently, I'm working on my first DIY project: a subwoofer. Unlike the others here, I'd recommend building a subwoofer first. I would do this for two main reasons.

1) Subwoofers are simpler because one does not need to design a crossover for it to work

2) You may be surprised at how much better your main speakers will sound with a subwoofer handling the low frequency information.

I also own a pair of cheap Pioneer speakers (the S-G300B-K) and I was using heavy EQing to bring up the bass response, and of course power handling, max SPL, and clearity of the midrange and treble suffered. Since I have built a subwoofer, I have removed all the EQing and I've seen many improvements including better imaging, much better high end (10kHz and up) and lower noise and distortion since my amp is driving much less of the signal to the hungry bass frequencies. I've also replaced a boomy, boosted bass sound with tight, deep, and even bass that surprises me at how unobtrusive the basslines in songs and the LFE in movies are now, but if I turn off the sub, it's a world of difference.

Like you, I found everything quite daunting a year ago when I started looking into home audio and found DIY audio. But after I finish my subwoofer (and save up some more money) I think I'll be ready to move onto more projects including new main speakers.

Hope everything goes well for you.

Yousuredo · 5th June 2006, 09:52 PM

thanx, I am absorbing in as much as I can stand...
from all the Audio sites...

But I do remeber seeing several Last year, that were using a speaker with copper colored cone in the center...
I caint seem to find these site now...

I do have a Car sub, 10" MA Aduio-dual 6 ohm voice coils(Run it as a 3ohm), and 800w handling, Might make a good sub to try for my first DIY sub project...
All I would need is an AMP...
PE has a dayton 250w(150rms@8ohm & 272rms @ 4ohm) sub amp for $130ish...

LightwaveDude · 5th June 2006, 10:09 PM

A little less power, but a lot cheaper look at this . I'm using it with a 12" Assassin driver, and unless you're watching movies or listening to music at really high levels, this amplifier has plenty of power. Not to mention it's worth way more than what they're selling it for.

454Casull · 5th June 2006, 10:10 PM

The drivers with the copper plugs in the center would be the Seas Excel line.

See if anything interests you here:

http://www.zaphaudio.com/

Yousuredo · 6th June 2006, 08:09 PM

WOW they are beautiful, and expensive...
well worth it i am sure...

I have so much to learn...
Looking forward to building my first speakers...

I do have an off topic ???
I have a Pair of 'Infinity' Modulus-MO6993
they seem to be very well built, and quality componets....
but my ribons are destroyed, I would love to find some replacements...
any ideas how or where...
chris

5th June 2006, 02:35 AM	#1
Yousuredo diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2006	First time Home Audio DIY'r...... I am a DIY'r at heart... everything i do, i try to do as much as i can, myself... But i do know my limitations of knowlegde... I Have always wanted to dive into this. I was researching alot a year ago and found alot of great sites...with a ton of usefull info... but the more i read, the more confused i get.... I see so many different styles, makes, and modles of speaker & boxes... What I want: A Proven design... for use with HT and Music... Most bang for dollar (of course)... What I have currently: Polk CS-i Center(MTM), L & R (MT) Some El-cheapo pioneer Floor (WMT) Infinaty Rear surounds (MT) I would love to know: how the DIY (MTM) Pairs & centers, Priced at $200 for a pair: compare to mine (Each retailed for more that) Sence I am in an 1 bdr. appartment, I never get to turn up loud... But i do want to build a system that will grow with me... I dont currently have a sub and was thinking that might be first diy audio project, but if the C-L-R are a huge improvement(over mine), I might do it insted... Budget is about $200-$250 for drivers and 'premade' cross overs ect... I already have the MDF, and things needed to make the box's... Recomendations welcome... and thanx a ton Chris

5th June 2006, 03:13 AM	#2
xstephanx diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: t-dot, canada	id reccomend you google "dayton 8", there are a couple people who have built them, the one going into most detail is on dave tenneys site, they go LOW and are fantastic for ht, as they probably wont need a sub for most HT in a small apartment. Normally i would reccomend a sub for a first timer, but since youre in an apartment 4x8" drivers should have enough low end for movies. HOWEVER they do have a bit of a "loudness countour"built into them, especially off axis. so the mids are a bit "scooped" although on acis they should be pretty flat. IIRC they come in under 200$ US for the pair of em, and if you stretch the budget a bit you can probably buy parts for a centre channel and just put it in a sealed box(or appropriate size) (since the centre doesnt need to reproduce that much LFE) although you must understand that your budget is tight, and premade crossovers ALWAYS(95% of the time) miss the mark with poorly made components, making those crossovers shouldnt be difficult at all, and with all the help at DIYaudio the project should be a breeze if you think ahead and are a decent woodowrker. remember before you build anything go through the ENTIRE build proscess in detail in your head, that usually prevents the majority of problems. __________________ CREEEAAAAAMMMMM CHEEEEEESSSSSSEEEEEEE!!!!! EEEEESSSSEEEEEEHC MMMMMAAAAAEEEERRCCC!!!!

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5th June 2006, 04:26 AM	#3
angsuman diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Las Vegas NV	Yea don't buy premade crossovers. There are many many proven designs out there and reading the schematics is pretty simple to assemble your own crossover. Just practice soldering a bit.

5th June 2006, 04:24 PM	#4
Yousuredo diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2006	well...never tackled anything like the cross overs before...But I am willing to try...(just remember i will need it to be dumb down so i can understand it) Any Recomendations for 'proven MTM Designs' (floor standing prefered)... Any idea how they will compare to my current POLK'S-LSi's (L&R) & CSi' (Center)... chris

5th June 2006, 08:02 PM	#6
LightwaveDude diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	Currently, I'm working on my first DIY project: a subwoofer. Unlike the others here, I'd recommend building a subwoofer first. I would do this for two main reasons. 1) Subwoofers are simpler because one does not need to design a crossover for it to work 2) You may be surprised at how much better your main speakers will sound with a subwoofer handling the low frequency information. I also own a pair of cheap Pioneer speakers (the S-G300B-K) and I was using heavy EQing to bring up the bass response, and of course power handling, max SPL, and clearity of the midrange and treble suffered. Since I have built a subwoofer, I have removed all the EQing and I've seen many improvements including better imaging, much better high end (10kHz and up) and lower noise and distortion since my amp is driving much less of the signal to the hungry bass frequencies. I've also replaced a boomy, boosted bass sound with tight, deep, and even bass that surprises me at how unobtrusive the basslines in songs and the LFE in movies are now, but if I turn off the sub, it's a world of difference. Like you, I found everything quite daunting a year ago when I started looking into home audio and found DIY audio. But after I finish my subwoofer (and save up some more money) I think I'll be ready to move onto more projects including new main speakers. Hope everything goes well for you.

5th June 2006, 09:52 PM	#7
Yousuredo diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2006	thanx, I am absorbing in as much as I can stand... from all the Audio sites... But I do remeber seeing several Last year, that were using a speaker with copper colored cone in the center... I caint seem to find these site now... I do have a Car sub, 10" MA Aduio-dual 6 ohm voice coils(Run it as a 3ohm), and 800w handling, Might make a good sub to try for my first DIY sub project... All I would need is an AMP... PE has a dayton 250w(150rms@8ohm & 272rms @ 4ohm) sub amp for $130ish...

5th June 2006, 10:09 PM	#8
LightwaveDude diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	A little less power, but a lot cheaper look at this . I'm using it with a 12" Assassin driver, and unless you're watching movies or listening to music at really high levels, this amplifier has plenty of power. Not to mention it's worth way more than what they're selling it for.

5th June 2006, 10:10 PM	#9
454Casull diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada	The drivers with the copper plugs in the center would be the Seas Excel line. See if anything interests you here: http://www.zaphaudio.com/

6th June 2006, 08:09 PM	#10
Yousuredo diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2006	WOW they are beautiful, and expensive... well worth it i am sure... I have so much to learn... Looking forward to building my first speakers... I do have an off topic ??? I have a Pair of 'Infinity' Modulus-MO6993 they seem to be very well built, and quality componets.... but my ribons are destroyed, I would love to find some replacements... any ideas how or where... chris

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