PC Speaker System (2.1) Idea Help

AIA · 13th October 2006, 05:29 AM

I am looking into the idea of building a PC speaker system so that I can chuck my beater Cambridge PC Works set-up so they stop hurting my ears. The concept is a two-way that consists of full range drivers in their own boxes next to the monitor and a separate sub under the desk. Not exactly a bleeding edge idea, I know. I thought Zaph Audio's Hi-Vi B3N(S)'s might be good for the desktops, and I am sure that I can find a decent, inexpensive 6-8" woofer / sub at PE or Madisound. (Any suggestions would be welcome!) We are not talking about major volume or even serious high fidelity here: mp3's and WMA's off the hard drive is the source.

But where I need help is: can I design the XO as if the full range and woofer were in one box, but actually build two (well, three) boxes? I thought of running cables between the boxes that were simply long versions of the internal wiring needed in a regular 2-way. Can I throw a volume pot in there to adjust the volume of the sub down stream from the main volume control, or is there another way to adjust the sub volume? L-pad?

I would like to run the set-up from one amp (a modified radio shack accurian 2x25w), rather than have a dedicated sub amp, so this is the only way that makes sense to me, but what do I know?!?

At the end of the day, this will look and function like most of the commercially available 2.1 computer systems out there, but it should sound a helluva lot better and be significantly more fun to build!

Thanks in advance for any insight.

aia

sreten · 13th October 2006, 09:42 AM

Hi,

passive crossovers at bass frequencies are hideously expensive.

I suggest you try the Aura NS3 design found in the Archives section
of Zaphs site, as its desktop near field leave out the baffle step
filter components, as long as your not a bass freak nearfield bass
output may be adequate, certainly very high for a 3" driver.

If you using a computer you don't really need the higher frequency
filter either as its simple to use an onboard graphic EQ to replicate
this filters correction.

make the boxes 2 litres, no point making them any bigger.

Or if you fancy bigger and porting :

http://www.timn8er.com/Aurasound%20NS3.htm

Though I'd set port frequency to ~ 50Hz.

/sreten.

Geek · 13th October 2006, 10:36 AM

Those Aurasound's work great for MM

Here's a set I made for my computer:
A little MM two-way

6.4l BR box (tuned to 48 Hz), they go to 50 Hz quite nicely.

boone · 13th October 2006, 01:25 PM

aia

Cambridge PC Works has a decent 3 channel amp ( TDA 1554Q chip ) w/ x-over built in to the woofer cab. I just threw away the Cambridge drivers and hooked up a pair of o.b. 3" sats with an o.b. woof under the desk. Sounds much better.

boone

AIA · 15th October 2006, 02:22 AM

Thanks for all your input. I think that I have been convinced of using the Aurasounds rather than the Hi-Vi B3S. The Auras may be more expensive, but less has to be built around them like filters and even a sub.

boone - I presume that you used 4 ohm drivers to replace the stock PC Works drivers?

Once this project gets off the ground, I'll check back in with some pics.

best regards - aia

13th October 2006, 05:29 AM	#1
AIA diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CO	PC Speaker System (2.1) Idea Help I am looking into the idea of building a PC speaker system so that I can chuck my beater Cambridge PC Works set-up so they stop hurting my ears. The concept is a two-way that consists of full range drivers in their own boxes next to the monitor and a separate sub under the desk. Not exactly a bleeding edge idea, I know. I thought Zaph Audio's Hi-Vi B3N(S)'s might be good for the desktops, and I am sure that I can find a decent, inexpensive 6-8" woofer / sub at PE or Madisound. (Any suggestions would be welcome!) We are not talking about major volume or even serious high fidelity here: mp3's and WMA's off the hard drive is the source. But where I need help is: can I design the XO as if the full range and woofer were in one box, but actually build two (well, three) boxes? I thought of running cables between the boxes that were simply long versions of the internal wiring needed in a regular 2-way. Can I throw a volume pot in there to adjust the volume of the sub down stream from the main volume control, or is there another way to adjust the sub volume? L-pad? I would like to run the set-up from one amp (a modified radio shack accurian 2x25w), rather than have a dedicated sub amp, so this is the only way that makes sense to me, but what do I know?!? At the end of the day, this will look and function like most of the commercially available 2.1 computer systems out there, but it should sound a helluva lot better and be significantly more fun to build! Thanks in advance for any insight. aia

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13th October 2006, 09:42 AM	#2
sreten diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK	Hi, passive crossovers at bass frequencies are hideously expensive. I suggest you try the Aura NS3 design found in the Archives section of Zaphs site, as its desktop near field leave out the baffle step filter components, as long as your not a bass freak nearfield bass output may be adequate, certainly very high for a 3" driver. If you using a computer you don't really need the higher frequency filter either as its simple to use an onboard graphic EQ to replicate this filters correction. make the boxes 2 litres, no point making them any bigger. Or if you fancy bigger and porting : http://www.timn8er.com/Aurasound%20NS3.htm Though I'd set port frequency to ~ 50Hz. /sreten.

13th October 2006, 10:36 AM	#3
Geek diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004	Those Aurasound's work great for MM Here's a set I made for my computer: A little MM two-way 6.4l BR box (tuned to 48 Hz), they go to 50 Hz quite nicely.

13th October 2006, 01:25 PM	#4
boone diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Or.	aia Cambridge PC Works has a decent 3 channel amp ( TDA 1554Q chip ) w/ x-over built in to the woofer cab. I just threw away the Cambridge drivers and hooked up a pair of o.b. 3" sats with an o.b. woof under the desk. Sounds much better. boone

15th October 2006, 02:22 AM	#5
AIA diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CO	Thanks for all your input. I think that I have been convinced of using the Aurasounds rather than the Hi-Vi B3S. The Auras may be more expensive, but less has to be built around them like filters and even a sub. boone - I presume that you used 4 ohm drivers to replace the stock PC Works drivers? Once this project gets off the ground, I'll check back in with some pics. best regards - aia