Using cheap computer speakers as cabinets

[Bob0513]

Hello,
Is it bad to use pre-meade, cheap computer speakers as cabinets for better speakers? I want to make a decent quality 4.1 system, but size is just as important as sound for this purpose. I can get a set of the Creative Inspire 4.1 4400 speakers, http://www.creative.com/products/pro...26&product=446
pretty cheaply, and they are a good size and color for my application. The satellites are plastic and the subwoofer is MDF with a port hole. If I were to replace the drivers with higher quality speakers like tang bands and use a better amp, would the overall sound suffer signifantly or would I still be able to get a decent sound out of them. Keep in mind that my ears are nowhere near "golden", my room probably has terrible acoustics, and there is a lot of noise pollution in the area, so I don't need a perfect system, just a good one.

Also, if the creative ones are bad to modify, but a different set at around the same cost works well, please mention it.

Thanks,
Robert

[sdclc126]

Replacing the drivers in existing speakers with better drivers will give better sound. It's really a matter of how much better you want. It looks like these are small speakers and that you're looking at replacing the drivers with fullrange units?

There are a lot of inexpensive full/wide range drivers out there - TB and Hi Vi to name a few. You will need to consider resistance and sensitivity to match with your amp, and yes a better amp is a good idea too.

I'm not sure you should buy a brand new set of speakers, regardless of price/quality, only to gut them and replace the drivers, unless their particular look is important to you. You might consider shopping for a used set on eBay - tons of compact/computer speakers available there. You might consider bookshelf/surround cabinets if you want to build a little bigger/better.

If you're feeling a little more ambitious and would consider building from scratch, you might ltake a look at these projects by a very well respected designer:

http://www.zaphaudio.com/audio-speaker18.html

http://www.zaphaudio.com/audio-speaker20a.html

[Bob0513]

Thanks for the reply,
I plan on buying a used/broken set since the actual workings of the original components don't really matter. I want to build my own cabinets, but although I am pretty handy with tools, I don't have access to them. Also, the price factor is significant too. These speakers cost about $50 new, so I should be able to find a used set very cheap.
Robert