First time build help needed budget oriented

[sbrunkow]

I posted this on htguide, but I think this is a better place to look for help.

I am interested in building a pair of speakers and I need some advice. I have some electronics experience, but not design, more construction. I have a good friend that is a master woodworker I hope to get help from. I don't think building will be a problem. The problem I have is what to build and what to expect from the speakers. I have no test equipment other than a Fluke meter and no design software. I listened to a pair of Klipsch RB-81s and some other speakers, not bad, but $700 or so isn't in the budget.

This is what I want to do. I want to build a smallish pair of speakers for my 15 year old son. He's into the linkin park and hip hopish type stuff and likes too much bass. I bought him a pioneer receiver, it's a couple of years old, digital surround, not elite series. He listens to cds, nothing fancy and radio.

This is what I'd really like in order of importance.

Cheap, $100-200 for a first project.
Decent bass and overall sound.
work in teen bedroom, placement wouldn't be ideal I'm sure.
reasonable size, the klipsch were about as big as I'd want to go.

I'm not looking for a kit, but rather plans that have been built and with known results.

Here are a couple of projects I have seen that may work.

Dayton 3 http://www.speakerbuilder.net/web_f.../D3/dayton3.htm

Parts Express BR-1 http://murphyblaster.com/content.php?f=pe_br1.html but I'd rather build the cabinets

Zaphaudio Silver Flute http://www.zaphaudio.com/audio-speaker13.html

Modula MT http://mysite.verizon.net/res6vgmm/danspage/id8.html

I'd like to know if anyone has a recommendation for a project that might fit what I'm looking for.

I'd really appreciate any advice or opinions anyone has.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Jim85IROC]

With the type of music he likes and the amount of bass that he seems to like, I'd stick with a robust design. The Dayton D3s would probably be the best choice out of what you listed. Smaller stuff like the Silver Flute design, while likely much better sounding, won't put up with hip-hop bass at teenager volumes for long.

Here are some other suggestions:
Noah 8s: http://www.partsexpress.com/projectshowcase/noah8/index.html
8" woofer will produce good bass and should get loud.

Zaph's Bargain Aluminum MTM: http://www.zaphaudio.com/BAMTM.html Those woofers sound very good, and get deep. With 2 per side, you should get plenty of output too. Just make sure that receiver will be happy with a 4 ohm load (That goes for the D3s too). The tweeter is one of the best at any price. This system should give excellent sound quality and plenty of bass.

Another idea is to just pick up a pair of used speakers. Cerwin Vegas come to mind. They're the perfect teenager speaker... loud, big, bold, and tons of bass. You can pick up a decent pair for a couple hundred bucks on Ebay.