- what things should I be looking for in the replacement drivers to better match the existing cabinet?
- in the case I need to make mods (easy/simple) to the cabinet, what tools should I use achieve this?
Thanks in advance for the replies.
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Build an XPS or foamcore enclosure!
There‘s the Cornu, or X’s numerous foamcore designs.
there are also flat pack kits, where all the wood is cut, and just need assembling following grooves. Pretty foolproof.
There‘s the Cornu, or X’s numerous foamcore designs.
there are also flat pack kits, where all the wood is cut, and just need assembling following grooves. Pretty foolproof.
Classic case of confusing sub-forum naming, as full-range Is or should be what we hear...but don't worry: wood Is not that important, Indeed Is a poor material for sound proofing but it's relatively Easy to work and to make prototypes(never done that but some do...).
Regarding title thread...I started my journey by Just doin' that, the Path Is long and results May Be disappointing, but don't worry...
Regarding title thread...I started my journey by Just doin' that, the Path Is long and results May Be disappointing, but don't worry...
Thanks for the suggestions.
BUT I -think- I still have the same "issue" of matching the speakers to the cabinet. Why can I just start on a speaker cabinet that I like and replace the drivers? 😛
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You can't really replace drivers without changing the crossover, at least, if you want your project to sound good. Do you know someone, or perhaps some sort of community workshop, where people could help? You can get MDF or ply cut to size and enlist their help to assemble and finish.
As noted above, there are several, of not quite a few, kits which include flat packs with all the holes, rebates etc cut for you.
In terms of maintenance etc I make my cabinets with detachable backs.
Geoff
As noted above, there are several, of not quite a few, kits which include flat packs with all the holes, rebates etc cut for you.
In terms of maintenance etc I make my cabinets with detachable backs.
Geoff
Is it a system with one driver, as implied by the subforum name, or a multiway system, as implied by the plural form you use for drivers and singular for cabinet? Is the cabinet a closed box, a vented box (bass reflex) or something else?
The driver(s) obviously have to fit in the cabinet and assuming you don't use equalization, the Thiele and Small parameters of the full-range driver (or the woofer) have to be similar to that of the original driver, or at least such that driver and box form a reasonable alignment.
The thing is that the full-range driver (or the woofer) and the cabinet together form an electroacoustical high-pass filter. If the alignment is wrong, you either lose bass or get a bump in the bass or both.
The driver(s) obviously have to fit in the cabinet and assuming you don't use equalization, the Thiele and Small parameters of the full-range driver (or the woofer) have to be similar to that of the original driver, or at least such that driver and box form a reasonable alignment.
The thing is that the full-range driver (or the woofer) and the cabinet together form an electroacoustical high-pass filter. If the alignment is wrong, you either lose bass or get a bump in the bass or both.
My bad. I'm new to speakers. I have always been a headphone guy.
The speaker cabinet (which I'm buying later today) had 1 tweeter, 2 mid-range and 1 woofer.
This will be my first setup. the preamp/amp will be DIYed by me
The speaker cabinet (which I'm buying later today) had 1 tweeter, 2 mid-range and 1 woofer.
This will be my first setup. the preamp/amp will be DIYed by me
Could you ask a moderator to move the thread to Multi-Way then? One way of contacting them is to use the Report button.
You can rip out the old drivers and crossover, buy a new front baffle drill the wholes for some new drivers and screw/glue the new baffle to the old cabinet. If you buy fullrange drivers you may get away with no crossover as first DIY project but don’t expect a very good speaker - this project would be mostly for fun and education. What is the size of your cabinet? Volume or WxDxH (in SI units please).
mjv, if you are serious about DIY, I suggest you start reading threads, learning a bit before ripping out some old drivers and putting some new ones in to see how it sounds.
It will be a failure.
Then, you will know it will not work, learned something along the way, and maybe even have fun designing something, or at least learned enough to know what you want to try.
Like I mentioned, there are kits where you get everything, so you just need to glue parts together... or even better, if you have a sub or two, go Open Baffle and forego the cabinet.
It will be a failure.
Then, you will know it will not work, learned something along the way, and maybe even have fun designing something, or at least learned enough to know what you want to try.
Like I mentioned, there are kits where you get everything, so you just need to glue parts together... or even better, if you have a sub or two, go Open Baffle and forego the cabinet.
I just had a look for available kits in my country. For the prices of --just-- the cabinets, I can think can get a nice secondhand pair of FS! 😀
2 mids sounds as if the speakers are quite old, are the cabinets well made or a bit thin? What are they, please?
If you're really, really set on going this way, work out the volume of the cabinets, note the baffle width and do a Google search on '3 way DIY speakers'; something with similar dimensions might come up and you could see if its drivers would fit in your cabinets' holes - but that's very unlikely.
A suitable TMW (tweeter, mid, woofer) project might come up - might - so you would need to blank off one of the mid holes anyway; the new mid will be in the wrong place, so the project crossover may not work properly, or the port size will probably be wrong etc.
Also, you'll have to buy the parts and make the new crossover.
Re-using old cabinets can work, have an optic at the "Supernova Minimus" in the Parts Express Project Gallery, which required a new baffle and bracing but otherwise re-used the original cabinet.
Depending where you live, I'd get something with a pre-cut cabinet and make that, you'll save money and swear box contributions. Not what you want to hear, sorry.
Geoff
If you're really, really set on going this way, work out the volume of the cabinets, note the baffle width and do a Google search on '3 way DIY speakers'; something with similar dimensions might come up and you could see if its drivers would fit in your cabinets' holes - but that's very unlikely.
A suitable TMW (tweeter, mid, woofer) project might come up - might - so you would need to blank off one of the mid holes anyway; the new mid will be in the wrong place, so the project crossover may not work properly, or the port size will probably be wrong etc.
Also, you'll have to buy the parts and make the new crossover.
Re-using old cabinets can work, have an optic at the "Supernova Minimus" in the Parts Express Project Gallery, which required a new baffle and bracing but otherwise re-used the original cabinet.
Depending where you live, I'd get something with a pre-cut cabinet and make that, you'll save money and swear box contributions. Not what you want to hear, sorry.
Geoff
Moved to multi-way.
Reverse engineering an existing old speaker then trying to redesign a new improved version of it can be a great way to learn. Some of the old cabinets are built quite well, and some of the older drivers can be repurposed, also a great way to learn how to do surrounds or reconing, etc……
once you get comfortable with the basics then you can move on bigger and better things.
once you get comfortable with the basics then you can move on bigger and better things.
I agree with @mountainman bob. It’s a good way to get started and not hard to do. Many of us got started by upgrading or hacking existing audio gear.
Figure out the inside volume of your speaker cabinets and the size of the holes. That will help in choosing the drivers. If you are in the USA you will be spoiled for choice, other places not so much.
To make the best of it you’ll need a new crossover, but there are people here who can help with that.
How much do you want to spend?
Figure out the inside volume of your speaker cabinets and the size of the holes. That will help in choosing the drivers. If you are in the USA you will be spoiled for choice, other places not so much.
To make the best of it you’ll need a new crossover, but there are people here who can help with that.
How much do you want to spend?
You will most likely need to make mods because drivers are not standard sizes. Take an 8" woofer for example: dozens of manufacturers make them and call them 8" woofers but they not all the same size and can vary by an inch or so. This complicates the selection process considerably, especially if the original has a recessed cut out. I dealt with this on some old JBL cabinets and couldn't find anything that fit exactly. Had to go with a larger size frame and surface mount it.
Doing this sort of thing a lot myself I'd recommend getting a decent hand saw and a mitre box for a start.
Then some really good woodworking glue
You may find yourself cutting a lot of battens and blocks to reinforce the corners and edges of old boxes and to block old port openings because it's much easier to work with sealed boxes when you don't know anything.
If you don't think you would be able to afford and/or work with a router then a small high quality jig-saw to enlarge holes can work.
Old speakers usually used enclosed back midrange drivers and the best increase in sound quality can come from changing the midrange driver to an open back one, this will entail making an enclosure for that driver and the fitting of that enclosure to the front baffle from the inside and then getting a crossover that works with your new set of drivers
Then some really good woodworking glue
You may find yourself cutting a lot of battens and blocks to reinforce the corners and edges of old boxes and to block old port openings because it's much easier to work with sealed boxes when you don't know anything.
If you don't think you would be able to afford and/or work with a router then a small high quality jig-saw to enlarge holes can work.
Old speakers usually used enclosed back midrange drivers and the best increase in sound quality can come from changing the midrange driver to an open back one, this will entail making an enclosure for that driver and the fitting of that enclosure to the front baffle from the inside and then getting a crossover that works with your new set of drivers
Any decent woodworker can build you a set of cabinets, as long you provide a detailed schematic.
Just search locally for carpentry companies, and ask for a quote.
Just search locally for carpentry companies, and ask for a quote.