I'm looking to build some small computer speakers for my Dad. They really can't be over 4" wide (the narrower the better) and about 6" deep. For height they can be 8-10".
I know I won't get much bass but I'm just looking for something that will be a step up from his cheap plastic speakers. Is there anything out there like that?
I know I won't get much bass but I'm just looking for something that will be a step up from his cheap plastic speakers. Is there anything out there like that?
Wood will sound different than plastic.
This guy moded the Z5500 Logitech speakers.
http://leodenotter.eu/logiwood/
Check it out.
This guy moded the Z5500 Logitech speakers.
http://leodenotter.eu/logiwood/
Check it out.
did not heard them, but i'm curious about a fr88ex in a small reflex box.
for myself, i'd build a SS 10f..... i just like its strengths and don't mind it's drawback for the most part....but i have not heard everything out there.
there are plenty other good popular drivers like dayton rs-100 and sb acoustics sb65wbac25-4, among others (which i have not heard)
for myself, i'd build a SS 10f..... i just like its strengths and don't mind it's drawback for the most part....but i have not heard everything out there.
there are plenty other good popular drivers like dayton rs-100 and sb acoustics sb65wbac25-4, among others (which i have not heard)
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Interesting idea on modding a plastic computer speaker.
On the sb65wbac24-4 how do I figure out the dimensions to use for the cabinet and port?
On the sb65wbac24-4 how do I figure out the dimensions to use for the cabinet and port?
you can use speakerbox lite to give you an idea
also the effect of shape here you can see : Dayton PC83-8 (3") test results
the best (to me) is to build a prototype, measure it and have another reference speaker that ou know measures flat to compare to. i use an iphone mirophone with «ok» results.... not the best method but cheap and gives you an idea.
also the effect of shape here you can see : Dayton PC83-8 (3") test results
the best (to me) is to build a prototype, measure it and have another reference speaker that ou know measures flat to compare to. i use an iphone mirophone with «ok» results.... not the best method but cheap and gives you an idea.
I used Vb=1.36 litres, Fb=79Hz (18D x 75 port). Box was 165mm x 111mm x 85mm inside and can be altered as long as the volume remains the same. Works very well as a computer speaker.
I did 2 versions with 1 from pipe fittings and another boxed. Also did some PR versions.
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I'd suggest a little XKi Karlson box such as described below - horizontal dispersion will be very wide
(foamcore would probably be better than wood as foamcore is somewhat acoustically transparent and resonances
don't exhibit the high Q like rigid wood cavities. If woof is employed then felt or foam/melamine sponge piecea could be used in the front and rear chambers)
XKi - X's ab initio Karlson 6th Order Bandpass
(foamcore would probably be better than wood as foamcore is somewhat acoustically transparent and resonances
don't exhibit the high Q like rigid wood cavities. If woof is employed then felt or foam/melamine sponge piecea could be used in the front and rear chambers)
XKi - X's ab initio Karlson 6th Order Bandpass
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MarkAudio Alpair 5.3. I just bought a second pair to keep for spares in case something ever happens to the first set.
I hate to say it (and will probably catch some flak for doing so), but I think it'd be very very difficult to beat Bose's MusicMonitor speakers for something small.
I opened them up and had a look inside here:
Bose MusicMonitors | grimshaw-audio
The short story is they achieve excellent performance for something so small, requiring a combination of clever enclosure design and some DSP.
They come up fairly regularly on the 2nd-hand market, so I'd keep an eye there.
Chris
I opened them up and had a look inside here:
Bose MusicMonitors | grimshaw-audio
The short story is they achieve excellent performance for something so small, requiring a combination of clever enclosure design and some DSP.
They come up fairly regularly on the 2nd-hand market, so I'd keep an eye there.
Chris
Another option (not diy) for small speakers would be your local computer stores or pro audio stores for their smaller models. Many have built-in power amps which saves even more space.
These are my observations, and obviously not DIY. I have never heard, or even seen the Bose MusicMonitors.
I do have a pair of these, and like them very much. The bass is solid down to about 60Hz and the speakers are pretty much neutral. Obviously a 3 inch "woofer" is not going to shake the walls with high SPL, but these have kicked the Yamaha NS-10's and tube amp of my own design off my general purpose computer bench where they have lived for over 20 years.
IK Multimedia - iLoud Micro Monitor
The iLoud micro monitors have internal bi-amplification, DSP EQ, and use an external power brick that is about the same size as a laptop brick. I got them to use on my "studio computer" which does music production and video editing. I used the micro monitors along with a 12 inch powered subwoofer with my DIY modular synthesizer rig.
They are small enough, light enough, and loud enough to take them along in my backpack for (quiet) jamming outdoors. People on the beach in Florida heard it from 100 feet away. The power pack is 24 volts, so a DIY battery system is possible, and will eventually be made, but I just plug the speakers, the laptop and my synthesizer into a 1000VA UPS which will run it all for 2 to 4 hours. The UPS is rather heavy though.
Last November I picked up a pair of IK's new MTM monitors on their yearly "Black Friday sale" and they displaced the older IK's and sub. This moved the Yamaha's off the second PC's desk. They will be returned to the studio PC as a "second set of ears" once the desk is expanded (the modular synth keeps growing) to fit everything. The Yamaha's have been with me since the late 90's and I know how they sound compared to everything else.
iLoud MTM
Two ideas, one DIY:
- Cambridge Audio Minx Mini 12; or,
- ScanSpeak 5F in Denovo boxes (smallest in the line, from PE).
Both solutions require a sub.
I’ve never worked with the Minx Mini, but I have done extensive listening & tinkering with the 5F. With the right material, and a sub, it does really well.
I’ll throw a third in: The Bandor 50. Unobtanium, now, but I have a pair. Nice, but the 5F is better.
- Cambridge Audio Minx Mini 12; or,
- ScanSpeak 5F in Denovo boxes (smallest in the line, from PE).
Both solutions require a sub.
I’ve never worked with the Minx Mini, but I have done extensive listening & tinkering with the 5F. With the right material, and a sub, it does really well.
I’ll throw a third in: The Bandor 50. Unobtanium, now, but I have a pair. Nice, but the 5F is better.
That’s interesting.
The Alpairs look to be very nicely built. The Bandors really look they were assembled on Doreen’s kitchen table. Lighter cone than that on the 5F, but I prefer the presentation of the latter.
The Alpairs look to be very nicely built. The Bandors really look they were assembled on Doreen’s kitchen table. Lighter cone than that on the 5F, but I prefer the presentation of the latter.
I built out a pair of Montello speakers for my wife's home office computer w/ Fountek FR88EX 3" Full Range speakers. You will not be disappointed. They sound great, fun build too if you have access to some wood working tools or a friend who has or a wood working shop. Do a small burn in with them.
Agreed......at this compact size, commercial offerings have developed many specialized features that would be hard to surpass via DIY IMO. I’ve got a pair of Bose Companion 2’s and under the desk sub I use for mixing in my secondary home studio and they sound great.
I agree, that the performance to dollars ratio doesn't work out really well for speakers this size but in this instance the "I built these for you" is a lot better than "I bought these for you"; even if the quality doesn't end up being as good.
If it would help, I'd be happy to design and (3D) print a convoluted bass port to make the most of the limited space. However, I'm not sure on the specifics so someone else would have to do the calculations. By design, I mean translate overall dimensions into a printable model.