a (cheap) small (waf) build 3-way (made from salvage)

a (cheap) small (waf) build 3-way (made from salvage)... 😕

It's a first step for a possible much larger project to come. 🙄

Click on the pics to see the correctly sized version 😉

The project - on paper :

GcefKb-projet-WAF-3W.jpg


The boxes - recut 18mm pinewood planks :

uZdfKb-boxes.jpg


The speakers - all from re-use :

NZdfKb-speakers.jpg

8iBfKb-my-PHILIPS-tweeters-AD01631T8.jpg


The midrange back covers - PP tupppz or PVC pipe - will end to be the PVC version (a bit larger) since the lead disk are not glueing satisfactorily on PP :

FZdfKb-back-covers.jpg


Finish : two-tone Tolex covering (like a guitar amp)

Wait and See... 🙂

A+!
 
Looks good, I like the old Philips tweeters.

I like the fan part on the midrange, funny .

Thanks @AllenB and @Twin Spark ! 🙂

I never used Philips tweeters. I found these ones quite well built and Funky. They come from a SCOTT 186B enclosure pair - like these :

image;s=1000x700


Their specs seems to be from a quite good level (Philips doc.) :

COXfKb-PHILIPS-tweeters-AD01630.jpg


I'll make some measurements to confirm...

And yes, I like to use fan grids to protect speakers : it's a bit odd, but efficient and unseen everywhere - here on a pair of WAF-2W speakers
that I made mid-2000s :

20060106253225019416827577.jpg


I even found a pair of grid for the woofer W170S8, but I don't know if I will use them... 😕

The midrange back covers will be PVC pipe finally :

QJXfKb-back-covers.jpg


I studied the possibility of a sealed/bassreflex convertible enclosure by plugging the vent :

PJXfKb-vent-plugging.jpg


Wait and See ! 😉

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The last time I measured W170S-8, the T/S parameter Qts=0.7 so sealed option looks more promising although we can not exclude personal preference either way.

Yes, true @Lozjek. Actually, the two options will depend on the amps I will use : high (bassreflex) or low (sealed) damping factor.

The pair of W170S8 I have (since 2003) show a QTS at 0.46 using the mass-added measurement method with LspLAB, so it is at the frontier from sealed and bassreflex. So why not going "convertible", then ? 😉

Wait and See... 🙂

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Great job!


Tolex covering is a really cool idea as well.

Thanks @westsounds ! 😉

Yes. You can quickly have a nice finish... 😎

Plus it's very easy to cut and put, once you have the correct tools, products and the trick ! No more painting or coating for me... Moreover, there's a great assortment of colors available. Below - Surf Green and Ivory White :

19101706343725019416468003.jpg


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Bloody Hell, how one can make so nice edges on a box ??? 🙂


Looks perfect, both the orange Tolex a la Fender or a oil finish will suit this nice and well made cabinet

Thanks @diyiggy ! 😉

Well yes, by far the angles are the most difficult part to Tolex neatly because of their hemispheric rounded shape - often, SuperGlue helps here for finishing :

5QskKb-P1100625.jpg


Oh, and the wood of the cabined was pine, and wasn't looking good at all for a natural finish :whazzat:... Unlike Beechwood like below 😎 :

06-000792_1.jpg


Wait and See... 😀

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First listening tests in monophony :

v2SoKb-P1100726.jpg


03SoKb-vent-configs.jpg


P2SoKb-L-PAD-settings.jpg


i6SoKb-XOVER-05-08-2020-2.jpg


Q8ToKb-XOVER-05-08-2020-1.jpg


Verdict :

The sonic result is consistent, no noticieable oddity in frequency range or phase perception at the first ear. No lack or excess. Good tone, good damping... 😎

The Visaton W170S8 WF is a solidly built but rather cheap performance unit :
- Fs=36Hz of the specs is 44 and 46Hz in reality, even after serious break-in.
- Efficiency is 86 dB, and much lower than the TW and MR (see L-Pad settings).

I will replace them by a Monacor SPH-170 WF, having same dimensions but better performance (Fs=38Hz, N=90dB, larger magnet). The simulations show a 10Hz F3 extension, with a better efficiency and similar damping. The SPH-170 is an affordable compromise at 41 Euro the unit...

Wait and See... 😉
 
Nice build!

Just from looking at the XO I'm thinking mid with 0,22mH & 6,8uF could cause a bit of a low impedance dip? Have you simulated or measured the impedance?

Thanks @Rallyfinnen ! 😉

The MidRange speaker is a 4 ohm unit, not a 8R.

No : for the moment I only did basic calculations, just to evaluate the sonic result and listen if there was no obvious to unacceptable tone flaw.

But yes : I'll do measurements and simulations with my Audio softwares to detect if something is wrong or subject to improvements.

When you speak about a bit of a low impedance dip : would you explain further your idea ?

This evening : stereo listening, since I have built a 2nd crossover (a bit more tidy 😀 ) :

J1apKb-P1100736.jpg


A+!