Hello
Few days ago I got my hands on an old Marconiphone 282 radio. Sad thing is, all of the original insides are gone so there is no chance of restoring it without spending way too much. So the idea is to convert it into a BT stereo speaker to go into our summer house bedroom corner.
I'm planning on using Dayton Audio KAB-250v3 amplifier, because it seemed to be good for a beginner with its modular design. Also, the reviews weren't all that bad.
For speakers I'm thinking about Visaton Fr10-4s.
Do you think these components work with the case? How would you suggest I mount the speakers into the case so they would work as well as they could? I was thinking about using the shelf in the middle to build a mount for the speakers. The width of the opening in the front is 18cm, and it is around 30cm wide total. Also, the case is open-back.
Few days ago I got my hands on an old Marconiphone 282 radio. Sad thing is, all of the original insides are gone so there is no chance of restoring it without spending way too much. So the idea is to convert it into a BT stereo speaker to go into our summer house bedroom corner.
I'm planning on using Dayton Audio KAB-250v3 amplifier, because it seemed to be good for a beginner with its modular design. Also, the reviews weren't all that bad.
For speakers I'm thinking about Visaton Fr10-4s.
Do you think these components work with the case? How would you suggest I mount the speakers into the case so they would work as well as they could? I was thinking about using the shelf in the middle to build a mount for the speakers. The width of the opening in the front is 18cm, and it is around 30cm wide total. Also, the case is open-back.
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Welcome to the forum!
I've added some useful links so that members can better judge how appropriate your choices are.
Dayton Audio - KAB-250v3 2x50W Class D Audio Amplifier Board with Bluetooth 4.0
FR 10 - 4 Ohm | Visaton
Could you expand on what you mean by "using the shelf in the middle to build a mount for the speakers"?
I've added some useful links so that members can better judge how appropriate your choices are.
Dayton Audio - KAB-250v3 2x50W Class D Audio Amplifier Board with Bluetooth 4.0
FR 10 - 4 Ohm | Visaton
Could you expand on what you mean by "using the shelf in the middle to build a mount for the speakers"?
When you look at the image I uploaded, there is a shelf construction in the case, I thought that would be a good place to start mounting the elements.
When you look at the second picture you can see that there is a shelf there. I thought about mounting the elements from there. I don't want to alter the front of the case since to save its vintage look so I do not want to mount the elements straight onto it. I would rather prefer to have a subframe inside the case. I made a quick mockup of the case in paint, the speakers should sit on that "shelf". I made some different versions there where the speakers are closer to the front and more back. As total amateur I also thought maybe the elements could be at an angle for more stereo effect. Would that work?
The original radio had a single large driver, but I don't really want to make a setup with mono output so I want to put in 2 speakers and that makes the mounting a fair bit harder.
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The Visaton FR10 4 drivers seem to be pretty flexible in regard to enclosure type since they are quoted as being suitable for ceiling mounting and built-in car purposes.
Here's a suggestion based on your information that the radio cabinet will be placed in a summer house bedroom corner:
Make a rear panel for the radio and mount the two Visitons side by side on the rear panel (there appears to be sufficient width to allow this).
Seal off the front aperture originally occupied by the radio speaker in order to create a sealed enclosure for the two Visatons.
My thinking is that the sound will reflect off the corner walls and spread throughout the bedroom.
You would never expect true stereo sound from two front mounted speakers so close together, so why not go for an 'omnidirectional' approach as I have suggested?
Make the additional panels removeable and you can always revert back to Plan A.
You could have a lot of fun with this! 😎
Here's a suggestion based on your information that the radio cabinet will be placed in a summer house bedroom corner:
Make a rear panel for the radio and mount the two Visitons side by side on the rear panel (there appears to be sufficient width to allow this).
Seal off the front aperture originally occupied by the radio speaker in order to create a sealed enclosure for the two Visatons.
My thinking is that the sound will reflect off the corner walls and spread throughout the bedroom.
You would never expect true stereo sound from two front mounted speakers so close together, so why not go for an 'omnidirectional' approach as I have suggested?
Make the additional panels removeable and you can always revert back to Plan A.
You could have a lot of fun with this! 😎
Looking at your attachment, the speaker drivers sometimes appear to be sitting in free air.
The drivers must at least be mounted on a baffle board to prevent the bass waves from the rear of the drivers cancelling out the bass waves from the front.
In my suggestion, the rear panel provides the necessary baffle board.
The drivers must at least be mounted on a baffle board to prevent the bass waves from the rear of the drivers cancelling out the bass waves from the front.
In my suggestion, the rear panel provides the necessary baffle board.
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Yeah, I thought that my scheme was quite awful 😀.
Anyways I improved it to show you what I meant. I added a sideview. The black lines show the case and the "shelf" in the case.
My idea was to build a subframe shown with red color which I would connect to the shelf and I would attach the drivers to that.
But your idea about the elements on the back seems to be also very interesting. At least I have 2 ideas of which to try. I plan to make every part removable so I could try out both setups. The case actually has a back also and it has very convenient holes for the two speakers.
Anyways I improved it to show you what I meant. I added a sideview. The black lines show the case and the "shelf" in the case.
My idea was to build a subframe shown with red color which I would connect to the shelf and I would attach the drivers to that.
But your idea about the elements on the back seems to be also very interesting. At least I have 2 ideas of which to try. I plan to make every part removable so I could try out both setups. The case actually has a back also and it has very convenient holes for the two speakers.
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Yes, that's a lot clearer! 😎
Your method in red looks good. I would add a substantial back to the radio cabinet to make a sealed enclosure (although you could see what the arrangement sounds like by firstly leaving an open back).
The new drivers should have as an unimpeded view as possible out of the front of cabinet, so angling them sideways wouldn't work.
If you decide to mount the drivers on a rear panel, make sure it is of a substantial enough thickness so that it won't vibrate.
Your method in red looks good. I would add a substantial back to the radio cabinet to make a sealed enclosure (although you could see what the arrangement sounds like by firstly leaving an open back).
The new drivers should have as an unimpeded view as possible out of the front of cabinet, so angling them sideways wouldn't work.
If you decide to mount the drivers on a rear panel, make sure it is of a substantial enough thickness so that it won't vibrate.
I might build a second back then, the original is quite flabby.
Anyways you have given me lots of confidence in the project and great tips for the build. I will order the electronics and when they have been all set up I will start with the woodworking and mounting. 😎
Can't wait to start experimenting!
Anyways you have given me lots of confidence in the project and great tips for the build. I will order the electronics and when they have been all set up I will start with the woodworking and mounting. 😎
Can't wait to start experimenting!
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I don't want to make any cuts into the case. It is around 100 years old and I don't want to risk breaking the beautiful case. The case is covered with a thin layer of veneer and on top covered with old polish, it chips real easy.
Tips I have received from restorers is not to polish or remove any patina from the case, it gives more character.
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Cool project, those class d amps are pretty useful when they come with a decent Bluetooth setup built in.
Car speakers work great with them too, as they are mostly 4ohm, and most are made to perform in more of a open baffle arrangement.
Just make sure to never run the amp without the speakers connected, as they aren’t stable without a load.
Car speakers work great with them too, as they are mostly 4ohm, and most are made to perform in more of a open baffle arrangement.
Just make sure to never run the amp without the speakers connected, as they aren’t stable without a load.
Thanks!
Will keep in mind. The parts have been ordered, now I have to wait for a week for everything to arrive.
Items have finally started to arrive so probably by the end of the week I will be able to post some more progress.
Right now though I'm once again in a bind. The bluetooth connection switch should we momentary switch. I want to keep the authentic look of the radio so it should be a momentary ON rotary switch or as some say spring return. I haven't found many momentary switches that weren't large industrial ones. Those I have found do not ship to Estonia.
This Rotary Switch 3 Position Spring Return | eBay I could probably work with but it doesn't ship here. Same with this: 1800 Series - Spring Return - Cole Instrument Corp.
Any ideas on where to find one?
Right now though I'm once again in a bind. The bluetooth connection switch should we momentary switch. I want to keep the authentic look of the radio so it should be a momentary ON rotary switch or as some say spring return. I haven't found many momentary switches that weren't large industrial ones. Those I have found do not ship to Estonia.
This Rotary Switch 3 Position Spring Return | eBay I could probably work with but it doesn't ship here. Same with this: 1800 Series - Spring Return - Cole Instrument Corp.
Any ideas on where to find one?
Doorbell.
Two bits of springy metal.
Two thumbtacks: you tap your ring or a coin against them.
Most older PC cases will yield a momentary switch (ATX power supplies start with a tap).