DIY speaker recommendation

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MrSllez

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Joined 2015
#1
Hello, looking to build a pair of stereo speakers to go with my receiver. I mostly listen to music(70/80%) and rest is usually movies. For now I would like to go with a 2.0 system and upgrade it later and maybe add a subwoofer.

I have done a bit of research already and want something in the category of TriTrix/AviaTrix from Curt C. or maybe Swopes from Paul C. I have checked Zaph's designs but I live in Europe and his components aren't available.

Are there any other designs I should probably take a look at? I have woodworking experience and soldering is no problem so I'm fine about the DIY part. Thanks in advance for help 🙂
 
#2
For both sound quality and value, research designs using the frequently recommended SB Acoustics' both "standard" line of drivers, and a newer Satori line of drivers.

Highest Sound Quality: $650 for a pair of 2-way. $900 - $1200 for a pair of 3-way.
Almost Magic: Satori MW16P 6"_midrange + Satori TW29RN tweeter . Highest Recommendation: Three way designs adding one or two SB23NRXS45 8"_woofer. Jeff Bagby and Joachim Gerhard designs.
Kairos
Adelphos
Kalissans
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendors-bazaar/220330-sb-acoustics-satori-monitor.html


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High Value 5": SB15NRXC30 5"_midrange + SB29RDCN tweeter two way diy designs are available from several sources. Three way designs adding the SB23NRXS45 8"_woofer can reach the 28Hz bass of a Piano Low_A. Highest Value: $300 for a pair of 2-way. $600 - $850 for a pair of 3-way.

https://www.lautsprecherbau.de/Maga...010/_SB15-SB-Heimkino-Part-1_8636,de,90882,76

High Value 6.5": $350 for a pair of 2-way. $650 - $900 for a pair of 3-way.
SB17NRXC35 6.5"_midrange + SB29RDCN tweeter. Three way designs adding one or two SB23NRXS45 8"_woofer. Some listeners favor the higher impact produced from a 6.5" midrange, and the very low Le=0.15mH voice coil inductance allows the cone speed required for details. PROBABLY BEST 2-WAY OPTION because extended bass from 6.5" satisfies most listeners.

https://www.lautsprecherbau.de/Maga...ne-2012/April-2012/_SB-18_8636,en,900970,4088
https://www.lautsprecherbau.de/Maga...e-2013/April-2013/_SB-240_8636,en,900995,5602

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diyAudio SB Acoustics 3 ways
2 x SB Acoustics :: SB29RDC-C000-4
2 x SB Acoustics :: 6" SB17NRXC35-4
4 x SB Acoustics :: 8'' SB23NRXS45-8

search for "SB Acoustics 3 ways" or try this link:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/212738-sb-acoustics-3-ways.html
 
#3
Thanks alot but I think 3-ways are probably out of the way since my room isn't really big, just about 3*3.5m. I am loving the SB 18 though. Seems like an excellent speaker and I think I have changed my mind. I don't want to spend more than 350eur per speaker probably so they should just fit in my budget.
 
#5
In the USA Meniscus sells the Mandolin Kit with SB17NRXC35 + SB29RDC Mandolin Speaker Kit / Pr
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This popular design at Parts Express also uses the SB Acoustics SB17NRXC35-8 which you may favor to copy the free crossover circuit. GREAT build pictures + details on all required crossover parts + lower cost Vifa tweeter.

"Can a poor man own a pair of high-end monitor speakers? Yes, if he can spend $220 on drivers and crossover parts. I'll call this design "Poor Man's High-End Monitor." This design uses relatively inexpensive drive units but will not compromise performance. This is possible thanks to two low-cost, high-performance drivers Zaph recently tested: the SB Acoustics SB17NRXC35-8 and the Vifa DQ25SC16-04. I believe this system's distortion performance is nearly as good as some other, presumably, high-end 2-way designs that use more expensive drive units."

2-way MT: SB Acoustics SB17NRXC35-8 and Vifa DQ25SC16-04 (Poor Man's High End))
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FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION:

Instead of a stand for a small TM box, you could use your wood skills to build an attractive narrow floor standing cabinet which can either:
--Extend bass when placed near a rear or side wall (bass-shelf ported box alignment), or
--Allow for adding 1 or 2 FUTURE side woofers for DEEP 28Hz bass.

When a speaker is placed near a rear or(and) side wall(s), wall reflected long bass waves combine for increased low frequency sound pressure in the room. For the SB17NRXC, a 1.8cuft cabinet with a port tuned to 28Hz creates a “bass shelf” which sums with this room gain to provide smooth SPL deep bass. A good design solution for a small room.

Away from walls in a larger room, an MLTL box alignment might offer some advantages.
 

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#7
I ment about 350 euro for both speakers so about 175 for each, but I would love to keep it down if possible.

As I stated before, a 2-way somewhere in range of SB 15 or SB 18 would be excellent. I would actually like to use one of these designs if I manage to find the crossover component values.
 
#8
MrSllez said:
I ment about 350 euro for both speakers so about 175 for each, but I would love to keep it down if possible.
Click to expand...

For a reasonable cost of about 400€/pair, you should take these
into consideration. I have calculated every bit of the total parts with
shipping from a seller in Europe, without the finish of a box. There is
no point in saving money when it comes to building a box you want
to keep.

Zaph|Audio - ZA-SR71
 
#10
I am really leaning towards a pair of SB 18's if I can get the ratings of crossover components somewhere. I find them extremely good looking and they seem like a perfect candidate for my room. I also form some reason dislike working with round plastic vents, and prefer just going with slot ports. And for the last, BS 18 aren't that expensive and seem like a bargain, especially since EuropeAudio had -10% sale right now.
 
#11
Also look at the Tributes - they have a very low number of parts in the xo so it will help to keep your costs down.

And contact Meniscus. I think they will be happy to sell you the plans and parts list for any of their kits for just a small fee. Then you can purchase everything else locally.
 
#14
andy19191 said:
It is a design from Intertechnik and I would be inclined to give them my money rather than a company like Europe Audio even if it cost a few cents more. The EKA design on the SB Acoustics website has some similarities.
Click to expand...

I know it is their design, and I wouldn't complain if I really had the money to spare. I am really looking to get it as cheap as possible as I have no income whatsoever and the only money I can spend for them is what I have saved.
 
#15
MrSllez said:
I know it is their design, and I wouldn't complain if I really had the money to spare. I am really looking to get it as cheap as possible as I have no income whatsoever and the only money I can spend for them is what I have saved.
Click to expand...
Before ordering from Europe Audio I would suggest using the search box and browsing some of the problems people have had with this company in the past (and earlier versions of it under a different name). Perhaps you will have no problems but the risk is higher with companies of this kind.

Intertechnik has paid one of their employees to design the speaker and put it on the web along with a wide range of other useful information for speaker DIY hobbyists. They have removed the values on the crossover, an increasingly common thing to do these days, to encourage people to buy their kit from them. It is a minor task for someone familiar with crossover design software to find the values for the posted crossover but hopefully most here will respect the wishes of a good supplier.

SB Acoustics are good value drivers. In the past I have bought mine from Falcon Acoustics which is a reliable company (a good indicator of this is driver manufacturers using them as distributors - SB Acoustic use Falcon in the UK, Intertechnik in Germany but Audio Components in Holland). They are also cheaper than Europe Audio for SB Acoustic drivers and so it may be worth having a look at the prices of other suppliers in the Euro zone.
 
#16
andy19191 said:
Before ordering from Europe Audio I would suggest using the search box and browsing some of the problems people have had with this company in the past (and earlier versions of it under a different name). Perhaps you will have no problems but the risk is higher with companies of this kind.

Intertechnik has paid one of their employees to design the speaker and put it on the web along with a wide range of other useful information for speaker DIY hobbyists. They have removed the values on the crossover, an increasingly common thing to do these days, to encourage people to buy their kit from them. It is a minor task for someone familiar with crossover design software to find the values for the posted crossover but hopefully most here will respect the wishes of a good supplier.

SB Acoustics are good value drivers. In the past I have bought mine from Falcon Acoustics which is a reliable company (a good indicator of this is driver manufacturers using them as distributors - SB Acoustic use Falcon in the UK, Intertechnik in Germany but Audio Components in Holland). They are also cheaper than Europe Audio for SB Acoustic drivers and so it may be worth having a look at the prices of other suppliers in the Euro zone.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I have checked around and it seems like EuropeAudio has bad communication. But when parts are on stock they seem to ship fast and reliable so that doesn't worry me much. If I decide to buy from there I would also pay by paypal so there are no worries.

Falcon Acoustics seems like a really good competitor with EuropeAudio. Their prices are even lower, but delivery to Slovenia is a bit more expensive from UK than Germany. Buying from there is just slightly more expensive just because of shipping.

I will try to search and see if I can find any other designs I could use. I still have my eyes on those SB 18 if I can't find anything else. If anyone else still has any suggestions for a pair of stereo speakers in that range I would love to check them out.
 
#17
MrSllez said:
If I decide to buy from there I would also pay by paypal so there are no worries.
Click to expand...
Why would you opt to pay 5.5% for the claimed protection of Paypal rather than 3.5% for protection required by law ("Section 75" in the UK) of a credit card? Note that you lose that protection in law, and possibly in practise, if you do not use the credit card to pay directly but indirectly via a middle man adding their cut (e.g. PayPal).

MrSllez said:
Falcon Acoustics seems like a really good competitor with EuropeAudio.
Click to expand...
They are different sorts of companies and I doubt Falcon sees Europe Audio as primarily a competitor. For example, Europe Audio would get your SB Acoustics drivers from an SB Acoustics distributor such as Falcon, Intertechnik or one or two others. So even if you buy from Europe Audio the SB Acoustics distributor will be happy as well.

MrSllez said:
I will try to search and see if I can find any other designs I could use. I still have my eyes on those SB 18 if I can't find anything else. If anyone else still has any suggestions for a pair of stereo speakers in that range I would love to check them out.
Click to expand...
What was your view of the SB Acoustics design?

A 1" tweeter with a 6.5" midwoofer in a ported box is perhaps the most common DIY speaker configuration so you have a large number of designs to choose from. The Tributes cited earlier perhaps have a slight edge on your SB18 design with the use of a rear port and the poly rather than paper cone. Have not looked hard enough to comment on the crossovers. But these are not be large differences.
 
#18
andy19191 said:
Why would you opt to pay 5.5% for the claimed protection of Paypal rather than 3.5% for protection required by law ("Section 75" in the UK) of a credit card? Note that you lose that protection in law, and possibly in practise, if you do not use the credit card to pay directly but indirectly via a middle man adding their cut (e.g. PayPal).


They are different sorts of companies and I doubt Falcon sees Europe Audio as primarily a competitor. For example, Europe Audio would get your SB Acoustics drivers from an SB Acoustics distributor such as Falcon, Intertechnik or one or two others. So even if you buy from Europe Audio the SB Acoustics distributor will be happy as well.


What was your view of the SB Acoustics design?

A 1" tweeter with a 6.5" midwoofer in a ported box is perhaps the most common DIY speaker configuration so you have a large number of designs to choose from. The Tributes cited earlier perhaps have a slight edge on your SB18 design with the use of a rear port and the poly rather than paper cone. Have not looked hard enough to comment on the crossovers. But these are not be large differences.
Click to expand...

I didn't know about the protection law, will read about it.

For a SB Acoustics design I primarily ment a 6.5" midwoofer and 1" tweeter. SB 18 and The Tributes would suit me perfectly. I can get a pair of SB 18 from official website for 328eur including shipping. The problem with Tributes on the other hand is that I can't seem to find a place to buy the midwoofer in europe. It used to be on Falcon Acoustics but it is out of stock and I am not sure when it is coming back. I would love to make them though so I emailed Falcon Acoustics to check.
 
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