Hi,
I want to build a portable, battery powered set of speakers for outside use. I have not built a system before and I don't want to break the bank so I want to try something reasonably simple.
I am finding the multiple parameters that define the characteristics of the entire system pretty complex, so I want to fix on the speakers first in the hopes that this will inform the other decisions.
I am in the UK and was having problems finding anything for sale here that was mentioned on this site or elsewhere as being a reasonable speaker. I also discovered there are many opinions in the world of DIY audio. 🙂
Then I came across the Faital Pro 4F32 and 4F35. Based on my limited understanding they seemed like they would be a reasonable choice. This is based on:
Another thing, of the many, that I don't know is whether a sealed or a ported design would be better for my application. I think that the 4F35 is more appropriate for the ported design because of the higher Qts, and I am happy to do either enclosure (or something more exotic if it would improve the speakers without making them massively bulky).
The other other thing (sorry, many questions) that I am unsure of is what size of enclosure I will need for the speakers (to judge if they would work in a portable system). If the speakers are put in an enclosure that is too small what happens? Does it damage them?
Has anyone got experience of these speakers or some more in depth knowledge of how speakers and enclosures work together who might be able to give me some advice on which to choose? Or can tell me if both options are a terrible choice for a portable system.
Thanks in advance!
I want to build a portable, battery powered set of speakers for outside use. I have not built a system before and I don't want to break the bank so I want to try something reasonably simple.
I am finding the multiple parameters that define the characteristics of the entire system pretty complex, so I want to fix on the speakers first in the hopes that this will inform the other decisions.
I am in the UK and was having problems finding anything for sale here that was mentioned on this site or elsewhere as being a reasonable speaker. I also discovered there are many opinions in the world of DIY audio. 🙂
Then I came across the Faital Pro 4F32 and 4F35. Based on my limited understanding they seemed like they would be a reasonable choice. This is based on:
- Sensitivity 91db (so quite loud I think?)
- RMS of 30W (Seems not too little or too much for a portable system)
- £15-£20 (Not too expensive)
Another thing, of the many, that I don't know is whether a sealed or a ported design would be better for my application. I think that the 4F35 is more appropriate for the ported design because of the higher Qts, and I am happy to do either enclosure (or something more exotic if it would improve the speakers without making them massively bulky).
The other other thing (sorry, many questions) that I am unsure of is what size of enclosure I will need for the speakers (to judge if they would work in a portable system). If the speakers are put in an enclosure that is too small what happens? Does it damage them?
Has anyone got experience of these speakers or some more in depth knowledge of how speakers and enclosures work together who might be able to give me some advice on which to choose? Or can tell me if both options are a terrible choice for a portable system.
Thanks in advance!
since it is portable, choose the neodymium version, the 4fe32 in fact it is the current bang for weight champion, so your choice is excellent, for quick enclosure volume suggestions you can find it on the parts express pages for all woofers they carry. 12V is appropriate, for lightness use LiFEPO4, which are expensive but have a long lifespan, or Li-ion in the form of the 18650 which are really cheap now and is the battery form used in vapes and Teslas.
breaking a speaker speaker by underpowering is one of those myths that simply wont die, it's just not true, the only way, is to overheat the voicecoil, or run it past it's excursion limits, and with a 12v battery this will be almost impossible.
Generally you'd choose a lower Q version of a driver for ported operation. Since you are heavily voltage limited the 4 ohm version is best. So, the 4FE32-4 is your animal. -3dB is at 80 Hz in 2.3 liters per for this driver.
It's also a neodymium version so there's a small decrease in weight.
It's also a neodymium version so there's a small decrease in weight.
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Thanks for the advice and sanity check! Speakers on order, now I will start thinking about the enclosure and the amp.
I'll throw out another driver option: Dayton PA-130 full range. On sale for $15 at Parts Express and sound great. I have used in a 0.53x Karlsonator and in an XKi. About 90dB an dbass down to 55Hz in the above cabinets. I like the Faital Pro's too but you might get more sound in an outdoor boombox with a 5in pro sound driver.
This speaker sounds great. You won't be disappointed. One of few with enough bass to avoid needing BSC.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/full-range/279043-daytonator-pa130-8x-5.html
This speaker sounds great. You won't be disappointed. One of few with enough bass to avoid needing BSC.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/full-range/279043-daytonator-pa130-8x-5.html
Less power to the speaket can't hurt, you can put 10w to a 100w speaker and it's ok, distortion kills them, a speaker rated at 50w with 25w amp distorted will get it warm maybe even kill it, that speaker could take 60w of CLEAN power better than 25w distorted power...tryed my 400w subwoofer, with 140 distorted power it got pretty warm and with 300w it was way way cooler
Look up "overnight sensation speakers". These are a great beginning for a boom box setup.
Sent from my SM-N910T3 using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N910T3 using Tapatalk
That is an intricate looking cabinet! I am currently trying to figure out the enclosure and port sizes using WinISD. Much fiddling with numbers and graphs. The first numbers it gave me ended up with a port that was longer than the size of enclosure.
One thing I don't understand is the organ-pipe resonance/1st port resonance. Can anyone give me some guidance on what number I should be shooting for?
One thing I don't understand is the organ-pipe resonance/1st port resonance. Can anyone give me some guidance on what number I should be shooting for?
It's really not intricate. A lot of that is bracing since I am using him foam core. Here is the basic design that if done in 0.5in ply needs no bracing.
When tuning a reflex box - you want to set the tuning frequency and port size and length to do several things:
1. Achieve a flat as feasible bass response to the low knee. You don't want the bass to peak here. Make port larger or longer to get rid of peak. Shorter will boost bass but reduce extension.
2. Keep length of port reasonable and shorter than circa 8in because above that., the pipe resonances come into play that affect your mid range.
3. Adjust port diameter and length to keep velocity below 10m/s to avoid turbulent chuffing sound and power compression.
4. Make sure port can fit in box. Sometimes an elbow bend can help.
Some of these rules don't apply for 6th order bandpass subwoofer. Ports routinely are 20in to 30in long but they sub doesn't go above 100Hz.
Check for maximum cone displacemt at max SPL. Make air doesn't exceed xmax.
When tuning a reflex box - you want to set the tuning frequency and port size and length to do several things:
1. Achieve a flat as feasible bass response to the low knee. You don't want the bass to peak here. Make port larger or longer to get rid of peak. Shorter will boost bass but reduce extension.
2. Keep length of port reasonable and shorter than circa 8in because above that., the pipe resonances come into play that affect your mid range.
3. Adjust port diameter and length to keep velocity below 10m/s to avoid turbulent chuffing sound and power compression.
4. Make sure port can fit in box. Sometimes an elbow bend can help.
Some of these rules don't apply for 6th order bandpass subwoofer. Ports routinely are 20in to 30in long but they sub doesn't go above 100Hz.
Check for maximum cone displacemt at max SPL. Make air doesn't exceed xmax.
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