Hello everyone,
I'm thinking of making my own speakers for a home cinema 5.1 set up, and am looking for some basic beginer / noobie advice!
I'm not looking to make anything excessive for my first attempt - I'm basically trying to equal the output quality of a £350-£400 Wharfdale DX-2 type set up... But ideally for significantly less money. I've got a Denon AVR 2500 amp, currently connected to a couple of old cheap Sony speakers, so am looking to build a decent upgrade for it!
So my first question is: is this kind of standard / output / cost ratio possible, or is it just a pipe dream / non-starter?!!
I've got access to the right tools / equipment / skilled artisans to help of required, and I'm confident in my ability to do the design work myself too. But I just don't know whether this is actually visible!
Any help, greatly appreciated!
I'm thinking of making my own speakers for a home cinema 5.1 set up, and am looking for some basic beginer / noobie advice!
I'm not looking to make anything excessive for my first attempt - I'm basically trying to equal the output quality of a £350-£400 Wharfdale DX-2 type set up... But ideally for significantly less money. I've got a Denon AVR 2500 amp, currently connected to a couple of old cheap Sony speakers, so am looking to build a decent upgrade for it!
So my first question is: is this kind of standard / output / cost ratio possible, or is it just a pipe dream / non-starter?!!
I've got access to the right tools / equipment / skilled artisans to help of required, and I'm confident in my ability to do the design work myself too. But I just don't know whether this is actually visible!
Any help, greatly appreciated!
Can you make a speaker as good as a bought one? and for less? Yes, definitely. Maybe not on your first outing, there is a bit to learn.
Thanks [User]AllenB[/user]. So, I'm happy that there is a learning curve and a risk involved doing this without any direct experience. I'm happy with that and would still like to crack on...! If I do a terrible job, I'm happy to rework / remake, or even "upgrade" to bigger and better things as and when I can afford it!
So, for my first attempt, does a simple kit (in terms of drivers / crossovers / connectors) exist at the price point I'm looking at in the UK, or is that just wishful thinking?
I'm happy to do make the physical box myself, so don't need that in any "kit".
So, for my first attempt, does a simple kit (in terms of drivers / crossovers / connectors) exist at the price point I'm looking at in the UK, or is that just wishful thinking?
I'm happy to do make the physical box myself, so don't need that in any "kit".
I'm not familiar with kits, I learned the other way. Maybe you can ask the moderators to move this thread to the multi-way section.
Thanks for the help so far!
I'm still in the early research phase, but have seen some "easier" first builds based on a full range driver, so might look at that first.
I'm also thinking that I'll start with just the 4 "corner" speakers first, then look at a sub / centre later on perhaps.
I'm still in the early research phase, but have seen some "easier" first builds based on a full range driver, so might look at that first.
I'm also thinking that I'll start with just the 4 "corner" speakers first, then look at a sub / centre later on perhaps.
Hmmmm, 5.1 speaker kit for under £400 pounds.
This is the wharfedale for reference Wharfedale DX-2 review | What Hi-Fi?
So this has an 8” 120w sub, and needs 6 x 3” woofers and 5 x 3/4” tweeters plus crossover components - a tall ask.
I suspect the best option would be to keep the sub for now and replace the main speakers with 5 full range 4-5” speakers, worth having a look on the full range forum on here for ideas as these will need minimal crossover components. As they are full range all 5 can be the same, no need for a different design centre speaker.
Something like the Planet 10 Alpair 7 onken or golden ratio boxes may be possible at that cost for 5 speakers (£250-300 for drivers plus £100-150 for wood). Or look for Tang Band or Fostex full range designs.
Worth looking on here or giving them a call - Alpair 7.3 full range driver | KJF Audio
7m pensil for the front l/r plus small reflex for the centre and rears? Build the pencils first and see if you like then go from there.
https://www.frugal-phile.com/boxlib/P10free/CGR-dMar-Ken73-190216.pdf
http://frugal-phile.com/boxlib/pensils/Pensil7s3-map.pdf
This is the wharfedale for reference Wharfedale DX-2 review | What Hi-Fi?
So this has an 8” 120w sub, and needs 6 x 3” woofers and 5 x 3/4” tweeters plus crossover components - a tall ask.
I suspect the best option would be to keep the sub for now and replace the main speakers with 5 full range 4-5” speakers, worth having a look on the full range forum on here for ideas as these will need minimal crossover components. As they are full range all 5 can be the same, no need for a different design centre speaker.
Something like the Planet 10 Alpair 7 onken or golden ratio boxes may be possible at that cost for 5 speakers (£250-300 for drivers plus £100-150 for wood). Or look for Tang Band or Fostex full range designs.
Worth looking on here or giving them a call - Alpair 7.3 full range driver | KJF Audio
7m pensil for the front l/r plus small reflex for the centre and rears? Build the pencils first and see if you like then go from there.
https://www.frugal-phile.com/boxlib/P10free/CGR-dMar-Ken73-190216.pdf
http://frugal-phile.com/boxlib/pensils/Pensil7s3-map.pdf
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The Pulvia 7 is on special at the moment for £60 per pair. Box suggestion in link. Looks like 7.3 is in short supply but call may let you know if they are getting more in. The 7p is a good price and on paper looks good aswell.
Pluvia 7 full range driver | KJF Audio
Pluvia 7 full range driver | KJF Audio
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Here are 2 proven designs that popped into my head that might fit your budget and should be able to be sourced in the EU.
Speedsters
Tributes
Speedsters
Tributes
Couple of nice speakers but the drivers on the speedster are £100+ each speaker alone and the tributes are £80+. The OP needs 5 speakers for less than £400 so he will need to stretch the budget by 50% plus to built the tributes.
I took the OP's £350-£400 Wharfdale comparison to be the upper limit for a pair of speakers. I could be wrong.
More clarity on the budget might be helpful for further suggestions.
More clarity on the budget might be helpful for further suggestions.
I could be wrong also, I took it to be a replacement of a 5.1 system, I took a bit of a liberty by suggesting he keeps the subwoofer and replace later so approx £75 per speaker which is very tight unless you use full rangers with no crossover.
As above, direction from the op would be useful.
As above, direction from the op would be useful.
The cheapest drivers for a system of solid sound quality, I'd say a Visaton FR10-4 (13€), Dayton Audio ND25FA-4 (14€), xo filter parts 20€/speaker, makes altogether 47€/speaker not counting subwoofer/amp, enclosures, wiring, boards, screws, stuffing, paint, adhesive, postage...etc.
Hey guys - sorry to not reply sooner - have been on the road all day today! Thanks for all the replies and advice.
I don't own the wharfdales, I was using them as an example of the kind of speakers (price / quality) I would be buying if I wasn't going to make some.
My initial question was meant to be: is it possible to build my own speakers that were of a similar quality to the wharfdale set, and how much would it cost me to get a similar quality output?
My current speakers I'm looking to replace are 2 old Sony SS-EX 50's from and old Sony MHC-EX5 separates hi-fi system!
I'm currently thinking that I will probably look at building 2 x front LR speakers using the Pulvia 7s in a Pensil / frugel horn MK3 type design first. Then maybe the same drivers in a sealed enclosure for the rear speakers...
That's about as much as I've decided so far!
I was thinking about using the same driver for the centre speaker, but I probably don't have a space for a centre speaker that big, so I might need to rethink that.... And I haven't got as far as what to use for a sub yet!
What do you think so far?
I don't own the wharfdales, I was using them as an example of the kind of speakers (price / quality) I would be buying if I wasn't going to make some.
My initial question was meant to be: is it possible to build my own speakers that were of a similar quality to the wharfdale set, and how much would it cost me to get a similar quality output?
My current speakers I'm looking to replace are 2 old Sony SS-EX 50's from and old Sony MHC-EX5 separates hi-fi system!
I'm currently thinking that I will probably look at building 2 x front LR speakers using the Pulvia 7s in a Pensil / frugel horn MK3 type design first. Then maybe the same drivers in a sealed enclosure for the rear speakers...
That's about as much as I've decided so far!
I was thinking about using the same driver for the centre speaker, but I probably don't have a space for a centre speaker that big, so I might need to rethink that.... And I haven't got as far as what to use for a sub yet!
What do you think so far?
Thanks for the replies - just wrote a massive response but Tapatalk seems to have lost it... Grrrr... Just wrestling kids to finish their dinner then bed, then will try and repost! Thanks for all the help so far....!
EDIT: Looks like I didn't lose the post, it was just waiting for moderator approval!
EDIT: Looks like I didn't lose the post, it was just waiting for moderator approval!
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Many thanks Lojzek - that looks like something I'd really be interested in making - and the price is definitely right there too! Do you have any plans of the enclosure / crossover etc?
Unfortunately, I don't. It is an idea that crossed my mind the other day. I did work with affordable Visaton Frs8 units, so I am confident this line of products has got enough potential for a good quality system on a tight budget. Boxsim is Visaton's free loudspeaker simulator and once you learn how to import Dayton's frd and zma files, you will get a feeling what kind of a filter you should be looking to build. If you search the forum, you should be able to gather more useful info on loudspeaker design and simulation/measurement procedure. It is quite overwhelming at first for a beginner.
Thanks @lojzek; I've been looking through the forum and there is certainly a lot of overwhelming information here! I'm trying to find an idiot's guide / beginner page but am struggling a bit - everything appears to be aimed at quite a high audiophile level!!
For a first build I would use an existing design with defined crossover and drivers, build to print. The simplest will be the full range one that may just need one or two electrical parts to tame the high end but may need nothing. Next up would be one of the 5-6”+1” designs out there, there have been a couple posted already. Just follow the plans and enjoy.
Next time around you can get a bit more ambitious designing you own box and crossover.
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