As a young audio enthusiast I ofcourse want the best sound for the least amount of money (so I can spend the leftover on other audio equipment😀 ).
Being a headphone man at heart I have recently crossed over to the darkside and become interested in building a small, but good sounding setup for monitoring.
The eventual pair would be used for doing a little bit of beginner audio mixing/production and general listening with various sources.
I've been eyeing of LSK M4s for a while but after contacting them they have suggested I go for the model up: M5 (great upselling) due to better sound and efficiency. And after scratching the surface of these forums I have found out the depth of the DIY community and that there are alot of other options out there.
I would like a kit because I'm still at school and don't really have much time/experience working with electronics and schematics and I don't have access to any means of fabrication.
With headphones a fair bit of consideration needed is for the music, I listen to music in the heavier end of the spectrum and appreciate good attack, speed and accuracy within the reproduction of the sound.
My budget is of course the bottleneck: I'm only looking to spend AU$400 on a kit (2 monitors). I'd love if I could go under that price and still come out with a decent pair of speakers.
After the decision is made I will then search for a nice diy amp board that I can build/mod to suit the speakers and my needs.
All replies/suggestions are much appreciated!
Thanks,
Matt
🙂
Being a headphone man at heart I have recently crossed over to the darkside and become interested in building a small, but good sounding setup for monitoring.
The eventual pair would be used for doing a little bit of beginner audio mixing/production and general listening with various sources.
I've been eyeing of LSK M4s for a while but after contacting them they have suggested I go for the model up: M5 (great upselling) due to better sound and efficiency. And after scratching the surface of these forums I have found out the depth of the DIY community and that there are alot of other options out there.
I would like a kit because I'm still at school and don't really have much time/experience working with electronics and schematics and I don't have access to any means of fabrication.
With headphones a fair bit of consideration needed is for the music, I listen to music in the heavier end of the spectrum and appreciate good attack, speed and accuracy within the reproduction of the sound.
My budget is of course the bottleneck: I'm only looking to spend AU$400 on a kit (2 monitors). I'd love if I could go under that price and still come out with a decent pair of speakers.
After the decision is made I will then search for a nice diy amp board that I can build/mod to suit the speakers and my needs.
All replies/suggestions are much appreciated!
Thanks,
Matt
🙂
What about Zaph's Seas build:
http://zaphaudio.com/audio-speaker17.html
The seas drivers are available at audiophile.com.au and the components are not that hard to get (jaycar etc).
http://zaphaudio.com/audio-speaker17.html
The seas drivers are available at audiophile.com.au and the components are not that hard to get (jaycar etc).
G'day Matt
try this set of articles and designs by Rabbitz and the forum community, I think there are still a few P13/D27s left at Speakerbits
although the cost is a little higher than you budget once you factor in good quality components.
http://www.diyaudio.com/wiki/index.php?page=Vifa+P13/D27
http://www.speakerbits.com/products...idranges-quadral-bass-midranges/list-150.aspx
http://www.speakerbits.com/products...uadral-tweeter-hiquphon-tweeter/list-148.aspx
There are a number of cost effective peerless bass-mid-woofers available
Regards Ted
try this set of articles and designs by Rabbitz and the forum community, I think there are still a few P13/D27s left at Speakerbits
although the cost is a little higher than you budget once you factor in good quality components.
http://www.diyaudio.com/wiki/index.php?page=Vifa+P13/D27
http://www.speakerbits.com/products...idranges-quadral-bass-midranges/list-150.aspx
http://www.speakerbits.com/products...uadral-tweeter-hiquphon-tweeter/list-148.aspx
There are a number of cost effective peerless bass-mid-woofers available
Regards Ted
Hi Matt
The LSK have advised you well as you are better off with the M5 over the M4. I haven't heard either but do have a friend who has the M4 and I used to have a design similar to the M5 so I know the difference would be huge.
It's going to be hard if you don't have the facilities to build a box but maybe a friend could build some (school project even) or someone on this forum who is local may have some left over boxes.
There is a kit that represents great value at Madisound in the USA and don't be turned off by that. Even with shipping it still could be less than A$200. You still need to build a box and supply wiring and terminals but the drivers and crossover would be very sound.
http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=8525
As far as the little speaker goes in the Wiki.... it's a nice little speaker that does work well nearfield as well as in small to medium rooms. Since that was written, mine has had a few changes and would suggest the larger box option. My crossover values with the D27TG tweeter 3.3uF + 0.45mH + 5R6. There has been several tweeter changes with a Scan Speak S2905, a Vifa XT25TG (was not a good match... bleh), and next will be installing a SEAS 27TFF. One problem is the value of the A$ has forced the prices of drivers up by a considerable margin so the value factor has fallen.
http://www.diyaudio.com/wiki/index.php?page=rabbitz+has+added
Another option is a fullrange speaker and I would suggest a CSS FR125SR from Darcher Audio in Tasmania. No crossover is required and these do sound very good when used within their limitations as they do not have high power handling but enough to give you a head ache.
http://darcheraudio.com.au/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=30&products_id=80
Ebay from time to time does have some great DIY speakers listed that usually nobody or only a few bid on as they are not a brand name. Some great bargains can be had for very nice speakers indeed. Just remember driver names like Vifa, Peerless, SEAS, Scan Speak.
Another option for an enclosure if you can't build a box is to use PVC pipe and fittings that can be picked up at hardware stores and plumbing supplies. The one in the pic is a little one I did for a TV/DVD thingy in a small room.... easy and cheap but the sound would not be suitable for your needs.... does give you an idea though.
The LSK have advised you well as you are better off with the M5 over the M4. I haven't heard either but do have a friend who has the M4 and I used to have a design similar to the M5 so I know the difference would be huge.
It's going to be hard if you don't have the facilities to build a box but maybe a friend could build some (school project even) or someone on this forum who is local may have some left over boxes.
There is a kit that represents great value at Madisound in the USA and don't be turned off by that. Even with shipping it still could be less than A$200. You still need to build a box and supply wiring and terminals but the drivers and crossover would be very sound.
http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=8525
As far as the little speaker goes in the Wiki.... it's a nice little speaker that does work well nearfield as well as in small to medium rooms. Since that was written, mine has had a few changes and would suggest the larger box option. My crossover values with the D27TG tweeter 3.3uF + 0.45mH + 5R6. There has been several tweeter changes with a Scan Speak S2905, a Vifa XT25TG (was not a good match... bleh), and next will be installing a SEAS 27TFF. One problem is the value of the A$ has forced the prices of drivers up by a considerable margin so the value factor has fallen.
http://www.diyaudio.com/wiki/index.php?page=rabbitz+has+added
Another option is a fullrange speaker and I would suggest a CSS FR125SR from Darcher Audio in Tasmania. No crossover is required and these do sound very good when used within their limitations as they do not have high power handling but enough to give you a head ache.
http://darcheraudio.com.au/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=30&products_id=80
Ebay from time to time does have some great DIY speakers listed that usually nobody or only a few bid on as they are not a brand name. Some great bargains can be had for very nice speakers indeed. Just remember driver names like Vifa, Peerless, SEAS, Scan Speak.
Another option for an enclosure if you can't build a box is to use PVC pipe and fittings that can be picked up at hardware stores and plumbing supplies. The one in the pic is a little one I did for a TV/DVD thingy in a small room.... easy and cheap but the sound would not be suitable for your needs.... does give you an idea though.
Attachments
Another way to think outside the box and mostly PVC pipe fittings which makes it cheap and easy.
As far as DIY amps go, a great place to start is a ChipAmp and would suggest a LM3875. Have a look at this thread and Peter Daniel's kits are first class. They can of course be built point to point or on a vero board and Altronics in Oz do have some amp kits.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=123003
As far as DIY amps go, a great place to start is a ChipAmp and would suggest a LM3875. Have a look at this thread and Peter Daniel's kits are first class. They can of course be built point to point or on a vero board and Altronics in Oz do have some amp kits.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=123003
Attachments
Thanks for all replies!
Rabbitz, that RB kit looks perfect for me and with the dimensions for the box drawn up I'm sure I could sweet-talk one of my wood-tech teachers to knock a few boxes up for a price or a few beers!
Are they shielded? (Safe to use with laptop/tv)
The amp looks good and I've found great instructions for it too.
Cheers!
Rabbitz, that RB kit looks perfect for me and with the dimensions for the box drawn up I'm sure I could sweet-talk one of my wood-tech teachers to knock a few boxes up for a price or a few beers!
Are they shielded? (Safe to use with laptop/tv)
The amp looks good and I've found great instructions for it too.
Cheers!
You shouldn't need shielded drivers unless you are using a CRT (older type tube tellies and monitors). With LCD and Plasma screens there's no problem. A laptop should be no problem as well as long as you don't sit the speaker on top of it. I have unshielded speakers within 200mm of my iMac.
Matt, just remember to tell who ever puts the boxes together that it's the internal volume that is important, not the outside dimensions (but you probably already knew that!)
Good luck!
Good luck!
Hi Kimbo, could you explain that a bit better.
Unfortunantly I don't know that already haha. First build so i'm not 100% up to speed but I love to learn all about it.
I just got a reply back from Madisound, it's looking like a US$66 shipping fee!
Hrmmm.
The pre-built tweeter is so appealing, the idea of only having to hook stuff up and building the enclosure is what I want.
I'll email them back and see what they can do. As well as adjusting my order.
Even with shipping it still only comes to about A$170 which is great value.... BTW, the 2 tweeters alone cost about $120 in Oz.
The mid woofer in that kit is very similar to that in the LSK M5 but the D25AG tweeter is miles better than the D19 in the M5.
What is meant by the internal volume is when the box is made you work to the internal dimensions and not the external dimensions as the design has been done to a set working volume (the air inside the box). If 18mm MDF is used then it's close enough to the imperial 3/4" material.
The mid woofer in that kit is very similar to that in the LSK M5 but the D25AG tweeter is miles better than the D19 in the M5.
What is meant by the internal volume is when the box is made you work to the internal dimensions and not the external dimensions as the design has been done to a set working volume (the air inside the box). If 18mm MDF is used then it's close enough to the imperial 3/4" material.
When you put it that way it becomes a bit more reasonable.
I can pretty much get everything I need for the speakers from Madisound so hopefully shipping doesn't go up too much.
All I need is a good pot and something along the lines of copper 18ga wire for various hook-ups.
Open to recommendations.
🙂
I can pretty much get everything I need for the speakers from Madisound so hopefully shipping doesn't go up too much.
All I need is a good pot and something along the lines of copper 18ga wire for various hook-ups.
Open to recommendations.
🙂
I've found some copper enameled hookup wire to use. 🙂
And I've got some Alps pots, Cardas solder, matching knobs, some heat-spreading-compound and RCA plugs on their way.
Not sure whether to order amp kit or speaker kit first. As I won't purchase the other until the first is significantly progressed.
Can't wait!😀
And I've got some Alps pots, Cardas solder, matching knobs, some heat-spreading-compound and RCA plugs on their way.
Not sure whether to order amp kit or speaker kit first. As I won't purchase the other until the first is significantly progressed.
Can't wait!😀
The wife is after me to get rid of some stuff and make room, I have a few spare drivers from un-started projects; including some discontinued Jaycar 5inch poly-cones, perhaps we could work out something, I have a pair of surface mount tweeters from "Dick Smith" that are reasonable that are probably worth $30 but they do need second or third order XO no lower than 3500Hz.
price may be right but I have no tried and tested designs for them so it will be a learning process, but you should get help from forum members, I got the woofers fairly cheap as a close-out deal, I think I paid $18 each for them
price may be right but I have no tried and tested designs for them so it will be a learning process, but you should get help from forum members, I got the woofers fairly cheap as a close-out deal, I think I paid $18 each for them
Just looking at the LSK website, the woofers they use in the cheap kit are probably the same as the ones I have here, used to retail for $36- each.
Or bid and buy a pair of these.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260394960384
But I think you would then need 2 little woofers in each box for SPL reasons
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260394960384
But I think you would then need 2 little woofers in each box for SPL reasons
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/AUDAX-shield...4966484&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A30
Why not ask for a proven design, those little woofers are good with a capital "G" and I am not allowed to buy anything until renovations are finished
Why not ask for a proven design, those little woofers are good with a capital "G" and I am not allowed to buy anything until renovations are finished
I'm really looking for a kit which supplies me with a prebuilt crossover, all I need to do is hookup the crossover to the woofer + tweeter and build the enclosure.
If that's what your linking then could you spoonfeed me a bit more?
I'm going to put a WTB ad up just incase somebody was kind enough to stock up on these.
Cheers,
Matt.
If that's what your linking then could you spoonfeed me a bit more?
I'm going to put a WTB ad up just incase somebody was kind enough to stock up on these.
Cheers,
Matt.
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