I have a bluetooth player I picked up off Ebay. Its basically a receiver/USB player with a sealed sound box, two speakers, one on each end. Its been made to look into a faux gramophone, which looks pretty cool. It also has a round resonance "flapper" on the bottom, which adds bass. That is not really a speaker, it just vibrates.
The whole sound scheme is pretty good. However, I was disappointed to find that the horn on top, is basically dead weight and no sound comes out of it. Its just screwed into the back of the box, with no opening through to the box at all.
I know enough about acoustics to realize that a sound box needs to be sealed, etc. For example, when you unscrew the top lid and take it off, practically all the bass is lost.
So here was my idea.
I'd like to buy one of these 1" tweeters, and stick it in the mouth of the horn. Then run a wire, through the sound box, to the reciever:
1-INCH 260W MAX POWER SILK DOME NEODYMIUM TWEETERS - PAIR | eBay
The sound box would still be sealed, just a small hole for the wire down through the horn, which could be closed with silicone. That way the horn would actually work, and in theory, it would improve the overall sound.
Would doing this however, reduce power to the existing side speakers, make them quieter? Is this idea doable, or just a waste of time. Thought I'd get opinions...... thanks
The whole sound scheme is pretty good. However, I was disappointed to find that the horn on top, is basically dead weight and no sound comes out of it. Its just screwed into the back of the box, with no opening through to the box at all.
I know enough about acoustics to realize that a sound box needs to be sealed, etc. For example, when you unscrew the top lid and take it off, practically all the bass is lost.
So here was my idea.
I'd like to buy one of these 1" tweeters, and stick it in the mouth of the horn. Then run a wire, through the sound box, to the reciever:
1-INCH 260W MAX POWER SILK DOME NEODYMIUM TWEETERS - PAIR | eBay
The sound box would still be sealed, just a small hole for the wire down through the horn, which could be closed with silicone. That way the horn would actually work, and in theory, it would improve the overall sound.
Would doing this however, reduce power to the existing side speakers, make them quieter? Is this idea doable, or just a waste of time. Thought I'd get opinions...... thanks
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Hi, and welcome to DIYAudio!
I would strongly encourage you to proceed with your experiment - "learning by doing" is the very essence of DIY!🙂 There's always the chance that you will blow something up; in which case you'll learn more!😀
Just a guess: your subject system is likely a stereo (2-channel) setup; if so - you'd be best off connecting both of your new tweeters - one to each channel. Those tweeters probably have some kind of "cross-over" capacitor in or with them, so you should be ok to just connect one in parallel with each of the two existing speakers. Experiment with placement to hear what sounds best to you. It may or may not "improve the sound" as per your hypothesis.
Do you have a multi-meter?
I would strongly encourage you to proceed with your experiment - "learning by doing" is the very essence of DIY!🙂 There's always the chance that you will blow something up; in which case you'll learn more!😀
Just a guess: your subject system is likely a stereo (2-channel) setup; if so - you'd be best off connecting both of your new tweeters - one to each channel. Those tweeters probably have some kind of "cross-over" capacitor in or with them, so you should be ok to just connect one in parallel with each of the two existing speakers. Experiment with placement to hear what sounds best to you. It may or may not "improve the sound" as per your hypothesis.
Do you have a multi-meter?
There is nothing to stop you connecting one of these tweeters across one of the end speakers. It may add a bit of 'sparkle' to the sound! 🙂
This will not reduce power to the side speaker. However you must stop the mid/bass frequencies from reaching the tweeter. This is done by connecting a loudspeaker crossover capacitor in series with the tweeter.
If this capacitor is not included with, or built into, the tweeter then you need to buy one like this: CMP-AP CAPACITOR 2.2uF/250Vdc in POWERALIA
>>There is nothing to stop you connecting one of these tweeters across one of the end speakers.>>
By doing this, do you mean literally daisy chaining off the positive/negative wires going out to one of the speakers?
Would the wattage matter. This 1-inch Tweeter seems better. It does say "
Crossover: built-in"
So maybe its not needed.
SoundXtreme ST-TW120 1-INCH 400W MAX POWER SILK DOME NEODYMIUM TWEETERS - PAIR 700867210115 | eBay
If it was, I'm assuming, with the capacitor, it has a single wire, and that would just go in-path on the "hot" side?
The whole project seems pretty simple. Ideally I would want to surface mount the tweeter inside the box, facing the base of the horn's tube after cutting a 1" hole. But you could also just run the wire up through the tube, and have the speaker sitting in the horn's mouth. Wouldn't look as good, but it would at least, play.
I'm a little leery about putting another speaker inside the box though, because of this 'bass diaphragm' it has in the bottom. I haven't seen one of these before and don't know how cutting into the box, and adding another speaker inside will affect it.
The thing with these gramophone players is, even if they're fake. The first thing everyone does is put their ear to the horn to see if any sound is coming out of it. So, you know. Its just better if it actually works, lol.
By doing this, do you mean literally daisy chaining off the positive/negative wires going out to one of the speakers?
Would the wattage matter. This 1-inch Tweeter seems better. It does say "
Crossover: built-in"
So maybe its not needed.
SoundXtreme ST-TW120 1-INCH 400W MAX POWER SILK DOME NEODYMIUM TWEETERS - PAIR 700867210115 | eBay
If it was, I'm assuming, with the capacitor, it has a single wire, and that would just go in-path on the "hot" side?
The whole project seems pretty simple. Ideally I would want to surface mount the tweeter inside the box, facing the base of the horn's tube after cutting a 1" hole. But you could also just run the wire up through the tube, and have the speaker sitting in the horn's mouth. Wouldn't look as good, but it would at least, play.
I'm a little leery about putting another speaker inside the box though, because of this 'bass diaphragm' it has in the bottom. I haven't seen one of these before and don't know how cutting into the box, and adding another speaker inside will affect it.
The thing with these gramophone players is, even if they're fake. The first thing everyone does is put their ear to the horn to see if any sound is coming out of it. So, you know. Its just better if it actually works, lol.
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Don't feed 300 watt RSM at 6khz (as per specification) - I doubt they take that :-D
Did you get the little boxes with wire? These are probably the crossovers. You should connect these between the amp and the tweeters.
If you measure any resistance (3-5 ohms?) over the terminals of the bare tweeter, it has no capacitor in them. If it measure infinity, then there is one in there.
RMS Power: 300W max (good luck!!)
Diaphragm: Polypropylene
Ferroelectric transducer: Niobium
"Ferroelectric transducer"... ??
//
Did you get the little boxes with wire? These are probably the crossovers. You should connect these between the amp and the tweeters.
If you measure any resistance (3-5 ohms?) over the terminals of the bare tweeter, it has no capacitor in them. If it measure infinity, then there is one in there.
RMS Power: 300W max (good luck!!)
Diaphragm: Polypropylene
Ferroelectric transducer: Niobium
"Ferroelectric transducer"... ??
//
The second tweeter has a power rating far exceeding what your system can deliver. This is not a problem - practically any wattage of tweeter will do for your application.
Your second choice of tweeter has a separate crossover box which is connected between your side speaker and the tweeter similar to what is shown in this wikiHow:
Simple Ways to Install Tweeters: 11 Steps (with Pictures)
Since the crossover box is included, there is no need for an additional capacitor.
Your second choice of tweeter has a separate crossover box which is connected between your side speaker and the tweeter similar to what is shown in this wikiHow:
Simple Ways to Install Tweeters: 11 Steps (with Pictures)
Since the crossover box is included, there is no need for an additional capacitor.
So - you've gotten a lot of good advice/suggestions from our members!
Yes - as TNT said: use your multimeter to confirm that your tweeters have a crossover capacitor, then go ahead and connect one or two of them to your existing speaker(s). I'm not sure what you mean by "daisy-chain"; the correct connection would be "parallel" - if you're not sure about this, please do some research! In any case - one wire connection will accomplish nothing; you need two wires connected to make a circuit.
Your instincts are correct about the box and the "bass diaphragm". That sounds like what is commonly known as a "passive radiator". Best not to disrupt the sealed box, but if you cut a hole and fit a tweeter in the hole and seal it up with silicone, it wouldn't change things, right? I'd suggest that you hook things up temporarily before doing any surgery - that way you can decide if it will meet your expectations. Will a "bit of sparkle" from the horn do it for your critics? Maybe the tweeter on the second channel could be mounted on the back of the box or somewhere else to add more sparkle? Or - maybe the extra high frequencies from your added tweeters will be too bright sounding? Just have fun experimenting!
Yes - as TNT said: use your multimeter to confirm that your tweeters have a crossover capacitor, then go ahead and connect one or two of them to your existing speaker(s). I'm not sure what you mean by "daisy-chain"; the correct connection would be "parallel" - if you're not sure about this, please do some research! In any case - one wire connection will accomplish nothing; you need two wires connected to make a circuit.
Your instincts are correct about the box and the "bass diaphragm". That sounds like what is commonly known as a "passive radiator". Best not to disrupt the sealed box, but if you cut a hole and fit a tweeter in the hole and seal it up with silicone, it wouldn't change things, right? I'd suggest that you hook things up temporarily before doing any surgery - that way you can decide if it will meet your expectations. Will a "bit of sparkle" from the horn do it for your critics? Maybe the tweeter on the second channel could be mounted on the back of the box or somewhere else to add more sparkle? Or - maybe the extra high frequencies from your added tweeters will be too bright sounding? Just have fun experimenting!
Yes thanks folks. Ordered and I'm giving it a go. I think I'm going to add a switch so you can turn it on and off, and tell the difference.
We'll see how it goes lol
We'll see how it goes lol
is the horn a decor piece?
if is wasn't purpose made as a horn what are the chances it will actually sound good?
could turn out to be a learning exercise in minimizing diffraction...
or sound awesome....
if is wasn't purpose made as a horn what are the chances it will actually sound good?
could turn out to be a learning exercise in minimizing diffraction...
or sound awesome....
Well I'm going to try to include a video for anyone whose interested.
Its done..... I added the tweeter to the horn, by screwing a 1" Power Acoustik NB-18 inside the mouth, and ran the wire down to one of the side speakers. There's also a switch in the back.
There's a great deal more treble, amplified by the horn itself- a bit too much, as I can hear every breath when people sing lol.
Strangely I found by putting a large marble in the horn, it tones it down and takes the edge off.
Does it sound better? On the whole, yes. Some songs sound much improved, others are a bit overkill depending on what instruments are in the music. The recording off the camera really doesn't capture it unfortunately. But you definitely get the high notes and other interesting effects. More 'spacious'. I like it.
Listening to audiobooks, I'd probably have the horn off, as you can hear every gurgle in their throat reading a book haha.
So, there it is!
Tweeter added to mini grampohone on Vimeo
Its done..... I added the tweeter to the horn, by screwing a 1" Power Acoustik NB-18 inside the mouth, and ran the wire down to one of the side speakers. There's also a switch in the back.
There's a great deal more treble, amplified by the horn itself- a bit too much, as I can hear every breath when people sing lol.
Strangely I found by putting a large marble in the horn, it tones it down and takes the edge off.
Does it sound better? On the whole, yes. Some songs sound much improved, others are a bit overkill depending on what instruments are in the music. The recording off the camera really doesn't capture it unfortunately. But you definitely get the high notes and other interesting effects. More 'spacious'. I like it.
Listening to audiobooks, I'd probably have the horn off, as you can hear every gurgle in their throat reading a book haha.
So, there it is!
Tweeter added to mini grampohone on Vimeo
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Its not your site.... I was suddenly having huge problems with Vimeo and my computer.
Had to create a completely new Vimeo account, by that time my first post was no longer editable. Then, everything running extremely slow on my PC.
Some greater power out there was giving me hell making this post, lol. Its done now.
Had to create a completely new Vimeo account, by that time my first post was no longer editable. Then, everything running extremely slow on my PC.
Some greater power out there was giving me hell making this post, lol. Its done now.
I'll say this from the experience. If you ever get one of these Grammy USB/radio players.... and I advise that you DO, because they really sound great for their size imo. I would add the tweeter, with a switch in the back. Its not a hard project- soldering a few wires and a few drill holes, and it fits perfectly in the mouth of the horn.
But I think the sound effects are just really pretty cool. And everyone who looks at it will check to see if the horn actually plays anyway lol.
I got the player off Ebay ("w4z4", but they are all over the place right now). I use it as a bedside player and put music in there to sleep by, like ocean waves and stuff.
One thing I did wonder was, how mounting the tweeter inside the box, facing the base of the tube would sound different. My guess is it would have a deep well or echoey effect. It just was a lot more work to do it that way. I'm happy with it like this.
But I think the sound effects are just really pretty cool. And everyone who looks at it will check to see if the horn actually plays anyway lol.
I got the player off Ebay ("w4z4", but they are all over the place right now). I use it as a bedside player and put music in there to sleep by, like ocean waves and stuff.
One thing I did wonder was, how mounting the tweeter inside the box, facing the base of the tube would sound different. My guess is it would have a deep well or echoey effect. It just was a lot more work to do it that way. I'm happy with it like this.