Hey all
After lots and lots of reading, I'm currently in the process of planning my first DIY build and at a point in the road that I need some help with.
I'm looking at building a new pair of fronts, mainly to listen to music though will be used, like most others, for movies etc. I listen to a broad range of music (rock, Jazz, acoustic, some newer electronic) however majority would be rock eg Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Mayer, Dredg.
We've just purchased a townhouse with a relatively cozy lounge room - 5m x 4.5m (DxW), though the kitchen/dining joins unseparated giving extra width to the room. Limited by room position and size, I'm not sure which way to go at the fork in the road - 2 way book shelves vs 3 way half-towers. The speakers will need to accommodate being positioned relatively close to the wall (~30-40cm) with a listening distance approx 2-2.5m.
The two designs that I keep coming back to are the Zaph ZD5's and the Statement Monitors (Speaker Design Works.) I'm leaning toward the Statements for a few reasons; the crossover with near/far wall switch and the multiple driver selection. My concern is that the listening position and room size may not be ideal for the 3-way set up. In such circumstances, would the ZD5's be a better option?
I'm not necessarily locked into either design and would be grateful to hear your input and any suggestions you may have.
Thanks for reading 🙂
Cheers
Brenton
After lots and lots of reading, I'm currently in the process of planning my first DIY build and at a point in the road that I need some help with.
I'm looking at building a new pair of fronts, mainly to listen to music though will be used, like most others, for movies etc. I listen to a broad range of music (rock, Jazz, acoustic, some newer electronic) however majority would be rock eg Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Mayer, Dredg.
We've just purchased a townhouse with a relatively cozy lounge room - 5m x 4.5m (DxW), though the kitchen/dining joins unseparated giving extra width to the room. Limited by room position and size, I'm not sure which way to go at the fork in the road - 2 way book shelves vs 3 way half-towers. The speakers will need to accommodate being positioned relatively close to the wall (~30-40cm) with a listening distance approx 2-2.5m.
The two designs that I keep coming back to are the Zaph ZD5's and the Statement Monitors (Speaker Design Works.) I'm leaning toward the Statements for a few reasons; the crossover with near/far wall switch and the multiple driver selection. My concern is that the listening position and room size may not be ideal for the 3-way set up. In such circumstances, would the ZD5's be a better option?
I'm not necessarily locked into either design and would be grateful to hear your input and any suggestions you may have.
Thanks for reading 🙂
Cheers
Brenton
Hi giralfino
Thanks for your reply. Although I'm proficient in woodworking, I wont be embarking on this alone.. I will have an experienced DIY'er assisting the entire build; he's got quite a few years DIY under his belt and built more complex designs than these.
Thanks for the heads up 🙂
Thanks for your reply. Although I'm proficient in woodworking, I wont be embarking on this alone.. I will have an experienced DIY'er assisting the entire build; he's got quite a few years DIY under his belt and built more complex designs than these.
Thanks for the heads up 🙂
Not sure of your budget but if you have access to a drill-press (lots of holes to cut) I would suggest the Madisound ReDiscovery 2-way.
The build is straightforward and the result is startling. It would be plenty of speaker for your space and the Suman Jana, the designer, is an easy email away and is very helpful.
I made these speakers first and the Zaph ZRT 2.5 Revelator (65l) next.
The Zaph plans were (for the 65l) just plain wrong. One of the ports would have gone through a brace. Also the lining/packing information was total BS.
(I built both of 1" mdf.)
P
The build is straightforward and the result is startling. It would be plenty of speaker for your space and the Suman Jana, the designer, is an easy email away and is very helpful.
I made these speakers first and the Zaph ZRT 2.5 Revelator (65l) next.
The Zaph plans were (for the 65l) just plain wrong. One of the ports would have gone through a brace. Also the lining/packing information was total BS.
(I built both of 1" mdf.)
P
Drill press? That would be quite a press!
Try a plunge router with a circle jig and 1/4" upcut bit.
Best,
Erik
Try a plunge router with a circle jig and 1/4" upcut bit.
Best,
Erik
I cut all the brace holes by stacking and clamping 2 at a time. (Drill through only the top one and use the bottom one to prevent "rip" and to mark the bottom one as the next top.)
This took only about 1.5 hours with a hole saw on a drill press. This is 5 holes per brace !
It would take many times that with a router/jig.
Pski
Note: you will need a compressed air source to keep the kerf clear so the hole saw will not overheat..
Click the link for a facebook photo album of the build.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
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Ahhh, yes, those holes are easiest with a drill press! I thought we were talking about the driver holes. 🙂
They do make drill guides that can help you turn a good power drill into one. Make sure the alignment is right and tight before using> I've accidentally used them at 10 degrees off. What a mess.
Best,
Erik
They do make drill guides that can help you turn a good power drill into one. Make sure the alignment is right and tight before using> I've accidentally used them at 10 degrees off. What a mess.
Best,
Erik
Thanks pski 🙂 I will have access to a drill press, router and all the necessary tools to help the job along.
The Rediscovery drivers and response curve looks pretty nice. I'll do a little more research on these.
The Rediscovery drivers and response curve looks pretty nice. I'll do a little more research on these.
Either way, with a hole saw you will use one hand controlling up/down and one hand spraying air.
Using a router (jig is NOT optional, normal cut is about .25 inch per cycle.
Even this rate needs patience.
There are several SBAcoustics diy 3-way designs on the web from teams around the world including: (1)large 3-way bookshelf or stand-mount - using a 5" midrange with one 8" woofer; (2) generic HT tall and thin floorstander using a 6.5" midbass and two 8" woofers; (3) old-school combining a vocal range 6.5" midbass with a 10" woofer. Variations in cabinet design widens your options.
=====SB Acoustics 3 ways ====1-Speaker==
Classic 3-way $184 crossovers at 200Hz and 2.2Khz
SB Acoustics :: 1" B26STC-C000-4 $33,
SB Acoustics :: 5" SB15NRXC30-8 $52
SB Acoustics :: 8'' SB23NRXS45-8 $99
search for "SB Acoustics 3 ways" or try this link:
troels.gravesen@hotmail.com
=========
Narrow FloorStander 3-way $308
SB Acoustics :: 1.15" SB29RDC-C000-4 $52
SB Acoustics :: 6" SB17NRXC35-4 $58
2 x SB Acoustics :: 8'' SB23NRXS45-8 2x $99
"SB Acoustics 3 ways"
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/212738-sb-acoustics-3-ways.html
=========
Wide FloorStander 3-way $250
diyAudio SB Acoustics 3 ways
SB Acoustics :: 1.15" SB29RDC-C000-4 $52
SB Acoustics :: 6" SB17NRXC35-8 $58
SB Acoustics :: 10'' SB29NRXS75-6 $140
=====SB Acoustics 3 ways ====1-Speaker==
Classic 3-way $184 crossovers at 200Hz and 2.2Khz
SB Acoustics :: 1" B26STC-C000-4 $33,
SB Acoustics :: 5" SB15NRXC30-8 $52
SB Acoustics :: 8'' SB23NRXS45-8 $99
search for "SB Acoustics 3 ways" or try this link:
troels.gravesen@hotmail.com
=========
Narrow FloorStander 3-way $308
SB Acoustics :: 1.15" SB29RDC-C000-4 $52
SB Acoustics :: 6" SB17NRXC35-4 $58
2 x SB Acoustics :: 8'' SB23NRXS45-8 2x $99
"SB Acoustics 3 ways"
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/212738-sb-acoustics-3-ways.html
=========
Wide FloorStander 3-way $250
diyAudio SB Acoustics 3 ways
SB Acoustics :: 1.15" SB29RDC-C000-4 $52
SB Acoustics :: 6" SB17NRXC35-8 $58
SB Acoustics :: 10'' SB29NRXS75-6 $140
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With driver holes, if the baffle is thick (1" or more,) you should route a 1/2" 90 degree on the inside of the hole to keep the basket from being in a "tunnel"
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