Hi all, I'm interested in building this kit https://solen.ca/products/kits/sb-acoustics-kits/sb-acoustics-eka/ as it's one of the cheapest options available. Do you think it's good for first timer like me? I've built a Whammy headphone amp and nothing else really 😀 Will the woodwork be difficult for someone who's got no experience with working with wood?
I recommend kits that come with at least the front baffle.
You will have a difficult time routing if you are not experienced.
Also consider the time involved. It's usually at least a week of a few hours a day if you plan to finish them.
I've done my own ground up and complete flat pack kits and can say that for a first timer, I would go complete and flat pack.
I've got a set of TriTrix playing classical at the moment and they sound pretty darn good. Will eventually step up to the Solstice and others when I get the time..
You will have a difficult time routing if you are not experienced.
Also consider the time involved. It's usually at least a week of a few hours a day if you plan to finish them.
I've done my own ground up and complete flat pack kits and can say that for a first timer, I would go complete and flat pack.
I've got a set of TriTrix playing classical at the moment and they sound pretty darn good. Will eventually step up to the Solstice and others when I get the time..
I think you would be happy with that kit. I have heard both the woofer and tweeter in other designs and they sounded nice.
I built a design with the woofers little brother (5") and have really enjoyed it and has surprising bass which should also be similar with this 6" version.
The woodworking can be a simple or hard as you make it. You don't have to make the full front to back window brace, which means it has to be angled to fit. You could just put a 3-4" wide support connecting the two sides and be much easier to design and build.
Keep in mind it's your first try - so don't get in over your head, because you might throw in the towel. DIY is about the hobby, so don't get in a rush, enjoy the build and when you hear them for the first time - will have the biggest grin on your face, guaranteed!
Good luck! Also, if shipping doesn't break the bank look at Meniscus Audio and Madisound Speaker Components both are in Michigan USA. They have a few more lowe-cost options.
I built a design with the woofers little brother (5") and have really enjoyed it and has surprising bass which should also be similar with this 6" version.
The woodworking can be a simple or hard as you make it. You don't have to make the full front to back window brace, which means it has to be angled to fit. You could just put a 3-4" wide support connecting the two sides and be much easier to design and build.
Keep in mind it's your first try - so don't get in over your head, because you might throw in the towel. DIY is about the hobby, so don't get in a rush, enjoy the build and when you hear them for the first time - will have the biggest grin on your face, guaranteed!
Good luck! Also, if shipping doesn't break the bank look at Meniscus Audio and Madisound Speaker Components both are in Michigan USA. They have a few more lowe-cost options.
I have built the OVernight Sensations, C-Notes, and the Samba's from PartsExpress with several friends as easy projects to get them into audio. So far, everyone has been very pleased.
Overnight Sensations MT Speaker Kit Pair
C-Note MT Bookshelf Speaker Kit Pair with Knock-Down Cabinets
Samba MT Bookshelf Speaker Kit with Knock-Down Cabinet
Overnight Sensations MT Speaker Kit Pair
C-Note MT Bookshelf Speaker Kit Pair with Knock-Down Cabinets
Samba MT Bookshelf Speaker Kit with Knock-Down Cabinet
The 3,100Hz crossover used on the Eka is too high for the 6.5" SB17NRXC35 midrange, and you will hear beaming, and distortion from the high frequency cone breakup. Every other design using these drivers which I have seen uses a 1,600-2,000Hz crossover.
Compared to the more common 1,800Hz crossover, this 3,100hz crossover allows lower value, lower cost crossover components, and high power handling without damaging the tweeter. I believe this is the main reason it was selected for a generic KIT.
SB_Acoustics manufactures a 6.5" midranges with a plastic cone, hard paper cone, and aluminum cone. These different cone materials produce different "tone", SPL curve, and distortion curve.
plastic = smooth
paper = natural
aluminum = detailed
For diverse use in several rooms and applications, the paper cone has a consistent natural tone.
For a desktop speaker the plastic cone produces a very relaxing neutral tone for hours of diverse listening.
For critical listening to stereo music in a good room, the aluminum cone will make you smile.
SO..... based upon your listening goals, select paper, plastic, aluminum cone and you will get help finding good designs. BUT, you need a ~0.75 cuft cabinet.... Dear Santa.....
Compared to the more common 1,800Hz crossover, this 3,100hz crossover allows lower value, lower cost crossover components, and high power handling without damaging the tweeter. I believe this is the main reason it was selected for a generic KIT.
SB_Acoustics manufactures a 6.5" midranges with a plastic cone, hard paper cone, and aluminum cone. These different cone materials produce different "tone", SPL curve, and distortion curve.
plastic = smooth
paper = natural
aluminum = detailed
For diverse use in several rooms and applications, the paper cone has a consistent natural tone.
For a desktop speaker the plastic cone produces a very relaxing neutral tone for hours of diverse listening.
For critical listening to stereo music in a good room, the aluminum cone will make you smile.
SO..... based upon your listening goals, select paper, plastic, aluminum cone and you will get help finding good designs. BUT, you need a ~0.75 cuft cabinet.... Dear Santa.....
If I was in Canada and buying a full kit I would seriously look at a pair of these and save for a pair of good small active woofers.
SB Acoustics Elok, 2way MTM Kit Each with 2xSB15NRXC & SB26STC.
That said I've not heard these speakers merely heard good reports about the drivers used
SB Acoustics Elok, 2way MTM Kit Each with 2xSB15NRXC & SB26STC.
That said I've not heard these speakers merely heard good reports about the drivers used
Wow so much more options to choose from in the states! I wish I could order something less complicated to try out but the shipping and custom would probably be not worth it.
I don't have an amp yet I just ordered some cheap chip amp kits on ebay. I'll see if they'll work or not lol. My room is small so I don't really need a lot of power. The Elok is also an interesting option. Wonder why it's even cheaper than the Eka?
I'm fully prepared to enjoy the process and will take my time to work my way through.
I don't have an amp yet I just ordered some cheap chip amp kits on ebay. I'll see if they'll work or not lol. My room is small so I don't really need a lot of power. The Elok is also an interesting option. Wonder why it's even cheaper than the Eka?
I'm fully prepared to enjoy the process and will take my time to work my way through.
Hello Ashley
Try and not let the multiple drivers and work throw you back. with most of these, there are plenty of people out there who have done these and can help you along.
I have been working on my own driver with this exact purpose in mind. Its a driver you can make at home, and can be provided with a 3D printed cabinet ready to go as well in a set colour. The cabinet can have its type changed, eg you can change it from vented to sealed, and within vented you can adjust the tube length. The driver also can have it's entire drive train changed, but as a beginner its aim is to give you a good baseline with a easy to work with cabinet and full range driver (No crossover), and give you to scope to be able to tinker and learn. Hopefully allowing you later to have a better insight into what you want.
Good luck with whatever kit you go with. Mine isn't quite there yet. Im sure either way you will be happy!
Paul
Try and not let the multiple drivers and work throw you back. with most of these, there are plenty of people out there who have done these and can help you along.
I have been working on my own driver with this exact purpose in mind. Its a driver you can make at home, and can be provided with a 3D printed cabinet ready to go as well in a set colour. The cabinet can have its type changed, eg you can change it from vented to sealed, and within vented you can adjust the tube length. The driver also can have it's entire drive train changed, but as a beginner its aim is to give you a good baseline with a easy to work with cabinet and full range driver (No crossover), and give you to scope to be able to tinker and learn. Hopefully allowing you later to have a better insight into what you want.
Good luck with whatever kit you go with. Mine isn't quite there yet. Im sure either way you will be happy!
Paul
SBA drivers are a very good choice and a great value for the money. And if you don’t already have woodworking tools and skills, then certainly getting a prebuilt cabinet is the best way to go.
However, there is something of a little concern about the specific kit that you referenced.
SB Acoustics does offer a product called the Eka kit. But the description of what Solen provides as an Eka kit does not match well with the SBA version by that name.
The cabinets look like they are entirely different and I believe the crossovers may be different as well. SBA shows the crossover frequency to be 3,100 Hz, whereas Solen shows it as 2,400 Hz. Also on the Solen circuit diagram they indentify the tweeter as SB25STC, but there is no such product. That may just be a typo, but it’s unlikely that SBA themselves would have made that mistake. So I think the crossover design is from Solen, and not the original from SBA.
Since both the cabinet and crossover appear to be different I suspect that this is not the actual SBA Eka kit, but rather a version of it that Solen has created and still used the Eka name. I can’t be sure about that, but is seems like a reasonable explanation for the discrepancy.
That is not to say this is a bad kit or the wrong choice. It may be very good, in fact. In one respect it should be better than the original Eka due to the crossover at 2,400 Hz rather than 3,100 Hz. As LineSource has pointed out, 3,100 Hz is too high for a 6.5” woofer and is going to result in considerable beaming.
Before buying this kit I would want to know more about who designed the crossover and what was their level of experience. That’s what is going to determine how the speaker sounds with those drivers more than any other factor. Perhaps Solen can give you some answers.
Finally, if you want to take up woodworking as a hobby and invest a minimum of $500 for tools to get started and spend time developing your skills, then there are many other excellent choices for kits. Or perhaps you can find someone to the build the cabinets for you. If there is a local woodworking club someone there might be interested in doing it for a reasonable price.
If you are concerned about the woodworking aspect of the build, I could send you the cabinet parts cut to size via CNC if you are interested. I’d need to work up a price and check on shipping from the US to Canada. Let me know if you want a price.
