Tips for first soundbar build

[therealburk]

Hey!


Looking for hints and tips on my first DIY!



I was inspired by this soundbar build: DIY Soundbar With Built-in DSP: 6 Steps (with Pictures)
and I'm thinking of building something similar, but slightly slimmer.


I'm no hifi or movie theatre enthusiast yet, but my goal is to improve on the built-in speakers of my LG TV without spending too much money, and I hope that's realistic 😀


I'm thinking of these parts:


2x tweeters: Dayton Audio ND20FB-4: Dayton Audio ND20FB-4 Rear-Mount 3/4" Soft Dome Neodymium Tweeter
2x full-range: Dayton Audio ND65-4: Dayton Audio ND65-4 2-1/2" Aluminum Cone Full-Range Neo Driver 4 Ohm
4x passive radiators: Dayton Audio ND65-PR: Dayton Audio ND65-PR 2-1/2" Aluminum Cone Passive Radiator


What do you think so far?


For the electronics I am looking for a DSP, preferrably with digital input, and volume control. It looks like I'll land on the miniDSP 2x4 HD, unless there are any cheaper options around? Or would you recommend going the analog path on a first time build, with volume control + amp + crossover?



For the amplifier I'm a bit lost, maybe something like this one for the full-range drivers: WONDOM AA-AB32178 2x50W 4 Ohm Class D Audio Amplifier Board - TPA3116, or is it overkill?


Haven't thought much about the enclosure yet. I want to keep it as low as possible to fit under the TV and to obtain spouse approval, but I can extend it to the back to adjust the box volume if needed..


Thanks for any tips for a first-time builder!

 

[Andersonix]

“but my goal is to improve on the built-in speakers of my LG TV without spending too much money”

Tap into the built-in amp in the TV.

 

[therealburk]

Tap into the built-in amp in the TV.

Heh, yeah, I was hoping to avoid opening up the TV 🙂


I'm now maybe considering building it first without a DSP, just with an amp and some passive crossovers, but I'm having trouble finding tweeters that match the 80 SPL of the ND65-4's. Is it a very bad idea to use a 12ohm resistor in series with the tweeter + high-pass filter in order to dampen it to the right sensitivity?


Also, any recommendations for setting up easy IR volume control?

 

[LineSource]

Without DSP

1) A horizontal T-M generates an odd polar pattern. Consider a single high-extended full range like the SB_Acoustics 2½” SB65WBAC25-4, or Fostex FE85 crossed at 400Hz to two woofers in parallel like the 4" Dayton DA115-8 . Tang Band W4-2089 4.5" Use side exit ports instead of paying for passive radiators.
===========

2) Reconsider standard side-side monitors. You will get better sound with narrow 5.5" wide vertical TM cabinets(Jeff Bagby Sopranos) at the Left and Right side of your LG TV. You have the option to construct a taller speaker box to put the tweeter at ear level, and provide SB12NRX25 midwoofer separation from the TV table.

 

[LineSource]

What are the best 3" woofers?
Can you call a 3" speaker a SUBwoofer?

Tang Band W3-1876S 3" subwoofer 5 mm Xmax neodymium ... $38

Resonant Frequency (Fs) 55 Hz
DC Resistance (Re) 3.6 ohms
Voice Coil Inductance (Le) 0.19 mH
Mechanical Q (Qms) 3.17
Electromagnetic Q (Qes) 0.5
Total Q (Qts) 0.43
Compliance Equivalent Volume (Vas) 0.03 ft.³
Mechanical Compliance of Suspension (Cms) 0.74 mm/N
BL Product (BL) 5.28 Tm
Diaphragm Mass Inc. Airload (Mms) 9.98g
Maximum Linear Excursion (Xmax) 5 mm
Surface Area of Cone (Sd)27 cm²

Mounting Information
Overall Outside Diameter 3.67"
Baffle Cutout Diameter 2.93"
Depth 2.59"
Sealed Volume 0.01 ft.³Sealed F3 101 Hz
Vented Volume 0.03 ft.³Vented F3 52 Hz

 

[classicalfan]

What's your audio source going to be? Just one of the TV outputs, or will there be an AVR that feeds both audio and video to the TV from various sources. Makes a big difference in the possible speaker bar solutions.

 

[therealburk]

I don't have an AVR, so I was planning on using the audio output of the TV, preferrably the digital one if I'm going for a DSP solution.