As above, since I want to start a new speaker building project from scratch and do not have the knowledge.
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As fatmarley gave you already a good link I would say that
1. Choose the "best" mid driver (3-Way) or the "best" mid-woofer for a 2-Way. Or the best driver in a FR.
2. You need the parameters of the woofer to follow the size/internal volume of the speaker. There are woofers that work in a small size enclosure let's say 15 L and others with a 50 L or 100 L enclosure. Some people start with the woofer first but they might miss the point when they don't know what mid driver they should use.
How to choose the right DIY project - for your ears by Troels Gravesen
Your way to choose drivers - diyAudio
1. Choose the "best" mid driver (3-Way) or the "best" mid-woofer for a 2-Way. Or the best driver in a FR.
2. You need the parameters of the woofer to follow the size/internal volume of the speaker. There are woofers that work in a small size enclosure let's say 15 L and others with a 50 L or 100 L enclosure. Some people start with the woofer first but they might miss the point when they don't know what mid driver they should use.
How to choose the right DIY project - for your ears by Troels Gravesen
Your way to choose drivers - diyAudio
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Well I got all help I could ask for building Salas´s "Tired2way" and it is a vg speaker. This time I want to go to the next level, trying to design something myself. You never learn if you never try...
my #1 is low distortion in the driver, difficult info to find, which is why Zaph's site is so valuable.
#2 - smooth frequency response
#2 - smooth frequency response
#3 would be a mid-range driver with as wide a range as possible, but taking Petes points into consideration.
When you say from scratch, do you mean to learn to design a speaker system, or you want to build an established design rather than assemble a kit?
Do you have any engineering background, but just not in speakers? ( would you understand what the S-plane is?)
Or do you just have a good ear and am ready to go insane like the rest of us? Either is fine, but it helps in what advice you should go looking for.
Don't waste big money on expensive drivers. Get half decent cheap ones and LEARN what to do with them. Zaph helps a lot in that. There are $1000 speakers out there with $10 tweeters.
Don't even have the slightest thoughts about something more complex than a two way.
Download WinISD and play with box parameters for different woofers. If you read Joe DeAppolito's book, you will understand what these parameters mean. If you have the technical background, read Linkwitz's WEB.
Build something. Listen carefully. Think. Make a change and think about what you heard. Think some more and make another change. Keep a notebook. Change only one thing at a time.
You might start with a well documented design so you have measurements and just focus on the crossover a few dozen times. Learn to listen, learn to measure.
Do you have any engineering background, but just not in speakers? ( would you understand what the S-plane is?)
Or do you just have a good ear and am ready to go insane like the rest of us? Either is fine, but it helps in what advice you should go looking for.
Don't waste big money on expensive drivers. Get half decent cheap ones and LEARN what to do with them. Zaph helps a lot in that. There are $1000 speakers out there with $10 tweeters.
Don't even have the slightest thoughts about something more complex than a two way.
Download WinISD and play with box parameters for different woofers. If you read Joe DeAppolito's book, you will understand what these parameters mean. If you have the technical background, read Linkwitz's WEB.
Build something. Listen carefully. Think. Make a change and think about what you heard. Think some more and make another change. Keep a notebook. Change only one thing at a time.
You might start with a well documented design so you have measurements and just focus on the crossover a few dozen times. Learn to listen, learn to measure.
"Don't waste big money on expensive drivers. Get half decent cheap ones and LEARN what to do with them. Zaph helps a lot in that. There are $1000 speakers out there with $10 tweeters."
Agreed, and don't spend too much time worrying about super low non-linear distortion (provided it's not a complete train wreck), smooth frequency response is more important.
Wide band soft cone drivers are easier to work with and are much easier for a beginner to get right. I wouldnt recommend hard coned drivers, or cones with a strong breakup of any sort for a first design.
Something like a Peerless HDS midwoofer with Dayton RS28F tweeter would be a perfect first project, with good enough drivers to compete with most any 2-way out there.
Agreed, and don't spend too much time worrying about super low non-linear distortion (provided it's not a complete train wreck), smooth frequency response is more important.
Wide band soft cone drivers are easier to work with and are much easier for a beginner to get right. I wouldnt recommend hard coned drivers, or cones with a strong breakup of any sort for a first design.
Something like a Peerless HDS midwoofer with Dayton RS28F tweeter would be a perfect first project, with good enough drivers to compete with most any 2-way out there.
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tvrgeek, I have some engineering knowledge and I do not plan to use expensive drivers. I do not want to build an established design. Looking for a 2-way, yes.
Hey Starre, that's close to the combo I'm using for my next 2 way, CA18RLY (Nice sounding driver) + 22TFF (yet to receive these), I think this combo will make easy to crossover & good sounding, excellent value speakers.
Interesting PeteMcK, I think the same, good value and easy to work with. Not decided if using sealed or BR box though...
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