Father son project

[gary3]

So, my son asks me the other day if we could build some speakers together. That sounds great, I think. Then he shows me this:
Amazon.com: HiVi - DIY 3.1A - 3.1 Bookshelf Speakers - Near-Field Speakers - DIY Speaker Kit - Pair - Black: Home Audio & Theater

And this:


Amazon.com: Crown XLi800 Two-channel, 300W at 4Ω Power Amplifier: Musical Instruments

While the products shown might be great for someone else, they are well out of my budget. I'm thinking our first dip into the diy world should be an efficient full range speaker with an inexpensive chip amp powered with a laptop brick.

I can build cabinets from scratch, I can also follow straight forward instructions for amplifier assembly.

Maybe point me to a good combination to start with.

I'm thinking a $ 200.00 budget for components.

Thank you.

Gary

 

[talaerts]

The Fostex FF125WK is a musical speaker that sounds good in its simple factory plan bass reflex box. That is certainly an option.

I see that it costs $62.70 at Madisound.

 

[perceval]

Just recently, there was a father and son project who build the TABAQ. They were very pleased with the outcome, and it's also an easy built.

TABAQ TL for Tang Band

 

[drneilmb]

My son isn't old enough to join me yet, but I just finished my first set of speakers around your budget, Planet10-designed bookshelf-size mPluKen7 with $45 Pluvia 7 drivers. They sound far, far better than I was expecting. Decision making and build pictures here: First timer: select a low-budget bookshelf design?

I'm better with a soldering iron than a table saw so I built a 25W LM1875-based "gainclone" following a schematic from Rod Elliott. Pictures of the completed amp here: Chip Amp Photo Gallery. For the parts to the power amp and a matching preamp (in progress) I spent around $125.

If I were doing it again and had more money and space, I would go for the planet 10's FrugelHorns with Alpair 7. For less electronics challenge, you could choose an amplifier kit, but I found that increased the cost substantially over soldering up the bare components (which is admittedly not for everyone).

-Neil N0FN

 

[hellokitty123]

Will you be my dad?

 

[Ray21]

If you have the space, I would second a larger floorstanding build like perceval recommended.

I've built the Frugalhorn FH3 (flatpak) with the Alpair 7.3en and also a BiB for a Fostex FF105WK. Both were very satisfying and deliver nearly fullrange sound, with impressive bass for their size. I've yet to build a Lance, but I've read good things about the FF105WK in that enclosure.

While the Alpair 7 would eat up a lot of your budget, I've read good things about the cheaper Pluvia 7 and the Alpair 7P, which is currently on sale at Madisound for $90 a pair.

 

[mikejennens]

If I were in your shoes, knowing what I know now, I would go with a Mark Audio driver; probably the CHP-70 in either a Pensil set of cabinets or a slim golden ratio. Between drivers and lumber, it should be under $100. For an amp, there are plenty of decent little amps for less than $100. Parts Express has plenty from which to choose.
Your son and you are truly blessed to share an interest on which you can build. I'd decide on a few options I could afford and then let him decide what he wants to do. The time you'll spend together is worth far more than the sound quality of this build. If it goes well, there will be more builds in the future.
Enjoy your time and your family,
Mike

 

[perceval]

One more option.

If you guys want to make it a family thing, you could even build one set on the kitchen table, no wood cutting.

These little ones are quite marvellous, and easy to build, especially if there are two sets of hands involved in holding panels and glueing.

X's dual TC9 mini-karlsonators are cheap and easy to build, but sound amazing.

Mini Karlsonator (0.53X) with Dual TC9FD's

 

[eljoantonyn]

Tabaq is a very easy build. The bass of Tabaq is something else. Better than FH-3 to my untrained ears.

It even outclasses my big 3 way commercial speakers when it comes to bass at low volumes.

 

[talaerts]

Also well regarded, the Pico Lino v3 small transmission line with scan speak driver. Designed by the german magazine Hobbyt hifi and respected.
Have a look here, if you are interested then I can email you the drawings.

Pico Lino 3

 

[nigelwright7557]

Here's a nice little project that is a little harder than just a sealed box.
I managed it so most other people could.
Some people just see W bins as bass speakers but I find they work well full range too with a decent driver.
fane_diagram | Folded horn Fane cabinet | harrabylad | Flickr

 

[Deadicated]

The best thing about this thread is the fact a son would like to build a pair of speakers with his father! I recommend that you quickly make a decision about what you would like to build and get started right away….before the desire fades. You will find it very easy to get lost in the weeds while researching what you want to build. The result of taking too much time in the research phase of the project is building nothing. Stay simple, make the build fun for your son and enjoy your time with him. If they don’t meet your expectations you can always try again.

 

[mikejennens]

The best thing about this thread is the fact a son would like to build a pair of speakers with his father! I recommend that you quickly make a decision about what you would like to build and get started right away….before the desire fades. You will find it very easy to get lost in the weeds while researching what you want to build. The result of taking too much time in the research phase of the project is building nothing. Stay simple, make the build fun for your son and enjoy your time with him. If they don’t meet your expectations you can always try again.

EXACTLY!!!! Great point!

 

[yoaudio]

Another option, not full range tho-
Classix II MT Bookshelf Speaker Kit from meniscus audio or parts express.
• Power handling: 60 watts RMS/100 watts max
• Frequency response: 35-20,000 Hz
• Impedance: 8 ohms
• Sensitivity: 86 dB 1W/1m
• Dimensions: 15" H x 8.5" W x 11-3/4" D

 

[coopman]

Parts Express has decent small amps for under $100 and you can get a good pair of C-Note speaker kits for $100 a pair.

 

[Dr1v3n]

Also regarding the amp/brick suggestion, I think you're on the right track there for a cheap build. Check out Sure Electronics for class D amps that take 24VDC. You can find SMPS bricks meant for laptops cheap on eBay too. And they have more current than you'll need to drive 2 speakers.
BTW, +1 on the MarkAudio FR driver suggestion.

 

[gary3]

I think the brio trio might be a great choice, I can tell my son we are going to build "award winning, $ 3,500.00" speakers for 1/20th, of the price.

 

[Dr1v3n]

Me personally. I wouldn't be arrogant enough to compare an assemblage of $20 parts with a $3500 system. Won't come even close

 

[gary3]

Driven,. Look here:

Need help building open baffle/bass reflex hybrid

Not only will it come close, but it will be constructed with virtually the same components. Might even try to improve the in room response with stereo subs.

Gary

 

[gary3]

Peerless out of stock

So the peerless is out of stock for the 6-7 weeks at PE.

Any other sources at a reasonable cost? (eBay has them at twice the price)

Gary