[AVI20]


So I recently decided I am going to build my own tower speakers. I have done car audio for 3 years and have built a billion custom sub boxes, and have done a lot of work with fiberglass for custom integration as well. I am now working doing anything in a home with low volt. Control 4, networking, and everything to home theaters. I have installed many many many home theaters and I now have decided to build my own speakers. I know crossovers pretty well, as to what they do, not building them. I was reading and came to a conclusion that I would build a set of 2 way towers and a separate sub box, I have all the tools I would ever need, all the fiberglass/bondo/paint anything, wood I have tons of, all I need is a little help, is this a good idea? A set of two way towers with separate sub box? How tall can I make them and what speakers should I use?

Thanks to all in advance!

 

[Mrkazador]


What is your budget for the speakers?  http://www.diysoundgroup.com/  has lots of different designs at different price points, I'm sure you'll find something in there. You can also buy pre-made crossovers for most of the designs if you're not up to soldering.

 

[AVI20]


I love soldering and am pretty good at it, (did a lot of remote starts and security systems for cars). So soldering is not an issue, I would actually love to learn how to make the crossover. Is it possible to with good soldering skills if I have never made one?

And my budget is about 600-1000, but that being said, it is my first build and not really wanting to put the best equipment in them.

 

[cessna1466u]

Are you saying 600-1000 for the 2 towers and subwoofer?


The towers: $500 including wood and paint.

http://www.diysoundgroup.com/waveguide-speaker-kits/karma12-kit.html


Subwoofer: This is where it gets tricky. You will need to either buy an external amplifier or get a plate amp that goes mounted on the box. Have you thought about what size subwoofer? Ported or Sealed?

 

[AVI20]


Yeah for towers and sub, the sub, I can do that later. I would like to have it done at the same time as the towers but I don't think that is going to happen. I like that sub in the link you posted, that might be the one I will go for, I like 12 inch subs, but I really admire the punch of sealed 10 inch subs. I kind of want to try a ported 12 though, maybe shake some stuff off the walls!

http://speakerdesignworks.com/NS6project_1.html

Is that a good design for loud and clear towers? My goal is to have towers that can be clear, and loud. As far as the amp for the sub, I would be fine with either, external amp or mounted, is there any benefit to have one over the other? Which do you prefer?

 

[chalugadp]

Remember that its a myth that 10" subs have more punch or tighter bass then their bigger brothers. My 18" sub would tko a 10" sub. Get the biggest sub your budget can handle. Good luck , your journey begins.

 

[Mrkazador]


I don't know if you can still find the drivers for the Stentorians. If you want clear and loud then go for a high sensitivity design like the Karma 12.

 

[AVI20]


I like the karma 12, that in a separate box than the towers, as far as the amp for it, would you recommend a mounted one on the back or an external one? And your right, the drivers are no longer available, do you recommend a totally different build for the towers or same build, and different drivers? If so, which drivers?

 

[Mrkazador]


The crossover was made specifically for those drivers so there is no substitutions. 

 

[AVI20]

Do you know of any other towers that have a pretty well described diy that I could build? I really like that one, it looked pretty promising loud.

 

[Mrkazador]



Quote:
Originally Posted by AVI20  /t/1522677/first-build-maybe-a-little-help/0_100#post_24488279


Do you know of any other towers that have a pretty well described diy that I could build? I really like that one, it looked pretty promising loud.

 

This will keep you busy for a while

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1334432/master-index-of-diy-speaker-projects/0_100

 

If you plan to use a sub then you don't need a huge tower because the sub will handle all the low end. High sensitivity speakers is what you should be looking for if you want loud.

 

 

 

Take a look at this speaker

http://www.diysoundgroup.com/coaxial-speaker-kits/v10-volt-kit.html

 

Its just a single 10" in a small enclosure (12x12x12") but the sensitivity is 95db and can take 10-400w!



 

At a listening distance of 10ft, you could theoretically hit 111db with 400w which is pretty damn loud...

 

[AVI20]

Damn that's a loud speaker. There are so many options! I just love the look of tower speakers. And maybe I could do towers with no sub?

 

[Mrkazador]


You could do towers only but they usually sacrifice sensitivity for low end. 

 

[AVI20]

So do you suggest high sensitivity speakers with a sub separate? I'm pretty much looking for loud speakers with good highs mids and lows. I'd like to do something that can do that but already has a build so I know all the specs, I'm not too sure how to find box sizes and how to design the whole crossover network

 

[Mrkazador]


High sensitivity speakers + a sub would be best if you're looking for loud. Diysoundgroup is probably your best bet for an easy to assemble, low cost speaker kit. Right now some of the speakers are out of stock but more are going to be added/redesigned soon. You could redesign some of the speakers in a larger enclosure but you have to model the woofer in Winisd to get the right size ports and enclosure size.

 

Like this kit here could be put into a 14.5 x 14 x 40" enclosure

http://www.diysoundgroup.com/waveguide-speaker-kits/karma12-kit.html

 

[AVI20]

That kit you had a link to your saying 40" tall? Just for that driver?

 

[AVI20]

What do you think about this build? http://speakerdesignworks.com/SB6pakproject_1.html

Then a separate sub box after I do the towers

 

[tential]



Quote:
Originally Posted by AVI20  /t/1522677/first-build-maybe-a-little-help#post_24489464


That kit you had a link to your saying 40" tall? Just for that driver?

He made a mistake it's not 40 inches tall. The tallest build currently done is the Tux 1099 build I think sitting at 36 inches. I'd get those if you want the "Tower" look. Then sit them on top of your subwoofer and get dual subs.


You could build 2 Tux 1099s first. Then build a subwoofer later.


That's my "No buyers remorse" type thing. I am a firm believer of get what you want first and that's probably what you'd want since you want a "tower" look.


If you want to just get your feet wet first, then build what you really want then I'd actually just start with the Fusion 6 or Fusion 8. Then move them to surrounds when you find towers you want.


Doing that will allow you to get a real nice subwoofer. I'd go with the Dayton UM 15.


2 Fusion 6 + UM 15 + Amplifier(For sub) ~ $750

2 Fusion 8 + UM 15 + Amplifier(For Sub) ~ $810

2 Fusion Tux 1099 ~ $800 (Just add a subwoofer later down the line. Wouldn't even bother to pick up a cheap one with those Tux 1099 they'd eat a cheap sub up)


There are tower builds I've seen but I don't think they're as high sensitivity as the builds seen here.


Edit: And like the above build, I always have trouble finding all of the parts. I like the build, I just can't find the parts ever.

 

[AVI20]


Yeah I really like the Stentorians but as stated above, the drivers are no longer available. If anyone knows any build that are similar, (I really like the 6 drivers and 1 tweeter per tower design) I would like to know. I want to start building the box today. Im looking around to find something similar to those towers...

 

[tential]



Quote:
Originally Posted by AVI20  /t/1522677/first-build-maybe-a-little-help#post_24489857


Yeah I really like the Stentorians but as stated above, the drivers are no longer available. If anyone knows any build that are similar, (I really like the 6 drivers and 1 tweeter per tower design) I would like to know. I want to start building the box today. Im looking around to find something similar to those towers...

I wish I knew. I like the Statements personally but I had teh same issue. Finding drivers. It's why I just want to purchase something off EricH's site as it's convenient since he'll package all the drivers you need to get the job done for you. And if those drivers are discontinued? There will be a new design of the same speaker using new drivers.


One option you do have is to take the Tux 1099 build, and instead just increase the height of the speaker. You'd still use the same specs you're supposed to use in the Tux 1099, you'd just have an empty cavity at the bottom to give you a more "tower" look. The Tux 1099 is already 36 inches tall. So adding 1 foot base to it would get you to 48 inches tall. I think that's more than tall enough for a tower that you want the tweeter to be at ear level. Otherwise, you'd be in the similar thing I was doing. Looking up speaker builds, then looking up every single part to ensure they are still in stock/available.