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Is it possible?

7811 Views 134 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  Drew Eckhardt, 
C
Is it really possible for an amature person to actually build a set of speakers comparable to the B&W 703s for example?
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If you copy a proven design, it's not only possible, it's relatively easy.


Designing something from scratch is a different story though.


Check out htguide.com's mission impossible forum and zaphaudio.com to get you started.
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kgveteran

Quote:
Originally Posted by cadbury8 /forum/post/0


Is it really possible for an amature person to actually build a set of speakers comparable to the B&W 703s for example?
Click to expand...


This is a little complicated.If you could determine what about the 703's you like.You can't build a clone due to the proprietary drivers (midrange).


The best thing to do is get over to http://www.htguide.com/forum/index.php4? . Do some reading and then look for builders in your area.To make a blanket statement "YES" is and would be misleading.success is what makes DIY worth it.


I am VERY happy with my current system (a complete 7.1) DIY system from the guide. I used Aerial Acoustic as a model to compare with.I built speakers for 70% less and the more I listen the better they get.


Try to get to someones house to do a listen in person.it's the only real way.I did the leap of faith and just built due to the savings alone.


KG
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C
let me expand on this question a little. How close to design tolerances with building the cabinets do you have to be for each speaker to sound the same? Since i can never build anything that is exact. lol
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P

Quote:
Originally Posted by cadbury8 /forum/post/0


let me expand on this question a little. How close to design tolerances with building the cabinets do you have to be for each speaker to sound the same? Since i can never build anything that is exact. lol
Click to expand...


What will you be using for tools?
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C
miter saw, jig saw, drill w/bits and hole saw kit, circular saw ect. and sledge hammer just in case.

I dont have a router, table saw, planer, jointer, drill press, band saw, etc.
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T
You can make a good speaker box with just your circular saw and a straight edge

to guide the cut. Jig saw to cut the speaker holes. Errors in wood cutting only

add some headache to construction when things don't like up and you have

gaps. People fill the gaps with thicker glues. If you were to pursue this hobby,

then I'd get the table saw, then router as it makes the job cleaner in appearance.
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C
OK guys thanks for the info. You all make it sound like a possibility for an amature to make a really good sounding speaker. So i guess i well begin reading. Well since everyone wishes broken legs to actors then i guess i will wish splinters to you guys. Happy building.
and thanks.
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Be prepared to read a LOT. I have somewhere between 4-6hrs wrapped up in the RS 3way thread after clicking on pictures and links. One of the guys on there, I think Jon M. wrote up a 48MB .pdf file that I have yet to even look at, but it should tell you a lot and get you on the right track to building high quality speakers.
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A table saw is not a must,as any Home Depot store can cut the pieces for a fee.


The router IMO is a must,a good router with a few bits ...plus the jig you have perfect holes,countersunk mounting.And much more...the router is a must.
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C
yes i am prepared to read alot. found a link to some books for starters. got to get the basics down first.


I forgot all about countersinking. Dangit! thanks
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheEAR /forum/post/0


A table saw is not a must,as any Home Depot store can cut the pieces for a fee.


The router IMO is a must,a good router with a few bits ...plus the jig you have perfect holes,countersunk mounting.And much more...the router is a must.
Click to expand...

I do agree that a router is required tool. I would also get a circular saw and a strait edge to do the cuts myself. It insures I get more accurate cuts, but will take me a LOT longer. Having one of the cuts 1/16" off will ruin my day, which just might happen if the Lowes/Home Depot guy isn't careful.
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A
The Loudspeaker Design Cookbook (there are several, find one that best suites your needs), the Master Handbook of Acoustics are both very good reads. I would definitely join HTGuide's forums, thats where all the real DIY mastery takes place.
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C
cool, i will make it a point to check out those books.


Another off the wall question. Does it matter what materials i use to build the speaker cabinets? All i have really seen is MDF being used. Could i build them using say OAK?


OT note: just an observation. Started reading "Master handbook of acoutics" and i came to a realization that if outer space was not a vaccuume then when a star went supernova everyone on the entire planet would probably go deaf.
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H
If you can be sure to stabilize the hardwood panels then Oak is as good as any. Most here veneer. If your veneer is 3/4 inch use some 1/2 inch MDF underneath for stability and sealing. Essentially a box within a box.
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G

Quote:
Another off the wall question. Does it matter what materials i use to build the speaker cabinets? All i have really seen is MDF being used. Could i build them using say OAK?
Click to expand...

It depends on several factors, but most people either use MDF or Baltic Birch. These have very good acoustical properties which oak may not have as much of. 3/4" MDF is usually used and is pretty cheap; my uncle buys it wholesale for (I think) $12 for a 4x8 sheet.


Also, my first pair of speakers were Mark K's RS225/RS28A, and I absolutely love them! I took them to Tweeters to audition some equipment, and they blew away the $2500 speakers. Sadly, I didn't get a chance to compare against anything pricier



Good luck on your adventure!
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M
You haven't been reading mine and Thylantyr's posts on DIY build line arrays have you.


Commercial designs have compromises that are just wrong, but have to be there to allow a profit to be made. All Commercial designs. They often ignored the fine details of speaker design and hope to fix it with very expensive speakers, and sometimes even proprietary equalization.
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A

Quote:
Originally Posted by cadbury8 /forum/post/0


OT note: just an observation. Started reading "Master handbook of acoutics" and i came to a realization that if outer space was not a vaccuume then when a star went supernova everyone on the entire planet would probably go deaf.
Click to expand...

Maybe, but you gotta remember, first of all, sound does diminish, especially when you get light years and light years away. Secondly, remember, it would have had to have gone super nova millions/billions or ever trillians of years ago because sound moves so stinkin slowly, if a sound was emitted at the sun and moved at the speed of sound on sea level (it really would move much slower because there would always be less air in space than on the surface of our planet) it would take it about 14 years just to get here, only 1au away. Now just imagine how long it would take for a star thats 27.8 x 10^6 au's away.


I would be a lot more worried about the sound from a volcanic eruption or a meteor. A few fun facts about the Krakatoa volcanic eruption...

"KRAKATOA VOLCANO ERUPTION-1883 A.D., CRACKED ONE FOOT THICK CONCRETE

AT 300 MILES, CREATED A 3000 FOOT TIDAL WAVE, HEARD 3100 MILES AWAY,

SOUND PRESSURE CAUSED BAROMETERS TO FLUCTUATE WILDLY AT 100 MILES

INDICATING LEVELS OF AT LEAST 170-190 DB (P) AT THIS DISTANCE OF 100 MILES

EVEN WHEN SHOUTING IN SOMEONES EAR, COULD NOT BE HEARD AT 100 MILES

CAUSED FOG TO APPEAR AND DISAPPEAR INSTANTLY AT HUNDREDS OF MILES

ROCKS WERE THROWN TO A HIEGHT OF 34 MILES. DUST AND DEBRIS FELL CONTINOUSLY FOR 10 DAYS AFTER BLAST. PRODUCED VERY COLORFUL SUNSETS FOR ONE YEAR, EJECTED 4 CUBIC MILES OF

THE EARTH. CREATED ANTI-NODE OF NEGATIVE PRESSURE AT THE EXACT OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE EARTH.SOUND COVERED 1 / 10 OF THE WORLDS SURFACE, SHOCK (SOUND) WAVES ECHOED AROUND THE EARTH 36 TIMES AND LASTED FOR ABOUT A MONTH!"


-From The Krakatoa Eruption Book
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Marlboro i have seen the pics of your "speakers" and i have to say that you are indeed nuts. Line arrays are crazy. I bet is sounds good though.
I was kind of feeling the wife out when she asked me what i wanted to build and i showed her that pic. Not in her house im not. lol. Oh she thinks your nuts too. Then she kind of lit up and wanted me to build the quad 989s. Like i have those kind of skills. lol


But i was thinking i could build 3 of those arrays you built, using the center to bridge the two. Then i could use the center also as an equipment rack.
the new H array. lol


I got an update from the wife. a six foot tall box would be acceptable in the house.
arrays could be in. I have much to learn first though. I am so behind the curve when it comes to this stuff that i think its going to take me a year to actually be able to start asking intelligent questions.


Thanks for all the help so far.
back to reading.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by armystud0911 /forum/post/0


Maybe, but you gotta remember, first of all, sound does diminish, especially when you get light years and light years away. Secondly, remember, it would have had to have gone super nova millions/billions or ever trillians of years ago because sound moves so stinkin slowly, if a sound was emitted at the sun and moved at the speed of sound on sea level (it really would move much slower because there would always be less air in space than on the surface of our planet) it would take it about 14 years just to get here, only 1au away. Now just imagine how long it would take for a star thats 27.8 x 10^6 au's away.
Click to expand...

I havent gotten that far into the book yet.


Quote:
-From The Krakatoa Eruption Book
Click to expand...

that is super scary. should be a movie.
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