Joined
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3 Posts
Hi Guys,
I am new to this forum and I am a new convert to DIY speakers. I thought I might post my latest efforts for discussions. Here goes!
I have twopairs of DIY Open Baffle speakers - one pair for Home theatre: Hawthorn Silver Iris 10'' co-axials withcompression drivers and one pair for Stereo Listening - Audio Nirvana Super12'' cast frame full range.
They were both built in my garage with the following minimal equipment;
- A two speed drill
- 2 clamps
- a hacksaw
- a small electric jigsaw
- a small tool kit - hammer, pliers, spirit level, screwdriver, set square,ruler, etc
- a small folding picnic table
- assorted nuts and bolts, rubber grommets and washers and plastic grills
The materials are from various sources:
- IKEA - Assorted coloured kitchen door cupboards and handles ($30 per door)
- 2 black aluminium fence posts from the hardware store ($30 each)
- 2 black angle brackets ($15 a pair)
- 4 pieces of high density foam, cut with the jigsaw ($17 a piece)
- 2 plastic gutter leaf traps ($15 a pair)
- 10'' OB speakers from Hawthorne Audio - $258 a pair - including highcompression drivers and minimal
crossovers
- 12'' OB speakers from Audio Nirvana (Common sense Audio) $250 off E Bay(normally $328 a pair)
- assorted nuts, bolts, spikes, cupboard bolts, washers and rubber grommets -$100
Each speaker takes about 5 hours to assemble from scratch and you can belistening to them that evening.
The sound..............let's talk about how good they sound!
1. The bass ! OB bass is way better than box bass. It sounds more real and isfull sounding like a real
instrument. It goes deep enough with a 10'' speaker driver for jazz, femalevocals, small ensembles etc but
likes support for heavy tracks like dub, and reggae. Here I supplement the 10''with a 12'' passive non vented
sub. This fills in the bottom end and the bass is then awesome - with greatimpact.
2. The midrange! This is where the OB's are really excellent. They produce themost realistic voices and
diction. They are non fatiguing and I can listen to mine for hours. They areparticularly good with jazz and
and piano and bass instruments. The soundscape is tangible, if using them aspoint source monitors.
3. The top end is sweet, clear and non brittle with both sets of speakers andis integrated into the mix very
well. I would say the are an overall excellent way to listen to music. They donot get louder when you turn up
the volume........the sound just gets bigger!
You may feel that I an going overboard about these speakers but I must say in30 years of buying expensive hi fi equipment, These are my best buy ever. Plus,it also feels good to make something that actually lives up to it'sexpectations.
Open baffle sounds are exactly what people said they should be (the best sourceof info on the subject without doubt is Darrel Hawthorne - of Hawthorne Audio)
A few words of caution - they need to be tweaked.
- My pairs both sound better on spiked stands, tilted back 7-10 degrees
- the tube stands and are filled with sand and all the fittings are rubbermounted very tightly
- they like to be toed in a little
- they sound great at about 9-10 feet apart, pulled out from the back wall atleast 15'' and side walls about a
metre
But apart from those few issues they are fit and forget..............and themore you play them the better they sound.
I wonder why I have not done this DIY thing before!!!!!
Regards Harry Potter
I am new to this forum and I am a new convert to DIY speakers. I thought I might post my latest efforts for discussions. Here goes!
I have twopairs of DIY Open Baffle speakers - one pair for Home theatre: Hawthorn Silver Iris 10'' co-axials withcompression drivers and one pair for Stereo Listening - Audio Nirvana Super12'' cast frame full range.
They were both built in my garage with the following minimal equipment;
- A two speed drill
- 2 clamps
- a hacksaw
- a small electric jigsaw
- a small tool kit - hammer, pliers, spirit level, screwdriver, set square,ruler, etc
- a small folding picnic table
- assorted nuts and bolts, rubber grommets and washers and plastic grills
The materials are from various sources:
- IKEA - Assorted coloured kitchen door cupboards and handles ($30 per door)
- 2 black aluminium fence posts from the hardware store ($30 each)
- 2 black angle brackets ($15 a pair)
- 4 pieces of high density foam, cut with the jigsaw ($17 a piece)
- 2 plastic gutter leaf traps ($15 a pair)
- 10'' OB speakers from Hawthorne Audio - $258 a pair - including highcompression drivers and minimal
crossovers
- 12'' OB speakers from Audio Nirvana (Common sense Audio) $250 off E Bay(normally $328 a pair)
- assorted nuts, bolts, spikes, cupboard bolts, washers and rubber grommets -$100
Each speaker takes about 5 hours to assemble from scratch and you can belistening to them that evening.
The sound..............let's talk about how good they sound!
1. The bass ! OB bass is way better than box bass. It sounds more real and isfull sounding like a real
instrument. It goes deep enough with a 10'' speaker driver for jazz, femalevocals, small ensembles etc but
likes support for heavy tracks like dub, and reggae. Here I supplement the 10''with a 12'' passive non vented
sub. This fills in the bottom end and the bass is then awesome - with greatimpact.
2. The midrange! This is where the OB's are really excellent. They produce themost realistic voices and
diction. They are non fatiguing and I can listen to mine for hours. They areparticularly good with jazz and
and piano and bass instruments. The soundscape is tangible, if using them aspoint source monitors.
3. The top end is sweet, clear and non brittle with both sets of speakers andis integrated into the mix very
well. I would say the are an overall excellent way to listen to music. They donot get louder when you turn up
the volume........the sound just gets bigger!
You may feel that I an going overboard about these speakers but I must say in30 years of buying expensive hi fi equipment, These are my best buy ever. Plus,it also feels good to make something that actually lives up to it'sexpectations.
Open baffle sounds are exactly what people said they should be (the best sourceof info on the subject without doubt is Darrel Hawthorne - of Hawthorne Audio)
A few words of caution - they need to be tweaked.
- My pairs both sound better on spiked stands, tilted back 7-10 degrees
- the tube stands and are filled with sand and all the fittings are rubbermounted very tightly
- they like to be toed in a little
- they sound great at about 9-10 feet apart, pulled out from the back wall atleast 15'' and side walls about a
metre
But apart from those few issues they are fit and forget..............and themore you play them the better they sound.
I wonder why I have not done this DIY thing before!!!!!
Regards Harry Potter
