Beginning of some DIY speakers ***DONE!***

[ezkcdude]

You definitely need to stuff them. As for plugging the port - try it. It's easy enough, right? Have you done the "knuckle rap" test? That's the most important thing for me. It should sound like knocking on a tree trunk - not a door!

[luvdunhill]

Originally Posted by ezkcdude

You definitely need to stuff them. As for plugging the port - try it. It's easy enough, right? Have you done the "knuckle rap" test? That's the most important thing for me. It should sound like knocking on a tree trunk - not a door!

yes, you need to stuff or line the inside walls.

Do you have a way to generate an impedance plot? If so, that will tell you a lot about cabinet resonances and help with port tuning.

[cyberspyder]

It sounds so much better with it sealed and caulk, along with the correct length port tube...audio bliss until I get my hands on a better project

[cyberspyder]

I just realized I didn't finish my log...stupid me. The following pictures are a couple months old....sorta like a look back in time LOL. Finished assembling the dampening that will go in the speakers. Zaph's plans called for some Sonic Barrier...but ever the cheap-ass, I decided to use a mixture of carpet padding with two different densities, similar to the 3-layer approach. For the back and the top I layered two pieces of chopped foam padding with some denser open-celled padding to create a 1 1/4" pad. The sides and bottom were covered in a pad consisting of two sheets of chopped-foam. My homemade approach worked relatively well...absorbed the unnecessary bass frequencies and tamed down the muddiness...which left me with a pair of pretty balanced and neutral bookshelf speakers.


General shot of dampening.


2-layer stuff.


1-layer.


Best spray adhesive for open-celled foam...impossible to tear apart bond...foam rips first.


Back and top done.


Closeup.


Current source (rockboxed Sansa with attenuator and JBL Power 20)


Angle shot (temporarily home)


Another angle shot (temporarily home)


Beauty shot (temporarily home)


Living on my desk for the time being.

I know I should get some stands...believe me, it's in the works...plans are to get a couple of cinder blocks and glue them end to end so that they make a column. Seal, then paint them, install some spikes at the bottom, and voila...homemade 'dead' stands. I hoped you enjoyed this thread...pretty rewarding and satisfying.

Brendan

[MetalGeek]

Those are beautiful. Nice work!

[LeBuLLeT]

Impressive! About how much did you spend on them and how many hours? I would try something like this if I had all the machinery you have.

[cyberspyder]

Around $250 and 40 hours...took forever because I could only work on them in class.

[LeBuLLeT]

Cool I wish I could build my own speakers. Are you going to try something else?

[cyberspyder]

Yes...this time a 5.2 surround set with dual subs.

[LeBuLLeT]

Nice, you should make another thread about it. How much are you planning to spend on all the material or what is your budget?