CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS
Lobby => Speakers => Topic started by: Maxvla on October 27, 2014, 03:45:57 PM
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My mother is redecorating her living room and got a nice reclaimed wood entertainment center and now wants to change her speakers. The current speakers are nothing special, an old pair of Yamaha bookshelves with 8" woofers that were probably $50 each 20 years ago. She doesn't like stands so she wants full towers, and she doesn't want black. The catch is that the stain used on the entertainment center is dark brown, where most inexpensive tower speakers with a 'wood' option are cherry, which would clash.
So, does anyone know of some relatively inexpensive tower speakers ($500 or less per pair) that are available in a dark brown?
Here's the best match I could find for what she has:
(http://img.cadnav.com/allimg/140603/1-1406032243460-L.jpg)
The other path would be a DIY kit in the same price range that I could make and match stain, nothing too complex and again within budget. These speakers are mostly used for TV/Movies. Any options there?
One option I found quickly is this: http://www.diysoundgroup.com/speaker-kits/amiga-kit.html and the cabinets: http://www.diysoundgroup.com/flat-packs-1/amiga-flat-pack.html which I could veneer and stain.
(https://sites.google.com/site/undefinition/_/rsrc/1259481534206/diy/amiga/AmigaRoughSeated.jpg?height=320&width=164)
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Howzabout something like this? http://www.musicdirect.com/p-216668-wharfedale-diamond-103-tower-speakers-rosewood-photo-shoot.aspx
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Looks like that might be for just 1 speaker. Also too much red in it. I've been looking a while now, and I think my only options will be DIY so I can stain it myself.
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Ordered a couple Amiga kits. Only thing I think I am missing is internal wiring. Any suggestions for types and how much length I should get?
Looking around, it seems simple 16 gauge stranded copper is sufficient. I'll get some from Monoprice if I don't have enough left on my 12 gauge spool I made speaker wires from for my house.
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So I got the kit today and there are no instructions, so I'm winging it. One part I am not sure about is the crossover. I have the diagram but would love if someone can check my layout. Some you can't see the values, but they do match.
(http://i57.tinypic.com/2lb1g12.jpg)
Also, I can mount all of these to a wooden board without any problems, correct? I would probably get some adhesive backed foam to attach them so they can't rattle.
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Yes, you have the structure right but make sure you wire parallel components back to ground
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So I got the kit today and there are no instructions, so I'm winging it. One part I am not sure about is the crossover. I have the diagram but would love if someone can check my layout. Some you can't see the values, but they do match.
(http://i57.tinypic.com/2lb1g12.jpg)
Also, I can mount all of these to a wooden board without any problems, correct? I would probably get some adhesive backed foam to attach them so they can't rattle.
Yes. Attach to wooden boards. Drill holes and run wire ties to secure. Hot glue to make sure parts don't vibrate.
Be very very aware how the inductors are laid out: http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/coils.htm (http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/coils.htm)
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Thanks OJ. I just ran across this picture that shows it assembled.
http://s207.photobucket.com/user/fixthedoor/media/Audio%20Stuff/Amiga/Amiga-7.jpg.html
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Thanks for the tips, Marv, especially the coil orientation.
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Got started gluing the internal braces into the CNC'd slots on the rear panel. Also have the crossovers about half done. The zip ties I bought were too short for the large coil and the 2 larger caps so I've got to get some longer ones, then hot glue everything down and start the soldering. Before I add any more panels, I need to figure out what kind of foam I can get locally to line the walls, and cut pieces and glue them in while they are still apart and accessible. Some people used mattress topper, the wavy stuff, but I'm not sure where to get that, or if I even want it. I had thought the kit came with some poly fill, but I guess not. I wonder how much I need for this speaker.
Going to Woodcraft Sunday to pick up the veneer, probably walnut. The guy who made the crossover above did his Amigas from walnut veneered plywood and it turned out nicely, though I wouldn't have painted the face black.
(http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb189/fixthedoor/Audio%20Stuff/Amiga/Amiga-1-3.jpg)
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Before I add any more panels, I need to figure out what kind of foam I can get locally to line the walls, and cut pieces and glue them in while they are still apart and accessible. Some people used mattress topper, the wavy stuff, but I'm not sure where to get that, or if I even want it. I had thought the kit came with some poly fill, but I guess not. I wonder how much I need for this speaker.
To line inside of walls, under-carpet felt stapled or Sonic Barrier (self-adhesive) from parts-express. Very light or no stuffing if box is ported.
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Think I'll order some Sonic Barrier. Just need to measure how much I need. Any advice on thickness? The 1" and 1/2" are single layer, the 3/4" is 3 layer. Not sure which to get.
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Looking forward to the completed build! I love the overnight sensations MT that OJ built for me.
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Finished the crossovers and got them mounted. Ordered the Sound Barrier stuff, and glued a couple more panels on.
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The speakers on the storage shelf. I've gone as far as I want before wiring the drivers up and playing some music. If I add any more panels it will be difficult to fix any problems. Will add terminals after veneer goes on the back, just under the port. Front panel will be last on and then veneered.
(http://i62.tinypic.com/2lc6y34.jpg)
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So I tested my crossovers late last week and they didn't work so I got some help from OJ and Marv. Spent tonight completely remaking them with a better design thanks to OJ. They work perfectly now.
(http://i57.tinypic.com/2rf69v4.jpg)
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cool, keep us up to date. If I was to build a speaker I'd probably go with diysoundgroup kit and flat pack too so this is extremely interesting to me
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Nearing the end of construction. Planed the slight panel overlaps and installed all remaining sound barrier. Ready to veneer the back panel so I can install the binding posts and port. Then I can glue the front panel on and veneer the rest.
(http://i60.tinypic.com/sll9qs.jpg)
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So, on to the port. The port sent with the kit is an adjustable one and is far longer than the specs call for. Below is a picture with the adjustable part separated. The red lines are the thickness of the cabinet and the further marking is the 3.5 inches the specs say the port should be. Should I use just the inner section and trim it, or should I slide the other part on and trim it and glue?
(http://i61.tinypic.com/2hf40vc.jpg)
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Decided to go with mahogany veneer. Picked up a roll at Woodcraft and will have 3 more coming. One roll will at least let me progress to where I can finish the back of one, including the terminals so I can finish assembly.
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Got the back veneer on one of the speakers and cut the port hole and drilled holes for the screws for the port and the holes for the binding posts. Looks great already. Sorry, forgot to take a picture. Took a piece of the veneer home to test some danish oils now that I have real material.
Having a good time working on this project.
Anyone able to answer my port question above?
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No help with the port here... but looking forward to seeing how this all turns out! :)p6
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Just laid the first coat of oil on the back. Pictures of that later. Here is the back top and bottom veneered with holes for port and binding posts and holes drilled for the spike feet.
(http://i58.tinypic.com/6nziog.jpg)
Here is the top veneered and holes cut for the drivers. Veneering a curved surface is interesting and I got some slight cracking, luckily it is all at the bottom.
(http://i59.tinypic.com/2cnwg0h.jpg)
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So, on to the port. The port sent with the kit is an adjustable one and is far longer than the specs call for. Below is a picture with the adjustable part separated. The red lines are the thickness of the cabinet and the further marking is the 3.5 inches the specs say the port should be. Should I use just the inner section and trim it, or should I slide the other part on and trim it and glue?
(http://i61.tinypic.com/2hf40vc.jpg)
For final, use inner section trimmed to exact length.
For tweaking / tuning (which you should always do) start with longer length inner and slide outer part over it for different port frequencies. Listen or measure. Use only inner and trim down to exact size when you finalize on port length.
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Thanks Marv.
Here's the final look of the back with a custom mix of watco oil. Mostly brown with just a touch of red to match my mother's entertainment center. Should be able to assemble the speaker now, with clamps holding the baffle on and tune the port. I won't be able to adjust anything once it is all glued together.
(http://i62.tinypic.com/nnmhl3.jpg)
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With the back done, I was able to install the port and binding posts and spike feet. I decided I wanted to hear how it sounded so I screwed in the drivers and connected everything temporarily and clamped the baffle. Sound is quite good for a single speaker in a large concrete floored shop. In a proper environment and with a glued-on baffle these should sound great, perhaps better than mine at home.
(http://i57.tinypic.com/qoszyf.jpg)
(http://i59.tinypic.com/2gxfbex.jpg)
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Great job on the veneer and staining.. is this your first diy speaker? It looks way too good for that. I'd probably slice off some fingers if I ever got ahold of a table saw. First time I soldered I burned myself pretty good :gross:
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First DIY speaker, yes, but I work with wood all the time as a violin luthier. Second speaker should look better. There are a few things I did on this one that I will do better, mostly the baffle needs to go on before I veneer the top/bottom so I can cover it in one sheet each.
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Still waiting for the rest of my veneer to come. Should be here Monday. After that, I should be able to wrap these up within a week.
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Had a setback due to inexperience with veneering. Needed to glue the baffle on then veneer the sides and baffle as one big sheet instead of individual sheets for each panel (due to rounded edges on baffle), so I wasted some nice veneer and had to rip it off. Luckily it was only 1 speaker that had been done. I need to return some veneer I hadn't opened and get a larger sheet, but haven't gotten to do that yet.
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That's why I paint the baffles black and only veneer the sides and back.
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Speakers completed save the non-back veneer which is now on order and will take a while. I'm taking them home to test against my Paradigm Studio 40s until the veneer comes in.
(http://i57.tinypic.com/dp9y0n.jpg)
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Got them home listening via X-Sabre > Ragnarok. These are fantastic. Much more soundstage presence than my Paradigms and more even. Paradigms (in my room) tend to have a suck out in the upper mids, though not unpleasant. The sound is more delicate and has more punch, definition is way up. Listening to some pretty intense electronica atm and it is handling it effortlessly. Bass extension is good, but I would suggest a sub for genres that rely on strong bass.
One nice thing about these vs the Paradigm is that with the stands included by Paradigm, the tweeter on the Studio 40 ends up about 2-3 inches above my head. The tweeter on the Amiga is about 1 inch above my ears.
Really impressed by these, can't wait to get them veneered. I might have to make another pair for myself!
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People always seem very happy with their diysoundgroup stuff, I dunno if it's the speaker design or maybe DIY crossovers use nicer parts than mainstream entry level speakers
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New veneer came in last week. Been tough having enough clear table to work with a large piece on nights I can stay late at work, but I did manage to get one speaker completely veneered last night. Just need to oil it up and solder the speaker connections. I'll probably get the second speaker veneered tomorrow.
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Congrats! They look really nice :). Glad they turned out well!!!
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Finished #1 tonight. #2 is yet to be veneered, should finish next week.
(http://i58.tinypic.com/2egac81.jpg)
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Snazzy
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veneering looks pro
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Nice work Max!
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I been watching this thread since the beginning. You did an amazing job. Glad you like them. Maybe you can start little business with this hobby.
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Awesome work!
Like Rex said, I'd be interested in having someone build some DIY speakers for me ;D