how to build speakers??

[dsantamassino]

hi everyone,

Will someone post up if possible step by step how to build 6ft tower speakers?? also how to make the enclosures and everything else i need. What parts and how many parts do i need per speaker from radio shack?? I'm starting with a pair of speakers first.

also how would i build an center speaker, pair of surrounds and an 8" sub woofer?? My Uncle said he would help me if i get the info.. Please reply back ASAP. thanks everyone..

[N. Abstentia]

I wouldn't even buy a roll of tape from Radio Shack, much less raw speakers. If you have no experience with speaker building or crossover design, now may not be the best time to learn. The first set I built spent 2 years in the tweaking stage! But if I were you I'd forget Radio Shack and start here:

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage....&WebPage_ID=29

[dsantamassino]

I wouldn't even buy a roll of tape from Radio Shack, much less raw speakers. If you have no experience with speaker building or crossover design, now may not be the best time to learn. The first set I built spent 2 years in the tweaking stage! But if I were you I'd forget Radio Shack and start here:

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage....&WebPage_ID=29

Thanks but i noticed that was a part store. May you please tell me exactly how to build speakers?? forget about everything else. Just a pair of speakers.. maybe a sub as well but forget about the center and the surrounds. I can come back to them later..

[N. Abstentia]

I think you might be better off with Bryan's suggestion.

[sc03979]

I would have to agree with bryan. Seems like alot of hassle for a bedroom.

[dsantamassino]

I think you might be better off with Bryan's suggestion.

but i rather build myself speakers. More fun.. May you write me a guide and what parts i need to build the five speakers plus the 1 sub??

[N. Abstentia]

Well, the link I posted will give you all that. You need to buy the parts before you can build the speakers. You need cabinets, woofers, subwoofers, tweeters, crossovers, wire, damping material, ports (if you want them), grill covers (if you want them) and some sort of finish for the cabinets. It's all right there.

I'd suggest buying a good enclosure design software to figure out exactly what you want.

[Lensman]

Building speakers is easy. Build some boxes out of particle board, cut holes, and throw some drivers in them.

Building GOOD SOUNDING speakers is an incredibly involved and complicated process. Highly regarded giants in the audio field have devoted their lifetimes, large sums of money, and extensive research facilities to doing this and still don't always get it right.

THIS DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T DO IT.

But you need to be aware that there's more to it than cutting holes in wood and screwing speaker drivers in. Among other things, you need to have a good basic knowledge of electronics, an ability to use a soldering iron, better-than-average carpentry skills, and for best results, test equipment to determine if the final result is performing as it should. You should also have a basic understanding of how sound is generated and propagates before you start - even if you're just following someone else's project directions.

This is not to discourage you, building speakers can be a lot of fun. But a basic undertanding of what's involved is critical before you begin. I'd hate for you to think there's nothing more to it than some basic carpentry, then go out and spend $1,000 and a ton of time building something only to be dissappointed to find it sounds worse than something Best Buy sells for $29.95.

You should read up on the subject before you start to give you better idea of what's involved and help you decide how to choose the best type of speaker project to get what you really want. There are reasons why there are so many different sizes, shapes and types of speakers, with different numbers and types of drivers that do different things.

David Weems has written a couple of books that provide good introductions into the field as well as basic projects. Here's one:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

Like N. Abstentia mentioned, Parts Express is one of the best (and most affordable) places around for ordering quality parts. Here's a link to a DIYer that uses their parts and provides plans for building his projects:

http://www.speakerbuilder.net/web_files/default.htm

Parts Express also offers some decent speaker projects. You can simply buy the required parts and cabinetry pieces and follow the instructions to build the speakers yourself. If you don't plan to study up first, you should seriously consider starting with one of these as your first project. Though as stated above, knowing some basics could help you choose different projects more in-line with your listening preferences.

Best of luck.

[Bryan]

Try posting this in the Tweaks, Mods, DIY forum here. That being said, what is your budget? Why do you want a 6' tower speaker? Why go through Radio Shack? You have a much broader selection through http://www.partsexpress.com. Look into the DIY AR.com speaker. I believe Ed Frias was the one who came up with the original design and he frequently posts in the other forum. IMO, the simplest and best solution for you now is the Rocket/Kenwood combo I posted in the HT forum.

[dsantamassino]

Try posting this in the Tweaks, Mods, DIY forum here. That being said, what is your budget? Why do you want a 6' tower speaker? Why go through Radio Shack? You have a much broader selection through http://www.partsexpress.com. Look into the DIY AR.com speaker. I believe Ed Frias was the one who came up with the original design and he frequently posts in the other forum. IMO, the simplest and best solution for you now is the Rocket/Kenwood combo I posted in the HT forum.

alright i copy/paste my post there.. about about $1,000 bucks or more for building 6ft speakers. I want them because i think they would be nice to have but i need to expect my room mates. Im sharing room and board in a home.

[Woochifer]

As others have said, take your time and be patient. If you want to build something yourself without having to invest a whole bunch of time learning how you're supposed to design something, the kit route is a good way to go. Keep in mind though that a lot of kits cost about the same as a finished speaker. The kit just allows you to do some customizing.

Or you could just buy a prefinished enclosure and then buy the parts. In addition to Parts Express, Acoustic Visions sells a lot of enclosures for different applications.

http://www.acoustic-visions.com

For technical stuff, Adire Audio posts a lot of building plans for subwoofers and speakers. These are primarily built around drivers and parts that they sell, but their stuff is well regarded around DIY circles, so it's not like you're buying junk from them. I own one of their subwoofers, and in actuality, it actually costs less to buy the finished subwoofer than to buy the parts and find a prefinished enclosure.

http://www.adireaudio.com

http://www.adireaudio.com/TextPages/...eFrameText.htm
http://www.adireaudio.com/TextPages/...eFrameText.htm
http://www.adireaudio.com/TextPages/...eFrameText.htm
http://www.adireaudio.com/TextPages/...eFrameText.htm

[KRiTiKaL]

that http://www.acoustic-visions.com is a great site! thx wooch.

I am very interested in the bare bones system. http://www.acoustic-visions.com/~aco...ystems/budget/
sounds worthy.

[aimen]

with 1000$ in hand u better spend time in reseaching and then spend
as u said u need steps, it seems u need no technical knowledge only steps
then here ya go
1. buys a tweeter, mid and couple of woofers
2. if drivers are not of same efficency, search on the net of its compenstor(L-pad???) its give u values and diagram
3. now dettermine x-over freqs
4. after tht search on the net for x-over makers, then the value in and they will tell u wt value resitor capacitors and indtutors u need and a diagram
5. now put this whole thing together in a 6 feet box
6 cut ports for ur woofer according to ur f3 need etc
7. u'll now hav wt is ussualy called a boomy speaker
i dont recomend this kind of hurry
take ur time
u need kicking speakers quick, then better not make ur on speaker design, get one from the net

http://www.wadsnet.com/~dtenney/

look in there for D27 or dayton 8 mtm, all in there is dayton, a decent speaker making company, might appeal to u as a first timer

or

http://www.speakerbuilder.net/web_files/default.htm

ur gt in ther many designs from begginer to pros
if all u need is good sounding speakers then go for EROS but take ur tie b4
if u need just a speaker quick, go with some dayton which appeals u

http://www.loudspeakers101.com/CrosFrm3.htm
hmm the site aint working?!?!?!?!?!

http://www.madisound.com/

partsexpress.com

http://www.harman.com/wp/index.jsp?articleId=121
read some articale over here too

[Feanor]

Thank you, but I...

aimen did offer some useful advice. Building a speaker for scratch is no simple matter. Better to accept that fact!

[This Guy]

hahaha if u follow the links this guy gave us, it ends up bringing you to him posting in a computer hacker's forum where he asks how he cant hack into her computer and delete watever he said. haha