No more EFE AudioREVIEW DIY Speakers at Madisound

Sad to see such a great little speaker go, peerless apparently doesn't make the woofer any longer and Madisound dropped the kit

I use all seven in my dedicated home theater and I listen to a lot of music, being a mid base junkie I've never been happier.

I used just two of them for my deck party last summer and they had plenty of kick, even outside.

So sad:sad:

Mebbe we can get Ed to design another pair?:confused: I wonder if he knows the kit has been discontinued?

I spoke to Ed about this last year when Peerless discontinued the woofer/tweeter.
He seemed to leave the door open to a new EFE DIY kit, though with the thousands of designs available now, I wouldn't blame for not bothering.
I think he scans the DIY forum regularly, so perhaps moving this thread there or putting in a request would draw his attention?

I built around 20 of those things. I have 7 of my own (though I finally made an MTM derivative for a center channel) I still use in my home theater. Since they were first made, a lot of new drivers and kits have hit the market and the bar has risen considerably as the DIY speaker market experienced a boom. That said, the ar.com is still not out of place beside many of them.

Here's why Ed hasn't bothered:

http://www.corvettebuyers.com/temp_photos/c6z06.jpg


If you had one of these, you'd be too busy to design a new speaker too! Ed and I email each other all the time on car stuff (the guy's a dedicated gearhead as well as a great speaker designer). I'll ask him about the new design and let you know.

Yeah, I know all about Ed's toy...
Trying aweful hard not to be envious...but he makes it pretty darn hard, sometimes!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kexodusc

Yeah, I know all about Ed's toy...
Trying aweful hard not to be envious...but he makes it pretty darn hard, sometimes!!!

---

If the car makes you envious, you'd just hate his house! :devil:

Ed just told me that Brian at Madisound is sending him the new drivers. He's going to tinker around with them and see if the AR.com kit can be modified to work with the new drivers or if a new design will need to be made. Interestingly enough, Ed doesn't make a cent off those kits, only name recognition, so we should all be thankful there are people in this world that are nice enough to share their talents for free. He'll let us know how it all goes so check back.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by topspeed

If the car makes you envious, you'd just hate his house! :devil:

Ed just told me that Brian at Madisound is sending him the new drivers. He's going to tinker around with them and see if the AR.com kit can be modified to work with the new drivers or if a new design will need to be made. Interestingly enough, Ed doesn't make a cent off those kits, only name recognition, so we should all be thankful there are people in this world that are nice enough to share their talents for free. He'll let us know how it all goes so check back.

---

You have no idea - I probably get 10-12 PM's a month about those speakers (still) and some other models Ed sells...I can only assume Ed gets hundreds more. The time it takes to answer can not be insignificant. He's quite gracious taking time to troubleshoot and answer questions from noobs, without any expectation of compensation. I'm sure I asked a few zingers myself - I know Ed never treated me anything but first class.

The new Peerless woofers are of higher quality - fs is different and the break-up nodes are moved as I recall - they might be salvageable in the design with tweaking - the tweeter is considerably better, and a whole new filter network will be needed there, I'm sure. I don't have the impedance and fr charts for them on my laptop here though.
This would be a much improved design if the replacement drivers are used, methinks.

I agree Ed Frias is a very kind gentleman to say the least. I've only corresponded with him once and he answered all my questions promptly and without hesitation. As far as his design talents are concerned I can't say enough. The AR.Com is my favorite speaker to date, far exceeding my every expectation regardless of the price point. If Ed would be gracious enough "again" to design a version 2 around the newer/better drivers, all I can say is watch out!!

Thanks for the kind words from all of you who have been supportive of me over the years, I'll always appreciate it!

The DIY has been a great little speaker that has made a lot music lovers happy over the last 7 years, and it's unfortunate that Peerless will not be manufacturing the woofer any longer. That particular woofer was not very popular and actually disliked by some speaker builders until they discovered how good it could sound with the right crossover design, the DIY made it famous! :cornut:

I have received many e-mails from customers all around the country thanking me for the kit and asking if I will be designing anything to take its place. Of course Madisound has benefited greatly from this little speaker and they hate to see it disappear also. The manufacturer of the DIY cabinets has also gone out of business and that makes it even harder to replace the kit until they find another.

I originally designed and posted the kit here on AR.com back in the late 1990's after receiving an overwhelming number of audio enthusiast asking if they could buy EFE speakers in kit form. I don't sell any of my speakers as kits but since the requests were made by so many (what I consider) "little guys" who couldn't afford audiophile speakers, I thought the DIY would be my contribution to this forum and the audio community at large. I never expected it to reach around the world with so much popularity, but it has and I'm thrilled so many music lovers appreciate it. The DIY also drew a lot of criticism from other speaker builders (and still does) but that hasn't stopped Madisound from listing it as their number "1" selling kit for the last several years, what does that say? :)

As mentioned by one poster who contacted me a couple of weeks ago, I'm now working on a replacement with Madisound's generosity, they have sent me a couple of their last cabinets (different colors ;)) along with a Seas woofer (and same Peerless tweeter) to hopefully take the place of the discontinued Peerless driver. I've spent a lot of time measuring and listening to the new woofer to see if it will perform as good as the Peerless, and I'm revealing it here at AR.com first before I even let Madisound know the results. I'm very pleased with the sound and the crossover will need only a minor change to meet the standard that many have come to know from the DIY!

Monday I'll notify Madisound, and as soon as they can have some new cabinets built the DIY should be up and running again! For those that may have been thinking of building it but didn't buy before Madisound's stock ran out, you'll soon have another chance! :cornut:

Thanks again for all your support and friendships!

All the best,
Ed Frias
EFE TECHNOLOGY Speakers

Hello Everyone,

I just got a response from Josh over at Madisound that a new version will be using the Seas H1350. No other info was given. More importantly it's another positive indicator that something new is coming. The question is when???

I'm curious about the speaker cabinet replacement... any one?

PS. To Ed Frias - I've read about your DIY speakers for years and never had a chance to listen to them till last week. Wow! I await eagerly for your next DIY kit and commit to building one for myself and my father. Will you consider doing 2 kits - a bookshelf and tower floorstanding version?

:16: SoundWize - Nicholas

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SoundWize

Will you consider doing 2 kits - a bookshelf and tower floorstanding version? :16: SoundWize - Nicholas

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Sorry SoundWise,
I've been asked many times if I would offer a tower kit and I tell everybody the same thing! If I offered a tower besides the bookshelf I probably wouldn't be able to sell my EFE speakers, most would have all they need! :hand:

The DIY gives people a taste of EFE, if they want to graduate past that then they know where to go! :cornut:

As it is now, most find out that when they add a good subwoofer with the DIY it'll give them so much sound they'll probably not need to upgrade again. :eek6:

Thanks,
EFE Speakers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by topspeed

Here's why Ed hasn't bothered:

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By the way Topspeed, try this one, it's actually mine! :cornut:

EFE


[IMG]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p...Beautiful2.jpg[/IMG]

Ed,

While I was curious and partial to a possible tower design, it's a relief to know that you stand by the DIY as it is without a tower configuration. I was getting ahead of myself... and having a bookshelf configuration will definitely keep the price down. I'm looking forward to buying the new kit and checking here and Madisound daily for the release.

PS. Gearhead here too! Even though I'm a Porsche owner (Florida's Gold Coast Porsche Club America Zone 12), I'm a big Chevy Corvette fan too.

SoundWize:16:

I've "modified" Ed's design several times over, including a tower design - it can be done if you want.
But be aware that any modification does change the sound of the speaker and doesn't really hit the "value" and "easy" features of the kit design as well, and those were the two biggest sellers for me - this was my 2nd project and first solo project!!! The tower model with only 1 woofer probably sounded the "closest" to the original, though the bass gain isn't substantial and really isn't worth it IMO. All the other mods were good compromises to achieve certain goals, but still compromises. I'd only recommend them in specific situations over the original....trust the man.
I used a dummy chamber in tower versions of another design to build dual subs into the lower compartment of them, thus keeping the original dimensions/design in tact except for the longer front baffle - not a big difference, but not zero, either. Suppose you could do that, but for the work/cost, you're better off with a separate sub and sticking with the original design.

I've been checking madisound.com for the new kit... nothing yet. :confused:

Does EFE Technologies or Ed Frias have a website?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SoundWize

I've been checking madisound.com for the new kit... nothing yet. :confused: Does EFE Technologies or Ed Frias have a website?

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If you can build your own cabinets, call Madisound and tell them you want the new DIY Ed Frias has designed. It's almost the exact crossover as before with just a couple of values changed on the tweeter circuit. I'm assuming they are waiting to find another cabinet manufacturer before they release it, but since they already have all the parts (including the new Seas woofer), they could start selling the new kit now. If they give you any run a round please let me know by posting on this thread, thanks!

Success,
Ed Frias
EFE TECHNOLOGY Speakers
EFESPEAKERS@commspeed.net

Has anyone compared these speakers to the B&W DM602 S3 speakers (which I currently have). I am thinking about buying a kit to replace my B&W's. Better, worse, opinions?

:5: Thanks Ed... it's going to be one of my goals in life to build my own speaker where I design & create the cabinet, cross-over, and select the drivers to my taste (dreaming of building a Wilson Audio Sophia or Watt/Puppy replica). I wanted to buy the AR.com speaker kit as a whole so I could get first had experience, as a novice, putting together a speaker and studying how it's all done up.

As tempted as I am to go to the garage and put together a cabinet... the angel on my shoulder says "no, no... not until you learn from the master speaker builder." I'm going to wait till Madisound figures the right cabinet mfg for the kit. I'm hoping soon!!!

The last post by cfwiggam is one of the reasons why I'm looking at the AR.com kit. I've auditioned the B&W 602 S3's and they are pretty darn good but they are $600 at my local dealer. I've listened to the AR.com speakers and I think they are darn good too... I've been itching to get a new set of speakers (currently have Magnepan MMGs which I'm a bit disappointed with).

I've owned B&Ws in the past but in all honesty I'd like to try something that's a bit more personal... something I was involved in the creation.

I'm a marketing director who sometimes wishes he was an engineer... :16:

For those interested, here are the AR.com Kit Cabinet specs:

¾ inch MDF material

Outside dimensions are
13 inches high x 8 ¾ inches wide x 9 ¼ inches deep

Inside dimensions are
11 ½ inches high x 7 ¼ inches wide x 7 ¾ deep

Port size is 2 inches in diameter (ID) x 6 inches deep from rear surface.
Rear Port hole is centered (widthwise) and 3 inches from top to center of port.

Speaker input terminal hole is 1 15/16 inches in diameter. It is countersunk for the flange 1/8 inch deep x 3 inches in diameter. This can be changed if you desire another type or size speaker terminal. Rear Speaker terminal hole is centered (widthwise) and 3 inches from bottom to center of hole.

Front Tweeter hole is 3 5/16 in diameter. Front tweeter hole is also centered widthwise and also 3 inches from top of cabinet to center of hole. If you opt to countersink the tweeter, cut 1/8 inch deep x 4 1/8 inches in diameter.

Front woofer hole is 5 5/8 inches in diameter. If you opt to countersink, use 3/16 inches deep x 6 15/16 inches in diameter. This will now change with the new Seas driver.

Front woofer is centered 4 ¼ inches from bottom of cabinet to center of hole.

If you choose to increase the cabinet thickness to 1 inch, increase all the outer dimensions (WxHxD) by 1/2 inch and compensate for centering all holes!

Although the discontinued Peerless and the new Seas driver used in the kit allow for a larger cabinet, I designed the DIY specifically to produce a very tight, clean upper bass and lower midrange and felt most builders would use a separate subwoofer for the deeper bass frequencies. This also is the reason why the speaker is able to play extremely loud and clean without distortion, figuring a good high current amp is used.

Success!

Ed Frias
EFE TECHNOLOGY Speakers
efespeakers@commspeed.net

:ihih: Ed, Now you got me very tempted to build the cabinets myself... Thanks for the detailed info on the cabinets.

Nicholas

Thank God I finally found you guys. I had been involved in this EFE Speaker kit conversation in 2005 when I thought I was ready to build them, but I wasn't. Now I am. :-) I am so relieved to hear the kits are available again at Madisound, and with new drivers too, nice.

Has anyone drawn up a CAD or other picture of the speaker cabinets that I could work from? I'm a visual guy and pictures are much easier to work with for me. Also, is there a link somewhere to help with how to laminate or veneer the MDF?

Thanks!
Bryan

Hi all,

This thread kind of died while I was waiting (hoping) to hear details of what changes are necessary to use the Seas H1350 replacement for the old Peerless woofer. Ed Frias said that "It's almost the exact crossover as before with just a couple of values changed on the tweeter circuit", but he doesn't say what the changes are.

I an hoping to build another set of these from scratch as I did before without using the Madisound kit. Does anyone know what the crossover changes are?

Thanks!

- Phil

Use Ed's link to his e-mail. He'll get back to you, trust me.

For all interested, my new DIY is the same design (crossover) as the older model except for three changes!

1. The new uses the Seas 7" woofer. Model is Prestige Series #1350-08 Type P18RNX/P
2. The resistor for the tweeter installed on the circuit board is 7.5 ohm (10 watt).
3. The resistor attached to the tweeters positive terminal (with QD's) is 2 ohm (10 watt).

The new woofer requires a little larger hole (1/16 to 3/32 inch) to be cut in the cabinet or to bevel the inside edge of the previous woofer cut-out.

I noticed Madisound is advertising the kit as "NOT AVAILABLE" on their website now, tell them you want the old kit with the new woofer and the new specified resistors. If they no longer offer the crossover, then tell them you'll buy the parts elsewhere and build it anyhow! I don't know why they are not selling the new version because it sounds just as good if not better than the old? They will probably need to hear that there are still many customers out there that want to build the kit before they make it available again? So, start calling and bugging them!

EFE TECHNOLOGY DIY Parts list

Tweeter - Peerless #812687

Woofer - Seas #H1350-08

Resistors
7.5 ohm 10watt (1) For tweeter on circuit board
2 ohm 10watt (1) For tweeter attached at tweeter
1 ohm 10watt (1) For woofer secondary circuit

Capacitors
4.7uf 200v capacitor (2) For tweeter and woofer circuit

Inductors
2mh (.5 DCR) aircore inductor (1) For woofer circuit
.4mh (.4 to .7 DCR) aircore inductor (1) For woofer secondary circuit
.3mh (.4 to .7 DCR) aircore inductor) (1) For tweeter circuit

Note: The variable values attached to the tweeter in the diagram below (.2 to .8 ohms), those were choices on the original DIY but are not to be used on the new version, only a 2 ohm should be used on the tweeter itself!

Also the 5 ohm (on the board) is now to be changed to a 7.5 ohm.

[IMG]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p...6/efe-diy1.jpg[/IMG]

DIY Reviews
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speak...3_1594crx.aspx


:cornut:
Success,
Ed Frias
EFE TECHNOLOGY Speakers
efespeakers@commspeed.net

Thanks a lot ED !!

- Phil

Your welcome and success!

EFE

Hi Ed,
I think it's great that you are still providing this design and updating to deal with the Peerless catalog turnover.
I can only speculate on Madisound's motives, but if I had to guess why they aren't selling it, I would guess it's because Peerless discontinued 812687 tweeter and they are out of stock...I couldn't find that tweeter on their website.

Geeez,
Brian never told me anything about the tweeter not being available, he just said the woofer was no longer around and sent me the new Seas to work with? Guess I'll have to call him and see if something has replaced the tweeter now, sounds like I'll have to do some more tuning!

I'm having to do the same for my EFE line of speakers, I can no longer get the titanium tweeter I've used for years in my speakers. Why change something when it isn't broken? :crazy:

Thanks,
Ed Frias
EFE TECHNOLOGY Speakers

Ok,
Here's the story! Madisound has 32 of the Peerless tweeters still in stock as of today, so anybody wanting to build my newest version better buy the tweeters ASAP! The tweeters are discontinued and when the stock is out they have no replacement.

I was told that they (Madisound) have tried to use a new Seas tweeter (H1189) with my present version of the DIY and found it didn't match well with my crossover, thus the reason why they are not posting the kit as available. They have designed a new crossover using the Seas woofer (H1350) and tweeter (H1189) and claim that it sounds very good. They said they could substitute the AR.com DIY crossover with it, but since I didn't design or hear it I couldn't give my approval.

I asked Madisound to send me the new Seas tweeter and their new crossover and I'll hook it up and do my own tuning and testing to see how it sounds. I will first try to adapt the tweeter to the present DIY crossover and see if it is just a matter of redesigning the tweeter circuit, if not, then I'll take their crossover and approve or disapprove of how it sounds. If their crossover isn't up to my preference, I'll make some changes in it and tell them to offer my revised version as the AR.com DIY design.

Either way, eventually a new AR.com DIY by EFE TECHNOLOGY will still be available when the Peerless tweeters run out! I'll keep you all posted, thanks!

Ed Frias
EFE TECHNOLOGY Speakers
efespeakers@commspeed.net

For everybody's information!

Since Peerless has discontinued the tweeter for the DIY as they did the woofer, Madisound has designed a new crossover using the Seas woofer (mentioned earlier) and new Seas tweeter, they requested that both be used for the new DIY.

I've just spent at least 16 hours listening, testing and revising their crossover and will e-mail Madisound the results later today. The crossovers they sent me (along with the new Seas tweeters) were overly complicated and really didn't live up to the kind of sound that has earned the DIY an almost perfect "5" rating here at AudioReview.com.

After modifying and actually simplifying the crossovers I can say without any reservation the new DIY will live up to everything the older version was and more. I'm very pleased with these Seas drivers and find them to be very natural sounding when tuned properly! After spending the last couple of hours just listening to various types of music, I'm sure these new DIY's will satisfy even the most critical audiophile, considering it is only a bookshelf speaker. :23:

As with the previous version, I've designed a changeable resistor to attach to the tweeter so the speakers can be fine tuned to individual's various systems. The standard removable resistor that will come with the kit will be a 2 ohm, owners can increase or decrease the value depending on their particular tastes.

Madisound now has new cabinets available for those that prefer to purchase the complete kit with electronics and cabinets.

You heard it here first, even before Madisound gets the news!

:cornut:

Ed Frias
EFE TECHNOLOGY Speakers
efespeakers@commspeed.net

I don't know why Madisound is holding up the new version from being posted, but here is a rough schematic and parts list for those that want to build the latest EFE DIY using all Seas drivers. It is a very simple design yet produces the great sound all have come to expect from the previous DIY! Please excuse the rough drawing.

On Madisound's website they offer their own crossover design ($37.65 each) for these two Seas drivers, but I do not recommend it unless you desire an "upfront in your face sound." I thoroughly tested their crossovers and though they measured fine were too unnatural and bright in my personal opinion. The simple design below allows both drivers to produce a more natural sound that I believe the manufacturer meant to have. It is also my opinion that crossover designs should be kept as simple as possible when good drivers are used, this is the case with the new AR.com DIY.

:cornut:

Success,
Ed Frias
EFE TECHNOLOGY Speakers

Parts list
Tweeter - Seas 27TDFC (H1189)

Woofer - Seas P18RNX/P (H1350)

Resistors
1 ohm 10watt (1) For tweeter (circuit board mounted)
2 ohm 10watt (1) Removable - attached at tweeter with QC's .
The 2 ohm can substituted with a 1 ohm (more detail) or a 4 ohm (warmer).


Capacitors
4.7uf (200-400v) (1) For tweeter circuit

Inductors
.2mh (20 to 22 gauge) aircore inductor (1) For tweeter circuit
.9mh (.5 or less DCR) aircore inductor (1) For woofer circuit

[IMG]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p...6/MVC-006F.jpg[/IMG]

All I can say is that I was so dissapointed when I found that I could not get my hands on this famous DIY. I am in the process of selling off my prized Infinity Crescendo / Kappas to make room for a new HT. I have been comparing my options (B&W 602 S3 & 685, Paradigm Studio 20 V3 & V4, and NHT Classic 3 or even building a sealed 1 cu ft cabinet for the IW4). I really want to get my hands dirty, and this is a great jumpinging point.

Funny, I was actually looking using these drivers by myself prior to your post, based on Zaph's driver comparison. On paper these look like a fantastic speaker. I will call Madisound today and order the components.

We are all in your debt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcass

Thank God I finally found you guys. I had been involved in this EFE Speaker kit conversation in 2005 when I thought I was ready to build them, but I wasn't. Now I am. :-) I am so relieved to hear the kits are available again at Madisound, and with new drivers too, nice.

Has anyone drawn up a CAD or other picture of the speaker cabinets that I could work from? I'm a visual guy and pictures are much easier to work with for me. Also, is there a link somewhere to help with how to laminate or veneer the MDF?

Thanks!
Bryan

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Here I am following up to my own post. :-)

I'm ready to buy the parts to put 4 of these DIY speakers together. Does anyone have a materials list to build the cabinets? I have Ed's instructions on the cabinets already (but will it fit the new Seas drivers?) but it would be nice to see pictures and cutting diagrams and how to glue them together and all that stuff. Has anyone done this?

Also, I wrote to Madisound today and am getting a quote on all of the hardware needed. I don't think they sell the kits yet - or will at all?

Thanks!
Bryan

Hi Ed,

You may not remember but you helped me(as you have with countless of your "followers") with the AR.com original.

Well, it was time for a new DIY when I came across this thread. I'm in CANADA and This woofer is not (or not yet) available on this side of the line. Is it replaceable with another SEAS woofer in the RNX line? Even with slight variants in the Wfr crossover...(long story, short: crossborder duty hassle).

If you think it would be worth it for me, then I can just get a pair from Madisound.

Also, is that Crossover about at 2kHz? For use with the .5 ft3 enclosure?

thanks,
Migs

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mbkfab

Hi Ed,

You may not remember but you helped me(as you have with countless of your "followers") with the AR.com original.

Well, it was time for a new DIY when I came across this thread. I'm in CANADA and This woofer is not (or not yet) available on this side of the line. Is it replaceable with another SEAS woofer in the RNX line? Even with slight variants in the Wfr crossover...(long story, short: crossborder duty hassle).

If you think it would be worth it for me, then I can just get a pair from Madisound.

Also, is that Crossover about at 2kHz? For use with the .5 ft3 enclosure?

thanks,
Migs

---

Migs,

I'm not Ed, but why not just order it from Madisound? Ask for shipping by anyone but UPS and the brokerage charges won't be too bad. USPS is my preference. They might charge you $5, that's it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mbkfab

Hi Ed,

You may not remember but you helped me(as you have with countless of your "followers") with the AR.com original.

Well, it was time for a new DIY when I came across this thread. I'm in CANADA and This woofer is not (or not yet) available on this side of the line. Is it replaceable with another SEAS woofer in the RNX line? Even with slight variants in the Wfr crossover...(long story, short: crossborder duty hassle).

If you think it would be worth it for me, then I can just get a pair from Madisound.

Also, is that Crossover about at 2kHz? For use with the .5 ft3 enclosure?

thanks,
Migs

---

Hi Migs,
Switching a driver in a pre-designed speaker is like switching a carburetor from one engine to another without tuning it! Sometimes in a 3 way speaker the woofer can be substituted with something a little different and it might work out ok, but in a 2 way speaker where one driver is handling both the low and mid range frequencies, it is critical that driver be substituted with another having the same exact parameters.

A good sounding speaker as a whole is the sum of all its parts being matched together well, change only one part and you change the whole. When you only take this step (of building a pair of speakers) every so many years, what's a few dollars more one way or the other for the joy they bring you in the long run? I say go for it! :thumbsup:

Success,
Ed Frias
EFE TECHNOLOGY Speakers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mbkfab

Hi Ed,
Also, is that Crossover about at 2kHz? For use with the .5 ft3 enclosure?
thanks,
Migs

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Yes, the crossover point is at 2K.

Has anyone built the speakers yet?

Thanks,

:)

Ed Frias
EFE TECHNOLOGY Speakers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EFE Speakers

Yes, the crossover point is at 2K.

Has anyone built the speakers yet?

Thanks,

:)

Ed Frias
EFE TECHNOLOGY Speakers

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I'm about to start, Ed. When I get my tax return money, I'll buy the drivers and hardware from Madisound. It sounds like it'll be about $100 per speaker. Then I'll get the MDF from Home Depot and start cutting! :-)

I may do a pictorial step-by-step of building it, since I can't seem to find anything like that on the web. It would sure help a visual person like me!


Thanks,
Bryan

Hey Bryan,

I'm glad to see you enthusiasm on this. However, from experience, I have some advice for you on the Cabinet segment of this project.

Since you're waiting for you tax return to come back, why not just consider the finished boxes at PARTS EXPRESS (no, I don't work for PartsExpress.com). By about the time it takes for your return to be in your hands, the "FREE SHIPPING" deal at PE may be back again. They have this offer about twice a year.

For about $75/box (Shipped to your door during the promo) you can have an extremely presentable professionally made speaker box. You couldn't come up with something like this for less (time & money-wise). I've done it a few times and have NEVER been disappointed. I've since purchased 4 of the Curved-side type...WOW!

Check it out

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=302-720

Migs

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mbkfab

Since you're waiting for you tax return to come back, why not just consider the finished boxes at PARTS EXPRESS (no, I don't work for PartsExpress.com). By about the time it takes for your return to be in your hands, the "FREE SHIPPING" deal at PE may be back again. They have this offer about twice a year.

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Thanks, Migs! Those are nice-looking cabinets. But I was really looking forward to making my own, actually. I like building stuff -- birdhouses, bookshelves, fishtank stands... so I figured this project would be fun too. I'll try it first, and if I turn out with a paperweight instead of a speaker box, I'll consider the prebuilt ones. :cornut:

The only question I have is how to drill out the speaker holes, how to build decent grills, and how to finish the MDF to look good.

Bryan

Edit: Now that I look at this cabinets more closely... they really are nice! But are they the right volume/size for Ed's design? Hmmm... you're almost convincing me to spend the $$ on them instead of building my own. But shipping for 4 of them is $45 for me, wow! When do they usually offer free shipping again?

I also need to build a subwoofer for this 4.1 system as well. Have you built that yourself before? I want to make it look 1940's-ish.