Building speakers...

C

cool_dude

Contributor
Well friends, as I need a new speaker system for my PC and have heard that you can build a really good sound system at about 1/5th of the price of the branded ones, I am getting interested in it. :hap2: But I have no clue about this and googling hasn't helped much either. :ashamed: Has anyone of you tried this? Basically how do I start? I have to buy woofers and tweeters right? And how to make sure that the setup works with my PC? (Normally these systems work with cd/cassette players.)

Can you help me please?

Abhi.
 
For most speakers, you can't directly use them with the computer. You need an amplifier for the signam amplification.

IMHO you are really better off with a good medium level 2.1 speaker than building.
 
wahh... 10k!!! why not just get a pair of AudioEngine AE2's??

that was just me speaking.. dont pay any heed :P wait for the lurking guru's to respond :D( i see sangram viewing this thread :))
 
yup, cool dude , you're right :D

what you'll need -

tweeters. Best for DIY is a pair of philips dome tweeters.

woofers. best would be to get a pair of 8 inch woofers. try to get dainty / bolton/peerless if you can afford.

Wood (MDF) .75 to 1 inch cabinets , preferably floorstanders

A good stereo MOSFET amplifier circuit board + power supply board + a heavy duty amp + amp enclosure ( optional:P)

If you can find someone with good contacts in the local electronics shops , they should be able to obtain good components for you

check my rig gallery and this thread

Also waiting for sangram to post :)
 
car amps - not practical, and they're too expensive

subs maybe , I use one at home - the pioneer/Jbl ones are kinda ok, but nowhere near perfect.

the speakers , there are people who do, but it is better to make them from scratch, since car audio drivers are made to very strict space constraints
 
Well, I know 10K is low, but hey, I am gonna use it just to listen to songs on my PC. I mean if I can get a very good PC speaker system(Logitech z2300) at 7.5k, I think this should be enough for a home made system, right? And basically this will be my first try, I can always create a better system later. BTW, thanks for your suggestions guys, but keep them coming please...

Abhi.
 
IMHO 10k is too much for you to spend experimenting. My advice is , spend about 3k ( 1k for amp, 2k for stereo speakers) ,and add to them as you go up :)

stage 2, once you know what you're doing , add a sub and a high power amp

for 10k, you really, really need to know what you're doing if you plan to make speakers that will beat the stuff available at that price. of course , if you know what you're doing , they youll be able to make really good stuff though :D
 
You have heard FUD.

Building speakers for yourself is not cheap, but if you do it the right way, you can build a system that can compete with 'branded' speakers costing as much as 5 times as your input cost.

Of course, if you do a bad job, it will end up as a disaster that will leave you unhappy and disillusioned. Which it is guaranteed to do, if you have little knowledge, expertise or help.

OK I see many replies since I last checked the comp. The AE2s are a very good choice for that kind of budget, maybe I could do a lot better with DIY, but not sure you will. Don't take it personally.

I'm planning a 5.1 build for myself if I can sell off my Byte 5.1, this is a reference build and will cost north of 25K. A stereo set should be around 12-14K in parts.

So yeah, go for the good readybuilts if you don't have expertise or someone to build it for you.
 
^ +1. Stay away from building your own stuff unless you really know what your doing, else they'll sound worse than 1.5k Frontech's.

For 10k, the Audioengine 2's will more than suit your purpose.
 
hmm

Had done something in college days:

LM 317 Based power stabalizer, Some IC based amilifier (dont even remember the number), Some IC based frequency filters and gainer... hmmm when I got them built and played on them... my dad was awed! Those days... nowadays dont get the same kick if I spent them on pre built... Ahh miss them!

Yup it was some Ic that would deliver 40x40 W RMS. Any hints?

~LT
 
sweet amp yusuf :D

PS @ LT. are you sure it was a genuine 40+ 40 amp? you get pre built/amp assembly kits for a "40+40" W amplifier which are based on the LA4440 which in bridged mode which actually give about 19W per channel :P
 
Thanks, Naga, Anish, Sangram, Greenhorn, zhopudey, linuxtechie, Kumar, booo, Yusuf and stalker.

OK friends, after a lot of searching on Amazon, found these two links.

First is AudioSource Amp 100 2-Channel Power Amplifier.

Amazon.com: AudioSource Amp 100 2-Channel Power Amplifier: Audiosource: Electronics

It has got good reviews, should I buy it? (I hope our dear Katmandude will source it from US of A for me! :clap: )

The other amplifier is from the Harman-Kardon. Now with the tiny knowledge I have gained lately about amplifiers, it looks like Harman-Kardon is one of the most trusted names. Is that true?

Amazon.com: Harman Kardon HK3385 High Current Stereo Receiver: Audio & Video

Now, 2 really noob questions. First, I will connect my PC's sound output using this cable to this amplifier, right? The connections possible with this amplifier can be found here. And second, how do I decide the speakers? What is this impedance/ohm/wattage thing? :ashamed:

BTW, will someone be kind enough to give me a link to that Audioengine 2 you are referring to?

Thanks,
Abhi.
 
greenhorn said:
PS @ LT. are you sure it was a genuine 40+ 40 amp? you get pre built/amp assembly kits for a "40+40" W amplifier which are based on the LA4440 which in bridged mode which actually give about 19W per channel :P
Click to expand...

I reallly dont remember, it must be in some corner in my native... I wish I remembered! My brain is returning nothing to me! But it was picked up from some electronics magazine, electronica something.

~LT
 
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