• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

AK Design Collaborative - Insignia-Class Economy Speakers (a.k.a Indignia)

Thank you all! I've had a lot of fun making them. Now I just need to find a few hours to finish the job so I can get you yet another review of how they sound.
May be I will have to do a mirrored pair...
Being a college student with tuition obscenely high and rising also convinced me to save money where ever possible: no commercial bind posts--old brass bolts will do, no fancy caps--electrolytic is fine, and the oak--no cost but my time.
 
To play them unported, ZilchPlugz are available at your local hardware store or home improvement center for a couple of bucks.

They know them as plumbers' test plugs there.... ;)
 

Attachments

  • ZilchPlug.jpg
    ZilchPlug.jpg
    44.3 KB · Views: 156
Jack's been etching!

The first artwork I did for the Indignia was declared a disaster by the photographer. It was redone. And since we now know where the ID goes, it was laid out doubled on a single transparency, with ID preprinted. Here is a picture of the artwork and a PC board made from one of the artworks. Monday the PC board will be mailed to Zilch, and the artworks will go back to the photographer.

There is still hope we can get a good positive image, and if so, anyone who wants to etch their own boards can do so. Also included a picture of the crossover boards that will be used in my nephews speakers.

Zilch, can you give me the dimensions for the mounting holes used for the input terminals? I don't want to drill them too big.
 

Attachments

  • ZilchlabV3.5.jpg
    ZilchlabV3.5.jpg
    48.5 KB · Views: 105
  • JackLab Xover.jpg
    JackLab Xover.jpg
    43.4 KB · Views: 101
WHOA!

Those look GREAT, Jack. I can't wait to load one up and test it. :banana:

Drill inputs 1/4".... :yes:
 
We just finished a "rough cut" Indignia (yes, so far only one) and the other speakers in the house all play much louder at a given volume setting. None of my gear has power meters so I can't tell what wattage is being pulled from the amp. So has anyone addressed the efficiency of the Indignia? Could it be a difference in impedance?

The sound from this thing is very nice! Pics to come later (I don't have digital cameras)
 
Zilch said:
We estimate Indignias to be ~84 dB per the woofer spec, i.e., more efficient than Advents, less so than JBLs. ;)

Compare to the table here:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/bas/0808/

It's part of why they have such delicious bass.... :yes:
Click to expand...

The bass does seem smooth and pretty deep for a 7" system... the only thing is I haven't yet found the kind of padding for the cab walls I want. Right now all I have is a towel stuffed in it :yikes: If you think that's funny, the first thing I stuffed it with was one of my daughter's plush toys. :D

WELL, we couldn't wait to hear it! :smoke::music:
 
beans said:
WELL, we couldn't wait to hear it! :smoke::music:
Click to expand...
That's ALWAYS an issue with DIY; I have NO restraint, either. :p:

The damping I used is the black 1" fiberglass that they use to dampen HVAC plenums, available at your local sheet metal fabricator. I got a 6' x 6' sheet for $5.

One side of it is coated, so it easily glues to the inside cabinet walls with spray adhesive, if desired. I just cut it to the panel sizes and it stays in place by itself, as the coating gives it a bit of rigidity.... :yes:

attachment.php
 
beans said:
The bass does seem smooth and pretty deep for a 7" system... the only thing is I haven't yet found the kind of padding for the cab walls I want. Right now all I have is a towel stuffed in it :yikes: If you think that's funny, the first thing I stuffed it with was one of my daughter's plush toys. :D

WELL, we couldn't wait to hear it! :smoke::music:
Click to expand...

Zilch's solution looks very cool.

As an alternative, RayW noted in a previous post that WalMart sells quilted batting in the craft department. Seems like I got 25 sf or so for $8. Not very thick so I used a double layer on 3 sides as Ray recommended (also above) to break up standing waves. I hot melt glued it in place.

I also wrapped the horizontal cross brace with batting too.

I'm really surprised that more have not jumped on this bandwagon as my Indignias really sound surprisingly nice. I could easily use them as daily drivers and not feel compelled to upgrade.

I believe I have a line on some A-25s. As A-25s, warts and all, were my first speakers, I have a soft spot for them. I sold them to buy a second set of Advents to run "Double Advents" after using them for my
"rear" speakers with an SCA80Q integrated (Large Advents in the front).

Hearing them with a hot rodded ST-70 and Bottlehead preamp in my living room at the Chicago Area Get Together last March really opened my eyes to how good they sound. I'm interested in reaquainting myself with their sound over a longer period of time.

That said, I think the Indignias will hold up pretty well to the A-25s. I know that is a very strong statement. Can't wait to get a pair of A-25s back in the house to see if I'm right.
 
I'd expect the indignias to have a bit better top end than the A-25s. A-25s will probably have a bass/midbass advantage and the mids i'll reserve judgement on until I hear indignias.
 
are those crossover boards gonna be made available somehow to us diy kindegartners to apply our rudimentary soldering skills to, complete with 'put this here,and that there' instructions, as following schematics can be a somewhat dizzying proposition for the liberal arts majors amongst us?

i've got the drivers, and still intend to get the PE curved cabs, and still need to somehow rout out speaker holes w/o butchering those lovely baffles that come with 'em...
 
shrinkboy said:
i've got the drivers, and still intend to get the PE curved cabs, and still need to somehow rout out speaker holes w/o butchering those lovely baffles that come with 'em...
Click to expand...

Newman made some noise about doing that for the router impaired. You might want to talk to him. Also, if you surface mount, the driver flange will hide the hole so no worries. Mine are recessed so I can't compare but Z, Jack, and Robie atest that surface mount sounds good.

If the XO board doesn't work out I'll whip up a picture of how to lay it out for point-to-point wiring.

Ray
 
As more Indignias get built, they could become an AK "standard" for comparison of other speakers, as Dave suggests above.

They set the mark pretty high, actually. I'm not at all embarassed to say they've played virtually continuouly here since I first got them running.... :thmbsp:
 
we only made one so far, so I set it up on one side in the boy's room and compared it to a Bose Model 31 on the other side. Now, what do you suppose was the result?
I'm not a Bose-basher, but this one is a bit larger than the Indignia with about an 8 inch woofer, and is much more sensitive than the Indignia.... no problem... that's what the balance knob is for. After listening for a few minutes I walked out as my boy walked in asking "what ya doin'?" to which I replied "listening to this thing BLOW AWAY that old Bose speaker".
The Bose has more bass but it's of the muddy, one-note variety. My boy was impressed. We can't wait to get started on the left-hand speaker.
 
Ray, how're your pair coming. I know you're probably holding out for dramatic effect, but just wondering if they are nearing completion.

One of the reasons I didn't post pics of my build was that it wasn't a purty sight while I was on the "beginning side of the learning curve." My crossover mounting job on a small piece of 3/8" plywood doesn't look good but seems to work. Would there be any advantage to deconstructing it and mounting it on one of those cool boards Jack is developing?
 
Crossovers Complete:

Printed circuit version (front) went together easily (~1 Hr,) and works perfectly.

Thank you, Jack! :thmbsp:

Capacitors and small inductor are mounted with double-sided 3M foam tape:

attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php

[ZilchPlugz. Heh. ;) ]
 

Attachments

  • XO Complete.jpg
    XO Complete.jpg
    50.6 KB · Views: 868
  • XOs Complete.jpg
    XOs Complete.jpg
    52.7 KB · Views: 385
  • XOs Complete On Axis.jpg
    XOs Complete On Axis.jpg
    51 KB · Views: 385
I don't mind saying that I'm amazed that we (well, mostly you guys:D) were able to come up with such a great-sounding and moderately cheap and easy-to-build speaker design. I am proud. *beams*
 
Robie said:
Ray, how're your pair coming. I know you're probably holding out for dramatic effect, but just wondering if they are nearing completion.
Click to expand...

I'm still looking for wood for the cheek pieces. I've got them about ready to go black (insert AC/DC riff here) but can't seem to find a piece of cherry the right size. I'm working on it. Thought about a piece of oak I found at Lowes yesterday but I'm still holding out for a nice cherry board.


Would there be any advantage to deconstructing it and mounting it on one of those cool boards Jack is developing?
Click to expand...

If it ain't broke...

Ray
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom