DIY Loudspeakers (pics)

[clydeselsor]

I recycled an old coffee table top that was made from 7/8" oak and found that I had enough material for the top, bottom and sides. The backs are made from 5/8" MDF layered with 3/4 plywood (mdf on the interior). The fronts are made from 3/4" solid birch. I used 6-1/2" Dayton woofers and a 3/4" Dayton soft dome tweeter (4" flange). The crossovers are also Dayton, 2nd order Linkwitz-Riley at 3k. I used a box calculator to determine that a sealed enclosure should be .27 cubic feet, based on the woofer parameters. They sound surprisingly good. Lots of detail and imaging, which is not surprising with mini monitors, but I was surprised at how well the bass was represented. The woofers are rated down to 33 Hz. I used a router to flush mount the drivers and to round over the front-side edges. I installed some binding posts from Parts Expressto the backs. I stained the cabinets with red oak stain and then three coats of polyurethane. Here are some pics:

 

[Arkay]

They look very nice! :thmbsp:

What kind of stuffing/damping did you put inside?

They look/seem like they should sound quite good. Could you compare the sound to any speakers we might know about, to give a closer idea of their sound?

It might just be the photo. but the back looks like the stain took unevenly and streaked a bit. I think I might be tempted to paint the backs black, to get rid of that effect. The rest looks great, though.

 

[jcmjrt]

Those look nice and I love the recycling aspect. It's great to use materials that would otherwise be headed for the trash...and to have it come out looking so good.:thmbsp:

 

[westend]

Nice work. I like the joinery, simple, yet sturdy.
I've always heard those Dayton woofers were good. I haven't had the chance to listen to any, yet. What are you using to play them ?

 

[dread31]

Very nice, Clyde!

Dave

 

[Nakdoc]

Beautiful.
Get some black felt and cut a wide ring to cover the area between the dome and the cabinet. This little tweak with improve imaging.

 

[DENNYDOG]

VERY nice Clyde!

I would have to agree with Lee that the backs might look better painted with a semi gloss black.

It looks like you are using their Classic woofer if I am correct.

I was looking at replacing the woofers in a set of Pioneers that I have with some Dayton 7" reference drivers. I bought a small 8" Yamaha sub to use with them so I will have to see how they sound together once I get it. If they sound good together I will most likely just leave them the way they are.

 

[RayW]

Very nice, Clyde! A little cheat for ya...mask off the baffles and paint the driver cutouts black. It'll hide the little "oops" that always seems to happen doing flushmount.

Denny, if you're talking about the RS180 driver, it's an excellent woofer. I've got a set that I'm tweaking around right now.

Ray

 

[clydeselsor]

Look nice - most importatnly - how do they sound?

See post #1

What kind of stuffing/damping did you put inside?

some loose polyfill. I forgot to mention that in my first post.

VERY nice Clyde!

I would have to agree with Lee that the backs might look better painted with a semi gloss black.

It looks like you are using their Classic woofer if I am correct.

Well I used some construction grade plywood glued to some MDF for the backs. The plywood had darker grain in some areas that caused the streaking effect. It was the only wood I had left and I wanted to get these finished. I will probably paint the backs black. The woofers are the Dayton Classic 160. Seems like a nice woofer especially for the money!

Very nice, Clyde! A little cheat for ya...mask off the baffles and paint the driver cutouts black. It'll hide the little "oops" that always seems to happen doing flushmount.
Ray

Yeah, I didn't really notice it much until I saw the pics using a flash. I will probably use your excellent idea regarding the paint.


These speakers sound pretty good but, I think they will wind up out in the shop to use with my old Sansui 210 receiver. I really like the Dayton speakers and will probably buy them again for future projects.

 

[clydeselsor]

Thanks everyone for the kind words!

 

[Fast_Eddie]

Nice project!

 

[gmilitano]

Very nice work. I like how you put the coffee table to good use.

Cheers

 

[shrinkboy]

my already high regard for CS has jumped to another level-- those look great.

 

[thilaseen]

I assume you've used strong internal bracing

 

[clydeselsor]

my already high regard for CS has jumped to another level-- those look great.

Thank you Jim, that's awfully kind!

 

[clydeselsor]

Nice work. I like the joinery, simple, yet sturdy.
I've always heard those Dayton woofers were good. I haven't had the chance to listen to any, yet. What are you using to play them?

 

[SPL db]

Those look excellent! If they sound half as good as they look, your ears are in for a real treat! :yes: :thmbsp:

Scott

 

[Paul C]

Don't change a thing... I like them just the way they are!

:thmbsp:

 

[hypertone]

You did a really nice job on these. They look great. It's cool how you used "reclaimed" wood on them. I'd really like to build a pair of speakers, but my woodworking skills aren't up to par.

 

[clydeselsor]

You did a really nice job on these. They look great. It's cool how you used "reclaimed" wood on them. I'd really like to build a pair of speakers, but my woodworking skills aren't up to par.

It's not nearly as difficult as you think. Just take your time!