Absolute Newbie wants to build speakers with off the shelf components

[humblebee]

First of all ... im new to speakers and I want to build to get better quality as I dont have much money.
Also this is timepass for me - a hobby thing to relax and take my mind off work. So dont want to take it very seriously - just to get started.

Now, I have selected the drivers from car audio - I have selected Blaupunkt component speakers - they have a pair each of 1" tweeters, 6" drivers and crossovers.
Now I need a cabinet and amplifier as I want to build powered speakers.
My questions :
For cabinet - do I buy a cheap local one or do I get it built from the carpenter?
For amp I will need pointers to buy one off the shelf.
I will use it with my PC.

Thanks.

 

[kapvin]

hi humblebee.

car audio speakers are designed for that environment. esp the mid fi ones, tend have high-ish qts and expect a large volume (box size) behind them. reducing the volume leads to a bass boost at the new resonant frequency and what people call boomy or one note bass.

without measuring the speakers; it is difficult to say anything about what enclosure they require. (and you may like or be comfortable with the boomy bass)

if the "realm of the dead"(Where you have shown you reside) has some diy-er; maybe he will measure the speakers for you and then it might help.

in the absence of data, I would suggest a leaky sealed box (aperiodic box)- the largest you can live with. (remember - large means internal volume). leaky sealed box is misnomer actually, it should be a well sealed box with a small vent in it. that vent will need to be plugged with foam and polyfill. tweak the density and quantity of vent stuffing till you like the sound best.

for amp given your already made choices, you may as well look at the car audio side; get a decent 2 channel 2nd hand car amp. get a robust smps from a pc and google on how to connect it to power your amp. or buy a norge or something second hand.

for the choices, this is my recommendation. but if you are not locked into this, i would suggest you buy a DIY "kit" for your first time which will give you assured results. and buy a t-amp or a sonodyne or a norge for amplification

hope this helps you.

 

[hydrovac]

if the "realm of the dead"(Where you have shown you reside) has some diy-er; maybe he will measure the speakers for you and then it might help.

That is where they might or will sound good also. If not, no body is gonna complain about it!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[anujmishra]

Why car audio speakers? You can get peerless drivers suitable for home audio from Mumbai. Assuming price of Blaupunkt component will cost you around Rs. 5000.

You can get Peerless driver 2 Nos, 2 Tweeters & 2 X-overs in this price by careful selection. For DIY there should be some knowledge (in-fact complete knowledge or help) to get the best output of your investments.

As kapvin already said designing enclosure is challenge. But, I think you can follow any of the completed projects in DIY section in this DIY forum with already established design by veteran DIYers. I also did the same for my Subwoofer.

Also, any reason for making it active? You can get VFM T Amps boards from e-bay at very reasonable price. For example see this link.

If you can live without active then there are plenty of complete good looking, small size T-Amps listed in ebay with variable wattages at very cheap price. You can search for Topping, Lepai, Indeed, Muse and so on.

 

[humblebee]

@kapvin - Great suggestions ! Thanks a lot esp for the smps-amp combo. Any pointers to kits on the net? I saw Parts express but thats outside India.

@hydrovac - lol. Actually they dont care abt the sound quality !

@anujmishra - Blaupunkt is costing 6.5k. Peerless is a great idea. Can I get them on the internet? Active - because it looks clean overall and will cost lesser. And will also be a higher challenge !

 

[saheb11123]

Peerless india drivers are available at diyaudiocart owned by a forum member(respected)..