Desktop/PC speakers...

Dedicated to those large boxes at one end of the room
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jack
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#1 Desktop/PC speakers...

Post by jack »

I want to build some speakers for my PC/desktop...

Possibly 2W, high efficiency. Small valve amp will drive them...

Is it worth doing myself?

Thoughts?
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pre65
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#2

Post by pre65 »

I made a pair using scrap wood (MDF + chipboard + bits from old dressing table) and a pair of 4" Sony car speakers.

Sealed box, no calculations just guesswork, and was an exercise in how to use my (then) newly obtained router.

Much better than any commercial computer speakers I have heard. :)

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#3

Post by jack »

Any specific small drive units to recommend?

I want these to be a decent as I can make them. Starting small as I haven't made any speakers for a long time... (*)



(*) "long" = very long time.
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#4

Post by chris661 »

Hmmmm...

Couple of options, depending on budgie:

1- See if Colin (Topps) still has the 2nd pair of CHR70s available
2- Alpair 7.3 (whichever newest ones) in a little bass-reflex box
3 - Fostex FF85WK in a little bass-reflex. I think Scott has done a double-bass-reflex for them, as well as a transmission line. Have a look on diyAudio for those - they'd be a bit more exercise for your woodworking skills, but I'd expect them to be decent.

Chris
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#5

Post by jack »

Thanks Chris...

Sort of...

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pre65
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#6

Post by pre65 »

If you want something a little bigger, these were nice speakers, but I prefer the ones I mentioned earlier for near field use (ie about 24").

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They used the Fostex FE126 from memory, I believe Chris 661 made a similar pair.
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#7

Post by SimonC »

I've got a pair of old style FF85k's in Scott's micro-fonken cabinets that work very nicely. Easy to make and they get an impressive amount out of such a small driver.
The micro-fonken has now been tweaked to suit the latest FF85WK (http://p10hifi.net/FAL/downloads/uFonke ... 130312.pdf). You can't go far wrong with that combination, my only reservation would be they might need more than a couple of watts to drive them. Guess you'll run into that old chestnut with whichever driver you pick...small drivers and high efficiency in a desk top monitor don't go hand in hand.

Have fun :-)

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#8

Post by jack »

SimonC wrote:...my only reservation would be they might need more than a couple of watts to drive them. Guess you'll run into that old chestnut with whichever driver you pick...small drivers and high efficiency in a desk top monitor don't go hand in hand.
These look really nice - easy to make, too...

...however, I really have MAX 1W probably (more like 0.9W) with the tiny design I'm looking at...

Are you saying these drivers are not sensitive enough?
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#9

Post by zman »

Link to more Fostex FF85WK plans by Dr. Scott that Chris661 was referring to:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/full-ran ... signs.html

Under post #1.
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#10

Post by zman »

Small driver with pretty high sensitivity:

http://www.faitalpro.com/en/products/LF ... =401000100
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#11

Post by Scottmoose »

The 85wk should do it for desktop use. I use a pair myself for that. The limited power is rarely much of a problem for those duties.
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#12

Post by jack »

Thanks for the help guys - I'm working in the USA for the next few weeks so will follow this up on my return.

I have a 1 watt amp based on subminiature tubes that I've got nearly all the bits for now (iron, tubes, etc.) - chassis and finding that ultra-low-profile volume pot I want (mentioned elsewhere).

I'd like to get the boxes, which are very small, CNC machined, but that might have to wait for the next iteration...

Should be a fun little project.
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#13

Post by jack »

Just ordered some bits, including the FF85wk drivers, from Wilmslow Audio.

Probably going for the µFonkenWK 1vo - http://p10hifi.net/FAL/downloads/uFonke ... 130312.pdf
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#14

Post by Dave the bass »

Phwwwooooaaaarrrrrr! I think thats what our-SimonC bought down to my Gaff a few weeks back, they're good, really really good. We were driving them HARD with all sorts of music from the Pi + HiFIberry amp and had fun.
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#15

Post by jack »

What do people pay for B/BB-quality birch-faced 12mm ply, 8x4 sheets?
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