DIY Stereo Towers
Designer:
Nick
Project Category:
Tower Speakers
Project Level:
Intermediate
Project Time:
8-20 Hours
Project Cost:
$100 – $500
Project Description:
This was my first speaker build. I wanted speakers specifically for stereo without the need for a separately placed subwoofer.
I left the crossover visible on the rear of the speaker. So much work goes into this I didn’t want to hide it. The frequency response from XSim turned our very flat. I am very happy with the results.
Design Goals:
The goal was for a relatively inexpensive build that achieves a high quality full range sound.
Driver Selection:
Dayton Audio PT2C-8 Planar Tweeter
Part # 275-085
HiVi M6N 6″ Aluminum/Magnesium Midbass
Part # 297-441
Dayton Audio DCS305-4 12″ Classic Subwoofer 4 Ohm
Part # 295-204
Enclosure Design:
MDF with internal bracing
Enclosure Assembly:
Separate upper and lower cabinets allow for easier placement of the speakers.
Crossover Design:
4th order Linkwitz-Riley at 2500 Hz
Woofer is crossed over at 100 Hz through a AV receiver
Tips & Tricks:
XSim
DIY Audio & Video website for calculators
AudioTool
Parts Express
Conclusion:
The speakers exceeded my expectations.
About the Designer:
I am an aircraft structural engineer who has always had a hobby in home and care audio that likes wood working. This combined the two perfectly.
I will probably never buy a premade set of speakers again.
Project Parts List:
|
Part # |
Description |
Qty |
|
275-085 |
Dayton Audio PT2C-8 Planar Tweeter |
1 |
|
297-441 |
HiVi M6N 6″ Aluminum/Magnesium Midbass |
1 |
|
295-204 |
Dayton Audio DCS305-4 12″ Classic Subwoofer 4 Ohm |
1 |
|
300-807 |
Dayton Audio SPA500 500W Subwoofer Plate Amplifier |
1 |
|
027-236 |
Dayton Audio SPA500 500W Subwoofer Plate Amplifier |
1 |
|
027-436 |
Dayton Audio DMPC-20 20uF 250V Polypropylene Capacitor |
1 |
|
257-052 |
Dayton Audio 1.5mH 20 AWG Air Core Inductor Crossover Coil |
1 |
|
257-044 |
Dayton Audio 0.80mH 20 AWG Air Core Inductor Crossover Coil |
1 |
|
257-030 |
Dayton Audio 0.35mH 20 AWG Air Core Inductor Crossover Coil |
1 |
|
257-022 |
Dayton Audio 0.15mH 20 AWG Air Core Inductor Crossover Coil |
1 |
|
027-426 |
Dayton Audio DMPC-8.2 8.2uF 250V Polypropylene Capacitor |
1 |
Very nice design. I am considering using your design but going with a larger vented enclosure
I use a separate amplifier to run the 12″ woofers so I can control the gain and frequency which helps with the sealed enclosure. The main speakers are cut off at 100hzs so the woofers take it from there.
I like how you designed these and the frequency response looks great. I am trying to rejuvenate my speakers which I bought in the 70s. I did work on them in 1986 but that was 34 years ago. After I am done this time there be nothing original left. Excellent job you did here.
I don’t understand values for L and C and how you labeled their order. DIY calculator yields much different values for 8 ohm 4th order LR. The tweeters are about 5 db higher SPL so they must be very bright. I see no resistors or an L pad for it. They are great looking set of speakers, kudos for finishing. How did you get those corners, do you have a shaper?
The tweeter is 8 ohm but the 2 mid woofers are 8 ohm wired in parallel so they have an equivalent 4 ohm load. The frequency response chart in the pictures has the blue line as overall. Red is tweeter and green is a singe mid woofer. Since there are 2 mid woofers they equal the blue line.
Sys=total, S1=tweeter, S2=mid woofer#1, S3=mid woofer#2
S3 is not shown on the graph since it is identical to S2
The 4 ohm load and 2 woofers eliminate the need for a L pad.
This is an excellent concept. By keeping your +100 Hz elements in the enclosure with with the smaller baffle width, you’ve helped with establishing imaging that might be less precise with a wider baffle. Plus your midrange drivers don’t have to share air with the sub
I have been considering a similar set up and you’ve helped me decide to go for it. Those crossovers look so good, if there were room, you could have put them on front. Great work.