Designer:

David A Kardos

Project Category:

Portable Speakers

Project Level:

Beginner

Project Time:

8-20 Hours

Project Cost:

$100-$500

Project Description:

I built this with the MK BOOM kit. I used the MDF cabinet, but added panels of 1/2″ sanded plywood, then veneered with cherry peel and stick. I cut the panels the same dimensions as the individual sides of the enclosure, which gave me a 1/2″ gap on each corner to fill with 1/2″ square stock. I used 1/2″ square rod from Home Depot- not sure of the species, but the grain is nice and the color contrasts the cherry.
I “resawed” a couple of pieces of that same 1/2″ material on my table saw and used those pieces as edging for the exposed ply edges. I then put a 1/4″ round over on all of the edges with a trim router, and also flushed a few edges with that same tool.
I finished everything with dewaxed shellac, brushing the first three or four coats and spraying the final coat. I also rolled a couple of coats of black semi gloss on the baffle, lightly sanded it, and sealed it with a few coats of shellac.
I added a leather handle which fastened from inside of the cabinet before installing the drivers, as well as rubber cabinet feet from PE.
I’m pretty happy with the way it turned out, although I had not made a box with corner blocks like this before. Next time I would use 5/8″ stock and flush trim it with the router before doing a round over.
I might add a grille as well.

Design Goals:

Visually, to make something my wife would be happy to have where it would be seen. Practically, the cabinet built as shipped seemed a little resonant, so the plywood panels served to dampen and stiffen the cabinet a bit.

Driver Selection:

MK BOOM kit as shipped.

Enclosure Design:

MK BOOM kit as shipped plus wrapped with 1/2″ plywood and cherry veneer.

Crossover Design:

Included with Kit

Tips & Tricks:

Tolerances we’re pretty tight on the baffle cutouts, so if you’re painting the baffle, mask off the recessed mounting rings- otherwise the drivers will not fit easily. I had to scrape a little paint off to get them to fit.

Conclusion:

I’m very impressed with the sound quality of this speaker. I bought the in-circuit programmer module for KAB amps, but I haven’t used it yet because looking at pink noise with an RTA through my dbx Driverack PA2, the response looks very good already.

About the Designer:

No experience building or designing speakers, although I have been repairing and restoring them for around 20 years.
Not a lot of skill as a woodworker, but I enjoy it.

Project Parts List: