Dorm Setup (Revisited)

[MKader17 332]

I started the thread 2.1 Setup a while back but hit a brick wall beings I really had no clue what I wanted/needed.

So I have scratched the idea completely and am starting again from the ground up. Here is a couple options I want to consider

1. A single Full range driver BIB setup like ANeonRider's.

I figure my advantages are that things are much more cost effective, less channels of amplification, no crossovers. Its really all in the box and I can build a box.

2.Topgun mentioned a 10" with a horn setup. I really don't know all that involved with it wanted to explore that option more. (Maybe get use of a SD-1 as a midbass driver?)

3. Somewhere in between the two, or anything that acheives my goals (in other words I open to any suggestions)

My main goal is to have something that can handle my music and the occasional movie. I also frequent the game DDR so hearing the music from the game would be fun as well. I'm not afraid of building a crossover but don't care to try design one. Worring about party-proof is not a priority, and I would like to keep this build more sq oriented (I won't be blasting away carelessly at any given time as I know whatever I build will be PLENTY capable of pissing off the neighbors)

Budget is quite unknown. Obviously the first option would cost less than the first so it really depends on which way I decide to go.

My max external dimensions for the box are 13.5" Wide 24" Deep 8' Tall (ideal is around 6' Tall as it matches well with the entertainment center.)

The room is carpeted, 11' 6" Wide and 12" Deep. 99% listening will come from 8' from the speakers.

Thats all I have to say, so have at it

[ANeonRider 3]

BIB FTW.

Can always go with a larger driver, for more impact, although I'm not sure you would really need it... but what the hell.

Could try this driver: http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_i...products_id=271

If the top end isn't quite up to your tastes, you can always add a supertweet using a simple 6dB crossover.

[ANeonRider 3]

BIB thread for that driver:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread....&highlight=

[topgun 262]

Personally, BIB's are quite fricking awesome. What I would do for the dorm is a 10/12" and a Horn setup for mains, (surround sound is forgotten. (pointless especially in something like a dorm room).

The main part I found out in the dorm is getting loud and sounding half ass decent. Period.

For a 10/12" I would look for something that goes up to the 2-5kHz range then have a horn tweeter in there, get absurdly loud and have plenty of kick for whatever crzzy ass females get in your room wanting to dance. Believe me, it will happen.

I've only had experience with the Eminence 12" LTA drive in an BIB config, but I don't really have any problems with the sound so it work fine with a aifrly decent budget.

[///M5 2,833]

First time around, I say KISS principle applies. Single driver, no crossover, well designed enclosure and you are set. Best part is you will easily be able to get your money out of them or close to it anyways if you decide the upgrade bug is dominant in your personality.

[ANeonRider 3]

I really wish everyone could hear my BIBs, such a kick ass design... so simple to build. IMO nothing beats single driver systems that can nail the full audio spectrum!

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

Scott, want to post up enclosure design for others who might be interested in doing something very similar?

[JimJ 11]

It's already up...in many places

http://www.zillaspeak.com has good info and plans, DIYAudio has a wealth of information in the Full Range section.

http://www.frugel-horn.com should be a stop for anyone interested in this kind of thing, they have some good alternatives to BIB's, if corners aren't an option...

[sqguy 0]

Just an off the wall suggestion, but many years ago I built a bandpass box with a 4ohm DVC 10 tuned to about 40Hz before it dropped off. It was larger box than you are talking, maybe an 8 would work too. Anyway I simply hooked it in parallel to a set of nice quality bookshelf speakers off a sony home amp of about 35w/ch. I had the box under my PC desk and it was hooked up to my PC, but then I could run the radio as well as CDs/MP3s. It sounded nice and fairly loud in a small room....with little work or cost. Being 4 ohm the sub was louder to a point, and most home amps will run that low an ohm load if you only run one set of speakers. The bookshelves I had seemed to handle the bass ok or I could have put some caps on them.

Later I did build an 8 but it didn't work. When I got winISD I checked it and the 8 was a IB driver with huge twin peaks...it sucked in a BP box. The 10 was good, I got lucky. I built them out of a radio shack book kind of guessing. Should get an 8 for that box come to think of it. After a while I got a surround set for the PC (for games of course) but did use the BP 10 in a car once with good results.

[ANeonRider 3]

Hmm, he's not talking about a subwoofer.

[sqguy 0]

I like deep bass, especially with movies. Figured it would be easy way to it with whatever speakers he used assuming they were smaller to fit a dorm. Just an idea that worked well for me. I like the full range idea too maybe some day I'll make some....but most can not reach low anyway, or not low enough for me. I did miss the 8' tall size though.

[Tmax98 3]

I like deep bass, especially with movies. Figured it would be easy way to it with whatever speakers he used assuming they were smaller to fit a dorm. Just an idea that worked well for me. I like the full range idea too maybe some day I'll make some....but most can not reach low anyway, or not low enough for me. I did miss the 8' tall size though.

smaller in a dorm no thanks! lol

want bigger to piss of the neighbors who piss us off! Muahahaha!

[MKader17 332]

Alright so I'm going to go with option 1. Full Range, single driver. I'm sure I can find a driver that satisfies the top end sizzle as I prefer my top end more mellow anyways

Alright so now for decisions...

Pre-Amp (Will need 3 RCA Inputs) (Brands? Price Range?) Will a need a pre-amp with sub output for possible later upgrades?

Amplifier (2 Channels, I assume I won't need very much Wattage) (Brands? Price?)

Speaker (I was thinking around 5- 6" would provide me with a good low end for my room)

Wood (which kind of wood should I use for this project)

I believe this is all I need besides misc stuff

Here is a picture of the color scheme of the room

Edit: And yes Sean that is Halliday Resnick and Walker on the corner table

Edited November 12, 2007 by MKader17

[Ga foo 88 0]

Can someone explain to me what the measurements go with like for example: sm, and the line measurement?

Also is the Fostex FF165 a good choice?

[MKader17 332]

Since I don't know prices for home audio

What would be a good price to pick these up for (and are they good at all for my needs)

ADCOM PRE-AMPLIFER GFP555 STEREO W MANUAL

Adcom GFA-535 2-channel power amp

[JimJ 11]

Adcom gear is solid for what it goes for used. The auctions you see on Ebay are usually pretty much what the stuff is worth, it's not too terribly expensive. Of course, I'd probably recommend something like restoring a used Dynaco ST-70 for that price, but that's just me

I've never owned anything with a powered sub output, and my Rava doesn't seem to mind. If you're using a plate amp with high level inputs, you can get away without one.

The FF165 is actually preferred over the FE166/167 line of drivers for the BIB. You also don't get any nastiness caused by a whizzer cone either. I know the DIYAudio BIB thread has '165 dimensions in it, either Scottmoose or GM has posted them up at one time or another.

For a pure full range, 4.5"-6" seems to be the sweet spot between bass extension and top end response. A 3" driver requires huge cabinets to have meaningful bass impact, and 8's have a tendency to be beamy and rolled off on the top end...

As for materials, these have been built out of pretty much anything you can make a speaker out of...MDF, birch ply, all depends on how you want them finished. Mine are mash-ups of birch ply, white pine and red oak.

[topgun 262]

Edit: And yes Sean that is Halliday Resnick and Walker on the corner table

I have that same book, currently have the second half for EP II, not sure which half you have there.

[MKader17 332]

I only wish I had the ability to restore a tube amp lol.

thanks for the info. Any other brands you like for pre amps and amps, the Adcom price is pretty much my budget if I can get away with it.

[topgun 262]

Speaking of tube amps, I need to get farther on my two project tube amps...

[JimJ 11]

I only wish I had the ability to restore a tube amp lol.

It's easier than you think, and you'll get the chance to learn totally out of date and non-transferable skills

[MKader17 332]

Alright I'm going to try to pick up the Adcom amp.

Now for the speakers. I wouldn't mind a driver super sexae looking like Neons Build... preferably at the larger end of the optimal spectrum

[JimJ 11]

I happen to think the Fostex banana cones are sexy myself, but I also think Unimogs look good so my aesthetic taste is twisted, I know...

[topgun 262]

I happen to think the Fostex banana cones are sexy myself, but I also think Unimogs look good so my aesthetic taste is twisted, I know...

You also drive the Bat Cave... Your aesthetic taste is beyond twisted.

But yes, the Fostex drivers do look sexy.

[MKader17 332]

I'm not to found of the little Shrek bumb in the middle, (I think thats called the Whizzer).

I saw the FF165K on zilla speak but he used a supertweet as well.

I'm really thinking about using the CSS but was kinda hoping to use a 5+ driver and $70 a driver was a lil more than I wanted to spend

[MKader17 332]

and sensitivity seems on the low side though with the amp I was looking at I guess that wouldn't be a problem