Building a home audio system- Need advice!

mandm
mandm Posts: 2
edited May 2012 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
I am currently helping my parents build a home audio system. Basically, we want to essentially put what would normally be a floor-standing speaker into the wall above a bookcase, then put some in ceiling speakers throughout the main level of their home, all running off of a speaker selector. The problem is that I have not seen a prefabricated speaker set that fits the area we are looking for. We want to build our own cabinet to fit and match what is existing, but I don't know where to buy only the speakers, the airspace requirements, etc. I'm pretty handy, and I worked in a car audio install bay for a few years, so I'm comfortable with the build and the wiring, just don't know where to get the speakers, grille cloth, etc. Can anyone help?
Post edited by mandm on
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Comments

  • Jim Shearer
    Jim Shearer Posts: 369
    edited May 2012
    Speakers designed to be free standing are not likely to do well when put into a wall. Better to select a speaker designed for that purpose--I assume that one intended for ceiling installation could be put into a wall.

    If you really want to build your own, have a look at: www.diyaudio.com
    maybe someone there has created such a speaker.

    For speaker design theory and modeling software, I recommend Martin King's site:
    www.quarter-wave.com
    His MathCAD worksheets ($25) will run under the free MathCAD Explorer program.

    Cheers, Jim
    A day without music is like a day without food.
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  • mystik610
    mystik610 Posts: 699
    edited May 2012
    Why not get in-walls with an enclosure?
    My System Showcase!

    Media Room
    Paradigm Studio 60 - Paradigm CC-690 - Paradigm ADP-390 - Epik Empire - Anthem MRX300 - Emotiva XPA-5

    Living-room
    Paradigm MilleniaOne - Rythmik F12GSE - Onkyo TX-SR805 - Adcom 5400

    Headphones
    Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear - Shure SE215 - Fiio E18 Kunlun
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  • mandm
    mandm Posts: 2
    edited May 2012
    I think I need to clarify... I want to buy the drivers only and I'll set them into a custom built enclosure that sits in the wall... Of all the ceiling/wall speakers I've seen, they either don't produce the sound I'm looking for or they don't fit my parameters or both- that and my parents are looking for a very specific look that I cannot find anywhere.

    So, to the original question- Is it possible to buy drivers only in a good, well known, highly rated brand such as Polk, cause I refuse to put Radio Shack speakers into a custom install. :)
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  • CoolJazz
    CoolJazz Posts: 570
    edited May 2012
    For raw drivers, try going to Parts Express. They are highly recommended and you can find drivers at many price points and most all other parts and pieces needed too.

    Just remember that it takes some knowledge and experience to put together drivers and cross them over and get good results.

    http://www.parts-express.com/speakers.cfm

    CJ
    A so called science type proudly says... "I do realize that I would fool myself all the time, about listening conclusions and many other observations, if I did listen before buying. That’s why I don’t, I bought all of my current gear based on technical parameters alone, such as specs and measurements."

    More amazing Internet Science Pink Panther wisdom..."My DAC has since been upgraded from Mark Levinson to Topping."
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