Wanting to build cheap floorstanding speakers

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Jonboy
Jonboy Posts: 28
edited June 2007 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
I am considering trying to build some floor standing speakers since the R-50's have now sold out at Fry's. I am considering using the Dayton Reference 7"
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=295-364
and the cheaper tweeter
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=275-135
I really have no idea where to start when it comes to picking the speakers and how it will sound. Is a 7" to big will I need something smaller to go with it? Would I be better off with 2 speakers or leaving it at one? Or going with one 7" and using better tweeter?
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=275-130
Are these speakers better than whats used in the R50 line of speakers? Any suggestions welcome. I have everything I need to build the box but knowing what to pick to go in it I am clueless. My budget is about $150 for the speakers/crossovers needed. Any suggestions?
Post edited by Jonboy on
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited May 2007
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    http://www.partsexpress.com/projectshowcase/homeaudio.cfm

    Browse the project showcase, for tried and tested designs. If you are just going to buy blindly, and want to keep the crossover design simple - try to get 8 ohm drivers so you can maintain absolute phase at 4 ohm. Try to find drivers that match within 1 or 2db efficiency, and have useable response beyond whatever your crossover point is going to be.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited May 2007
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    Jonboy ,here are some links to hi quality designs using the PE and other drivers http://www.zaphaudio.com/ http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=13154
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,085
    edited May 2007
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    Partsexpress also has a forum, and some projects online, too.
    Someone at audiokarma just built some sort of chimera that used (I believe) the 7" driver to which you refer in the remains of a pair of EV Marquis cabinets. I would consider this heretical, but YMMV.
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  • Jonboy
    Jonboy Posts: 28
    edited May 2007
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    Thanks for all the help so far, I really want to use a 2 speaker and tweeter setup at this point. I am wanting to use the 8" reference and a 6" to match it. My idea is to port the 8" in the front bottom but then just leaving the other speaker sealed. Is this ok and will they work well together? I have some ideas going in my head on how I want it to look and started off wanting something normal and box looking but the pic is what I have come up with.

    This is the speakers I am wanting to use.
    8"
    http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=295-366

    6"
    http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=295-362

    Tweeters
    http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=275-135

    Or

    http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=275-075
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  • Jonboy
    Jonboy Posts: 28
    edited May 2007
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    With these being 8ohm speakers I am not going to be able to do this am I? Also I just have a 100w 5 year old Yamaha receiver thinking its 8ohm only.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited May 2007
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    PE has a great sale on HiVi, and Audax speakers. I would go for the Audax.
    For tweets Morel MDT20 can't be beat for the buck, second choice Vifa.
    Dayton is PE's brand, and trust me from experience they don't back up there own brand.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Jonboy
    Jonboy Posts: 28
    edited May 2007
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    Those tweeters are not shielded since the are small is this less of an issue? I have looked at the Audax and they will work just the same.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited May 2007
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    Jonboy ,the drivers you linked to in post #5 are very good but be advised that designing a passive 3way crossover that will properly blend and get the best performance from them is NOT a simple task. Using an off the shelf crossover or one designed using formulas will not do those drivers justice.I would go with a design that already has a crossover properly engineered for it.

    I like your design idea in the pic.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • digitalman
    digitalman Posts: 13
    edited June 2007
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    Yes you should go with one of the htguide designs, they are all very good and extensively tested.
    Onkyo TX-SR806 hdmi receiver
    Polk RT1000p Mains, Polk CS400 Center, Advent Surrounds
    Carver M-1.5 Bi-Amp on center
    Carver M-1.5t on mains
    Panasonic AE-3000u 1080p Projector
    Draper 133" LumeLectric screen
    Directv HR-20 Dual Channel PVR
    Popcornhour A-110 Media Player
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