My first DIY speakers. I was originally and contemplating on a Mark Audio alpair drivers since there is a local seller but due to budget constraints it did not materialize, but later I would build one of these MAs in FHMK3. Need to save up 1st.
I looked for alternative and cheaper way and I chance upon a NOS 6.5inch woofer and a 1inch tweeter set, they are "human speaker" drivers dated Nov. 1996 made in the U.S. Research and google finds help me decide on the box designs.
I decided on a 14 liters closed box with odd sides, drawn up the plan on sketchup with a lot of revisions but very helpful on visualization. It is a truncated pyramid or trapezoidal box, there are no 90 degree side, with respect to the vertical/height baffles/front is 15 degrees and all other sides 5 degrees.
The baffles are mirrored and driver placement is odd too as they are not equidistant to any sides but you can interchange the boxes for left and right side placement.
Made a carton model 1st and adjusted some measurements.
The good thing here is that you can buy MDF or plywood in cut sizes in Wilcon like stores. I bought half 18mm MDF and started the cut, all straight only with a borrowed jigsaw(only available option).
Since you can adjust the jigsaw angle for mitre cuts, I tried so slowly to edge cut the panels according to planned shape, 80% successful as can be seen on the top side of both boxes.
Compared the carton model with the MDF cuts and was satisfied.
After a lot of filing and 80 grit sand paper the angles seems ok for the sides, front, and back so I started to glue up.
Walls and top side glue dried I put black silicone gel on all inside corners, done with the base also after it was glued and dried up.
After a lot more sanding and filing here they are ready for fitting or finish.
I decided to test fire and prelimenary tuning, only used a 10uF capacitor to the tweeters no fancy crossover being my first build.
Then the finish, since am on very tight budget and no proper tools I decided on leather and plastic/vinyl wrap. This needs only glue which I have leftovers from the MDF. I love to do wood veneers, stain, poly finish on these later when budget and everything else comes into place for now what matters most is how does it sound.
Front
Front side
Back
The Amp is from a Diyaudio guy, Tubelab SSE with Pope ECC81/12AT7 driver, Ei 6CA7 main, Sovtek 5AR4 rectifier. I won this assembled and used amp on the local bidding site. Since I still don't have a preamp, I also bought NOS Alps blue 20K Pot and a used input selector, a little drilling and solder I have a multi input attenuator(the block box on the right).
The speakers are 86/87db and the amp could drive them to normal listening modes plus I have a small room. 30 hours and it started a foot tapping experience sonically. I did not expect a bass this good with the woofer size and the highs are so right there where I want it.
That's all folks!
for now.....
