If you are familiar with audio systems, you will quickly realize that one of the smartest moves you can make is to make your speaker. It is one of the most cost-effective, simplistic and productive DIY tasks you can engage in.
You can complete some projects in a few days, and there are others that you will take you years to finish. A standard kit for speakers will cost you about $100, but if you want to add extra accessories or use the most sophisticated kits, then your budget can easily reach thousands of dollars.
You need to get your clamps, sawdust production zone, drill, wood glue, table saw and a jigsaw to start the DIY. You are ready to start making your customized speakers once you have all these items in place. The following steps help make your speaker:
Basis of the DIY
Some people may wonder why making a speaker should be a DIY when you can walk into an electronic store and buy one. The number one reason here is that you will be saving yourself many bucks if you choose to make the speakers on your own. You will be able to save up to thousands of dollars if done well.
Saving on cost is not the only reason; being able to do so according to your taste is another good reason.
Building a speaker also means that you can ensure excellent audio quality. Instead of wasting hundreds of dollars on speaker wire, you can get all these done yourself. Let’s begin.
Commence with a Kit
Place an order for your kit from your reliable supplier. You will need to work out the design and dimensions of the box required. You can even get details of reliable suppliers from them.
Familiarise Yourself with the Resources
It would help if you took the time to familiarize yourself with all the resources you will use in the activity. You can even take this a step ahead by checking websites that discuss DIY speakers extensively. There are so many designs, technologies and driver options, and you are at liberty to choose anyone that best suits your purpose.
Choose the Components or Kit
Start the selection of your kit or the drivers for the speaker that you want to build. Even though there is a spirited discussion on which driver is the best, you can always select the one that best suits your needs.
Whatever the case, some factors and parameters have to be taken into consideration. These include the kit designer, reviews, price, designer specs alongside requirements, sensitivity dB, history and brand specifications.
Do not rush at this stage; be patient when you are learning about the speaker components and the technologies you will like to use. Tweeters come in different categories: soft dome tweeters, horn tweeters, and the inverted metal dome tweeters. Other selections include bullet tweeters, coaxial drivers, piezo tweeters, and flared tweeters. You get to choose the one that has the best configuration for your tasks.
Select a Cabinet
Selecting a cabinet is the next step following the selection of the drivers. At this stage, remember to make use of your component provider for the selection of a box design that best fits your particular parts. Those constructing a kit should incorporate their crossover plans and drivers.
Factors crucial for the cabinet design include the volume, amount of bracing needed, the thickness of the material, sealing or porting, and the height for tweeter mounting. The tweeter has to be mounted in a way that corresponds to the ears of the listeners.
Cutting of the Speaker Panels
The panels for the speakers must be dense, possess thick walls and should be properly constructed. The whole cabinet has to be made using a 1.5-inch material. Draw the plans on paper first then cut them out using sheets. It is the plan you have drawn that will guide your cuts.
Marking and Cutting of Support Panels
Support is usually made using ¾ materials. There should also be internal support panels and these should be fixed near the woofers or places where there have to be reinforcements.
Marking and Cutting Biscuit Joints
Biscuit joints are used in fixing the speaker cabinets. They all have to align smoothly on all faces. The first step is to mark the adjacent surfaces using codes or patterns of your choice. Put the markings where the biscuit joints will be located, then clamp the boards on the table. You can use two biscuits for each joint with the cabinets.
Join the Cabinet Sides Together Using Glue
The top, sides, and bottoms form the initial section of the cabinet. Everything should be placed on an expansive and flat level surface. The glue acts quickly, so you have to be swift in putting the parts together. You may get someone to help you if need be. Once all the biscuits are glued, you can proceed to do the assembly. Then fix the faces and edges together and build the cabinet.
Make the Recesses and Holes for the Drivers
The circles have to cut first before the recesses can be made. The pattern to be used must be neatly traced, drawn and cut. The patterns should be put on the front face surface.
- Put the holes for the ports, terminal cups, and other parts.
- Fix the support braces using glue.
- Add the back panel using glue.
- Do installation of the dampening material.
- Fix the crossovers.
- The front panels should be glued to the cabinets.
- Sanding should be done so the edges can become smooth.
- Go through the finishing options again and finish the entire cabinet.
- Fix the cabinet spikes, port flanges, ports, and the terminal cups.
- Do an installation of the drivers for tower speakers or plate amp for the subwoofer.
- Test your speaker, and you are ready to enjoy your product!
