DIY Speaker Building, Repairing, & Upgrading - Blu-ray Forum

Big Daddy · 12-02-2009, 10:07 AM

Please post your DIY speaker projects in this thread. It will be very helpful if you include pictures.

Check the following:

Big Daddy's DIY speakers with full-range drivers in Post #116, Post #176, and Post #194. Also, Post #912, Post #918, Post #920, Post #946, Post #948, and Post #949 in my gallery.
Istoc's 3-Way DIY speakers in Post #231.
Reference 's Front Speakers and Center Channel Speaker building threads.
Beerserker's DIY speakers in Post #105.

==================================================

COMPONENTS OF A SPEAKER DRIVER

How a Speaker Works Animation:

http://static.howstuffworks.com/flas...er-working.swf

IMPORTANT LINKS FOR SPEAKER KITS, PARTS, REPAIRS, AND UPGRADES

LCY 100K, $518 a pair:
http://estore.websitepros.com/1736754/Detail.bok?no=323
http://diyclub.biz/catalog/product_i...roducts_id=433
http://www.lcy.com.hk/
http://www.madisound.com/catalog/pro...oducts_id=8293
Fostex Super Tweeters:
http://www.fostexinternational.com/d...Tweeters.shtml
http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/super-tweeters/
VMPS Ambience Tweeter:
http://www.vmpseurope.com/news.htm#AT
http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/i...?topic=51181.0
4PI PLUS.2:
http://www.elac.com/en/products/six100/4piplus_2.html
Teac's Tannoy ST-100:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/01/t...super-tweeter/
Grant Fidelity Super Tweeters:
http://grantfidelity.com/site/Grant_..._Super_Tweeter
Murata ES103:
http://www.blackdahlia.com/html/tip_48.html
Tonian Laboratories:
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazin...onian_tlr1.htm
Townshend, Maxxim Super Tweeter:
http://www.audiosalon.co.uk/townshendmaxxim.html
http://www.stereophile.com/artdudley...ing/index.html
http://www.musicdirect.com/product/74495
Technical Pro External Tweeters:
http://www.technicalhifi.com/cats.ph...451ef31b3c1610
http://www.millionbuy.com/pyrtw28.html
Pyle Pro:
http://www.pyleaudio.com/itemdetail....s&model=PDBT35
http://www.buy.com/prod/pyle-pyle-pr...205853093.html

Big Daddy · 12-02-2009, 10:10 AM

MY POLK UPGRADE PROJECT

I own a pair of Polk RTA-15TL. They were the top-of the line non SDA Polk speakers from 1990 to 1992. They were listed for $1,400 back then and I paid $1,100 for them. These are the specifications:

Drivers
One 1 inch (25 mm) SL 3000 Dome Tweeter
Four 6.5 inch (165 mm) Trilaminate Polymer Bass-Midrange Drivers (6503)
Two 10 inch (254 mm) Sub-Bass Radiators, One High-Resonance, One Low-Resonance
Frequency Response
20 Hz - 26 kHz
-3 db Limits
35 Hz - 25kHz
Recommended Amplification
30-250 Watts/Channel
Impedance
Compatible with 8 Ohms Output
Efficiency
90 db
Size
43"H (109.2 cm), 12.5" W (31.7 cm), 15.5" D (39.4 cm)
Shipping Weight
77 lbs (34.9 kg)

Polk Audio has developed new silk dome tweeters (RD0198-1) that fit the Polk RTA and SDA models. They are about $150 a pair, but if you join Club Polk, you get a discount and they will charge you only $100. It is always a good idea to get your spouse involved. I asked Mrs. Big Daddy to call Polk and order the new tweeters. She is catching the upgraditis virus very fast. They arrived after a few days and I got busy. Here is a pictorial demonstration of how I replaced the tweeters.

This picture is taken with the old SL 3000 tweeter:

This is the Polk RTA-15TL speaker with the new RD0198-1 tweeter:

ADDING SUPER TWEETERS

Craziness did not stop with replacing the tweeters. I had to do something else and that something else cost me a lot of money.

The final step was to add a pair of ribbon super tweeters. Let’s hope this is the final step. Super tweeters cost from a couple of hundred dollars to a couple of thousand dollars. Initially, I was tempted to buy Townshend super tweeters, but they cost $1,400 a pair. After exhaustive research, I settled for a pair of LCY 100K super tweeters from E-Speakers.Com for about $580, including tax and shipping. Their frequency reponse are rated up to 100kHz with two built-in crossover settings. They also have a beautiful metallic case with locks. The reviews are very good.

Attaching them is very easy. You simply connect them to the binding posts of the main speakers and place them on top of your speakers. You can tweak their position and direction a little bit until you get the desired sound.

The speakers sound so much better. I just listened to Dead Can Dance: Into the Labyrinth. The CD has a lot of high and low frequency music in it. I am not exaggerating, the improvement in sound is almost 100%. I hear things that I never knew existed on the album. After an added subwoofer, new tweeters, and a pair of super tweeters, I believe the speakers have been converted to $20,000 speakers.

This is a picture of the equipment that drive the Polk speakers.

Polk Audio Silk Dome Tweeters:
1-800-377-7655
http://www.polkaudio.com
2 x RD0198-1, $100 (with Club Polk discount)

crazyBLUE · 12-02-2009, 10:13 AM

Good Morning Big Daddy .

Do you think I should post up how I did my TSi-300's

Big Daddy · 12-02-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Good Morning Big Daddy .

Do you think I should post up how I did my TSi-300's

You can do that. There are a few people who feel we should separate the DIY subwoofers from the DIY speakers.

Somehow I am not able to edit my posts and save them. I want to add more links to post #2 and it won't let me.

crazyBLUE · 12-02-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

You can do that. There are a few people who feel we should separate the DIY subwoofers from the DIY speakers.

Somehow I am not able to edit my posts and save them. I want to add more links to post #2 and it won't let me.

I think you should wake iceman up & have him get right on it & fix it

I will see if I can come up with something like I did in the other thread . this next weekend .

Good luck solving the problem !

Fors* · 12-02-2009, 11:45 AM

Another great sticky BD.....thank you!

Animo · 12-02-2009, 01:18 PM

Where was this thread 11 years ago when I built my mains???
I can show finished pictures, but not the build.

Beerserker · 12-04-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

...It is always a good idea to get your spouse involved. I asked Mrs. Big Daddy to call Polk and order the new tweeters. She is catching the upgraditis virus very fast.

he,he,he

Verner Delleholm · 01-10-2010, 08:29 AM

Interesting read, good post mate!

Beerserker · 01-15-2010, 03:38 AM

I just finished up the mains and will post some pictures in a day or two. They are not "finished" finished as the veneer is still raw and needs its final treatments, but they are up and playing. I will reserve a detailed review for a couple of days to let my ears acclimate to their sound and finish fiddling with placement, toe-in and such but I will give an initial assessment.

The bass these things produce steals the show. Prodigious and clear, the quad of Daytons (Eight counting both speakers) simply perform great. Using four per speaker has really allowed awesome bass production while not pushing the drivers too hard, thus keeping distortion low. Mid-bass impact on drum beats is soooo quick, hard and defined, I was grinning quite an evil grin.

The mids are very detailed, strings and acoustic guitars sound awesome. Reference level recordings sound superb. However I think I detect a little harshness on less well produced material. Female pop vocals sound a little hot for my taste, although more classically trained female vocalists sound wonderful. I think this is probably a factor induced by production technique more then anything else. After measurement I may end up tweaking certain areas in the mid range, or play some more with the chamber stuffing and such. Not unexpected as very detailed speakers are notoriously unforgiving. Not too concerned, honestly I don't listen to much pop.

Not much to say about the highs, they don't disappoint. Seem to have proper sparkle and accuracy.

I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations as far as measuring equipment. I was just going to use REW and a Galaxy CM-140 to do some tests out in the desert, but am interested if anyone has suggestions as to better inexpensive equipment to use. REW is free after all, that's why I use it.

Full update and pics to come later.

Big Daddy · 01-15-2010, 09:51 PM

After toying with different plans to build two speakers for my two-channel room, I finally decided to make two folded horn cabinets with 8" Fostex full-range drivers and Fostex super tweeters. Initially, I planned to make line array speakers with nine mid-range/woofer drivers and one ribbon tweeter, but I realized that they would become too large (at least 50 inches tall) and I don't have room for speakers anymore. After that, I started thinking in terms of modified MTM desings with multiple mid-range drivers and built-in subwoofers. Finally, I settled on full-range drivers as I had never owned them. For music and two-channel applications, they are absolutely the best.

Folded horn design enables the enclosure to contain a longer sound path which amplifies the bass frequencies while keeping the cabinet small in size. These horns, with the rear of the driver loaded by a bass horn, help a full range driver produce more bass with less work.

This is my tentative plan for the cabinet.

HornCabinet.jpg

The approximate size is H: 35", W: 13", D: 17".

I ordered the full-range drivers and the super tweeters along with some capacitors and binding post. The hardest part is to wait a week for the parts and get ready to build the cabinets. Usually, finishing the cabinets and deciding on the color is the most difficult part of the project.

These are pictures of some DIY horn loaded full-range speakers.

http://www.frugal-horn.com/gallery.html

It appears that I may have to sell my beloved vintage Polk RTA15TL speakers. They were among the last speakers that Matthew Polk designed in early 1990's and share the same drivers as the SDA speakers. I am very happy with them and love their sound, but I need to make room before I get killed by the WAF. She doesn't know about my evil plans.

I also have about 8 brand new and unused 6.5 inch drivers, 4 silk dome tweeters, and 2 two-way crossovers. The drivers are made by Polk and are the same drivers they used in their RT speakers in mid/late 1990's. The crossovers are made by Boston Acoustics. These drivers are ideal for DIY speaker makers who plan to build 3 or 4 MTM speakers or two tower speakers with 4 mid-range drivers and one tweeter and perhaps a 10"-12" woofer.

mdabb · 01-15-2010, 10:26 PM

Big D, I'm sure you are aware, but just in case. It may be useful to you.

http://fullrangedriver.com/

Edit: Sorry Big D, I see that you have that site listed already...........

Here's another that might interest you.

http://www.planet10-hifi.com/

I'm still up in the air about which way I'm gonna go. Either a simple monitor size two way, using ScanSpeak drivers. Leaving the x-over design & build up to Solen. Or been wanting a full range driver project using the Fostex FE207E supplemented with a ribbon tweet (undecided).

I think the two way design is better off for me currently. Then I can use it in a simple bedroom setup. Guess I'm trying to fill the upgrade/new toy void with a DIY.....

mangosta · 09-10-2011, 11:11 AM

My Sony speakers had no crossover, no surprise there, only a small capacitor that serves as a filter to prevent low frequencies from reaching the tweeter, after reading a lot about crossovers, I started my first project to improve the quality of my speakers, no is that I can not buy a set of first class speakers, the way I chose to get a good sound quality is longer but more rewarding from my perspective.

I have not designed these crossovers, just find which best fits my need according to the components of my loudspeakers. Do not try to have "audiophile" sound but I want to get a clear and pleasant sound.

I really enjoy DIY, and I suffer from Audio-addiction, I found that both of them go very well together, DIY is a very cheap remedy for my pain, LOL

kareface · 01-15-2010, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beerserker

I just finished up the mains and will post some pictures in a day or two. They are not "finished" finished as the veneer is still raw and needs its final treatments, but they are up and playing. I will reserve a detailed review for a couple of days to let my ears acclimate to their sound and finish fiddling with placement, toe-in and such but I will give an initial assessment.

The bass these things produce steals the show. Prodigious and clear, the quad of Daytons (Eight counting both speakers) simply perform great. Using four per speaker has really allowed awesome bass production while not pushing the drivers too hard, thus keeping distortion low. Mid-bass impact on drum beats is soooo quick, hard and defined, I was grinning quite an evil grin.

The mids are very detailed, strings and acoustic guitars sound awesome. Reference level recordings sound superb. However I think I detect a little harshness on less well produced material. Female pop vocals sound a little hot for my taste, although more classically trained female vocalists sound wonderful. I think this is probably a factor induced by production technique more then anything else. After measurement I may end up tweaking certain areas in the mid range, or play some more with the chamber stuffing and such. Not unexpected as very detailed speakers are notoriously unforgiving. Not too concerned, honestly I don't listen to much pop.

Not much to say about the highs, they don't disappoint. Seem to have proper sparkle and accuracy.

I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations as far as measuring equipment. I was just going to use REW and a Galaxy CM-140 to do some tests out in the desert, but am interested if anyone has suggestions as to better inexpensive equipment to use. REW is free after all, that's why I use it.

Full update and pics to come later.

Nice, I'm looking forward to seeing the final product. I use a plugin called justMLS but you have to have a copy of LSP Cad for it to work. I know that a lot of DIY designers use the program and I can highly recommend it for basic measurements.

Quote:

Finally, I settled on full-range drivers as I had never owned them. For music and two-channel applications, they are absolutely the best.

I am looking forward to seeing the results. What driver did you end up going with and what degree of output do you believe you can pull with the design?

crazyBLUE · 01-16-2010, 12:23 AM

Big Daddy , I am so glad you are doing this & can't wait to see it in pics ! Just hide it all from the Wife & you will be good to go

The link has some beautiful & interesting looking

speakers

After this I will start calling you crazy Big Daddy

Big Daddy · 01-16-2010, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Big Daddy , I am so glad you are doing this & can't wait to see it in pics ! Just hide it all from the Wife & you will be good to go

The link has some beautiful & interesting looking

speakers

After this I will start calling you crazy Big Daddy

Pi Speakers sells kits for crazy looking folded horn speakers and subwoofers. I like this one the best.

cornerhorn.jpg

I think you should build some MTM speakers to fill all the sound holes in your condo.

You can buy the cabinets or build them yourself.

Sancho Panza · 04-14-2013, 01:11 PM

BD, searched here and posted this at the Klipsch site, didn't get an answer...

How do you replace a woofer, or sub woofer (drone)?

Thanks

Big Daddy · 04-27-2013, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sancho Panza

BD, searched here and posted this at the Klipsch site, didn't get an answer...

How do you replace a woofer, or sub woofer (drone)?

Thanks

I am sorry I did not see this question earlier. I normally get bombarded with private messages and questions.

Check the DIY Subwoofer Building, Repairing, & Upgrading thread. You will find your answer there.

Sancho Panza · 04-27-2013, 09:24 PM

thank you, but I don't wanna know bad enough to sort through 28 pages

WillGehring · 06-27-2013, 12:49 PM

Sound Gurus,

I wonder if you can offer me some suggestions. I am looking at getting into the DIY world but I know nothing about it, so I need a good beginner project. I am intrigued by full-range drivers and I do plan on building a full-range horn design in the future, but for my first build I would like to learn how to construct a crossover so I'm searching for a 2-way design.

I want to keep the cost under $200 for the pair (for parts only, no cabinets), and ideally even under $150 since I am not aiming for a world-beating pair of speakers, just a good sounding learning project. I know that I can buy a kit for a basic Dayton audio bookshelf here but I was wondering if you all know of other cheap kits that might be a little more interesting. This may or may not be in-budget, but I've always loved the idea of a ribbon tweeter. Anyone know of a ribbon or planar tweeter design in that price range?

-Will

01-15-2010, 10:26 PM	#12
mdabb Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Trading Score:1	Big D, I'm sure you are aware, but just in case. It may be useful to you. http://fullrangedriver.com/ Edit: Sorry Big D, I see that you have that site listed already........... Here's another that might interest you. http://www.planet10-hifi.com/ I'm still up in the air about which way I'm gonna go. Either a simple monitor size two way, using ScanSpeak drivers. Leaving the x-over design & build up to Solen. Or been wanting a full range driver project using the Fostex FE207E supplemented with a ribbon tweet (undecided). I think the two way design is better off for me currently. Then I can use it in a simple bedroom setup. Guess I'm trying to fill the upgrade/new toy void with a DIY..... Last edited by mdabb; 01-15-2010 at 10:41 PM.

09-10-2011, 11:11 AM	#13
mangosta Expert Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2010 Location:Quito, Ecuador Home Theater Gallery:217 Blu-ray collection:351	Installing crossovers in the main speakers My Sony speakers had no crossover, no surprise there, only a small capacitor that serves as a filter to prevent low frequencies from reaching the tweeter, after reading a lot about crossovers, I started my first project to improve the quality of my speakers, no is that I can not buy a set of first class speakers, the way I chose to get a good sound quality is longer but more rewarding from my perspective. I have not designed these crossovers, just find which best fits my need according to the components of my loudspeakers. Do not try to have "audiophile" sound but I want to get a clear and pleasant sound. I really enjoy DIY, and I suffer from Audio-addiction, I found that both of them go very well together, DIY is a very cheap remedy for my pain, LOL

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
DIY Subwoofer Building, Repairing, & Upgrading	Subwoofers	Big Daddy	1127	09-07-2015 02:10 AM
Speaker cable sleeving DIY	Home Theater Construction	Johk	173	07-01-2014 12:50 AM
Repairing a Controller	PS3	Steve	2	03-03-2010 11:47 PM
Building a riser. First time diy.	Home Theater Construction	Infrared Sight	38	11-18-2009 07:15 PM
DIY speaker forum?	Feedback Forum	Driver_King	3	05-18-2008 01:24 AM

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

12-02-2009, 10:07 AM	#1
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	DIY Speaker Building, Repairing, & Upgrading Please post your DIY speaker projects in this thread. It will be very helpful if you include pictures. Check the following: Big Daddy's DIY speakers with full-range drivers in Post #116, Post #176, and Post #194. Also, Post #912, Post #918, Post #920, Post #946, Post #948, and Post #949 in my gallery. Istoc's 3-Way DIY speakers in Post #231. Reference 's Front Speakers and Center Channel Speaker building threads. Beerserker's DIY speakers in Post #105. ================================================== COMPONENTS OF A SPEAKER DRIVER How a Speaker Works Animation: http://static.howstuffworks.com/flas...er-working.swf IMPORTANT LINKS FOR SPEAKER KITS, PARTS, REPAIRS, AND UPGRADES Introduction to Electronics: http://www.101science.com/Radio.htm Speaker Kits http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-702, Watch the videos at the end of the page. http://www.parts-express.com/webpage...ctGroup_ID=769 http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...omo=&srchAttr= http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...gn=email013113 http://www.gr-research.com/index.asp...ATS&Category=2 http://www.zalytron.com/ http://www.theloudspeakerkit.com/sho...egoryType=kits http://www.occamaudio.com/kits.html http://www.selahaudio.com/id268.html http://meniscusaudio.com/systems-kits-c-133.html http://www.madisound.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=178 http://www.pispeakers.com/catalog/default.php http://www.solen.ca/pub/index.php?q=...50cmVyPSZpPTQ= http://www.decware.com/newsite/speakers.html http://www.linkwitzlab.com/Wood%20Ar...%20LL-home.htm http://www.woodartistry.com/speakers/index.html http://speaker-parts.worldomain.net/...aker_Kits.html http://www.seas.no/index.php?option=...d=28&Itemid=38 http://www.fountek.com.au/products/ss-kit/ http://www.craftyhands.net/Audio.htm http://www.steinaudio.com/ Exotic Speaker Design http://www.parts-express.com/project...m?project=hoss http://www.parts-express.com/project...ect=TheSyphons http://www.parts-express.com/project...roject=Colossi http://www.linkwitzlab.com/ http://www.frugal-horn.com/ Speaker Buiding Books http://www.amazon.com/Loudspeaker-De.../dp/1882580109 http://www.amazon.com/Speaker-Buildi...217891&sr=8-27 http://www.amazon.com/Designing-Buil...8217749&sr=8-1 http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-L...8217724&sr=8-2 http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...CAT&srchCat=72 http://search.barnesandnoble.com/boo...-9780240520148 Many Speaker Building Titles: http://www.partsconnexion.com/books.html Speaker and Crossover Design & Calculators: http://www.diyaudioandvideo.com/ https://forum.blu-ray.com/subwoofers...-settings.html Understanding Speaker Technology: http://www.ht-audio.com/pages/SpeakerBasics.html http://www.ecoustics.com/Home/Home_A...les/alpha.html http://www.educypedia.be/electronics/loudspeakers.htm http://www.fostexinternational.com/d...erview_1.shtml Full-Range Drivers http://fullrangedriver.com/forum/ http://fullrangedriver.com/singledriver/ http://diyaudioprojects.com/Drivers/FE127E/FE127E.htm http://www.fostexspeakers.com/fostex.html http://www.markaudio.com/ http://www.voxativ.com/eng/ Super Tweeters LCY 100K, $518 a pair: http://estore.websitepros.com/1736754/Detail.bok?no=323 http://diyclub.biz/catalog/product_i...roducts_id=433 http://www.lcy.com.hk/ http://www.madisound.com/catalog/pro...oducts_id=8293 Fostex Super Tweeters: http://www.fostexinternational.com/d...Tweeters.shtml http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/super-tweeters/ VMPS Ambience Tweeter: http://www.vmpseurope.com/news.htm#AT http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/i...?topic=51181.0 4PI PLUS.2: http://www.elac.com/en/products/six100/4piplus_2.html Teac's Tannoy ST-100: http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/01/t...super-tweeter/ Grant Fidelity Super Tweeters: http://grantfidelity.com/site/Grant_..._Super_Tweeter Murata ES103: http://www.blackdahlia.com/html/tip_48.html Tonian Laboratories: http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazin...onian_tlr1.htm Townshend, Maxxim Super Tweeter: http://www.audiosalon.co.uk/townshendmaxxim.html http://www.stereophile.com/artdudley...ing/index.html http://www.musicdirect.com/product/74495 Technical Pro External Tweeters: http://www.technicalhifi.com/cats.ph...451ef31b3c1610 http://www.millionbuy.com/pyrtw28.html Pyle Pro: http://www.pyleaudio.com/itemdetail....s&model=PDBT35 http://www.buy.com/prod/pyle-pyle-pr...205853093.html Parts, Repairs, and Upgrades http://meniscusaudio.com/index.php http://www.parts-express.com http://www.partsconnexion.com/ (Located in Canada) http://creativesound.ca/ (Located in Canada) http://www.speakerrepair.com/mm5/merchant.mvc http://www.reliablehardware.com/ http://www.newfoam.com/wood.asp Active & Passive Crossovers: http://www.marchandelec.com/index.html Active Crossovers: http://www.creativesound.ca/products.php?make=Reckhorn Resetting Loose Driver Magnets: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=202963 Dave Schulte, Upgrade Company: http://upgradecompany.com/ Vintage Audio Repair: http://www.oldsoundequipment.com/index.html http://www.solen.ca/pub/index.php?q=...50cmVyPSZpPTQ= http://www.speakerex.com/ http://www.simplyspeakers.com/ http://www.speakercity.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc? http://www.madisound.com/ http://www.oaktreeent.com/Polk-Audio_Speaker_Parts.htm http://www.speakerdoctor.com/diaphragms.html http://www.lab-acoustics.com/shop/?cart=171309&cat=1& http://www.mcmelectronics.com/ http://www.e-speakers.com/ http://www.onlyfactorydirect.net/ http://www.goldpt.com/prices.html http://www.mouser.com/search/Default.aspx Cabinet Coverings Vinyl Laminate Covering http://www.parts-express.com/webpage...ctGroup_ID=135 Veneer Covering http://www.parts-express.com/webpage...ctGroup_ID=832 Melamine Covering http://www.parts-express.com/webpage...ctGroup_ID=828 Speaker Terminals & Binding Posts http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...AT&srchCat=417 http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...TOKEN=97751564 http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...TOKEN=97751564 Speaker Gasketing Tape http://www.parts-express.com/webpage...ctGroup_ID=818 Screws and T Nuts http://www.profhdwr.com/55008.htm http://www.parts-express.com/webpage...ctGroup_ID=829 http://www.parts-express.com/webpage...ctGroup_ID=830 http://www.parts-express.com/webpage...ctGroup_ID=831 Spikes and Isolation Feet: http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=spe...ikes&_osacat=0 http://www.oregondv.com/spikes.htm http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...hFilter=spikes http://www.reliablehardware.com/ http://www.av-outlet.com/index.html?...tml&lang=en-us http://www.soundproofcow.com/sound-i...n-control.html http://www.drillspot.com/tag/vibration-isolator/ http://www.fullcompass.com/product/316672.html http://www.fullcompass.com/product/239266.html http://www.fullcompass.com/product/239265.html http://www.fullcompass.com/product/239264.html Casters: https://www.sescasters.com/scripts/i...rface=products http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...atalogId=10053 Cabinet Dampening Material: Acousta-Stuf Polyfill 1 lb. Bag, $10.80 http://www.parts-express.com/webpage...up_ID=137&SO=2 You can use Poly-Fil filler material available at Wal-mart and most craft and fabric stores. They are a lot cheaper. http://www.amazon.com/Air-lite-Premi...6325423&sr=8-1 http://www.poly-fil.com/fiberfill.asp Vinyl Sound Damping Sheet 10" x 13", $4.25 ea + Shipping http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=268-030 1/2" Acoustic Foam, 18" x 24", $8.97 ea + Shipping http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=260-520 1" Acoustic Foam, 18" x 24", $12.23 ea + Shipping http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=260-525 More Dampening Material: http://www.raamaudio.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?p=pr Understanding Dampening: http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/spe...stuffed_e.html Last edited by Big Daddy; 02-06-2013 at 08:35 AM.

12-02-2009, 10:10 AM	#2
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	MY POLK UPGRADE PROJECT I own a pair of Polk RTA-15TL. They were the top-of the line non SDA Polk speakers from 1990 to 1992. They were listed for $1,400 back then and I paid $1,100 for them. These are the specifications: Drivers One 1 inch (25 mm) SL 3000 Dome Tweeter Four 6.5 inch (165 mm) Trilaminate Polymer Bass-Midrange Drivers (6503) Two 10 inch (254 mm) Sub-Bass Radiators, One High-Resonance, One Low-Resonance Frequency Response 20 Hz - 26 kHz -3 db Limits 35 Hz - 25kHz Recommended Amplification 30-250 Watts/Channel Impedance Compatible with 8 Ohms Output Efficiency 90 db Size 43"H (109.2 cm), 12.5" W (31.7 cm), 15.5" D (39.4 cm) Shipping Weight 77 lbs (34.9 kg) Polk Audio has developed new silk dome tweeters (RD0198-1) that fit the Polk RTA and SDA models. They are about $150 a pair, but if you join Club Polk, you get a discount and they will charge you only $100. It is always a good idea to get your spouse involved. I asked Mrs. Big Daddy to call Polk and order the new tweeters. She is catching the upgraditis virus very fast. They arrived after a few days and I got busy. Here is a pictorial demonstration of how I replaced the tweeters. This picture is taken with the old SL 3000 tweeter: This is the Polk RTA-15TL speaker with the new RD0198-1 tweeter: ADDING SUPER TWEETERS Craziness did not stop with replacing the tweeters. I had to do something else and that something else cost me a lot of money. The final step was to add a pair of ribbon super tweeters. Let’s hope this is the final step. Super tweeters cost from a couple of hundred dollars to a couple of thousand dollars. Initially, I was tempted to buy Townshend super tweeters, but they cost $1,400 a pair. After exhaustive research, I settled for a pair of LCY 100K super tweeters from E-Speakers.Com for about $580, including tax and shipping. Their frequency reponse are rated up to 100kHz with two built-in crossover settings. They also have a beautiful metallic case with locks. The reviews are very good. Attaching them is very easy. You simply connect them to the binding posts of the main speakers and place them on top of your speakers. You can tweak their position and direction a little bit until you get the desired sound. The speakers sound so much better. I just listened to Dead Can Dance: Into the Labyrinth. The CD has a lot of high and low frequency music in it. I am not exaggerating, the improvement in sound is almost 100%. I hear things that I never knew existed on the album. After an added subwoofer, new tweeters, and a pair of super tweeters, I believe the speakers have been converted to $20,000 speakers. This is a picture of the equipment that drive the Polk speakers. Polk Audio Silk Dome Tweeters: 1-800-377-7655 http://www.polkaudio.com 2 x RD0198-1, $100 (with Club Polk discount) Last edited by Big Daddy; 06-02-2010 at 04:50 AM.

12-02-2009, 10:13 AM	#3
crazyBLUE Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Pacific Northwest Home Theater Gallery:89 Blu-ray collection:479 DVD collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 38 Trading Score:30	Good Morning Big Daddy . Do you think I should post up how I did my TSi-300's

12-02-2009, 11:45 AM	#6
Fors* Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Pottstown, PA Home Theater Gallery:160 4K collection:12 Blu-ray collection:142 Trading Score:11	Another great sticky BD.....thank you!

12-02-2009, 01:18 PM	#7
Animo Senior Member Member since:Jul 2009 Location:Brooklyn, NY Home Theater Gallery:24 Trading Score:1	Where was this thread 11 years ago when I built my mains??? I can show finished pictures, but not the build.

01-10-2010, 08:29 AM	#9
Verner Delleholm Junior Member Member since:Jan 2010	Interesting read, good post mate!

01-15-2010, 03:38 AM	#10
Beerserker Active Member Member since:Dec 2009 Location:Las Vegas	I just finished up the mains and will post some pictures in a day or two. They are not "finished" finished as the veneer is still raw and needs its final treatments, but they are up and playing. I will reserve a detailed review for a couple of days to let my ears acclimate to their sound and finish fiddling with placement, toe-in and such but I will give an initial assessment. The bass these things produce steals the show. Prodigious and clear, the quad of Daytons (Eight counting both speakers) simply perform great. Using four per speaker has really allowed awesome bass production while not pushing the drivers too hard, thus keeping distortion low. Mid-bass impact on drum beats is soooo quick, hard and defined, I was grinning quite an evil grin. The mids are very detailed, strings and acoustic guitars sound awesome. Reference level recordings sound superb. However I think I detect a little harshness on less well produced material. Female pop vocals sound a little hot for my taste, although more classically trained female vocalists sound wonderful. I think this is probably a factor induced by production technique more then anything else. After measurement I may end up tweaking certain areas in the mid range, or play some more with the chamber stuffing and such. Not unexpected as very detailed speakers are notoriously unforgiving. Not too concerned, honestly I don't listen to much pop. Not much to say about the highs, they don't disappoint. Seem to have proper sparkle and accuracy. I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations as far as measuring equipment. I was just going to use REW and a Galaxy CM-140 to do some tests out in the desert, but am interested if anyone has suggestions as to better inexpensive equipment to use. REW is free after all, that's why I use it. Full update and pics to come later.

01-15-2010, 09:51 PM	#11
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	After toying with different plans to build two speakers for my two-channel room, I finally decided to make two folded horn cabinets with 8" Fostex full-range drivers and Fostex super tweeters. Initially, I planned to make line array speakers with nine mid-range/woofer drivers and one ribbon tweeter, but I realized that they would become too large (at least 50 inches tall) and I don't have room for speakers anymore. After that, I started thinking in terms of modified MTM desings with multiple mid-range drivers and built-in subwoofers. Finally, I settled on full-range drivers as I had never owned them. For music and two-channel applications, they are absolutely the best. Folded horn design enables the enclosure to contain a longer sound path which amplifies the bass frequencies while keeping the cabinet small in size. These horns, with the rear of the driver loaded by a bass horn, help a full range driver produce more bass with less work. This is my tentative plan for the cabinet. HornCabinet.jpg The approximate size is H: 35", W: 13", D: 17". I ordered the full-range drivers and the super tweeters along with some capacitors and binding post. The hardest part is to wait a week for the parts and get ready to build the cabinets. Usually, finishing the cabinets and deciding on the color is the most difficult part of the project. These are pictures of some DIY horn loaded full-range speakers. http://www.frugal-horn.com/gallery.html It appears that I may have to sell my beloved vintage Polk RTA15TL speakers. They were among the last speakers that Matthew Polk designed in early 1990's and share the same drivers as the SDA speakers. I am very happy with them and love their sound, but I need to make room before I get killed by the WAF. She doesn't know about my evil plans. I also have about 8 brand new and unused 6.5 inch drivers, 4 silk dome tweeters, and 2 two-way crossovers. The drivers are made by Polk and are the same drivers they used in their RT speakers in mid/late 1990's. The crossovers are made by Boston Acoustics. These drivers are ideal for DIY speaker makers who plan to build 3 or 4 MTM speakers or two tower speakers with 4 mid-range drivers and one tweeter and perhaps a 10"-12" woofer. Last edited by Big Daddy; 01-22-2010 at 11:08 AM.

01-16-2010, 12:23 AM	#15
crazyBLUE Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Pacific Northwest Home Theater Gallery:89 Blu-ray collection:479 DVD collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 38 Trading Score:30	Big Daddy , I am so glad you are doing this & can't wait to see it in pics ! Just hide it all from the Wife & you will be good to go The link has some beautiful & interesting looking speakers After this I will start calling you crazy Big Daddy

04-14-2013, 01:11 PM	#17
Sancho Panza Active Member Member since:Aug 2010 Location:Beauvoir, MISSISSIPPI 4K collection:2 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:103 Blu-ray reviews:1	BD, searched here and posted this at the Klipsch site, didn't get an answer... How do you replace a woofer, or sub woofer (drone)? Thanks

04-27-2013, 09:24 PM	#19
Sancho Panza Active Member Member since:Aug 2010 Location:Beauvoir, MISSISSIPPI 4K collection:2 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:103 Blu-ray reviews:1	thank you, but I don't wanna know bad enough to sort through 28 pages

06-27-2013, 12:49 PM	#20
WillGehring Member Member since:Mar 2012 Home Theater Gallery:27	Sound Gurus, I wonder if you can offer me some suggestions. I am looking at getting into the DIY world but I know nothing about it, so I need a good beginner project. I am intrigued by full-range drivers and I do plan on building a full-range horn design in the future, but for my first build I would like to learn how to construct a crossover so I'm searching for a 2-way design. I want to keep the cost under $200 for the pair (for parts only, no cabinets), and ideally even under $150 since I am not aiming for a world-beating pair of speakers, just a good sounding learning project. I know that I can buy a kit for a basic Dayton audio bookshelf here but I was wondering if you all know of other cheap kits that might be a little more interesting. This may or may not be in-budget, but I've always loved the idea of a ribbon tweeter. Anyone know of a ribbon or planar tweeter design in that price range? -Will

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals