Just how difficult is speaker design?

Posted by: Top Cat on 09 January 2003

Hi folks.

I know this topic comes across as a bit of a troll, but rest assured I'm expecting the answer 'very'. However, despite that, I'm sorely tempted to have a go myself. The big question is, other than the satisfaction of perhaps making a competent speaker (or not), is there really any likelihood of improving on what I can buy at a given price.

I'm toying with the idea of a future replacement for my Petites, but as these are already well-regarded speakers I'm not too sure if I'd be able to better them. However, the fact that no dealers or mark-ups would apply tempts me.

I've a whole host of questions, but for now I'll tell you what I'm thinking of. Arbitrarily, I admit, I'm thinking of a moderate sized standmount speaker with a minimal, but high quality crossover (one area I know little about), constructed of oak (no MDF) and using your conventional tweeter and mid/bass driver arrangement. I'd also seek to make it a fairly easy load and non ported for pitch and speed.

I like the sound of using the Scanspeak top of line hf unit, but am at a loss as to what the best mid/bass unit out there is. The ATC midrange would be well worth looking into if I were going for a 3-way design, but as I'm not I'm not too sure which way to turn.

HF: Scanspeak R2904/70000
LF: ???

Budget would be around £1000, though if I can do it for less then more the better!

TC '..'
"Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a Muffin..."
Posted on: 11 January 2003 by kan man
TC

It's not a subject I know anything about but I get the feeling you're setting your sights rather high. Don't forget that you would effectively be spending £1000 on a pair of speakers you have never heard and that would be difficult to sell on without huge loss.

Why not start with a cheap prototype using unfinished mdf so you get an idea of what you can achieve and what's involved. You could even borrow the crossover and drivers from some other speakers for a start.

Unless of course you're loaded in which case blowing a grand on something to keep you entertained is not really a problem.

Regards
Steve