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The Dynaco Tube Audio Forum

Dedicated to the restoration and preservation of all original Dynaco tube audio equipment - Customer support for Tubes4hifi VTA tube amp and preamp kits and all Dynakitparts.com products


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Disles1
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    Nearing completion of my ST120. Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?

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    JD2
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    Nearing completion of my ST120.  Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?  Empty Nearing completion of my ST120. Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?

    Post by JD2 Thu Jun 09, 2011 1:54 pm

    thanks in advance for any advice or recomendations.
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    Nearing completion of my ST120.  Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?  Empty Re: Nearing completion of my ST120. Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?

    Post by Guest Thu Jun 09, 2011 6:04 pm

    Check out http://northcreekmusic.com for some terrific speaker projects. These are definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you're up to the task (and want the very best for a great amp) then this might be it. The Catamount is a speaker designed specifically to be used with a tube amp but doesn't require much power. The Pegasus and the Prometheus would be great too.

    I had the Pegasus kit at one time but never had the time to build it. Besides it was too daunting and I settled for some Quad ESL's instead. Never in my speaker kit building lifetime had I seen such quality however. The crossovers were something to behold. North Creek is the creme de la creme of kit speakers in my opinion.
    Roy Mottram
    Roy Mottram
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    Nearing completion of my ST120.  Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?  Empty Re: Nearing completion of my ST120. Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?

    Post by Roy Mottram Thu Jun 09, 2011 6:45 pm

    yes, if you've got ALOT of money the Northcreek Rythmn/Revelator was my lust for a couple years, that was 10 years ago when they were HALF the price, and I wound up building something that LOOKs simlar using Vifa drivers for about 1/4th the price, based on the Thor TL design. Those things would cost around $3000 a pair to build now, and if you've not a VERY experienced cabinent maker, better to pay out probably another $1000 to have the cabinents custom made. For another very high quality but very reasonably priced kits, see Zaph Audio and/or Madisound.
    For right at $2000 a pair including nice cabinents, the ZRT 2.5 tower, or the ZRT 2 tower for $1600, or for a smaller super quality monitor size, the SR71 for $660.
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    Newportcycle


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    Nearing completion of my ST120.  Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?  Empty Re: Nearing completion of my ST120. Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?

    Post by Newportcycle Thu Jun 09, 2011 6:58 pm

    Captn those Northcreeks read awesome. I'm partial to GR Research DIY products here is a link to Danny's website GR Research he also maintains a fourm over at the Audio Circle, GR on Audio Circle. Ive built the OB-7's, Neo2x, and the servo subwoofer, and love them all. SWMBO was very sceptical at first, however even she is a believer. Very musical speakers, somewhat ineffecient for lower powered amps, but some of the models were designed around tube amps. Great folks on the forum, little over protective sometimes, but good folks none the less. Danny Richie is very good to deal with, excellent actuall. In my opinion, youll be hard pressed to find much better for the money. Good luck with your quest, please keep us informed, nothing better that speaker DIY porn. There are some photos of my system on Audiocircle as well if interested.
    mantha3
    mantha3


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    Nearing completion of my ST120.  Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?  Empty Re: Nearing completion of my ST120. Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?

    Post by mantha3 Thu Jun 09, 2011 8:10 pm

    Google Search Troels Gravsen...


    Speakers for my st120
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    j4570


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    Nearing completion of my ST120.  Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?  Empty Re: Nearing completion of my ST120. Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?

    Post by j4570 Thu Jun 09, 2011 10:43 pm

    Mantha,

    That's a nice speaker build. A table saw with a scoring blade would do better, but you will be hard pressed to find a lumber yard that will cut that for you. We do have a few here that will cut like you do.

    What's the bass response like?

    Some of the madisound kits are nice, and they have some pretty nice ones right now on sale, but the efficiency isn't that great on them from memory. But their kits you can get prebuilt cabinets, and that might be a good way to go for a 1st timer.

    baddog1946
    baddog1946


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    Post by baddog1946 Fri Jun 10, 2011 7:57 am

    Hi:
    Try looking at the Planet10 site there are many good designs for tube amps. I built a pair of Decware NFX's which are superb full range speakers and they blow my Kefs away and have super detail and bass is quite amazing for a full range speaker. Plans were only $20
    mantha3
    mantha3


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    Post by mantha3 Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:17 pm

    4570,
    I did have the cuts done at a lumberyard. The side of the board where the blade did the exit would be a little roungh. i just have all of those sides on the inside. I also ran a bead of silicone in the joints. A serious wood worker with the right tools could do better. After i got the speaker cabinet screwed together I ran a bead of silicone on the inside joint areas.

    What I got sounds great and the 8" Seas woofer gets the Bass done well. The 3 way is basically the 8" vented. Then the midrange which is somewhat like a full range driver. The midrange is fully sealed from the rest of the speaker. important to have the inner cabinet for the midrange of a specific size and sealed.

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    Disles1


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    Nearing completion of my ST120.  Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?  Empty Re: Nearing completion of my ST120. Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?

    Post by Disles1 Sat Jun 11, 2011 9:43 pm

    j4570 wrote:
    Some of the madisound kits are nice, and they have some pretty nice ones right now on sale, but the efficiency isn't that great on them from memory. But their kits you can get prebuilt cabinets, and that might be a good way to go for a 1st timer.


    My first DIY project was the Zaph ZRT two-way Revelator tower, from Madisound, and am VERY happy with them. The 86dB efficiency is fairly low but the my ST-120 drives them with ease. Superb Scan-Speak drivers give excellent bass down to 38Hz. They are a relatively easy build (good instructions), the supplied cabinets look very nice - I'm told its the same company that makes high-end Revel loudspeakers - plus Madisound has very reasonable shipping costs with FedEx. Very Happy
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    j4570


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    Post by j4570 Sun Jun 12, 2011 6:23 pm

    Do not think I'm knocking Madisound. I was a customer when they were mail order, pre internet. I also bought from Audio Concepts-more so (I think They are gone, preferred their 12" sub, it was really inexpensive and worked great!). Your money will be well spent there for one of their kits compared to what you would buy with that money from a local "big box" or even audiophile shop. Hey, we are on the Dynaco Forum, kit builders galore!!!
    mantha3
    mantha3


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    Post by mantha3 Sun Jun 12, 2011 7:09 pm

    X 2 for Madisound. I had great experiences with them. I called them a few times with my Troels Gravesen speakers (http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Diy_Loudspeaker_Projects.htm)

    Madisound is out of Madison, WI and they sell quality.. Scan-Speak and Seas as well as others.

    Take your time surfing the net for speaker designs. Or just buy a Madisound kit. Have fun.
    Tube Nube
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    Nearing completion of my ST120.  Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?  Empty Re: Nearing completion of my ST120. Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?

    Post by Tube Nube Tue Jun 14, 2011 1:44 pm

    My next speaker project is to be the Frugal Horn Mk 3.

    http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/full-range/172605-frugel-horn-mk3.html

    A much simplified iteration of earlier versions.

    I've built two other speakers, and was only able to do so with the eager and generous help of members of the above noted diyaudio forum.

    You can probably do these for under $400. They have the advantages of being horns and sigle-driver speakers.
    mantha3
    mantha3


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    Post by mantha3 Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:22 pm

    Nice! Report back on how things go and how they sound with the ST120 driving them. Photos are appreciated too!

    anbitet66
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    Post by anbitet66 Tue Jun 14, 2011 5:06 pm

    JD2,
    For the last 35 of my 45 years, I have wanted to build this speaker: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/full-range/134706-mellow-monster.html . Unfortunately I am not a carpenter by trade, and this looks pretty involved, but no more so than many designs I've seen others build and post in this and other forums. Seems like a nice vintage project. Just my two cents FWIW. Tony
    Tube Nube
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    Post by Tube Nube Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:05 pm

    Anbite,

    Those are fascinating! You can build those from the information given on the thread. To the list of tools you "probably need", (listed in the scan of the original construction article) I'd add table saw and maybe chop saw. Second hand they can be had pretty reasonably.

    I certainly would encourage those with the DIY or partial DIY bug to be courageous in trying their hand at building speakers from a kit or even from plans. If there is any "black art" to it, it's in the design, not the building.

    Measuring, cutting, gluing and clamping wood panels for these projects truly is straight forward, and the rewards are as thrilling, maybe more thrilling than those you get from building your Mottram-Latino-kit amp!

    I have no wood working skills, and have had good success with two speaker builds both from plans had from the Frugal Horn website and help from the DIYAudio forum.
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    Sutton


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    Post by Sutton Sat Jun 25, 2011 10:05 am

    One of the more respected names in DIY speaker building is Zaph Audio, and I think the website is www.zaphaudio.com. There are many designs there and most are very easily built with enclosures which can be bought from Parts Express, if you aren't into woodworking.

    The design you choose has a lot to do with the volumes you like to listen to, and the amount of power, and bass extension you desire. I would choose from either Zaph or Madisound. My experience with kits from Parts Express has also been good, but I prefer Zaph designs. Once you are hooked, no commercial speaker comes even close unless you spend tens of thousands. My FIRST project blew my Paradigm Studio 100's away, and they are nothing compared to what I am running today.

    Good luck and have fun!!!
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    tTube


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    Post by tTube Sat Jun 25, 2011 2:18 pm

    I've built several speakers from Paul Carmody and love every one of them.

    Paul Carmody DIY Projects

    Also been hanging out at the Parts Express Forums and built some DIY Speakers, "The Copper Project" by Marty Hafenbreadl and they turned out fantastic. Great sound when hooked up to my ST-70 with VTA board!!

    Project Link

    My Build Link

    Good Luck

    Ted
    Roy Mottram
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    Post by Roy Mottram Sat Jun 25, 2011 3:28 pm

    very nice work on that Copper Project !!
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    JD2
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    Nearing completion of my ST120.  Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?  Empty A belated thankyou to all for the suggestions

    Post by JD2 Sun Jun 26, 2011 11:18 pm

    thanks for the many suggestions. Finally got the ST120 running and am very pleased with the results. Now...many choices and to much day job to do all.

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    Nearing completion of my ST120.  Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?  Empty Re: Nearing completion of my ST120. Anyone have thoughts regarding suitable DIY Speakers that could be my next project?

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