19 replies to this topic

[MKader17]

So my gf really likes to take her computer around her apartment to listen to music. However, I can not stand listening to the laptop speakers anymore.

I'm looking to design something that is very compact and portable. I'm thinking of using a DTA-1 for power since it works off of battery power. For drivers I'm looking for 3" full range preferably.

My ideal setup would be something that will connect together and be easy to hold, but can split so the speakers can be placed on either side of the laptop when needed.

Budget, Cheap Would like the speakers to be less than the cost of the amp (much less preferably )

[Deephaven]

How big can the enclosures be? How low do they need to play? And yes, you probably have to pick one over the other...

[MKader17]

Deephaven, on 11 April 2011 - 04:59 PM, said:

How big can the enclosures be? How low do they need to play? And yes, you probably have to pick one over the other...

As small and as light as possible. They need to be easily transported from one room to another

[Deephaven]

I asked you TWO questions.

[Deephaven]

If you aren't doing any crossover finding some used NS3's might be the ticket. As for the box, just model them and see what you can deal with for low frequency response.

Your other option IMO would be to use the HiVi B1S in a small array, but that will require some tapering so you get low end and top. Maybe eq alone will be enough though depending on what you can use on the laptop.

[Deephaven]

Definitely other array options, but price led me that direction. Just may be the ticket and fun.

[MKader17]

Deephaven, on 11 April 2011 - 04:59 PM, said:

How big can the enclosures be? How low do they need to play? And yes, you probably have to pick one over the other...

Deephaven, on 11 April 2011 - 09:55 PM, said:

I asked you TWO questions.

I picked one over the other... like you said

Doesn't need to play low. Its competing with apple laptop speakers. The biggest thing I'm trying to get rid of is the reflections that the speakers make of the granite counter tops and wood table. It is so "loud" but you can barely hear the music

[Deephaven]

How small is as small as possible? If you can't fit a 3" single in the enclosure you could just do a single 2". They will kill the laptop speakers, but won't really get so loud. All comes down to box size

[MKader17]

So I might be shunned but I got in my shipment for the DTA-1 and it came with free speakers (on sale for $0.69). Once I modified the wiring to connect to the amp it sounded okay.

My goal is to combine the t-amp into the speaker boxes. I think if I make better boxes this will be easily good enough for a cheap price.

[Deephaven]

Lol, you didn't tell me something that absurd would be acceptable.

[Aaron Clinton]

Tell me how this turns out please. I have been watching a lot of movies off the new lappy, and it has decent speakers for being lappy speaks. But me being me, I want more and a little greater range, with more bottom end and less sheen to the highs would be great. I just cannot seem to fall in love with metal coned mid's or highs for the most part. Would prefer not to have to mess with batteries. Need it to be on the cheap too.

[MKader17]

Deephaven, on 15 April 2011 - 08:18 AM, said:

Lol, you didn't tell me something that absurd would be acceptable.

Well, I didn't want it to be acceptable but money is tight, and I'm really in it for the love of the project. All that being said, it will have a removable baffle so speaker upgrades are NOT out of the picture

So I tore apart the DTA-1 last night (haven't even fired it up yet ) Despite a bit of antisymmetry in weight that may occur I am considering housing the batteries in one speaker and the amp in the other. I would have to run the power wires and the speaker wire from one box to another.

I will need a new volume knob (suggestions?) as well as a way to connect the two speakers together while not in use for easy transportation. I'm thinking something like a buckle that can easily be disconnected and slid back together. The slicker the idea the better

Here is a pic I stole of the internals


Here is a pic of the speakers


I plan to use the baffle and replace everything else from there but keep it relatively the same size. I will probably beef up the baffle as well.

Also, what kind of material do you recommend for building it. 3/4 MDF will not be acceptable

[MKader17]

Aaron Clinton, on 15 April 2011 - 10:41 AM, said:

Tell me how this turns out please. I have been watching a lot of movies off the new lappy, and it has decent speakers for being lappy speaks. But me being me, I want more and a little greater range, with more bottom end and less sheen to the highs would be great. I just cannot seem to fall in love with metal coned mid's or highs for the most part. Would prefer not to have to mess with batteries. Need it to be on the cheap too.

When you say you don't want to mess with batteries do you mean that having AC power all the time would be sufficient or do you mean laptop power only. Would be cool if you could swing USB powa....

[Deephaven]

Aaron Clinton, on 15 April 2011 - 10:41 AM, said:

Tell me how this turns out please. I have been watching a lot of movies off the new lappy, and it has decent speakers for being lappy speaks. But me being me, I want more and a little greater range, with more bottom end and less sheen to the highs would be great. I just cannot seem to fall in love with metal coned mid's or highs for the most part. Would prefer not to have to mess with batteries. Need it to be on the cheap too.

$25 for two drivers, you supply the box NO filter necessary.
https://www.madisoun...roducts_id=1400

Buy 2 NOW! If you do, I'll be glad to help you with the design for the box, but it can be uber simple. Adding a slot port will help

Fack, I might buy some, one of those amps and build my dad a set. Hmmm...

[MKader17]

Will I be able to fit them in an enclosure similar in size to the .69 cent peaka's?

What about the NS2's if not.

Off topic curiosity, are the NS8's worth a look?

[Deephaven]

Depends, not sure if you can run the 2's without a filter of some sort as I have no experience with them nor have I seen any real test results. I haven't looked though either as I don't have a need for anything that small. Been forever since I modeled the 3's so I can't answer right now what size box I'd put them in. Should be reasonably small though.

[Aaron Clinton]

MKader17, on 15 April 2011 - 11:45 AM, said:

Aaron Clinton, on 15 April 2011 - 10:41 AM, said:

Tell me how this turns out please. I have been watching a lot of movies off the new lappy, and it has decent speakers for being lappy speaks. But me being me, I want more and a little greater range, with more bottom end and less sheen to the highs would be great. I just cannot seem to fall in love with metal coned mid's or highs for the most part. Would prefer not to have to mess with batteries. Need it to be on the cheap too.

When you say you don't want to mess with batteries do you mean that having AC power all the time would be sufficient or do you mean laptop power only. Would be cool if you could swing USB powa....

If they could be powered off the USB, that would be sweet.

[Aaron Clinton]

Deephaven, on 15 April 2011 - 04:11 PM, said:

Aaron Clinton, on 15 April 2011 - 10:41 AM, said:

Tell me how this turns out please. I have been watching a lot of movies off the new lappy, and it has decent speakers for being lappy speaks. But me being me, I want more and a little greater range, with more bottom end and less sheen to the highs would be great. I just cannot seem to fall in love with metal coned mid's or highs for the most part. Would prefer not to have to mess with batteries. Need it to be on the cheap too.

$25 for two drivers, you supply the box NO filter necessary.
https://www.madisoun...roducts_id=1400

Buy 2 NOW! If you do, I'll be glad to help you with the design for the box, but it can be uber simple. Adding a slot port will help

Fack, I might buy some, one of those amps and build my dad a set. Hmmm...

The more I think about this, the more I would prefer someone else build them and ship them out for some cash. I just have zippy time, and I mean zippy. To add to my nutty schedule, my mother is going back in for surgery and I will have to help take care of her for about 4 weeks after tomorrow.

[Deephaven]

Aaron Clinton, on 18 April 2011 - 02:39 PM, said:

MKader17, on 15 April 2011 - 11:45 AM, said:

Aaron Clinton, on 15 April 2011 - 10:41 AM, said:

Tell me how this turns out please. I have been watching a lot of movies off the new lappy, and it has decent speakers for being lappy speaks. But me being me, I want more and a little greater range, with more bottom end and less sheen to the highs would be great. I just cannot seem to fall in love with metal coned mid's or highs for the most part. Would prefer not to have to mess with batteries. Need it to be on the cheap too.

When you say you don't want to mess with batteries do you mean that having AC power all the time would be sufficient or do you mean laptop power only. Would be cool if you could swing USB powa....

If they could be powered off the USB, that would be sweet.

Doubtful, not so much juice...

[Deephaven]

Aaron Clinton, on 18 April 2011 - 02:56 PM, said:

Deephaven, on 15 April 2011 - 04:11 PM, said:

Aaron Clinton, on 15 April 2011 - 10:41 AM, said:

Tell me how this turns out please. I have been watching a lot of movies off the new lappy, and it has decent speakers for being lappy speaks. But me being me, I want more and a little greater range, with more bottom end and less sheen to the highs would be great. I just cannot seem to fall in love with metal coned mid's or highs for the most part. Would prefer not to have to mess with batteries. Need it to be on the cheap too.

$25 for two drivers, you supply the box NO filter necessary.
https://www.madisoun...roducts_id=1400

Buy 2 NOW! If you do, I'll be glad to help you with the design for the box, but it can be uber simple. Adding a slot port will help

Fack, I might buy some, one of those amps and build my dad a set. Hmmm...

The more I think about this, the more I would prefer someone else build them and ship them out for some cash. I just have zippy time, and I mean zippy. To add to my nutty schedule, my mother is going back in for surgery and I will have to help take care of her for about 4 weeks after tomorrow.

Me too.