Recommended Reading?

[FlashJim]

What books are considered "must reads" in this hobby? Are there any good videos out there?

I'm thinking about ordering the following soon:

Loudspeaker Design Cookbook by Vance Dickason
Speaker Building 201 by Ray Alden

Anything I should add to the list?

[BobEllis]

I'd add The Master Handbook of Acoustics by F.Alton Everest. Although geared towards studio construction, the principles apply at home.

[JonMarsh]

If you have any intention of getting into measurements yourself, Joe D'Apollito's book on speaker measurement is recommended by many, though being the poster child for ignorance, I haven't read it. keep meaning to pick it up, I bet there are some nuggests to glean.

~Jon

[FlashJim]

I'd add The Master Handbook of Acoustics by F.Alton Everest. Although geared towards studio construction, the principles apply at home.

That sounds pretty good. My current setup is in a large living room with tile floor. I'm sure it can be improved.

[FlashJim]

If you have any intention of getting into measurements yourself, Joe D'Apollito's book on speaker measurement is recommended by many, though being the poster child for ignorance, I haven't read it. keep meaning to pick it up, I bet there are some nuggests to glean.

~Jon

I saw that on Madisound.com, but there was no description. I definitely want to do my own measurements. Thanks!

[Paul H]

If you have any intention of getting into measurements yourself, Joe D'Apollito's book on speaker measurement is recommended by many, though being the poster child for ignorance, I haven't read it. keep meaning to pick it up, I bet there are some nuggests to glean.

~Jon

Jon, I suspect that you are familiar with much of that subject already, but it is a book I'd certainly recommend.

It among other things will raise people's awareness of the astounding number of ways to measure speakers incorrectly, and how to properly interpret the results that are obtained.

Paul

[TacoD]

I second that, D' Apollito's book on measuring is a nice read.

[FlashJim]

Has Speaker Builder magazine gone away? I remember reading that in the 80's.

At least I think that was it. Some of the 80's is kinda fuzzy.

[JonMarsh]

Well, yes and no. It was combined with some of it's sister publications (Glass Audio) into what is now AudioXpress. I'm working on an article for them right now, did one last in 2003.

Speaker Builder has been around since the 70's, though it's never been quite the equal of some of the European mags, like Hobby HiFi, or Klan and Ton.

~Jon

[MJKing]

Two other books that will provide a basic background in speaker design are :

1. Introduction to Electroacoustics and Audio Amplifier Design by Marshall Leach

2. Acoustics by Leo Beranek

Both are a little more advanced with the math presented to allow the theory to be derived, but still very readable. The second book is in my opinion a must read before attempting the classic Thiele and Small papers.