Any reason to roundover internal bracing?

[JonW]

In general, I'm thinking about a speaker. Let's say ported, but it doesn't have to be. As the drivers move in and out, air is moving around the inside of the speaker. And there are braces holding the cabinet together. I would think that rounded over bracing would make the air flow a little better. But when people show pics of their speaker internals, almost no one rounds over the bracing. So should I bother? I can think that it would make a difference theoretically. But I have no idea if it makes a difference in the real world. I've been reading too many books and making too few speakers.

[Hdale85]

Well one reason is that every bit of wood you shave away from internal braceing adds to the internal volume of the enclosure which is a good thing.

[JonW]

I'm not too concerend about volume. I'm building my own cabinets. So whatever volume I add for the braces, I can just add to the rear of the speaker, to compensate.

[BobEllis]

Jon, I agree with your thinking on all counts. It probably doesn't make a noticeable difference and just get out there and build speakers! While you're at it, build two sets of otherwise identical speakers one set with rounded brace cutouts and without. Swap them several times and see if you can tell which is which. Then report back

[Hdale85]

Better yet use some measurement equipment and see id there really is a difference

[cjd]

Because when you round-over the braces, you know you've left no detail un-attended.

It's nothing but a pride in work thing. It also takes away some of the scraped knuckles and whatnot when you're trying to wedge crossovers in, stuffing, padding, etc.

C

[dyazdani]

I just did it because it looked cleaner. Not that you can see it once it's built, more for peace of mind that I did a professional job.

[Al Garay]

I like to round-over the braces as well. Compared my 1801 with a friend's who didn't, we could not hear a difference. If it's there, we couldn't tell.

[JonW]

OK, this sounds like a thing to do for the obsessive compulsives among us. Which means I might do it.

[Hdale85]

Well look at it this way. It certainly doesnt hurt performance

[MarkR]

Hi Jon, time to put down those books and pick up some tools.

I consider myself living proof you don't need to know everything to build a decent pair of speakers. :B

[chasw98]

If anything, you will get some hours on the router that isn't visible on the outside in case you make a mistake

[JonW]

If anything, you will get some hours on the router that isn't visible on the outside in case you make a mistake

Yup, I could use the practice. I'm finishing up my first real piece of woodwokring- some shelves for my stereo gear. That is giving me practice with the table saw and router. After that, I'll tackle the speaker project.

Hi Jon, time to put down those books and pick up some tools.

Indeed!

I consider myself living proof you don't need to know everything to build a decent pair of speakers. :B

OK, that's good proof for me to have. Part of the appeal of building some speakers is all that I'm learning, in terms of very basic electronics and woodworking.