Small Dorm Speakers

[garto]

Hi its my first post so bear with me please.
I want to build a pair of speakers this summer but everything out there seems a bit expensive or a bit large. I need some spreakers that are small (maybe 7 x12 x 9) and inexpensive (somewhere around 150 for a pair). I was wondering if anyone knew any links to any diy projects. Basically any information at all would be helpful. Also if it makes a difference, I'll be making a sub later, maybe a little bigger version of the drake on PE projects (Dayton Quattro driver in a sealed enclosure).
-Chris

[ThomasW]

Check the Modula TM sticky thread.

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=13154

[derekbannatyne]

What about these, they're 6(W) x 11(H) x 11.5(D)?

http://www.zaphaudio.com/audio-speaker13.html

[joecarrow]

My two cents-

First, the Modula project looks seriously good. I'm building a pair right now.

Next, check all of Zaph's projects. The Aurasound 3" driver has a major "cute" factor that many audio enthusiasts overlook. Dorms are too small to begin with.

Finally, don't be afraid of a ported sub. You'll usually get more sound per dollar ported.

It's my opinion that "dorm speakers" have a much larger share of "impress your friends" in their design requirements than speakers you build after college. I can't tell you how disappointed I was when I built a pair of tower speakers and nobody was impressed with the bass. Really, the bass wasn't that good- but it would have been enough for me if someone hadn't said "Is that all?"

[WillyD]

I'll third the Modula MTsuggestion. They actually have impressive bass for their size (should extend down to 35Hz with relative ease, in your room).

However, they are a bit more expensive than $150 a pair.

[Mudjock]

You might try my Chicago Audiofest design. It is an MT with the Dayton RS150 and Seas H1212. I built it using the Parts Express 0.25 cu. ft. box, which almost exactly meets your dimension requirements. My cost for drivers and crossovers was around $160, but the sale inductor I used in the woofer circuit is no longer available, so you will spend an extra $10-$15 for either an air core or a larger guage laminate core. Ported f3 is around 60 Hz, which should work well with a sub (surprisingly decent bass on its own for listening to music in a small room, but certainly no shock and awe factor without a sub). I think you can find the design details if you search my previous posts... or you can send me a PM and I can email you a copy.

[garto]

Well either I build Mudjocks Chicago speakers and also a sub or I build just the modula MT's. I really don't have the money to do the Modula MT's and the sub. What will yield me a better sound? I guess I could always make the sub down the road I guess. I dunno, do you think its worth it to only build the Modula MT's and then wait half a year to a year before I build a sub?

Also has anyone heard the Microbes? Are they worth looking at? And sorry about all the questions....I'm really just a poor college kid so I'm just being thorough before I plop down my money since I literally can't afford to make a mistake.
-Chris

[joecarrow]

How would you describe your listening habits? Mostly music, or mostly movies? Is it going to be loud?

I definitely understand being a student and having a budget that doesn't stretch. Here's an idea for you- if you can be flexible and get something a lot bigger, sometimes you can find good old speakers second-hand for a steal.

[kfr01]

Chris:

For you, I'd suggest investing in some decent headphones and waiting on the speakers; for now.

In a year or two you'll move out of the dorm into a student apartment. You'll have more room there. You may want to throw parties. You may want to set up a home theater rig.

If I remember the dorm days correctly, you'll WANT to wear headphones many days and nights.

That said, some clones of this: http://quicksitebuilder.cnet.com/wrnch2/fullrange.html

can be built for $150. They are very simple to build. (No crossover). The parts can be bought at:

http://www.creativesound.ca/

Good luck.

Karl

[garto]

Hmm...Okay my listening habits. Generally I listen to music as not so loud levels throughout the day and on weekends I usually end up cranking it real loud (My RA is a friend of mine so I don't get written up). Right now I have the klipsch pro media Ultras and I used that all of this year in a stereo 2.1 setup (I couldnt find place for the other 3 speakers). It was alright, but they lacked depth and imaging and they got scratchy at high volumes. For their size they are good I guess but they just didnt immerse you in sound when you cranked them which is really what I wanted on several occasions. My dad has JBL northridge e100's and I like the sound of those a lot but of course those are huge floorstanding speakers. And yes I know those aren't the greatest speakers but our budget last year wasn't very high at all and they were on sale.

I do have headphones by the way, some shure in ear headphones which are nice and comfortable for me. And I potentially have 5 years ahead of me in college (going for the masters in mech. engr) so I would really like to have some nice speakers. I am leaning towards the Modula MT's right now since they will probably be nicer and will last longer as I won't outgrow them quite so quick. BTW are the Dayton 3's any good? While they don't meet my physical requirements they seem as if they could proved the depth I want.
-Chris

[Hdale85]

Well the TMWW 3 ways are not SO big, like 42" tall while the other dayton 3 ways are about 50" tall. But been told by many they rock :B

[Dotay]

Well the TMWW 3 ways are not SO big, like 42" tall while the other dayton 3 ways are about 50" tall. But been told by many they rock :B

Might be slightly over the $150 budget though...

[Hdale85]

Thats true...the TMWW's are about 505 dollars in parts and then whatever extra's you buy. But then again better speakers cost more money :B (in diy sence anyways cant compare to commercial cause that just doesnt make sence at all most of the time)

[garto]

I think we have confusion over whcih dayton 3's, i was thinking of the mtm version found at http://www.speakerbuilder.net/web_fi...D3/dayton3.htm
Those are only 22 inches high, 9 inches wide, and 13.5 inches long. I mean thats more than double the size of what I wanted but ehhh they are fairly cheap like $200 in parts on PE from last time I made the list.
-Chris

[ThomasW]

I am leaning towards the Modula MT's right now since they will probably be nicer and will last longer as I won't outgrow them quite so quick.

Correct, in addition they'd make great surrounds matching the larger Dayton RS based designs when your budget is higher and you have a bit more space.

[Hdale85]

Ah those dayoton 3's there are several dayton 3 ways on this forum so thats how i got confused :B

[garto]

haha no worries Dougie, I didn't give enough information. Well I have decided to use Scott's Chicago Audiofest design after all coupled with a dayton 15 quatro. Again, thanks everyone for your input and I'll probably make a worklog once I order the parts and get building. Should be a very fun and rewarding project. Again Thank you Scott for your design!
-Chris