DIY stage monitor

[PoorboyMike]

My daughter plays guitar in a rock band and they did their first decent size show last Thursday. It wasn't anything huge, just 400 or so teens at an Impact teen camp. It went pretty good but there was some technical problems with the amps cutting out from trying to drive too many speakers.

Anyway, they've been using there guitar/bass amps as monitors for the drummer and miking them to larger speakers at the front. They have a hodge podge of used gear (it's all donated) that's not the best quality, so since my daughter really likes the speakers and subs I've made so far, she volunteered me to build them some nice stage monitors, and eventually a couple subs (those TC sound pro drivers look promising) and some PA's. I've looked around but haven't really found anything helpfull for making some nice gear.

I realize this isn't going to be an inexpensive project. But do you think I can build something like THIS, only better for close to the same price?

[joecarrow]

I do believe you can, but there are certain things about pro sound that can be tough to replicate without some experience in the pro sound world, mostly in the durability of the cabinets. What that means is that although you'll spend less money, it will take a lot of work to get the cabinet quality to a point that they'll last as long as the pro gear.

Here's a project that looks similar to the JBL you linked to, but all of the parts add up to about $150.

http://www.partsexpress.com/projectshowcase/smithereens/index.html

Also, you can't mention pro sound subs without me adding this link:

http://www.prosoundweb.com/lsp/

I've never heard either of these designs, but the price is right for the first, and the community support seems to be great for the second. Lab horns are supposed to be used in groups, and I have to admit that for a crowd of 400 they might be overkill.

Are kids still into the music with electronic effects that go well below 40 hz? If so, taking this into consideration would let you build a sub that will handle something the kids like that most pro subs just won't do- surely a big hit.

[PoorboyMike]

I've considered the durability issue. I think it would be cool to have an aluminum "roll cage" similar to this:

Image not available

I think the kids would really like the look.

I've looked at the PE project you linked to, but the woofer is no longer available. Plus, it would add about $140 to the price that shows up in the cart.

What do you think about THIS design? I don't really know much about horn loaded designs.

[PoorboyMike]

Another one of my famous "start it and don't finish it" projects. I have all the parts just need to get some good, durable paint before I put it all together. I kind of dig the look of the horn loaded woofer though. The six holes on the sides of the horn are for piezo tweeters and the top and bottom are ports. I have a heavy steel grill and plastic corners for it all around so it should be able to take a beating.