Best Mini Monitor designs under $300

[SE-Raider]

I plan to order parts this weekend for a small monitor for me and my son to build. I'm leaning toward Roman Bednarek's Microbe design, but might also want to consider a design with the RS150 for a lttle more bass output. I thought I'd give it one more pass through here first to see if anyone had a design they felt was just too good to pass up, o that performed wha beyond what it should.

Thanks for any recommendations.

[Mudjock]

It depends on what you consider small... My RS150-Seas 27TBFC/G MT fits the bill costwise and sounds much better than it has any right to for the cost.

If you build it in a 0.25 cu. ft. box (roughly 7.5" x 12" x 10" externally) ported, the bass extension is only marginally better than the Microbe, but you can push more SPL (still not a huge amount with a 6" cone and 4 mm x-max) without running into trouble. If you can get the box size up to 0.35 - 0.4 cu. ft. (i.e. the next size up Parts Express box), the RS150 can put out a surprising amount of bass. My crossover schematic is attached if you are interested. If you want to discuss port tunings, you can post here or PM me - I have messed around with both box sizes I mentioned above.

[Dotay]

I'm actually in the process of building the Microbe speaker myself right now. I purchased all the parts for ~$150 IIRC. My plan for this speaker is that I will use it as a bedroom/computer speaker and it will be my model for learning things like crossover construction and veneering before I move onto my next project (Modula MT's and either Natalie P's or the smaller RS 3-way).

I just made all the cuts last night and now I need to cut out the holes in the baffles. Depending on your timeline I can give you my thoughts on the design once it's finished.

[BretH]

Wander over to the Rs150 Mt thread. I am in the process of making a MT with the rs150/27TDFC in a .5 cu ft box, ported.Total parts cost is going to be about $210 so I think the total is going to be about $250-$260 with MDF and veneer.

I gave serious thought to the Microbe design as well, but I am shooting for that little extra bass I hope the 150 will offer, especially since we only do stereo & I don't crank my music the way I used to.

[Brian Bunge]

And I'm building a .29ft^3 sealed enclosure for the RS150/28AS combo. External dimensions will be 12"H x 7.5"W x 10.75". I'm including a shelf brace and 1.125" thick baffles and backs.