They're Done
My speakers (L-C-R for a home theater) are complete! They sound fine on the initial test, though they need to break in for many hours. Here is how they look (the paint job is actually truck bed liner). I will post a complete build report when I can get caught up.
TJIC:
I approve of the geekiness of this hobby!
March 14, 2011, 5:47 amDouglas2:
Look great!
The passive-crossover design must have been quite tricky to account for the difference in acoustic center between the woofer and horn-tweeter.
Am I correct in that these will be hidden behind a screen, so the finishing is largely for your own enjoyment that you have finished the job right?
March 14, 2011, 9:37 amperlhaqr:
You have to break in speakers?
March 14, 2011, 10:30 amdullgeek:
As someone who is clearly economically literate, I don't understand why you'd do this. Don't the gains from specialization and trade create a strong incentive to just buy a set 3 speakers? Doesn't this just end up being a different version of the 100-mile suit?
March 14, 2011, 10:57 amcaseyboy:
dullgeek, you don't understand. If society breaks down the assembly lines will ground to a halt so who will build your speakers then. Ah Ha, didn't think of that did you!
March 14, 2011, 11:19 amastonerii:
Look professional. I wish I had skill to make clean looking items. My bird cages are all angled and fugly looking.
March 14, 2011, 5:56 pmHighway:
dullgeek, it's not quite the same. Warren has repeatedly shown a willingness, even desire, to do things that are challenging to him, craft-wise. Plus, there is an interesting convergence of rather basic carpentry / cabinet-making, electronics design, and audio art that goes into the design and construction of speaker cabinets. There are also no amazingly specialized components that he would have to create: the drivers are off the shelf, the electronic components are rather basic, and the wood is rather ordinary. Therefore, the draw is in the creativity needed to carry the project through.
Additionally, I'll bet he considered it a low-risk project, since they will be behind a screen and out of sight. Finally, speaker final construction doesn't really benefit from the specialization, especially if one puts the value of their time at a highly discounted rate due to the hobby and enjoyment factors. The specialization and trade efficiencies are present in the specialized components.
March 14, 2011, 10:16 pmHighway:
perlhaqr, yeah, breaking in speakers is a real phenomenon. It can be pretty subtle, but it is measurable (unlike really kooky audiophile things like 1000 dollar per foot cabling). Basically, the speakers cones and surrounds just get a little less stiff, and more responsive to the coil movements.
March 14, 2011, 10:20 pmdullgeek:
@Highway: Yeah, I kinda figured that doing something to accept the challenge was part of it. And you're right that the specialized components come from elsewhere.
Additionally, as I was thinking about this, I imagined using the same argument for myself: why do I ever eat at home? And the answer is that there are other benefits to eating at home than just the quality of the food.
March 15, 2011, 6:31 am