I have a pair of the above but they just don't work properly, loads of buzz and just generally sound crap. I've changed a few components in the crossover which did help but they still aren't right so I'm thinking of putting all new components into the cabinets so I can have the look of the old speakers but the sound of all new.
The physical side and soldering aren't a problem but I'm at a loss as to how to choose what I should put inside as it all gets very geeky once you start googling for homemade speakers so have any of you done something similar, where did you go for parts and how did you work out what would work in a given cabinet?
If you want to do it properly there is a ton of stuff to work out (driver efficiency, impedance and how they affect the crossover, where you want the crossover-depends on drivers frequency responses; then the bass loading of the woofer even more there).
If you just shove some drivers that look ok in, it could sound like anything.
Wilmslow audio or falcon acoustics for parts.
What are you using your speakers for ? Music, Movies, TV etc ?
Do you like to play them loud ? Or do they just play in the background while you tinker with your bike ?
Thanks, I’ll check both of them out
The plan is to put them in the kitchen so not concerned about absolute sound quality and won’t be played that loud either, but I also don’t want them to sound crap. Will be through an old Cambridge audio amp and mainly phones or DAB as the input (no vinyl)
I have found some more info online/YouTube and it seems that putting something similar back in shouldn’t be a problem, I will just have to work back and forth as my cabinet volume is fixed rather than a variable
Think I need to pull one apart and take some measurements and go from there
I will just have to work back and forth as my cabinet volume is fixed rather than a variable
Depending on the construction, could you insert some kind of baffle within the speaker to alter the internal volume if you can't find drivers that match exactly?
Are they 2 way or 3 ?
If you aren’t playing loud, a first order crossover is very simple and will keep everything in phase at the crossover point.
They're a bookshelf speaker so they aren't very big, I think the volume is going to be an issue the other way but I guess that'll just limit the size of driver I can put in there.
They're currently 2 way and unless there's a good reason not to I was going to keep it that way
I've found Vituix and winISD for modelling crossovers and enclosures so it looks like some playing around with them is in order
this company have very good value drive units as well as high end - and I think might be able to advise you on options:
https://willys-hifi.com/
Before you spend, I'd have a look at sh speakers, you may well get something good cheaper (eg Rega Kytes ~£60)
Cabinet volume might be physical fixed but not acoustically fixed. Drilling a hole in the cabinet changes the volume, the size of the hope and placement having different effects. Lots of info. put out by manufacturer's of drivers, although you'll be primarily concerned with the woofers/subwoofers as mids and tweeters often don't need an enclosure at all. Some makers even have recommended cabinet sizes with and without various sizes holes.
Take a look at b&w in ceiling speakers. I used some to build into a false chimney and they have worked out really well. They were very flexible in terms of air volume they required and being coaxile you don’t have to concern yourself with matching components and crossovers.
My top tip would be use nice dense acoustic insulation inside the box and theyll sound much much better. I’ve got a set of wharfedale Denton 2s in the garage and they’ve got really light insulation in them so I’d expect yours would be similar
Thanks for the tips, more research needed then some design work!
Quite a nice looking old speaker. Well worth seeing if there is an economical driver replacement.
It's taken me a while but I finally got round to sorting these out by 3d printing an adapter plate so I could transfer the internals fromt some other speakers I already had:
I used to know how to instert Instagram pics but apparently I don't anymore
How do they sound Matt? Love ghe idea of reviving old kit. I had some success with old speaker cabinets and modern car speakers years ago.
Don’t sound too bad, definitely different to the original floor standers the parts came out of but certainly good enough for the kitchen which is where they are now
I have been a long time lurker on DIY Speakers
I was looking into doing something similar with an old pair of Pioneer speakers that came with an old system I bought in the early eighties. The high frequency driver in one of the speakers wasn't working. I eventually found a working replacement of he same vintage.
There's a whole host of components here Components
If I were doing the same I'd select similar components to what already there.
From what I gather, you'll end up going down a rabbit hole in search of the holy grail sound. See how obsessive some of those guys get.
Hi Matt.
Good work on the swap and ultimately for what they are intended they'll be more good enough with modern internals.
If the speakers behind are your main stereo, have you isolated them from the cabinet they are sat on at all?
You'll be getting horrid reflections from what looks like a glass top and the speakers would likely benefit from being raised a few inches off the cabinet at least.