Author Topic: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.  (Read 17179 times)

Offline Guy 13

  • Obsessively Audiophilic
  • ****
  • Posts: 882
  • Audio should be simple !
DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #15 on: December 10, 2019, 08:23:10 PM »
Yes, they can use a little restoration  :thumb: good luck!

Hi Nick.
A few years ago when I order the Rythmik F12G from Danny Ritchie at GR Research
it came with a different color - finidh,
I  got tired and I did myself the recovering of the enclosure with local cheap and thin
vinyl and see what it look like a few years later after light use.
Thia time, my cabinet maker will do it for me and it will be with better quality vinyl.
He did a few speakers in the past and I was satisfied and the big thing is :
Here everything Made on planet vietnam is extra super inexpensive.
I will also post pictures of a sub base that is a design of mine,
original and different, I think.
We will see....

Guy 13
Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline Guy 13

  • Obsessively Audiophilic
  • ****
  • Posts: 882
  • Audio should be simple !
DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #16 on: December 11, 2019, 04:46:51 AM »
Hi all.
Today I went with my wife to see my cabinet maker
and brought him my Pioneer vintage enclosure.
At the same time, I took back some items on which he did modifications.
As usual, great work, nothing to say other than : 
'' Cam on '' thanks you.
I took the oportunity while I was there in his new shop
(That's doesn't look new at all, look more like a mess.....)
to take picture of him and him and me.
The old man with gray hair, that's me....

Guy 13







Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline Guy 13

  • Obsessively Audiophilic
  • ****
  • Posts: 882
  • Audio should be simple !
DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #17 on: December 12, 2019, 02:35:50 AM »
Hi all.
Another DIY speaker project.
I had for several years a small mdf cabinet that was used previously for a
passive input control.
I also had two small (3'') drivers from my computer subwoofer system (Cambridge)
that were in small platic enclosure.
So, I decided to put to use those two small drivers in a better, well, a little better enclosure.
My cabinet maker did a nice job.
Look like a mini guitar amplifier.
The grill and the back are removable.
The grill, believe me or not, is a clipping from my niece dress... :lol:
I still have to hook-up the drivers to the binding post and then see,
well hear how that little thing sounds.
Here are a few pictures of our (My cabinet make and myself) creation.

Guy 13
 















« Last Edit: December 12, 2019, 02:37:35 AM by Guy 13 »
Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline Guy 13

  • Obsessively Audiophilic
  • ****
  • Posts: 882
  • Audio should be simple !
DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #18 on: December 12, 2019, 02:13:48 PM »

Hi all.
Yesterday I completed the wiring of the drivers on my new spekers.
Hook it up to my Decware SE84C+ with my computer as a source with the Schiit Fulla 2 DAC.
The sound was.... Well a little deceiving, but normal with small 3'' drivers,
but still glad I did the built, even if it doesn't sound like a hi-fi speakers,
at least they look nice to my eyes.

Guy 13
Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline Guy 13

  • Obsessively Audiophilic
  • ****
  • Posts: 882
  • Audio should be simple !
DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #19 on: January 03, 2020, 12:41:25 AM »
Hi all.
At last, at long, long last I got my Pioneer Vintage enclosures updated.
The outside was cleaned, now look also new,
the back plate - cover was replaced with a new one and a 5 ways terminal were
installed.
The front plate - grill was repaired and replaced
and he even re-installed the Pioneer logo even if it doesn't look too good,
at least it's there.
I am trying to see how much foam I will need to damped the encloure.
All the above for 40 USD for both enclosures.
The same job done in USA or Canada would have cost minimum four times that orice.

Guy 13















« Last Edit: January 03, 2020, 05:05:09 AM by Guy 13 »
Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline Nick B

  • Audio Neurotic
  • *****
  • Posts: 4088
Re: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #20 on: January 03, 2020, 08:49:25 AM »
Hi all.
At last, at long, long last I got my Pioneer Vintage enclosures updated.
The outside was cleaned, now look also new,
the back plate - cover was replaced with a new one and a 5 ways terminal were
installed.
The front plate - grill was repaired and replaced
and he even re-installed the Pioneer logo even if it doesn't look too good,
at least it's there.
I am trying to see how much foam I will need to damped the encloure.
All the above for 40 USD for both enclosures.
The same job done in USA or Canada would have cost minimum four times that orice.

Guy 13















Very nice and $40 is great!
Orchard Starkrimson Ultra amp
Supratek Chardonnay preamp
JMR Voce Grande speakers
Border Patrol SEi dac
Holo Red streamer
Hapa Aero digital coax
WyWires Silver cables
TWL Digital American II p cord
Audio Envy p cords
Roon, Tidal, Qobuz
PI Audio UberBUSS

Offline tmazz

  • Out Of My Speaker Cabinet
  • ******
  • Posts: 12088
  • Just basking in the glow of my tubes.....
Re: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #21 on: January 03, 2020, 08:35:37 PM »
Wow! They look super.

Way to go.  :thumb:
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables

Offline S Clark

  • Audio Neurotic
  • *****
  • Posts: 1330
Re: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #22 on: January 03, 2020, 10:06:25 PM »
Are you planning on finding the original drivers and crossovers to finish the repair?  Or is the plan to find a kit that uses approximately the same size box?
Speaker-GR Research LS9-XStatik-AltecFlamenco
Amp-Moscode,Dodd,Folsom
Pre-Dodd
Turntable-Vyger,Victor,TechnicSP10MK2
Phonopre-Hagermann,Jolida,GSlee   
Cable-AudioSensibility Wywires TWL
Cartridge-Dynavector,Sumiko
Tonearm-PioneerP3,Jelco
Rythmic sub

Offline Guy 13

  • Obsessively Audiophilic
  • ****
  • Posts: 882
  • Audio should be simple !
DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #23 on: January 04, 2020, 01:24:30 AM »
Are you planning on finding the original drivers and crossovers to finish the repair?  Or is the plan to find a kit that uses approximately the same size box?


Hi S Clark.
I think it would be very difficult to find original drivers,
so, I will try to buy something similar.
The woofer is an 8'' and the tweeter is a cone type 3.5 or 4''.
For the crossover I saw something very similar mounted on a PCB
with a choice of different crossover frequencies.
I don't want to empty dry my wallet, since those speakers will be used
only when I miss and think of my sister in law, the original owner
of those Pioneer vintage speakers.
By the way, my budget for the replacement drivers - crossover is
around 100 USD.
I already found on the Internet what I need at Addison Electronic in Montreal.
I will buy and install the drivers when I am back in my home country North Pole
or Montreal, it's the same during the winter.
More questions, I like questions...

Guy 13
Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline S Clark

  • Audio Neurotic
  • *****
  • Posts: 1330
Re: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #24 on: January 04, 2020, 07:27:12 AM »
There is little reason to just pick drivers and hope they go with a crossover and a box when there are so many plans for DIY or professionally designed kits available.  For a very few more dollars you can turn those boxes into something approaching decent speakers. Just do a search for 8" two way kits or plans. 
Speaker-GR Research LS9-XStatik-AltecFlamenco
Amp-Moscode,Dodd,Folsom
Pre-Dodd
Turntable-Vyger,Victor,TechnicSP10MK2
Phonopre-Hagermann,Jolida,GSlee   
Cable-AudioSensibility Wywires TWL
Cartridge-Dynavector,Sumiko
Tonearm-PioneerP3,Jelco
Rythmic sub

Offline Folsom

  • Obsessively Audiophilic
  • ****
  • Posts: 851
Re: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #25 on: January 04, 2020, 10:27:19 AM »
Ya, unless you can match the old drivers the crossover will be just a nutty mess with random drivers... pointless.

Offline Guy 13

  • Obsessively Audiophilic
  • ****
  • Posts: 882
  • Audio should be simple !
Re: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #26 on: January 04, 2020, 05:04:44 PM »
There is little reason to just pick drivers and hope they go with a crossover and a box when there are so many plans for DIY or professionally designed kits available.  For a very few more dollars you can turn those boxes into something approaching decent speakers. Just do a search for 8" two way kits or plans.

Hi S Clark,
I went on Parts Express and the same websites
and they have some interesting kits,
however, they are in USD and are in USA.
More difficult to find something in Canada.
I might try Solen in Montreal.
Anyway, I am not in a hurry, just looking at them is for me a feast
for the eyes and mind.

Guy 13
Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline Guy 13

  • Obsessively Audiophilic
  • ****
  • Posts: 882
  • Audio should be simple !
Re: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #27 on: January 04, 2020, 05:12:22 PM »
Ya, unless you can match the old drivers the crossover will be just a nutty mess with random drivers... pointless.


Well Folsom,
we don't have the same vision for that project of mine (Pioneer Vintage).
I bought several speaker kits (Four 04) from Danny Ritchie
and 90% of them were modified
to my liking (Sonically and visually) and I was never disapointed,
I never complain that the sound was not good.
Of course, I admit going by the book would improve the sound,
but that wasn't my goal and by how much ? ? ? ?
I still have all the kits that Danny sold me and I am happy with all of them,
some more than others of course.
Please keep in mind that I am not very demanding sound wise...

Guy 13
Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline Guy 13

  • Obsessively Audiophilic
  • ****
  • Posts: 882
  • Audio should be simple !
DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #28 on: January 04, 2020, 05:25:19 PM »
Hi all.
I have four (04) speaker projects.
One is on going, two more easy one  to be done,
I keep the last one because it's a bigger project.
U frame speaker built from scratch and the design
that come directly from my audio twisted mind.
The last one will generate lots of comments,
that I am sure....

Guy 13

Note :
Dont forget that I build, modify and design '' MY '' speakers
for me, only me, myself, Guy 13
if others don't like it, well too bad.
I have as much fun modifying and designing than building the speakers.
Sure don't want to be rude or agressive, but that my vision of my audio hobby
and it brings me lots, lots of fun.

 
« Last Edit: January 04, 2020, 05:29:19 PM by Guy 13 »
Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline tmazz

  • Out Of My Speaker Cabinet
  • ******
  • Posts: 12088
  • Just basking in the glow of my tubes.....
Re: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #29 on: January 04, 2020, 08:08:07 PM »

Dont forget that I build, modify and design '' MY '' speakers
for me, only me, myself, Guy 13
if others don't like it, well too bad.


 :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Guy, I like the way you think.  :D
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables