Choosing speaker drivers

[Subu]

I've been thinking about making a 3-way system, maybe a cheap one to practice with for now... before I try something reckless and expensive. So I'm wondering, when people choose drivers that 'work well' with each other, how do you know they work well with each other? I'm tempted to say that getting all the drivers with the same brand name might contribute to it, but then again, I know very little in the subject. Frequency response and I'm guessing sensitivity play a role, but what other kind of specs should I be looking for?

[AIA]

Hi, I just completed my first speaker (subwoofer) project. Very fun.

In looking around for drivers, I found it helpful to check out the websites of small, boutique speaker builders (google "custom speakers") to see what they were using. Most of those guys are (rightfully) very proud of what they do and have no issues in detailing the specifics of their systems.

Also, check out:

http://ldsg.snippets.org/sect-14.php3

and:

http://ldsg.snippets.org/sect-15.php3

AIA

[AIA]

I forgot one critical item.... Vance Dickason's book "Loudspeaker Design Cookbook," 7th Ed., is outstanding.

AIA

[Swerd]

So I'm wondering, when people choose drivers that 'work well' with each other, how do you know they work well with each other?

Yes frequency response and sensitivity play a large role in this. So does size and cost (duh!).

It's also important to know for a woofer, at what frequency does the off-axis response begin to roll off. This will almost always be lower than the on-axis roll off frequency range. This is critical for deciding the crossover frequency to a tweeter and helps you narrow down the choice in tweeters. This short article explains it well http://www.speakerbuilder.net/web_fi...xpointmain.htm.

As you will see in the article, you must see graphs of the drivers' frequency response. Specs alone are insufficient to tell the whole story.

[Subu]

Thanks Swerd and AIA. Yeah I've been looking into to getting the Loudspeaker Design Cookbook... it seems as if it'd be really useful. The speakerbuilder.net site also helped a lot (I see what you mean by the graphs too) would you guys have any other recommended readings for any other aspect of speaker building? Thanks

[Swerd]

...would you guys have any other recommended readings for any other aspect of speaker building? Thanks

For what its worth, I find the Loudspeaker Design Cookbook a very difficult read. The info in it is good, but the writing confused me. When I was starting DIY I bought it, and now it is gathering dust. I think that Speaker Building 101 by Ray Alden is a much better book to start with. http://www.madisound.com/books.html

[AIA]

I can't argue with Swerd! The "Cookbook" is very dense. I have not read Ray Alden, but may have to.

Check out:

http://ldsg.snippets.org/

http://www.speakerbuilding.com/

As I'm sure you have already figured out, the deeper you dig and follow the various links on some of these sites, the more information you'll uncover.

[Swerd]

I can't argue with Swerd!

Experts agree, never argue with the Swerd .

Subu - Good luck with DIY speaker building. Keep us posted with what you decide to do. It's always interesting to hear other people's ideas.

[Subu]

Thanks guys (That ammonit from speakerbuilder.com was pretty crazy)- it'll probably be at least a month before I decide on anything. DIY audio might be more cost-effective, but it's still pricey. It'll probably be another month (of working and research) before I actually have the guts and money to buy anything. It'll give me some good time to look at my options and know em' better.

and I'm afraid I'd have to agree with the experts about Swerd. I think I'll take their word for it.