how to determine enclosure size? center channel

C

chucksrt

Audioholic
I want to make my own center channel speaker and i am un sure of how to figure out what size enclosure is best for my speakers! I have the following components:

Goldwood GW-204/8S (X2)
*Power handling: 40 watts RMS/70 watts max *Voice coil
diameter: 1" *Le: .2 mH *Impedance: 8 ohms *Re: 7.3
ohms *Frequency range: 100-10,000 Hz *Fs: 138 Hz *SPL:
83.5 dB 2.83V/1m *Vas: .035 cu. ft. *Xmax: 1.5 mm
*Qms: 6.81 *Qes: 2.02 *Qts: 1.56 *Dimensions: Overall
Diameter: 4-1/2", Cutout Diameter: 4", Mounting Depth:
2-9/16".

Tang Band (TB) 28-847SE
Specifications: Power Handling: 80 watts RMS/120 watts
max *VCdia: 1-1/8" *Impedance: 8 ohms *Re: 6.0 ohms
*Frequency range: 1,500-25,000 Hz *Fs: 850 Hz *SPL: 90
dB 2.83V/1m *Dimensions: A: 2-7/8", B: 2", C: 1-7/8",
D: 1-7/8"


2500Hz crossover

is the VAS the size the box needs to be? do I double it for using two woofers?
Thanks,
chuck
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
I want to make my own center channel speaker and i am un sure of how to figure out what size enclosure is best for my speakers! I have the following components:

Goldwood GW-204/8S (X2)
*Power handling: 40 watts RMS/70 watts max *Voice coil
diameter: 1" *Le: .2 mH *Impedance: 8 ohms *Re: 7.3
ohms *Frequency range: 100-10,000 Hz *Fs: 138 Hz *SPL:
83.5 dB 2.83V/1m *Vas: .035 cu. ft. *Xmax: 1.5 mm
*Qms: 6.81 *Qes: 2.02 *Qts: 1.56 *Dimensions: Overall
Diameter: 4-1/2", Cutout Diameter: 4", Mounting Depth:
2-9/16".

Tang Band (TB) 28-847SE
Specifications: Power Handling: 80 watts RMS/120 watts
max *VCdia: 1-1/8" *Impedance: 8 ohms *Re: 6.0 ohms
*Frequency range: 1,500-25,000 Hz *Fs: 850 Hz *SPL: 90
dB 2.83V/1m *Dimensions: A: 2-7/8", B: 2", C: 1-7/8",
D: 1-7/8"


2500Hz crossover

is the VAS the size the box needs to be? do I double it for using two woofers?
Thanks,
chuck
No the VAS is not the size of the box. It is the volume of air the had the same "spring compliance" as the driver suspension. However you are asking for help after buying drivers. Bad plan.

How are you planning to use these drivers? Lay out I mean. The outlook for your woofers looks unpromising. The F3 is 138 Hz. The Qts is 1.56 so the enclosure will have to be sealed. The F3 will end up well north of 150 Hz. I can model these drivers if you want, but I fear I'm wasting my time. The sub will have to crossover far too high.

What crossover are you using? You can not use generic crossovers. Every crossover has to be custom designed and built for the speaker.

Is there any chance we can start again and select some more promising.
drivers? We can then help guide you through the design and build.

What are you using for mains, so we can try for a good match? Also what is your space. If you can avoid the usual MTM layout placed 90 degrees off axis that would also help.

I have a feeling those woofers are for auto use. Am I correct?

OK. I took pity on you and modeled this driver for you. It is close to how I guessed it. This must be an auto woofer designed for open baffle.

Your closed box alignment has an F3 of 138 Hz. Too high. Worse the Qtc is 1.51. There is a 3db rise centered at 250 Hz. A speaker with a Qtc over 1 will be boomy. Optimal range is 0.5 to 1.0.

I did model it as a ported enclosure, but the enclosure ends up on the large size. There is a whopping 7 db peak centered at 175 Hz.

A speaker built with these drivers will have lousy speech clarity. Speech will have a nasty chesty quality. Sorry your plan is not worth the effort.

I strongly encourage building speakers, but I need a member to ask for help before he has the bits! Proper driver selection for the goal you set is the start of the process.

Can we start with a clean slate?

Here is your sealed alignment for two woofers.

Name: GW-204-8S [2005]
Type: Standard one-way driver
Company: Goldwood
No. of Drivers = 2
Mounting = Standard
Wiring = Parallel
Fs = 138 Hz
Qms = 6.81
Vas = 0.991 liters
Xmax = 1.5 mm
Xmech = 2.25 mm
Qes = 2.02
Re = 7.3 ohms
Le = 0.2 mH
Z = 8 ohms
Pe = 40 watts
Qts = 1.56
no = 0.124 %
1-W SPL = 83.09 dB
2.83-V SPL = 83.5 dB
-----------------------------------------
Box Properties
Name:
Type: Closed Box
Shape: Prism, square
Vb = 0.0515 cu.ft
Qtc = 1.451
QL = 20
F3 = 142.2 Hz
Fill = heavy

Here is your ported alignment.

Name: GW-204-8S [2005]
Type: Standard one-way driver
Company: Goldwood
No. of Drivers = 2
Mounting = Standard
Wiring = Parallel
Fs = 138 Hz
Qms = 6.81
Vas = 0.991 liters
Xmax = 1.5 mm
Xmech = 2.25 mm
Qes = 2.02
Re = 7.3 ohms
Le = 0.2 mH
Z = 8 ohms
Pe = 40 watts
Qts = 1.56
no = 0.124 %
1-W SPL = 83.09 dB
2.83-V SPL = 83.5 dB
-----------------------------------------
Box Properties
Name:
Type: Vented Box
Shape: Prism, square (optimum)
Vb = 1.026 cu.ft
Fb = 88.93 Hz
QL = 6.998
F3 = 72.39 Hz
Fill = minimal
No. of Vents = 2
Vent shape = round
Vent ends = two flared
Dv = 4 in
Lv = 4.922 in
 
Last edited:
C

chucksrt

Audioholic
I bought the speakers from parts express and they were listed in the home audio speaker section. I don't know much about speakers or speaker building for that matter but i can return the stuff i just got and start fresh! My main speakers are Yamaha NS-A2836 floorstanding and they are pretty old. I don't want to base building my center channel on the Yamaha speakers because I would like to build a new pair of mains to match the center. I am not wanting to break the bank but will spread myself thin if I have too. I am not limited to any certain speaker configuration If more mids are needed to widen the range I will do what it takes. I have a 57" rear projection HDTV that the speaker will be sitting on and the room is 19ft. long and 14ft wide and the crossover is a Dayton X02W-2.5K two way crossover but I can replace it with whatever is needed.
thank you for your input and help,
chuck
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
I bought the speakers from parts express and they were listed in the home audio speaker section. I don't know much about speakers or speaker building for that matter but i can return the stuff i just got and start fresh! My main speakers are Yamaha NS-A2836 floorstanding and they are pretty old. I don't want to base building my center channel on the Yamaha speakers because I would like to build a new pair of mains to match the center. I am not wanting to break the bank but will spread myself thin if I have too. I am not limited to any certain speaker configuration If more mids are needed to widen the range I will do what it takes. I have a 57" rear projection HDTV that the speaker will be sitting on and the room is 19ft. long and 14ft wide and the crossover is a Dayton X02W-2.5K two way crossover but I can replace it with whatever is needed.
thank you for your input and help,
chuck
We need to know a bit more than that. More questions for you.

What are you going to drive these speakers with?

What can be the lowest minimum impedance of the speaker?

Are you using a sub?

If so, what is it, and what crossover point are you using now?

Are you planning to replace the sub, get or build one if you don't now have one?

Are you eventually planning to build surrounds as well?

What program material will these speakers play. Music and movies, or just movies?

Could you mount the center speaker to the wall, and could you even mount it partially through the wall?

Can you post pictures of your listening room, especially the front?

What is your budget? Not just for this speaker but your mains as well. We need to know this. Listen to Joe Schmoe. Don't go into debt.

How good a carpenter are you?

Could you understand a crossover circuit diagram?

Can you solder, so you could build the crossovers?

Could you build a construction like this?

http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/2424278_zibdm#127083460

http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/2424278_zibdm#127084956

http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/2424278_zibdm#127085269

http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/2424008_RKGvb#127077317

I'm not suggesting you have to build this same speaker, I just want to get a handle on your skills.

Would you be prepared to do some suggested reading so you understand the principles of design?

Would you consider building the mains first?

For Heaven's sake return what you have purchased so far. We can't make anything worthwhile out of that.

Please answer those questions and we will determine how to proceed.

Speaker building is art and science. There is a lot to learn. However I want to assure you that building your own speakers is rewarding, has a lot of advantages, including owning speakers of much better performance than a similarly priced consumer product. That is assuming you do your homework right.
 
C

chucksrt

Audioholic
I am using a Yamaha RX-V3000 receiver.
my receiver is capable of switching from 8ohm to 4ohm but my current setup is 8ohm.
I have a AR 10" powered sub and am also looking to build an enclosure for a eclipse 8812 DVC 12" aluminum sub. next project!!!
the AR has a variable crossover set at around 125Hz
I have yamaha surrounds in ceiling NS-IW660 rear right and left and a Yamaha NS-IW960 rear center.
Music and Movies more for movies though.
I can mount it to the wall and or modify the wall to partially house it.
I'll post pics tomorrow if I can figure out how?
Budget: Not really sure? I can hide money here and there from the wife to cover, But I guess up to $200 for the speakers in the center and for the mains it depends on how many drivers I use I guess I don't want to skimp but I am unsure of what drivers cost so I figure maybe up to $350 per main speakers and crossover only.
My best friend is a union carpenter and is pretty good.
I am a Toyota tech so I can follow diagrams pretty well!?
I can solder
I am on my Mac iBook and I couldn't open the links to your crossover i'll try again on my PC
I will try to get the funds together for the mains first.
I want to learn more about this and I am pretty pumped about it
Thanks,
Chuck
PS I may be able to come up with more money for the builds if needed As I am not sure of the real world pricing for doing this.
 
C

chucksrt

Audioholic
I think you have a leg up on most people including carpenters!!! I can't imagine building something so complex but i will ask my buddy and see if he can handle that type of construction. All I know is that I love the idea of a transmission style enclosure and if a had a good set of plans I can submit them to my other buddy who can build them on autocad so i have a blueprint for my carpenter friend to go by. I would like to keep the enclosures as space friendly as possible.
chuck


Could you build a construction like this?

http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/...ibdm#127083460

http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/...ibdm#127084956

http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/...ibdm#127085269

http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/...KGvb#127077317

I'm not suggesting you have to build this same speaker, I just want to get a handle on your skills.

Would you be prepared to do some suggested reading so you understand the principles of design?

Would you consider building the mains first?
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
I am using a Yamaha RX-V3000 receiver.
my receiver is capable of switching from 8ohm to 4ohm but my current setup is 8ohm.
I have a AR 10" powered sub and am also looking to build an enclosure for a eclipse 8812 DVC 12" aluminum sub. next project!!!
the AR has a variable crossover set at around 125Hz
I have yamaha surrounds in ceiling NS-IW660 rear right and left and a Yamaha NS-IW960 rear center.
Music and Movies more for movies though.
I can mount it to the wall and or modify the wall to partially house it.
I'll post pics tomorrow if I can figure out how?
Budget: Not really sure? I can hide money here and there from the wife to cover, But I guess up to $200 for the speakers in the center and for the mains it depends on how many drivers I use I guess I don't want to skimp but I am unsure of what drivers cost so I figure maybe up to $350 per main speakers and crossover only.
My best friend is a union carpenter and is pretty good.
I am a Toyota tech so I can follow diagrams pretty well!?
I can solder
I am on my Mac iBook and I couldn't open the links to your crossover i'll try again on my PC
I will try to get the funds together for the mains first.
I want to learn more about this and I am pretty pumped about it
Thanks,
Chuck
PS I may be able to come up with more money for the builds if needed As I am not sure of the real world pricing for doing this.
First of all don't hide money from your wife. Bring her into the project and make her part of it. Home theater is a family affair. Once the family and children in laws and grandchildren arrive here, you can't get them out of this room in the winter. In the summer the lake is a bigger magnet. I'm not a huge movie buff, but I think my wife has watched more movies than in the rest off her life since this room came together. I would rather watch opera, but I usually watch the movies with her anyway, and some are really good. This whole project of yours should be at its core a family affair.

Now the links are to some speaker construction. I don't know why you can't open them.

I believe you to be serious about this project. So I will give it some serious thought. This is now potentially a large design project, involving a complete home theater speaker system.

Now the center speaker is a vital speaker. It has to take as much power as the left and rights, and yet be relatively small and have a defined dispersion pattern that interferes as little as possible with the mains. I think the driver cost of the center will be the same as for the mains. I will bear this in mind and try and stick as close to your budget as possible. That is going to mean a little less for the mains and a little more for the center.

Now one more question. Is your budget quoted for the speakers and electronic parts alone, or the completed speaker? Since I won't be building the speakers, material costs I can only approximate.

I will have to ponder this challenge for a few days, and get back to you with some options.
 
C

chucksrt

Audioholic
the price was for speakers and electronics, I'll consider building the enclosure part two of the project ( buy speakers and electronics first and then buy building materials and assemble)
I was finally able to open your links last night ( Impressive!!!!!!) I think that I could handle that type of construction at it most basic level.
I don't want to be cheap on any of the speakers and I can put more into the mains if needed for the addition of woofers, i figured the center would be cheaper than the mains due to the fact that most centers are only using two midrange speakers and one tweeter, and that the mains might have the additional woofers added along to the mids and highs.
thanks,
chuck
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
the price was for speakers and electronics, I'll consider building the enclosure part two of the project ( buy speakers and electronics first and then buy building materials and assemble)
I was finally able to open your links last night ( Impressive!!!!!!) I think that I could handle that type of construction at it most basic level.
I don't want to be cheap on any of the speakers and I can put more into the mains if needed for the addition of woofers, i figured the center would be cheaper than the mains due to the fact that most centers are only using two midrange speakers and one tweeter, and that the mains might have the additional woofers added along to the mids and highs.
thanks,
chuck
I'm very interested that you would consider a TL design. I have actually been working on a highly cost effective set of TL mains, for some time. No construction yet, but the design well along. I have to say it is a project I'm very excited about. The design shows extreme promise. There is real possibility here of performance way beyond the dollars invested. I was actually doing these for Audioholic members, and specifically as a cure for of Joe's restless speaker syndrome. I think they should come out in your budget range.

I'm going to move for the time being to the PM system, and will PM you later. There will be details to sort out, and I don't want the thread to degenerate at this time. It is too important.
 

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