Transmission Line Speaker Cabinets for HiFi

[Phil_S]

I built a pair for my fiance last Christmas. They are a simple design using cheap 5 1/4" pyle car speakers, driven with a $20 class T amplifier. Originally it was to replace the crappy 1" speakers in her TV. She has a hard time hearing, and I thought it would be more intelligible with a wider freq range. That way she wouldn't have to have the volume so high. As it turned out, the sound was phenomenal! Listening to concerts on cable was stunning. I plugged in my Ipod and was blown away. Dynamic, full rich lows rivaled my expensive stereo system. 20 bucks in speakers, a sheet of plywood, glue, screws, some dacron and magic.

Random dimensions or a purposeful design? Either way, will you share the size of the box? I've got some 5" speakers that need a home. It would be real nice to plug them into the TV.

[TUBEDUDE]

A design I found online. I'll try to find it and post.

[TUBEDUDE]

I can't find the actual diagram I used to make the speakers, and internet searching has been futile. Here is a version with 6" speakers. The design is the same except my speakers are triaxial so I didn't mount a tweeter, the width is only 6" as i used smaller speakers, and the bottom plate is 2" longer for stability. I will get the actual dimensions for you when I get to her house later tonight.

[moj067]

Look up Bud Fried.
Fried speakers were quite popular in the nineties.
They also supplied plans for your own "build".
They sold these kits for a while and you may still find a few.
It was a Monitor that sat on top of a sort of passive sub.
Here's blurb about them.
http://www.hometheaterequipment.com/spe ... -70s-3022/

[VacuumVoodoo]

I've built a few pairs designed by Mr. Bailey published in Wireless World in 1972. I sold my own pair which I regret...

[TUBEDUDE]

Sorry Phil, injury has kept me from the fiances house. The internal dimensions are 6x8x38. The external dimensions will vary depending on the wood you use. I used a birch ply that measures just under 1/2".
I started by gluing n screwing the sides to the center baffle, then the front n back, followed by mounting the speaker, wiring, binding posts, and stuffing. Then the top and bottom plates. The only trick part is gluing a wood piece about 6"x1"or so to the front panel and baffle, establishing the end off the line. It has to be 6" above the port opening. I sealed all joints with construction adhesive. I put a deflex pad on the baffle directly behind the speaker, and stuffed the line with about half a pound of acoustastuff. I drilled several holes and ran picture hanging wire across the port several times to keep her cat from getting stuck inside. I filled the screw holes, applied clear lacquer, followed by 2 coats of wax and buff. She hated the look and spray painted them that shit brown color. I hope it flakes off and really looks bad.

[passfan]

Tube dude , look for Voigt pipe. That is the name of your design

[TUBEDUDE]

Yes, Voight pipes are another name for tapered quarter wave transmission lines. I searched under these, and other key terms to no avail. The above diagram is the closest to the plan built mind from. I wanted to build the Frugal Horns with Planet 10 drivers, but settled on the lesser design as I had all the components and materials on hand. The results were so amazing I'm glad I saved the money (more amp parts)

[TUBEDUDE]

I recently found some images from the build of these.

[Structo]

Is that a cat fence on the bottom of the cab?

[TUBEDUDE]

Yes, the site I got the plans from mentioned it as a good idea. The guy said the first thing that happened on power up was his cat ran up inside and got stuck. He had to disassemble it to get him out. Hah! It seemed prudent to wire them as my fiancés daughter has a cat that's dumb as a hammer. Her first clue Peeta was missing would be the smell from the speaker, since I glued and screwed them so tightly I'd never be able to fish him out. Probably raise the F3 in that channel too.