Stereo/HT mains on a budget (1 Viewer)

[Mattak]

I'm very interested in starting a new project and I'm in need of some mains

How do these dayton 8" MTM plans stack up compared to other plans around $150 for parts: Dayton 8" MTM

or perhaps the D3's from speakerbuilder.net: http://www.speakerbuilder.net/web_files/Projects/D3/dayton3.htm

I would prefer the larger cabinets, otherwise I'd have to build stands as well.

Could $150 be spent better?

Currenly my power amps consist of two Crown DC300A's rated at 150wpc @ 8 ohms, not rated for 4 ohms. I'm not sure how well they fair at 4 ohms - anyone know?

 

[Mattak]

Well, I went ahead and ordered the parts anyways...

Since nobody seemed interested in the thread, maybe you'll enjoy pics of my last project:
brahma 15 enclosure

 

[Mitch N]

I must say that your sub box is impressive in that you even went as far as routing the edges of your brace.

If your into music like rock and perhaps HT, those speakers should do the trick. However the midrange may suffer a tad for vocals and such.

Sorry no one posted any opinions for you, I didn't even see this thread. :frowning:

 

[Chris Keen]

I'm with Mitch. I didn't see it either. I did build a similar setup using the 6.5" driver's and soft dome tweeter (the shielded versions) in an MTM setup for my parents. I thought they turned out VERY good, especially for such a small amount of investment. I think you'll be happy with the bass response, but as mentioned earlier, the mids will be slightly thin with the 8 inchers. Probably something you will be VERY proud of when they are done. The DIY bug will bite you. Later, when you have more money to throw at drivers, you'll probably want to upgrade to some bigger speakers which can wring out better sound. But that's when you've got the time and the funds to do it. Good luck.

BTW, looked like pretty good construction on that car sub. Nice details in the bracing.

 

[Mattak]

heh, it's alright. Do you guys have any suggestions for something with better mids (DIY of course ). Even though I bought the parts I'm still open to looking at other ideas, but I thought for the price of these they'd be hard to beat.

These aren't my first DIY projects, I've also built this tempest sub

 

[Kyle Richardson]

Why do I get the strange urge to visit Disneyland?


Just kidding - good job on the subs.

 

[Mattak]

Thanks Kyle...I did order the tempest from you anyways

 

[Mattak]

Well, I have one cabinet cut and 5 of 6 sides assembled.

Now I need advice on what routing tools are appropriate for making the speaker recesses. Currently I am borrowing a fixed router so I'm guessing I need to get a plunge router. I have a few straight bits, but what are the typical ones to use? Are the recesses usually made with one large bit or a couple passes of a smaller bit?

The jasper jig looks handy, but I probably wouldn't use it a whole lot - anything cheaper? Make my own?

 

[Phill O]

Damm, them are some might fine subs that you built there.

 

[Mattak]

Thanks

I'm thinking about picking up this craftsman plunge router combo - anyone see a reason to look at another brand (I don't really want to spend any more, though)? I don't have either a fixed or plunge router right now.

Craftsman 2 hp 9.5 amp Plunge Router Combo Kit

 

[Jon W.]

I have this Ryobi plunge router for $99.00 and I really like it but couldn't say if its any better than the craftsman. It does have soft start and variable speed which are features I didn't see on the Craftsman. Ryobi makes a plunge/fixed combo as well but its $149.00.

 

[Vince Bray]

If you plan to do alot of woodwork you might want to invest a little more in a router. Or, you can get good deals on routers by looking at pawn shops. Porter cable, dewalt come to mind, usually around 1/2 price.

 

[Allen Ross]

DUDE, Crown DC300 can handle 4 ohms, hell you could push 2 if you really wanted to.

 

[Mattak]

Thanks for the responses.

I'm not a huge fan of ryobi. I'd mainly be interested in craftsman, porter cable, delta, and dewalt.

I don't plan to do a lot with a router, but I'd like to have one for when I need it.

Vince - how much is a "little" more, especially if I'd like both plunge and fixed capability? I'm not sure if there are even any pawn shops around here :b

 

[Vince Bray]

It's highly variable. I got a PC fixed base for $40. It works great, just had contact cement all over the cord which cleaned up fine. I then lucked up on a mis-matched plunge base at HD which I scored for $10. The mgr didn't know how much it was so he asked me to make an offer. Gotta say I didn't expect him to go for it but he did. Plunge+fixed PC router total = $50. Anyway, that's my lucky router story, but often you can get great deals on tools at pawn shops, again, expect to pay about half of retail. Most of the best brands can survive all kinds of torture, so even the beat up looking ones are working fine. I've also gotten a bosch jigsaw, a PC framing nailer, a dewalt drywall screwdriver, a milwaukee 1/2" drill that looks like crap but will twist your arm off, etc, etc....

 

[Chris Keen]

Mattak,

Just FYI, some of those craftsman routers are made by the same company as the Ryobi stuff. Craftsman really just rebadges other company's products as their own. For instance, if you look at their combo 2.25HP plunge fixed base router for about $199, you'll notice that it is really a Bosch router that has Craftsman's logo and red skin on it. By the way, this is a very decent router combo, but also quite a bit more money. If you are wanting somewhere around a 2hp motor, and a combo setup, I would suggest shopping Ebay as well. There are some good deals on there. You will find Porter Cable 690 motor based combos (fixed and plunge) for $100 or so. There are also good deals on the DeWalt routers. Just in the FWIW department. I have always found that Porter Cable makes great motors for their routers. Their fixed base routers get few complaints, but their plunge bases are often criticised for having less smooth and often sticky plunge actions. DeWalt is usually recognised for their excellent plunge actions. Bosch also makes very good quality units. If you needed to go with a new vs. used set, you might look at Amazon. They are currently running a special of $25 off coupon (e-coupon code) for any Bosch purchases of $199 or more.

Also, for what it's worth, keep your eyes open at Amazon. If Amazon repeats what it's done over the past few years, you'll see another brand do it each month for the next few months (bosch, porter cable, dewalt, makita, etc) where they run the $25 off of $199 or more.

 

[Mattak]

Chris:

I suppose I could go with amazon. I'm not sure, but there's the $25 coupon, and then they also have a $30 off the first purchase if you sign up for the amazon visa card which I could do. If I did, I'd be looking at one of these:

Bosch
or
Dewalt

The bosch looks like it has better features, and a more powerful motor. I like either brand...

 

[Mattak]

Just hit HD, sears, and OSH. None had a very good selection, no Bosch routers at all. I have to agree, the plunge action on the dewalt was the best of the few I tried. I wish there had been a bosch to try. None of the places had circle jigs...maybe I'll just make my own.

 

[Mattak]

Well, since I couldn't find a very good deal locally and I'm impatient, I went ahead and made my own circle jig out of a piece of plexiglass and attached it to the fixed base router I borrowed.

So far so good

http://www.objext.com/mains/pages/DSCF0881.html

 

[Mattak]

Well, I "finished" these a few days back. They sound pretty nice, I like 'em

More pics

Veneer would be nice, but I don't think I'm going to put out the money to do it. I was thinking I might just...gasp...carpet them, or wrap them with a thick black cloth, with solid stained wood base and top. Anyone ever do anything like this?

What cloth - where to buy? How would I attach - spray on adhesive?