DIY Audio Projects Forum

Hello everyone! Brand new here! Looking to do my first real DIY speaker project!

I got lucky at the PartsExpress tent sale and picked up a new-in-box Tang Band W8-1772 FR driver for a steal of a deal. Another member here sold me his spare so I will have a pair.

A buddy told me he can get scrap marble from a kitchen remodeler for cheap and can have them cut it any way I want, including cutouts for the drivers.

What if the baffle were made of 1/2 to 3/4" thick marble that is enclosed by a high quality MDF? My thought is the baffle would not vibrate at all.

Good idea or just a gimmick?

Hi MasonDad, welcome to the forum. Nice score with the W8-1772!

A dense and heavy speaker enclosure is usually a good thing. Take a look at the DIY Granite Rock Speakers (with Seas drivers) project page for some building ideas. Also, don't forget to brace the enclosure as well.

So do you know what enclosure were you planning on building?

Cheers

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[ DIY Mains AC Power Cable Cord ] - [ Gobo LM1875 Amp Kit ] - [ Tang Band D4-1 Horn Speaker Kit ] - [ Monoblock Push-Pull KT88 Tube Amp Kit ]

Well, if I knew what I was doing, I'd let you know!

I am going to scrap the idea of using granite for now and see if I can retrofit a current pair of speakers or ? This "project" was not planned but when I had the chance to get one of these for a small investment, I had to take it!

The Tang Band W8-1772 is a very high performance FR driver. Mine go low, into the 30's, with great mid-range and a strong treble. You will most likely have to assemble a BSC (Baffle Step Compensation) circuit to compensate for the strong treble. The calculator is on this site.

I've seen many different materials used for speaker enclosures. The most common is 3/4" MDF, which is inexpensive and readily available. You can use pre-cut shelving that comes in a variety of widths. That would save you some work having to cut them into planks. You would still have to cut the correct lengths. But the cuts would be short.

Gluing, screwing the pieces isn't too difficult of a job. Speaker enclosures need to be braced to dampen any resonances.

I used a solid wood enclosure made of 3/4" pre-cut planks that is braced. I haven't noticed any resonances.

There are plans available for FR speaker designs. I built mine based on comments, measurements and reviews on the W8-1772 posted by Bob Brines. Bob sells plans, pre-cut flats that are pre-drilled for assembly, and full assembled enclosures.

Bob regards the W8-1772 highly. His site is a good resource.

http://brinesacoustics.com/

Good luck to you...jim

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Jazz Wine HiFi

Jim, does anyone use an "Open Baffle" with drivers like the Tang-Band W8-1772?

The W8-1772 is not designed for open baffle or very large enclosures. The Tang Band W8-1808 (same price and look)incorporates a higher Qts for large or open enclosures.

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Jazz Wine HiFi

Jim, I was wondering what the difference is between the two.

Anyway, I cannot wait to get the FR driver from you...

Thanks again!

-Phil

Hi Phil,

You are likely looking at some sort of ported enclosure. What size of speakers are you looking for - floor standers or bookshelf?

For more ideas, take a look at these threads:

• Parts Express shipped my Tang Band W8-1772 FR speakers!!
• Tang Band W8-1772 Project

Cheers

_________________
[ DIY Mains AC Power Cable Cord ] - [ Gobo LM1875 Amp Kit ] - [ Tang Band D4-1 Horn Speaker Kit ] - [ Monoblock Push-Pull KT88 Tube Amp Kit ]

Floorstanders or a "Tweener" to put on my Target stands that are sitting around doing nothing...like my teen daughters on summer break!

Here is an OB design using the W8-1808 drivers.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=96082.0

With a slight adjustment to the crossover this concept should also work well for the W8-1772 drivers.

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Martin