Paul Carmody's DIY Audio Projects
DIY gives music lovers and audiophiles the ultimate power. First of all, DIY speakers use the same parts, building materials (usually), and design techniques of HiFi speakers in the 4 and 5-figure range. This means you can have that "rich" sound at a fraction of the retail cost. Second, by learning the science behind the design of loudspeakers, a lot of the mysticism and mythology that plagues the audiophile world becomes dispelled, and you learn what is important--and what is irrelevant--in exceptional sound reproduction.
Everything here is free. I am a lifelong speaker addict, and this is my contribution to the audio world.
Tang Band W4-1720 + Fountek NeoCD1.0 Outstanding bass from such a small woofer, pleasant midrange, and a ribbon tweeter. All in a small footprint. Makes a great rich boy toy
Dayton DA175 + Vifa BC25TG15 A low-cost, high-value speaker that was intended as a DIY nearfield studio monitor.
Scan-Speak 15W/8530K00 + Hiquphon OWI An unassuming-looking bookshelf 2-way that puts out phenomenal bass, and a pinpoint soundstage. Exciting, yet comfortable at the same time. Not for the frugal.
HiVi B4N + Dayton ND20FA-6 A simple, small speaker with surprisingly deep bass and a wide and deep soundstage. These are a good bargain for such a small price.
HiVi B4N (x2) + Dayton ND20FA-6 Like the Overnight Sensations, but louder! Big sound, small package. These could be very versatile, and have been used in a wide variety of cabinets.
Dayton DC160 + Vifa BC25TG15 One of the funnest speakers I've ever done! Great bass, solid soundstage, and a pleasing sound that works well even with poor recordings. Great for getting a big sound in a small living space.
FLOORSTANDING SPEAKERS
Tang Band W4-1720 + Fountek NeoCD1.0 The executive mini-speaker gets a slim floorstanding sibling.
Dayton RS180-8 + Vifa DX25TG This is a design intended for those who want a boutique, audiophile-quality speaker but don't want to pay the 4-figure price tag.
HiVi B4N + HiVI T20 (or Dayton ND20FA-6) The tallest member of the Overnight Sensation family. This design fits in well with the look and sound of the rest of the series, but features much deeper bass than you'd expect from a pair of 4" woofers
Peerless 830668 + Peerless 830657 + Vifa DX25 Wish there was some way to take the soul of the large Cerwin Vega and Klipsch "monkey coffins" of your sordid past and inject it into something a bit more modern and high quality? Then this project is for you!
Classix 2.5
Dayton DC160 + Vifa BC25TG15 Expands on what's great about the Classix II (deep bass, big soundstage) by offering more SPL and a small TMM floorstanding cabinet.
PORTABLE / TABLETOP SPEAKERS
HOME THEATER
HiVi M6N, M5N + Dayton ND28F
MTM mains, TM surrounds, and a W/TM/W center channel. Sexy looks and great sound!
DIPOLE / OPEN BAFFLE SPEAKERS
Sunflower
Dayton RS225 + Dayton RS125-4 + Vifa XT25
Very high-quality all-around speaker with a large soundstage and precise imaging, but with the "uncolored" midrange a dipole can provide. Can be built in a variety of cabinet designs, and won't break your bank account.
DESIGNS WITH NLA Drivers
I am leaving these up for reference purposes. If you still have these drivers, by all means, build and enjoy these speakers. However, please don't ask me for driver substitutions at this time. Sorry.
Core 2-way - Dayton RS180-8 + Dayton RS28 (A or F) (floorstanding 2-way)
Untitled - Scan-Speak 8530K-00 + Hiquphon OW3 (bookshelf)
Orient Express Silver Flute W14RC25 + Vifa Logic AC25SG05 (bookshelf)
China Syndrome Silver Flute W14RC25-S + Vifa Logic AC25SG05 (bookshelf)
TRS-80 Dayton RS180S-8 + Vifa D25AG (floorstanding 2-way)
Vaagens Audax AP170G2 + Vifa D25ASG (bookshelf)
Aethers Dayton SD215 + TB W5-704D + Seas 27TDFC (dipole MTMW)
Classix Dayton DC160 + Vifa DX19 (bookshelf)
ZX Spectrum HiVi M6A + Bohlender Graebener Neo3 PDRW (floorstander)
Dayton Classic Revival Dayton DC160 + Dayton DC50F + Dayton ND20FA-6 (floorstander)
Tubifex Dayton RS125-4 + Tang Band 25-1719
The Most Frequently Asked Questions in DIY Speakers
EXTRAS
by Paul Carmody | last updated December 13, 2020