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Scary Stereo
Scary Stereo was born from my wish for big scary tower speakers. I wanted nice home theater speakers for my living room as big as I could possibly get them. When thinking of how to use all the surface area, I decided to paint them with chalkboard paint. As these speakers are for listening forward I prioritized low-frequency extension with the large size of the cabinet as well as 15″ subwoofer drivers. My subwoofers pair with my mid and tweeters to make a transparent sound stage reaching above 20k.
Goals
- Bass Extension
- Transparency
- Pleasing to the ears
Drivers
- Dayton Audio RSS390HO-4 15″ subwoofer
- SB Acous)cs SB17NBAC35-4 6″ midwoofer
- SB Acous)cs SB29RDAC-C000-4 tweeter
Specifications
- F3 below 20 Hz
- +/- 2dB mid/highs
Measurements
Full Tuned Speaker Frequency Response
Integrated Frequency Response
Subwoofer (green) and port (blue) Frequency Response
Cherry Bombs
Designed and Built By Ace Hobbs
Description
The Cherry bombs were a passion project from the very beginning. I designed these speakers to listening forward with my personal taste in mind. I emphasized low frequency extension with the 8 cubic foot subwoofers, paired with crisp medium to high frequencies from the mid/high components. The design is modular, allowing me to separate the mid/high’s from the subwoofers. This expands the use case of these speakers while also increasing mobility. The Cherry wood front baffles give the speakers a warm glow that will darken with time. They are also the inspiration for the name, cherry for the wood and bombs for the booming subwoofers.
Key Points
Goals
- Emphasized Low Frequency Extension
- Custom Modular Design
- Flat Frequency Response
- Simple Cabinet Design
Drivers
- Scan Speak D2606/9200 Tweeter
- Dayton Audio RS180-4 7″ Woofer
- Dayton Audio RSS390HF-4 15″ Subwoofer
Specifications
- 3 Way / 2 Way Active Crossover
- +/- 2 dB Mid/High Component
- +/- 2 dB Subwoofer
- f3 = 20 Hz
- f10 = 15 Hz
Features
- Completely custom cabinet w/ interior bracing for increased cabinet rigidity
- Hand oil finished front baffle for appealing design
- NL4 connectors for ease of use
- Wide stereo image for use around a living room television
Selected Measurements
Mid/High Frequency Response (60 dB amplitude)
Horizontal Off Axis Response (40 dB Amplitude)
Brown – On Axis / Red – 15° Off Axis / Green – 30° Off Axis / Blue – 45° Off Axis / Purple – 60° Off Axis
Subwoofer Frequency Response (40 dB Amplitude)
Jupiter 6103s
Introduction
Juglans nigra, more commonly known as Eastern Black Walnut or simply Walnut, has long been one of the most sought after cabinetry hardwoods in North America. Taking its name from the Roman god of the sky, Jupiter, (Juglans being a compounding of the Latin for Jupiter’s Acorn), its remarkable strength, striking color, and fine workability have made it a favorite among woodworkers the world over for centuries, truly a wood worthy of its godly namesake.
Walnut was the clear choice for this design as it immediately evokes the feeling of a classic 70s hi-fi stereo. The rich brown of the walls and the black front baffle were a near uniformity of hi-fi speakers of the era. And the sound too aims to capture some of the feeling often associated with that era of music: warm, laid-back, and pleasant. However, the retro-styled exterior belies a very modern internal system.
A fully digital crossover networks allows for the fine tuning of the entire system to suit the needs of any particular room. The 3-way functionality also allows each driver to function within its most efficient frequency range. The height is calculated to center the mid and tweeter with an average listener’s ear when seated on an average couch (roughly 40″ from the ground).
With their end use being “do-anything” living room stereo towers, these speakers need to be able to cope with a wide array of content, from background music to intensive “home” mix review, from television to intense cinema. Versatility is key to their very existence.
Key Points
Goals
- Balanced, broad frequency response 30 Hz – 30 kHz
- Clarity through entire frequency band
- Warm, flattering music playback
- Classic visual aesthetic
Drivers
- Fountek NeoCD 3.5H – Horn Loaded Ribbon Tweeters
- SB Acoustics SB17CAC35 – Ceramic 6″ Mid-Woofers
- Dayton Audio RSS265HF – Aluminum 10″ Subwoofers
Specifications
- 3-Way digital crossover (miniDSP 2×8)
- +/- 1.5dB 30Hz – 30 kHz
- f3 of 28Hz
- f10 of 21Hz
Features
- Hand-rubbed oil finished Eastern Black Walnut Cabinet
- Double-walled front baffle for added rigidity
- Fully sealed enclosure for increased transient definition
- Warm, flattering frequency response
Selected Measurements
Overall Frequency Response (60 dB range)
Integrated Frequency Response (20 dB range)
Overall Harmonic Distortion
Integrated Step Response
Overall Waterfall Plot (18 dB Range)
Photo Gallery
Serotina
Introduction
Prunus serotina, or black cherry, is a hardwood species found throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is known not only for burning all night in the wood stove, but also for it’s gorgeous color, figure, and grain pattern when properly finished. It was for this reason that Black Cherry was chosen to comprise the the baffles of these loudspeakers, eventually leading to the name Serotina.
From the beginning the intention was for these loudspeakers to provide the most pure, uncolored reproduction of any audio signal that was passed through the system. This meant a very broad spectral response and extremely accurate transient reproduction were necessary of the final product, and were achieved by employing multiple high-quality drivers and sizable, sealed enclosures.
An active crossover network ensures that the system can be fine-tuned for a wide variety of applications. At 6′-4″ they are stretched to accommodate the height of the end user when at a standing desk. However, with a quick re-alignment of the drivers using delay presets, the same great results can be enjoyed from a seated position for an extended stereo listening session or home theater application.
Key Points
Goals
- Uniform Frequency Response
- Highly Versatile
- Clean System Integration
- Pleasing, Natural Aesthetics
Drivers
- Raven Point Source Tweeter
- 5″ Eton 5-212/C8/25 HEX Woofer
- 10″ Focal P25FS Subwoofer
Specifications
- 3.5 Way Active Crossover Network [MiniDSP]
- +/- 1.5dB From 40Hz to 22kHz
- 3dB down @31Hz
- 10dB down @25Hz
Features
- Oiled Black Cherry baffles
- Tall for use at a standing desk
- Sealed cabinets provide accurate transient response
- A narrow front baffle makes for wide horizontal dispersion
- Removable back panel for future access
Selected Measurements
Integrated Frequency Response
Horizontal Off-Axis Response 
Blue = 60deg | Lime = 45deg | Red = 30deg [listening axis] | Purple = 15deg
South 7082
Designed by Charles Southward
Design Goals:
- Floor Standing
- Nice Off-Axis
- Flat Frequency Response
- Aesthetically Match Room
Design Specs:
- Tweeter: SB Acoustics SB26STAC-C000-4
- Woofer: Dayton Audio RS225-8
- miniDSP PWR-ICE 125 Plate Amplifier
- +- 1dB 45Hz-19kHz
- f3 of 38Hz
Paper: Charles Southward Speaker Binder_Rev6
Glossy: South7082s Glossy_cdsouthw
Frequency Response
HA-3s
Designed by Henry Ashburn
Design Goals:
- High SPL output
- F3 of 30 Hz
- Aesthetically beautiful
- Wide horizontal dispersion
Features:
- Ribbon tweeter, mid-woofer, 12″ side-firing subwoofer
- MiniDSP PWR-ICE 250
- Separate enclosures
- F3 of 31 Hz
- ± 3 dB frequency response
Frequency Response
Integrated Frequency Response
Off-Axis Frequency Response
Harmonic Distortion Percentage
Smooth Smith Audio – 312c
Designed by Eric “Smooth” Smith
Design Goals:
- Hybrid as mixing monitors and entertainment system
- Partially mobile/ Easy to fit in smaller spaces
- Flat frequency response with variable low end
- Budget: $2500
Key Features:
- F3 of 28Hz
- Sealed enclosure
- +/- 1 dB from 150Hz to 20kHz
- +/- 2 dB from 30Hz to 150Hz
- MiniDSP active crossover @ 130 Hz, passive crossover at 3.5kHz
- 1/2″ MDF, 1/2″ Cherry MDF
Drivers:
- Eton 25SD-1 1″ Soft Dome Tweeter
- Dayton Audio RS150P-4 6″ Paper Cone Woofer
- Dayton Audio RSS315HF-4 12″ Aluminum Cone Woofer
Frequency Response:
Integrated Frequency Response:
Off-Axis Response
Harmonic Distortion
Rear Sub-woofer Connection
Sandcastle 7.2
Designed by: Eric Bartos
Goals
- 7.2 surround sound system for enjoyment and the occasional mix
- +/- 4dB response
- active crossover
Key Features
- F3 of 38Hz on surround speakers (before crossover between subwoofer)
- F3 of 34Hz on center speaker (before crossover between subwoofer)
- F3 of 24Hz on subwoofers
- +/- 4dB from 50Hz to 21kHz on surround speakers
- +/- 4dB from 47Hz to 21kHz on center speaker
- +/- 2dB from 25Hz to 200Hz on subwoofer
- center speaker has active/passive crossover system
- 1/2″ birch ply and 1/2″ MDF construction for center speaker and surround speakers
- 1/2″ birch ply and 3/4″ MDF construction for subwoofers
- BSS Blu-100 & BSS Blu-BoB for DSP
Drivers
- Woofer: Dayton Audio RS225-8
- Tweeter: Seas Prestige 19TFF1
- Midrange (Center speaker only): Dayton Audio RS52AN-8
- Subwoofer: Eminence LAB12-C
Frequency Response
Surround speakers
Surround Integrated Response
Center Speaker
Center Integrated Response
Subwoofer
TW-84 Home Entertainment Speakers
Design Goals
- Pleasurable
- Fairly Flat Frequency Response
- Passive Crossover
- Ported Enclosure For Increased Low End
- Pair With External Subwoofer
- Sound Good Alone As Well
Key Features
- WxDxH = 1′ x 1′ 3/8″ x 3′ 9 1/2″
- +/- 2dB from 40-20,000Hz
- 2 Way Design
- F3 of 37 Hz
Drivers
- Scanspeak D2604/32000
- Dayton Audio RS225
Frequency Response
Documentation:
TPA-1000 Home Theater Speakers
Design By:
Paul Bristol
Key dseatures
- Tall, Slender Design
- F3 of 48Hz
- +/- 3dB response from 100 Hz-20 kHz
- For Use with External Sub
- Large Stereo Image/ Wide Dispersion
Drivers
- Woofers: Seas Prestige L16N-SL 6” Woofer
- Tweeter: Eton 25SD-1 1” Soft Dome Tweeter
Frequency Response
Integrated Frequency Response
Horizontal Off Axis
Tech Speakers 