Building Bigger than Bookshelf Speakers (almost like Studio Monitors)

[Stugpanzer]

Now that I have my Kenwood KR-9050 Receiver, and at this time I am limited with space; I want to build some speakers so I can listen to some tunes and have it sound halfway decent while I work!  The Kenwood is in my home office (I work form home full-time) and I don't plan on cranking that much (well sometimes) so I wanted to get or build some decent speakers that had good specs.  I used to have EV Interface 1 Series 2's when I had my Kenwood years ago and that system, also a 2-way system, was a pretty good match.  The speakers I am building will have a frequency response of about 62-20,000 hz.

I already ordered all the guts from Parts Express.  The speaker will be based (somewhat) on this one except I will not be doing a trapezoid shape:  http://www.eighteensound.it/Portals/0/EnclosuresKits/18sound_8%202ways.pdf

Here is the list of items I ordered from Parts Express:

(2) http://www.parts-express.com/prv-audio-8mb500-ndy-neodymium-8-midbass-midrange-woofer-8-ohm--294-2711
(2) http://www.parts-express.com/tymphany-h25tg05-08-1-titanium-dome-tweeter-with-waveguide-8-ohm--264-1381
(4) http://www.parts-express.com/speaker-cabinet-port-tube-2-id-adjustable--260-387
(2) http://www.parts-express.com/parts-express-round-speaker-wire-terminal-cup-2-7-8-gold-spring-loaded--260-276
(2) http://www.parts-express.com/penn-elcom-s1040-1165kit-driver-mounting-kit--260-775
(4) http://www.parts-express.com/acoustic-eggcrate-foam-2-pcs-1-1-2-x-12-x-12-for-speaker-enclosures-only-non-ul--260-526
(2) https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-xo2w-3k-2-way-speaker-crossover-3000-hz--260-144
(1) https://www.parts-express.com/parts-express-speaker-gasketing-tape-1-8-x-3-8-x-50-ft-roll--260-540

My plan is to build with MDF then laminate probably with walnut to match my Kenwood.  The only thing I haven't decided is on how I will recess the drivers.  I can route a lip arond the openings in the MDF, or I can add wood to the front flush with the drivers.  I haven't decided on that yet.

It will be a while before I update this with a status as I will not be able to wok on it for a few weeks but I wanted to get the parts ordered so i acn work on it when I can.

[SHEEVS]

I have been building cabinets for many of years and I agree that mdf is the way to go. My only advice is that the edges don't like to take glue paint or in your case contact cement type glue. My fix was to sand the edges down real good and I also used bondo in the past just to seal it so the glue would work.  I like to build my own stuff too you just never know what your going to get.

Sheevs

[Stugpanzer]

Thanks Sheevs!  They say that when painting or finishing, preparation is key so it seems that would be true for how I intend on finishing as well.

[scorpio333]

I've read to use wood glue on the rough edges then lightly sand it. I tried it for a project and it didn't work for me.

I've never made a speaker from scratch, been thinking of trying for a simple sound bar for the wife and daughter's TV. Those tiny 3/4" speakers grind my ears.

[Stugpanzer]

Years ago, I made a small set in a high school wood working class an dthey turned out pretty well.  I the turned around and sold them like a dope!  Another thing I wish I would have kept!

[papabearjew]

I made a magazine stand in high school wood shop and still have it!

[SHEEVS]

Depot sells stair treads out of mdf has a bull nose on it all ready they are 2 bucks each and 11x48 with the nose ripped off. Just bought some for a shelf project. I made some bookshelf one out of them years ago and stonecraft spray painted them work really nice on my Scott 233 valve amp. If you need a hand cutting that up pm me

Sheevs

[Stugpanzer]

Thanks for the tip Sheevs!  I like that idea for a finish.  It never occurred to me!