Zaph|Audio Archived

WELCOME! This page is a not-for-profit collection of hobbyist content. It was put up to display some of the better speaker projects I've built. I've been a hifi hobbyist for many years, and music is a big part of my life. I've built a lot of speakers, some for no reason other than to see if they sound good. I've built a lot more than what you see here. These are just a few the recent ones I decided to document.

All designs here are free for non-commercial use. This web site was posted for the benefit of the DIY loudspeaker community, from which I learned so much over the years.

There are some "Cheap But Good" speaker designs here and there are also some very high end designs. If you're looking for some DIY designs that will outperform commercial retail products costing 5 to 10 times more, one of these designs may suit you. If you're looking for some assistance in picking drivers for your own projects, you'll find measurements and driver reviews here.

Fully documented DIY speaker systems:

• ZMV5 - A bargain priced 5" 2-way using MCM and Vifa drivers
• ZDT3.5 - A high value 3.5 way tower using Dayton RS drivers
• ZRT - A Scan-Speak Revelator tower system
• SR71 - A kit design using the new Seas reed cone 7"
• Bargain Mini - Low price, high performance minimonitor
• ZD5 - A reference level 5" 2-way with Scan Speak and Vifa drivers
• Bargain Aluminum MTM - Cheap and simple with great sound
• Waveguide TMM - A floorstanding 2.5-way with minimalist and perfectionist crossovers
• Slimline Wall-Mounted Speaker Part 1 - Cabinet design with formed MDF
• Hi-Vi B3S Single Driver System - The best 3" wide range speaker
• Seas L18 / 27TBFCG - An all-metal system with new Seas drivers

Current driver tests:

• Tweeter Mishmash - A large and varied collection of tested tweeters
• Small Driver Comparison - All types of drivers of 4.5" or smaller
• 5.5" Driver Comparison - A roundup of extensively tested midwoofers
• 6.5" to 7" Driver Comparison - A roundup of large midwoofers and fullranges
• 8" Driver Comparison - A group of nine 8" woofers
• Battle of the Non-Domes - Tests of planar and ribbon tweeters
• Le(x) - A unique test that shows insight to high output IMD and AMD performance.
• Tidbits - Misfit measurements that don't have a home in one of the other groups.

Other projects

• Dayton B652 - Tests and modifications of what may be the cheapest 6" 2-way made
• Energy C500 - Tests and review of this commercial tower system
• NHT XDS Passive Crossover - A fine speaker sold without a crossover when NHT closed its doors
• Best Buy Insignia - Measurements, mods and comments of the strangely popular ultra-cheap speaker
• DIY Visit to Tymphany - Mark Krawiec and John Krutke Visit Ken Kantor and crew
• Tweeter Off Axis Response - Discussion and comparison of many types of tweeters
• Common Enclosures in 2.5-Way Systems - Effects of a .5 BSC woofer sharing volume with the main woofer
• Horn loading a standard dome tweeter - An experiment that turns out pretty well
• Effect of temperature on a woofer - Why car audio sucks in freezing/blazing states like Wisconsin
• The Archives - A small portion of some projects I've built in the past.

Friends of Zaph|Audio:

• Zaph Audio Design Contest - A 3-way and a few 2-ways using the ZA14W08 and the SB29 neo - New!
• David Ralph's Chameleon - An SB Acoustics 17cm 2-way system
• Greg Givler's GR M130 / Fountek JP3 - Pulling off a great ribbon design

Commentaries and rants:

• Evaluation Myths Busted - Subjectivity vs objectivity, audiophile power words, etc.
• The importance of non-linear distortion - In drivers and in systems, why you need this data.
• Design Mantras - My common speakerbuilding concepts and theories.
• SoundEasy Setup - Why I chose SE and how I use it
• Surface mounting woofers and tweeters - You knew it had negative effects, but how bad?