Building High-End Small Stand Mount Speakers - by SoundBlab

The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/soundbl...
This small stereo speaker set was designed around the Tang Band W5 5 inch subwoofer driver in a bass reflex enclosure. Each speaker consist of a Dayton Audio rear-firing tweeter and a Tang Band W3 3inch mid-range driver. The goal was to have a small but powerful stereo speaker system that has very good horizontal off-axis response for a wide soundstage and great imaging.
= BUILD PLAN: bit.ly/3BTW4XE
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PARTS:
- Speaker wire (14 AWG) - (US) parts-express.... , (EU) bit.ly/39erRI4
- Tang Band W5-1138SMF 4 ohm Subwoofer - (US) parts-express.... , (EU) bit.ly/3GRGyPB
- Tang Band W3-881SJ 3" Cast Frame Neodymium Driver - (US) parts-express.... , (EU) bit.ly/3k9lWZp
- Dayton Audio ND25FA-4 Tweeter - (US) parts-express.... , (EU) bit.ly/3wgunqI
- Pair of Binding Posts - (US) parts-express.... , (EU) bit.ly/3wP4o8s
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Recommended Gear, Tools, Amplifier Modules, Speaker Drivers, and more...
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Audio Components & Solutions:
- Parts Express (US) - parts-express....
- Soundimports (EU) - bit.ly/3B0xWEn
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Music: www.epidemicso...

[@SoundBlab]

The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/soundblab11211 Get the BUILD PLAN for this speaker project here: bit.ly/3BTW4XE

[@bibi2021]

Can feel the wide soundstage these small mighty speakers are able to project. Clean and warm sound. Good job!!!

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks

[@williambracken1447]

Just finished mine and the imaging is amazing. They are about 15 feet apart with a slight toe in and about 24 inches from the wall. They love power. I’ve got them running off a Peachtree Nova 220se so they are getting at least 220 a piece I believe. Alan Parsons I Robot is first and they sound beautiful. I am VERY impressed. Great work!

[@SoundBlab]

That's awesome, very pleased that you like them!

[@aejoker1]

Built the bigger floorstanders & they are burning in nicely , I reckon these stand mounts may suit my small room even better.........I can feel another build coming on !!

[@SoundBlab]

🤙🏻😎

[@slicksport2000]

Small yet powerful with great sound. I was able to get highs, mids, and lows. Well done.

[@SoundBlab]

Cool 😎

[@jameslo1991]

Boenicke W5

[@presidentpotato222]

My thoughts exactly .. and i own the W8se+ and just sold my W5’s .. love my Boenicke W8se+’s

[@eggsngritstn]

Great build, especially the slot port. These aren't for me since my rooms are not suitable for this placement, but I love the direct/reflected design.

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks man!

[@Cabernetor]

Those sound absolutely wonderful, congratulations

[@SoundBlab]

Many thanks!

[@OppaYA]

Tweeter at the back of the speaker? Why? Isn't it gonna move the phase and also drop the high range?

[@solenskinerable]

no, it probably wont wrap around the back baffle and interact with the front wave. rather it will bounce around the room and decrease the directivity index

[@forsale313]

@@solenskinerable Room position is the key to these little monsters then.

[@Luke-qs2cg]

Tweeters play front forward. They are not omnidirectional like a woofer playing low. The bounce off the back wall generally puts it in phase with the front wave, but delayed. Makes things sound "bigger" depending on how far it is from the wall. If it's close though, your going to have issues. Mainly in the s region where a sharp s will often now sound like the sound starts twice. It's really trippy and happens with the nd25 about 6" from the wall behind it.

[@andyminner3312]

The tweeters reflect the high on the wall. I have a b&o m5 and it have also tweeters on the back. Good job👍👍

[@sethh8892]

​@@solenskinerable couldn't you do the same thing by just lowering the amplitude to the Tweeter?? It would still be direct, and definitely always in perfect phase, but not so ear piercingly loud that it overrides the rest of the frequency range...

[@milesdufourny4813]

The Boenicke W5 actually uses Tang Band Drivers.

[@SoundBlab]

They use Tang Band side woofer and resr tweeter. The mid is a Fountek. I wanted to try my one combo of drivers that I thought works well together and not necessarily try to clone or copy the W5.

[@thethirdman225]

17:40 those deep strings are very impressive.

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks

[@derekjarman1638]

Great build - I like that you include your sims and measured responses 👍👍

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks! 😊

[@arcyoon]

Oh! Wonderful sound!!

[@KholisVirologist]

Amazingly good

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@user-dh1uf3rk8g]

Nice Design！　And Nice Built! Small but Great Sound!

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks!

[@bpalpha]

All your builds are very well done. Makes me wish I had a wood shop. Decent sound for a small speaker. I thought you might use them for a desktop setup.

[@NBC_NCO]

I lived in a apartment years ago. I had the local hardware shop cut the rough sizes. I used a small router for making datos and rabbits. I used jigsaw for the speakers. All done on the front porch.

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks. They can be used on a desktop, but still need to be a bit away from the wall though.

[@MrRajibbasak]

Excellent sound for a speaker of this size. But I wonder why you have placed the tweeter on the rear?

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks. The full-range driver goes al the way up to 20KHz and deals well with the high frequncies. The tweeter on the back helps to creates some presence and spaciousness in the soundstage.

[@jamegumb7298]

Do not do this if you want excellent sound placement though, like behind the pc for game or film. If well done for music thoughit sounds like coming from the air, it is really good. Choices, choices.

[@meanjeans99]

@@SoundBlab Do you wire the tweeter out of phase? I'm early in a build of my own and I assumed I would wire it out of phase. Love your channel.

[@Luke-qs2cg]

@@meanjeans99 in phase, late reflection causes larger sound field. But less precision

[@vjmoglyman]

Hi, why do not use Tweeter in upper side, like dolby atmos, other friend says, maybe tweeter will be out of phase in backside ( a good demo would be measure connected and disconnected). Anyway, beautiful work my friend!

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks. I have tried a similar build before with upfiring omni tweeter. This time I wanted to try a different configuration.

[@presidentpotato222]

I own Boenicke W8se+ and have owned the W5’s which I believe are the loose inspirations for these speakers .. ….I bet these-sound very nice indeed .. hats off to you .. the front baffles on Boenicke’s recess the driver ..and use a surround of a dense material to help with diffraction .. .. an extra layer of Mdf to this build would let you try this

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks. Nice, unfortunately I have not had the opportunity yet to hear any of the Boenicke speakers, but I like the design and aesthetic.

[@larrybohl5256]

Great job!!!!!!!!

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks

[@tomkocur]

Boenicke W5 with better crossover at lower price. Nice. I'm very interested in this subwooer, planning to use it in my next PC desktop speakers, combined with Tectonic Elements TEBM46C20N + active crossover via miniDSP. 3-4 litres seem to be just fine for a sealed enclosure, 6dB bump at 45Hz can make this play flat from 40Hz, which I think is awesome for that size.

[@SoundBlab]

Sounds great!

[@kz6fittycent]

Surprisingly good bass...

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks

[@mauserkk98]

Another nice looking build ,a coat of quality veneer wound be the finishing touch .

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks

[@udaya.320]

Good

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks

[@Shan-ij7rs]

Nice

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks

[@neilberkeley5469]

It’s a tricky build But I’m thoroughly enjoying it Still have all my fingers so far 😂

[@SoundBlab]

Great stuff, glad you are enjoying the build! Send some pics when you are done.

[@neilberkeley5469]

@@SoundBlab where should I send to?

[@Максим_Игоревич]

Потрясающе.

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks!

[@tohff24]

Great sound, bravo !!

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks

[@karimdailyjazz]

good job exellent soud you are the best

[@SoundBlab]

Thank you! 😃

[@__-fm5qv]

Super interesting stuff! Currently working on a similar set of speakers, small with a large sound stage, also targeting an f3 of 45Hz, but using different drivers. It's using a W3-2088 S0F for the bass in a little 2L enclosure, NE85W-04 mid (down firing and omni-directional from a secondary enclosure on top of the main), and then two ND20FB-4 tweeters (both of which point mostly upwards towards the mid but one slight foward and one slightly to the side). Hopeing to have it all built by this october so it'll be faciating to see how this may stack up in comparison.

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks. Your project sounds very interesting!

[@__-fm5qv]

@@SoundBlab Thanks! I'm hoping it'll work out! But we'll see once I can do some real world measurement.

[@Alfa_Rx8]

Very nice job !

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks

[@forsale313]

That is an incredibly flat response. Guess I had better get those Tangband before they sell out. (I see why they go so fast). These would be excellent for mixing and mastering on a budget. Thank you so much for the video.

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks

[@md.saifulislam5471]

What is the background music name and artist name? You given link i did not found

[@mariokaldato]

Very amazing job bro 💓💓💓 Thanks for beauty

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks!

[@kylesnyder3757]

Could the tweeter be installed on the top (like the “Omni”) minus the reflective sphere? I don’t have the luxury of having the speakers 1/3 the way into my room? Thoughts? Or could the tweeter be in the front?

[@SoundBlab]

Not an option on this one. Even though I did say that 1/3 into the room is best, I have spent some time with them about 1 or 2 feet from the wall and they still performed very well with great soundstage and imaging.

[@kylesnyder3757]

@@SoundBlab thanks, I’m going to give this build a try!

[@k-0neinteractive496]

wow really incredible these little monsters 😲 for being able to listen to the w5, I have to congratulate you because it sounds so good I like the design 👍, but I would like to have some information. you used 12 mm mdf, the problem is that it can't be found at my place and ordering a sheet costs the price of a car 😅. and is it possible to make it in 15mm while respecting the interior volume? I prefer to find out carefully before purchasing your plan. and congratulations again for this superb achievement 👍👍👍

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks. I think if you use 15mm it should be ok. Just extend the outer dimensions. There might be slight variances in the frequency response, but it will be minimal and probably not audible.

[@k-0neinteractive496]

@@SoundBlab Thank you very much for your answer so I found some at 10mm and as I already have a 2mm sheet I am thinking of doing some gluing to get to 12mm, and as I have access to a CNC it will be perfect 👌 with birch a bit like speakers (AUDEL Nika prestige) I like the edges of the exposed plywood. j I can't wait to build these little monsters 😁 then I'll tackle the larger model. This is really top-notch work that you do and very well explained. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@SoundBlab]

That sounds perfect. Thanks man!

[@jay1st1st]

So the tweeter works with the wall reflections ??

[@SoundBlab]

In essence yes, it helps to creates some presence and spaciousness in the soundstage.

[@jay1st1st]

@@SoundBlab how's the timing of the tweeter combined with the med in front then ?

[@neilberkeley5469]

Quick question I’m assuming I need to drill a hole for the wires into part 9 ? Thanks

[@SoundBlab]

Correct. My bad, omitted this detail from the plans. Thanks for spotting it.

[@neilberkeley5469]

@@SoundBlab no problem 👍

[@VidarrKerr]

Do you prefer the opening in the front, or the back? I have seen both designs built, but never heard both designs in person. Excellent Video! Thanks!

[@Luke-qs2cg]

Depends on the room. To the back if you can pull the speaker well away from the wall behind it, or if your using the wall for boundary gain with an in-efficient port. To the front for all other situations.

[@klaus-udokloppstedt6257]

never thought you can simply point tweeters to the back, as their sound beam is quite directional.

[@SoundBlab]

The rear-firing tweeter will reflect off the front wall and helps the speaker to achieve a more spacious sound.

[@weeverob]

so the tweeters are firing toward the back wall?

[@Steve-kx4yz]

wow, living in NYC i do not have access to the tools and or skills required to make this. But would be super interested to hear them. Do you sell either kits or complete speakers? Love the idea of the side firing woofers

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks. I only sell build plans at this stage.

[@tobycraft9534]

Behinds my desk is a acoustic panels so the back driver will not do much

[@poutine9434]

Make t-line car subwoofer box please

[@virenheera7374]

Great build... BTW, what sneakers are those (green ones in the cover pic)?

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks! They are ECKO UNLTD Retro Sneakers in Olive.

[@raymonddegennaro3097]

Are these suitable for desktop/near-field use? Or would they need to be spaced-put further on a larger desktop?

[@SoundBlab]

I have not tried them as desktops, but with I would suggest you still leave ate least a foot from the back wall.

[@raymonddegennaro3097]

@@SoundBlab Thanks! As a "Now that I think about it", do you have plans/recommendations for a set of speakers that would work in a near-feild/desktop/small office 5.1 setup?

[@nathanielbotha1]

Where do you buy your drivers and electrical components. I can't seem to find drivers in South Africa.

[@SoundBlab]

You won't find any locally. I import from Parts Express, Soundimports and Madisound.

[@nonapoogamers3294]

Sir make 6th order bandpass subwoofer

[@hermangaviria690]

Doesn't the stuffing interfere with the port ?

[@SoundBlab]

As long as the port is not blocked by the stuffing, it is fine.

[@hermangaviria690]

@@SoundBlab what about the transmission line mini subwoofer you made a few years ago?

[@SoundBlab]

The transmission line works a bit differently. We use the stuffing to slow down the rear wave from the speaker cone to tune the response. Ported enclosures needs the port unobstructed to perform at the tuning frequency of the port. If we would stuff the port, that tuning frequency will change an potentially reduce the extent of the bass output.

[@martingleich3616]

nice job ;-)

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks

[@fredsanke8710]

...will it be smaller than Bose...

[@FGRFPV]

I really like those little Logo Pieces you have on every build. How where those made? I want to add my own ones to speakers I built. My plan is to 3d print a base (hull), insert aluminium as a contrast, put a carbonfiber logo on this (so the logo itself is aluminium but surrounded by carbon) and finally fill it with epoxy, smooth and round the edges and give it a polish. I wonder if yours are similar! BTW, great design. 45hz for that size is impressive indeed!

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks man! These logo stick-ons are called resin dome badges. If you search for a supplier in your area you should find someone who can make them.

[@stephenchurchill3929]

@@SoundBlab Just a thought, maybe you could sell your logo badges on your website with the plans? I'd buy them :)

[@juanjosedelsalto6925]

Perfecto! Que eres, ingeniero?

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks. I am an industrial designer, but have some engineering experience as well.

[@claudiosantarossa5062]

Great project. But too complicated bass reflex duct.

[@williambracken1447]

This was the most difficult part for me as well being a very amateur wood worker. I was able to conjure up what was needed with a little ingenuity and help from my stepfather in his wood shop.

[@scottaberdonian7374]

Around £350 + your time :)

[@viktornedelin9671]

🤗👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@SoundBlab]

🤙🏻

[@eballacharles0302]

,👊👍

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks