My Best DIY high end Speakers Part 2. Build details

This is part 2 of my high end Gabster GS11 speakers where I show the detailed construction journey.
I constructed my best DIY high end Speakers using multiple constrained layer damping to build a woofer enclosure that is far superior, a audio muffler design for the midrange and unique dipole multi position tweeter. The speakers have a unique vintage but modern design and can be converted in a compact version with amazing sound.
Please subscribe with notifications so you do not miss any of my future Videos and to help support the channel.
For those looking for some plans you can find the Schematics, crossover design and drivers used in my Crossover Build Video part 1 at 7:00
The woofer enclosure is 2ft deep by 22inces wide by 22inches high
Midrange enclosure 9 inches widest diameter 7inches mid diameter by 22 inches
There is a possibility to adj both the Mid and Highs by + or - 3db based on the Rall tweeters position also your room and taste and some Adj with the Rall foams.
For Schematics and crossover design see • Building very high end...
Link to Part 1 of this Video
• My Best DIY high end S...
Learn how to avoid Crossover parts Interference. See it and hear it
• Avoid Crossover parts ...
Save $$$ making your own speaker wire
• Save hundreds even tho...
Amazing DIY music Streamer
• Amazing audiophile DIY...

[@el_arte]

So, that’s how the pyramids were built! This is the most extreme speaker build I have ever seen.

[@kaasjecheese9014]

I'm sorry but i can't unsee a toiletseat as a front baffle, but very nice beautiful build!

[@love4wildlife]

Having heard these in person, I can say the sounds is absolutely astonishing with an amazing amount of detail.

[@Gabster1]

Thanks Henrik I am glad you were able to experience and enjoy my speakers. Always great to know what others hear.

[@milovacc1195]

@@Gabster1 how did HN get to hear the speakers ? are they in any audio shops?

[@Stan_the_Belgian]

Great work! Love the detail, making all the layers to deaden the enclosure. The baffle reminded me of a toilet seat though😅

[@Gabster1]

It is a beautiful one 😀

[@zhengyuwang9755]

Me too :D

[@kyleolsen3305]

As always i'm torn between if i'm more envious of your tools or of your speakers.

[@annaisangeles9754]

THANK YOU

[@samuelsalins8309]

Great job

[@AugustusCardoso]

incredible! absolute legend you are!

[@barneygermany530]

😳 that's crazy.... respect👌🏼

[@Frups12345678]

Amazing and inspirational!

[@cobar5342]

This was a joy to watch

[@justinkraus7784]

Extremely impressive!

[@IgnoranceBegetsConfidence]

the crossovers are a thing of beauty ! Very impressed

[@urosbuh2210]

Amazing!!! Congratulations!

[@reginaldburnbridge2217]

Thank you, beautiful.

[@Darobalmr]

Awesome craftsmanship. Inspiring!

[@Nathan-ry3yu]

That is a good result. Great build

[@arrondo7804]

Awesome works, man!😍👍💓

[@Silent-Lucidity]

These are spectacular! Bravo!

[@johnchan182]

good stuff of caps in the crossover

[@word2RG]

fantastic effort, congrats. enjoy your creation!

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

Congratulations on a great result. So many great ideas were implemented.

[@RGMDG]

Amazing and Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[@andrewmclavy1311]

Fantastic, brilliant, your a talented guy.

[@carlossanchez3582]

Impressive diy work, can’t wait your next project, this one inspire me a lot. Thanks a lot for sharing.

[@gijoe9587]

I absolutely love what you have done here. An absolute dream project with huge rewards. Well done💕💕💕

[@sumitgenzyme]

Superb job done. It's so satisfying

[@fabieneldridge3414]

Very nice, you have done a Beautiful job ! Would love to build !

[@nikkonkde]

Great work. I’m learning a lot from your technique 👍

[@user-cg5ug6pj4o]

This is how real high-end is made! I have nothing else to say but respect!

[@djlotfiwah]

Amazing amount of work and passion for an amazing result ..

[@craigenputtock]

Nice work.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Great Job ! thanks for the video

[@ronnyskaar3737]

This is the most impressive diy speakers I have seen. Fantastic!

[@gavinlamp]

they look just like art, i bet they sound better than they look

[@vikassm]

Fantastic! Couldn't wait to see the woofer & mid-range enclosure construction after watching part 1. The end result has gotta be VERY satisfying. There's no way a commercially built product could offer the same level of involvement or bring the kind of joy that a finished project of this complexity brings. I might be borrowing some of your ideas, of course, with proper references :)

[@schrodingerscat1863]

Good to see you putting real effort in where it counts, the frequency response on these speakers is incredible and they also look amazing too. Great design and attention to detail during construction with a result to be proud of.

[@stevebodalenko5286]

Incredible dedication to the black art of HiFi!

[@litoboy5]

GREAT job

[@rtvano01]

Nice work with passion. must sound amazing. great workshop. /greetings from Slovakia

[@sudd3660]

when you enjoy hifi the ultimate expression of that is make some yourself :) you really made some of the best cabinet, it was a joy to watch the process. i did make some myself recently, and i had to use active crossover because i do not have a clue about passive. also had a problem with hiss noise so i sold the plate amp but still have the speakers. i also made it a 3 way, but the 2 way part was separate and the bottom was like 2 stereo subwoofers. and compared to yours the cabinet is simple stuff, mdf wood with rubber layer on the inside. all by boxes was sealed so i filled it with some shredded fabric material made for the use, its pretty heavy compared to most other loose stuff normally sold.

[@crimsonghost6454]

Your attention to detail and the quality of the construction is impeccable. The frequency response looks great and with the woofer going so low is what I would look for also. You should be very proud of this. It is amazing. Thank you for sharing this and like I said last video,this is very inspiring.

[@Scott-sx1bf]

Excellent presentation! That build looked like a lot of fun, except for that woofer layer with the 2-part resin - that must have been a very anxious step with the clock running on the cure. Great job!

[@ryszardtomas8485]

This example shows how "great companies that have great groups of engineers and have powerful financial possibilities, patting bubles, pull out money from audiophiles. Respect for this guest who shows how thinking and passion overcome the largest corporations shimmering with leaders in Hi-End

[@vineethkumar6394]

This is an awesome build with an almost unimaginable amount of effort put into it. A big salute to your efforts. :)

[@Gabster1]

Thank you very much!

[@scarlisle684]

Will or have you posted a speaker demo various music interests? What is your background these are amazing

[@danielhendrik5554]

Amazing

[@fredfungalspore]

I commend and envy you for your dedication it took me all my patience. just to watch you build your cabinets. WELL DONE

[@simonirvine1628]

Very good

[@michaelz6870]

While any doubts about this guy actually knowing "WTH he's doing" had certainly diminished, by 23:53 it was blatantly obvious that not only does he know what he's doing, he was generous enough to put out a masterclass on the subject. 👌👏🙏

[@rakeshgupta-wv9ol]

Gr8 jobb

[@deanhalleck5738]

Hi Gabby, great Videos!! - I and my wife really like your new GS-11 speakers!! Could you maybe do a Video so we can here your new GS-11 speakers play different types of music , and some of Your favorite Music too??? I was very impressed with your thought process and your build process , I've been an Audiophile for about 35 years and have high standards, and there is very little that I would do differently than you have in your build! - - - Funny when I was younger I worked somewhere that had those shredded rubber mats that you used inside the speaker, and I also use to wonder if they would be good in a speaker box...LOL Thank you, Kind regards, Dean

[@Gabster1]

Thank you Dean I enjoyed reading your comment glad you guys liked the video and the channel. I have a video where I compare the PS audio to the Denafrips terminator where you can here a few songs, not the best and my favorites due to KZbin copy rights rules but will give a glimpse of the sound minus the imaging. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKGzfKygj8-dbpo Glad you liked the shredded rubber mat trick :) Gaby

[@Thereznap]

WOWOWOW. i'm simply blown away by your work !!. what an awesome project. i enjoyed every minute of this video. i was watching one of your videos about the Mcintosh gears, and fell in love with those speakers that i had no idea what they were. . i thought they were made by some hi-end manufacturer that cost 100 K !.. then comes to find out that there're DIY by you. all i wanna say is that i'm extremely impressed with the build quality. the fineness. the finishing. the look . and best of it all is the SOUND QUALITY 💖💖💖💖💖 !. they do sound AWESOME. Kudos 👍👍👍 . i'm green with envy ☺ .you have a great talent.

[@Gabster1]

Thank you for your beautiful comment 🙏 Maybe it will inspire you to build something. Even a simple small speaker could be rewarding.

[@icandreamstream]

I love those scanspeak woofers. It's shocking how much more detail can exist in bass. Drums actually sound like drums, not like thuds.

[@Gabster1]

Absolutely true.

[@ejrupp9555]

@@Gabster1 Yeah, I listen with reference head phones and you can tell he has a very good mic ... I can hear his foot steps @2:25 ... they sound exactly like my floor when I walk on then in socks. The bass drum sounds like you are standing 8 feet from the real thing ... you can just about tell the quality of the drum skin ... that was meant to be disparaging unless I'm picking up some room vibration.

[@seeharvester]

@@ejrupp9555 I was impressed with the band saw trick.

[@juliocubias9600]

Very impressive accomplishment, unique design and very tasteful aesthetics, all the way down to those beautiful spiky legs ! The crossover networks are loaded with premium parts, nicely arranged that are a pleasure to look at ! maybe a side vented clear acrylic box over them just to showcase them and keep dust away ? Congratulation on you channel, I just subscribed. best regards from California.

[@Gabster1]

Thank you great Idea about the side vented clear acrylic box over the crossovers

[@davidzicho8174]

This is definitely one of the best design DIY speaker I have seen. Congratulations. Is there any way to get a part list and attempt to build it myself? Would be a fantastic project

[@sloapac3348]

A superb work, real art. I am interested in how such linearity is possible in the external measurement of speakers between 20hz and 40hz, where these values ​​are usually around -6db. Is it possible to display measurements at a greater distance in the room at the listening position by capturing the L and R speakers together.

[@Gabster1]

The measurement at 21:47 inside are way higher but not very linear mostly the port adds up better inside then outside. Since the port it is down firing it is hard to do a accurate measurement outside It is a lot easier measuring a front firing port as it would be in line with the drivers The curve I was aiming for inside is a bit higher in the low frequency and a bit in the high as flat can be boring Measurements change a lot as you move large speakers around inside or change the mic position outside at the end if they are for your own use in a fixed room best to do the final balance at the listening position.

[@milovacc1195]

the speakers remind me Pierre-Etienne Leon speakers.

[@ferdinandbardamu3945]

Questions: 1. What crossover points did you settle on? Did you match directivity between mid and tweet or did you let the mid go as high as possible to avoid crossover in the vocal range? Comments: 2. I would have copied B&W matrix bracing technique for the midbass enclosure. 3. It doesn't look like you followed the B&W marlan head enclosure shape for the front of the midrange enclosure. I would have. Suggestion: 5. I you still can, line the enclosure walls with hawaphon steel pellet mats. Especially the midrange enclosure.

[@JR-ho5qm]

Your ingenuity is amazing! I really like your layering methods to help with dampening. One thing I noticed I didn’t see the back side of the baffles rounded over where the drivers sit. What’s your thoughts on that?

[@Gabster1]

Thank you that is a very good point I can still do that thanks for the tip JR

[@deanedgx]

great build. What woofers are you using? cheers.

[@rogerperreault441]

I must have missed it ,what are the drivers you have used. Totally amazing!

[@-martintheengineer-7465]

👍👍👍

[@quant2011]

isnt aluminum cabinet (or steel) more stiff? add to that aperiodic cabinet with stuffed large vent like in Zellaton flagship models or ME Geithain and you should in theory get more quality bass. What do you think?

[@butstough]

this is epic. im a huge fan of the "surroundless" B&W midranges. what frequencies are you crossing the midrange at? and what filter type?

[@Gabster1]

the schematics are in the crossover videos kzbin.info/www/bejne/en64ZJauqNiYp6c I f I remember correctly 400 and 2K

[@scottaberdonian7374]

Extreme! Now go active please! :)

[@yousifraja2368]

👌👌👌👌👌💯

[@fabricegrard1001]

21:25 audax loudspeakers (maybe HD20B25, tweeter HD12.9 and 20cm Focal or Kef ?)

[@tylerfolsom5540]

Your selectors...where did you get them from? Your attention to detail is out of this world.

[@Gabster1]

Got them from Amazon they are huge wish they were a bit smaller but wanted a good contact they are triple contacts by 3 positions made for 3 phase so you can triple the contact surface to reduce any signal loss www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07ZKYDHF8/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A2KRDQ1AI5Y5G6&psc=1

[@tylerfolsom5540]

Thank you! I was looking for a 2-position switch exactly like what you have found to switch between passive and active crossover.

[@ufarkingicehole]

Looks like you replicated a kick drum to play bass. Interesting

[@brucedowd2501]

Hello , i wonder if you have detailed plans you are prepared to sell . Cheers Bruce

[@marcomeneghini323]

Hi wow. nice job! Can you tell me what kind of router do you used? and wich tip?

[@Gabster1]

I am using a SFP fiber optic line with a simple Dlink Sfp terminal running on a linear PSU see my video about details :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5PXg6SAqZ2JpZosi=hRIpe45TvWM3dlOC

[@shiraz1736]

Excellent craftsmanship, did you consider a closed enclosure with a larger woofer at any point, looks like your cabinet could handle the pressures quite easily.

[@Gabster1]

The Scanspeak 32W 12 inch woofer is a excellent woofer I love the sound that it makes Clear and relaxed Drums actually sound like drums, not compressed. The bigger woofers seem to loose a bit in sound quality and speed I am a big believer of very large volume for the woofer with a large port It seems to give a sense of a open baffle. but that is just me. I debated double woofers but the almost round design di not help.

[@shiraz1736]

@@Gabster1 I noticed there is around 4-5 12inch woofer from SS , what one did you select and why? They all looked to be around the 32W marl as well.

[@jmb-tv6699]

First, sorry for mi english, i´m only speak spanish. I love this project. Can you say what brand of speakers you use? The bass cabinet have not resonance port ? Is a closed box? I use the LEAP software for design and simulate the box, xover, response and more... Are you using some software ? Have you a medicion of the cabinet vibrations ? Sorry for the questions, i have some componets as SEAS and FOCAL woofers , Dyanudio middles and tweeters, JVC Ribbon tweeters and i m thinking in build a project similar to this. Congratulations.

[@ny384388]

Stunning build! I am particularly curious about your use of Acoust-X in the woofer cabinet. In this build you use it as a laminating "adhesive" in the woofer cabinet multi-layer wall structure, similar to your horn build where you also use it on the inside of the cabinet with a thin plywood laminate. I notice you also use Acoust-X as a thick unconstrained paint inside the cabinet including the bracing structures. Is it best used as a CLD layer between rigid structures or is surface application on surfaces equally effective?

[@Gabster1]

For internal walls that will not easily resonate to the outside just painting them is fine that is what the manufacturer recommend. For outside walls using various layers that are different is the ultimate way as far as I see it. Using Acoust-x in between reduces the waves from resonating via the outside wall. I did some tests may be one day I will make a video about it where I used it between rigid structures and non rigid like rubber and it did well I was concerned about it not drying but as long as one side is wood it will dry as wood will extract the water over time. when possible let it dry for a couple days before adding more layers. Please note this is how I do it and I could be wrong, but my measurements and listening tests are very encouraging.

[@ny384388]

@@Gabster1 did the soft viscoelastic material in the multilayer wall structure make drilling through or flush trimming with a router difficult?

[@Gabster1]

@@ny384388 Not at all

[@alexandercyborg5308]

If the woofer crossover point is low enough and the wave length is bigger from the size box, then the shape of the box or the acoustic damper inside really doesn't matter.. Cause there is no standing wave. There are a lot of subwoofers without insulation inside with just an ordinary cube box..

[@1moderntalking1]

Gabster, I kinda wish u were my uncle haha 😛

[@Nihil1st1347]

Interesting! So you don't mind using screws for an ambitioned project? In my 1st LS build I used screws too, but later I thought that might be no good.

[@ivansbacon]

WOW! I can not say how many times i said Wow while watching this. As a lover of quality sound and a woodworker i was blown away by the detailed process. I particularly love the use of plumb-bobs for spike feet. The innovative building ideas you came up with in the shop were impressive. Love the shop. "I got tired of holding the sander" gave me a chuckle. I love copper and use it much in my projects. WOW, Thanks. Ps. They make a copper coupler that does not have the dimple. "Copper Slip Coupling"

[@Gabster1]

Thank you Ivan really enjoyed reading your comment nice to hear someone that shares your passion and can relate.

[@danblacker2983]

What model is the sub please?

[@robertmarshall7712]

Nice! I'm sure someone else has asked this but are those mid drivers from B&W?

[@Gabster1]

Yes they are!

[@robertschumacher9640]

Hey @Gabi where did you buy the plywood? I am looking to do simular rounded shaps but i cant find a good vendor with affordable prices and sizes

[@Gabster1]

Not sure where you are these are from Homedepot 4x8 sheets of 1/8 plywood Should find them in any big lumber store You will need to score the tight curves lots of work

[@robertschumacher9640]

@@Gabster1 Thanks for the responed. We dont have this here but i finally found a good online shop.:) One more Question the absorptive layer what material is it? It not rubber i guess

[@MyTgangsta]

Curious what midrange is that

[@olegyamleq7796]

22:54 Wowwwwwww, just WOWWWWW!!!!!! I will call you to make an order when i win the Lotto. great work. thanks. upvoted!!!

[@IDontExist14]

Hey bro u seem like a genuine person, I live in India and have my own sort of brand, I make for local clients , mostly home theaters only but for personal rig I have many self made tube amps, single ended mostly , you should visit India, I will take u to visit the real hidden gems plus I'm not poor or anything I have a good house and extra guest room as well, that's my music room lol

[@Gabster1]

Thank you for the generous offer will keep that in mind.

[@IDontExist14]

@@Gabster1 would u mind Reviewing my speakers, u can demo them as well, my speakers are made by instrument level wood, I stay as far away from mdf as possible, I basically only use ply and real wood only

[@ufarkingicehole]

Did I see a pair of IMF tls40?

[@PalaniAcoustic]

are the midrange chassis are glued in place ?

[@Gabster1]

They fit snug with a O ring rubber around the edge

[@fabieneldridge3414]

Would love to hear them ?

[@mauserkk98]

What was the ball park cost for the pair ?.

[@Gabster1]

Around USD $7000

[@ericstefko4852]

Were in Canada are you located?

[@Gabster1]

Vancouver BC

[@user-bn2kw5zu8y]

Wow great!!! Again meet with me!

[@HowIsThat69]

Didnt you overdid it just a bit on the woofer box. I mean after all it’s ported. It would make sense if it was a closed cabinet. I reckon half of all the layers would have been more than sufficient:) but nice work

[@Gabster1]

Thanks, the initial plan was to have it ported with a plug to have it sealed and compare so I have tried both The ported version sounded better

[@dejanusic3852]

Hello Gabster, Excelent job. Is there any drawings with dimension of Your high end speakers. I would like to make something similar.

[@Gabster1]

Exact measurements are reasonably not critical it is a simple design in a way the woofer cabinet inside dimensions are a 19 inch Radius with 4 inches above the circle by 20.5 inches deep outside are 22x24 (wall is about 1.5 inches thick ) The Midrange inside measurements are around 6.5 inches radius at the widest by 16 inches. I never did a drawing I built it big thinking could add more stuffing If I need to downsize. All the best with your build :)

[@dejanusic3852]

@@Gabster1 Thanks.

[@dejanusic3852]

@@Gabster1 Can You share information about What speaker You used and components of crossover?

[@Gabster1]

@@dejanusic3852 Scan speak 32W/4878T01 woofer, 5inch BW D3 Midrange, Ral 140 15DAM tweeter I will be doing a video about the crossovers in the future. it is a simple second order design .

[@dejanusic3852]

@@Gabster1 thank

[@radicalaudiodesign]

From where did you buy your midranges from?

[@Gabster1]

eBay

[@radicalaudiodesign]

@@Gabster1 link or something? What model you use? B&w have a few

[@raynerstuelgalid]

Why a down-firing port?

[@Gabster1]

You are not dependent on back wall distance you have it fixed also esthetics the bass is smoother and will sound therefore bigger and tighter The wider bottom funnel will act a a big flare eliminating shuffle sounds

[@jasombeeman1955]

How much?

[@johnbarker8504]

and what do you do in your free time?

[@jawito5378]

For building this you need a workshop filled with expensive mashines like is shown here. If you dont have it you can forgot about that and rather invest the same money to get a high end speaker from you dealer. If a speaker needs to have this rounded geometry and fancy multilayer coverage can be be truly doubted. There exist lots of excellent DIY speaker that use conventional shape and sound great with simple MDF coated with whool or similar and even expensive commercial designs usually do not consist of this sophisticated multilayer stuff. I really doubt that this complicated procedure has that effect on acustic quality.

[@offthecuff6352]

Sounds like mid range and upper mid range is absent.

[@keithbill310]

Its just a 3 way speaker ...

[@bFABIO]

Cheap Work!! Lol.