DIY Speakers - LXmini Project Design (Part 2)

[@earlfenwick]

Y'know. Every time I looked at the Linkwitz over the years, I just never could get over the cobbled-together appearance. Too say nothing of what my wife would say if I put them in the living room. Great job!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Same! They always just looked so terrible. I think these will look MUCH better. In this case, my wife actually recommended moving them from the study (where they were originally intended) to the main living room.

[@edjackson4389]

I enjoyed this alot. I recently aquired access to a very nice 3D printer thanks to my brother. I'm finally gonna try the LX Minis!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Nice! They're pretty surprising

[@honroy1950]

clean looking speakers and they can also take a hit from a fingertech beater bar, 10/10

[@RobertCowanDIY]

ha!

[@jvburnes]

Fantastic craftsmanship. I'm wanting to build of pair of these. If I really like the sound I might have to up my 3D and woodworking game. Thank you!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Glad you like them.

[@fbombtehgr3at]

Where is part 3, Robert? We are looking forward to seeing the finished project 🎉

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I had a few things come up and have been busy with other projects. But they're ALMOST done. I have a couple videos to release on the controller (it's 'done', it just needs to be wired up), and the speakers just need some final assembly and finishing.

[@Aedal-9]

Another great project and video, looking forward to see the result!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Thanks, me too!

[@TheEddieification]

I've watched this entire series in reverse, somehow, maybe I am doalexic. Anyway, I love these mods and will show my boss and see how we can use these tips on a school bus.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

ha, thanks!

[@JonathanRansom]

New design is 🔥.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Yeah, they're gonna look pretty sharp. The controller will be pretty nice too.

[@earlfenwick]

For those of us unable to do 'acetone vapor smoothing' etc, are you going to sell these things? Watching...😉

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I ended up ditching vapor smoothing, it's too inconsistent. Nothing's worse than spending 2 days printing a part and have the geometry change when vapor polishing. I'm going with NylonX, straight finish from the print, which is quite good. Check out the most recent video, at the end you can see a preview of the 'finished speakers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqC7l2SZiciYocU

[@BestUnderPressure]

Very cool project

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Thanks! It's a BIT involved for my first speakers, but that's kinda how I roll.

[@danielthompson2353]

Is the CAD model for the top bit available somewhere as it would be very nice to improve the look of my current LX Minis

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Since the ultimate design is copyrighted, I don't feel comfortable sharing anything. BUT, if you are aware of the user's group (you got a link to the forum when you purchased the design), I can share it there.

[@electranspower]

This is a fun project! Did you do the calculations to determine the proper volume for the driver? If not, you can always add a plug somewhere along the cylinder for proper tonality. Resonance will also be an interesting aspect of this build. The great thing about 3D printing is the ability to infill with different forms and percentages. This will affect the tonality and resonance as well. Looks great!! Keep us posted!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

The original design has all this figured out. I just took the original design and calculated the volume and tried to get as close as possible with my modifications.

[@chrisd1405]

Robert, are you selling the printed parts? Or CAD files?

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Reach out to me directly. If you can show that you purchased the plans, I can send you all the files for free.

[@markaustin2268]

Any chance you still have the link to the rabbeting bit you used?

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Sure thing, here you go: amzn.to/4aC6lu2 I'm actually using it for another project this weekend, it's a good tool to have around.

[@erichill5328]

Very cool…!

[@JohnEdwa]

How is the weight balance with the drivers installed, it looks like they would be rather easy to tip over accidentally with such narrow legs.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Surprisingly, it's pretty solid. I was worried about that, but even with the 3d printed legs, it's pretty good. Ideally, I could go a LOT longer on the legs, but it looked kinda odd. The speakers seem like they've be REALLY top-heavy, but in reality they're not. The aluminum legs are quite chonky and make it fairly stable.

[@PeterHertel]

Honest question, why go to the lengths of making the lip on the PVC pipe, when you could just model and print an inside lip instead?

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Great question actually. I think just having the double-lip is ultimately stronger? Also, that would mean then inside of the tube wouldn't be smooth/seemless. Ideally, you want the inside of your tube/enclosure to not have anything sticking out that could cause air turbulence. The cross-section of my design is smooth from the driver down to the bottom of the pipe.

[@PeterHertel]

@@RobertCowanDIY you could make the double lip in the print, but yes, there would be a bump on the inside. Your option looks like the sound move to make. :)

[@tstanley01]

First