These SURPRISED ME! Building the Arylic TQWT 2-Way Floor Standing Speakers - by SoundBlab

Listening to these speakers really surprised me. It sounds big and dynamic. The bass goes really low and from my perspective will not require a subwoofer at all. In-room response will easily go down into the mid-twenties. Listening for longer periods of time does not become fatiguing, with vocals and highs that are clear and does not get out of shape at higher volumes. The overall tone is neutral to warm in it’s presentation. These speakers, despite their size, has the ability to disappear very well in the soundstage and with certain music, and will extend beyond their physical position towards the sides. The soundstage is not the deepest I have ever heard, but rather big and wide. Imaging is spot on, and you can place instruments in their place with the right music.
I really like these, they have been fun to listen to, and have been in my setup for some time now. This is a fairly easy build, and I can highly recommend them as a project for anyone looking for a 2-way floor stander that has some punch and dynamics. Obviously the 6.5 inch woofer has it’s limits, so do not expect to drive them with bass heavy music to stupid sound pressure levels, however with sensitivity of around 87dB, these do not need too much power from your amplifier to go more than loud enough for the average sized room.
BUILD PLANS: www.soundblab....
Arylic Halloween Sale: Get 20% OFF Discount code: hw20 until end October 2023.
Purchase Links:
8m (26 foot) of speaker wire (14 AWG) - (US) parts-express...., (EU) bit.ly/39erRI4
Arylic AMT-9 Tweeter - shorturl.at/fltAC
Arylic GFWB-65 Woofer - shorturl.at/lmzF9
Square Terminal Cup 79 x 79 mm - (US) parts-express.... - (EU) shorturl.at/dIJK7
64mm Flared Bass Reflex Port - (US) parts-express.... - (EU) shorturl.at/bdrwZ
#6 x 3/4" (3.3 x 19 mm) Deep Thread Pan Head Screws Black - To secure the drivers - (US) bit.ly/2Gvk8XM - (EU) bit.ly/3maZwqC
Measuring tape - amzn.to/2gQP7jo
Wood glue - amzn.to/2zlypPT
Masking tape - amzn.to/2yyn8yl
Woodworking Square - amzn.to/2x52C4V
Drill - amzn.to/36843no
Drill Bits - amzn.to/2hOSS8O
Hot glue gun - amzn.to/2kZo4qs
Screwdrivers - amzn.to/2xPTkcM
Straight Cut Router Bit 1/4 inch and/or 1/2 inch - amzn.to/2E59zFX, amzn.to/2teGq8s
Flush Trim Router Bit 1/4 inch - amzn.to/2I3uLDA
19mm or 3/4inch Radius Round-over Router Bit - amzn.to/3S9Qxb2
45 Degree Bevel Router Bit - amzn.to/3hCjVEN
Router Circle Cutting Jig - amzn.to/2Ifx3KO
Orbital Sander with 150 and 240 grit sandpaper - amzn.to/2zljy7Y
Finishing Sander with 320 and 400 grit sandpaper - amzn.to/2zljUeO
Wire Snips - amzn.to/2zkGh44
Soldering Iron and Solder - amzn.to/2yydWd2
Center Punch - amzn.to/37bo63h
Utility Knife - amzn.to/2l0v3zl
Polyester Batting - amzn.to/2GAUKjI
12mm or 1/2 inch Under Carpet Felt 4 x 1 feet approximately - (US) bit.ly/3ON0NSH, (EU) bit.ly/3Ku8wS9
M10 Adjustable Swivel Feet - (US) amzn.to/3MdBf1g, (UK) amzn.to/3Saqf8E
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Music:
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[@SoundBlab]

Get the BUILD PLAN for this project here: tinyurl.com/mndn53vz

[@ergoello]

Buongiorno. Ho acquistato i piani di costruzione e avrei alcune domande: - E' indicato nei purchase link 4x 0.27mH 18AWG Air Coil Inductor mentre nello schema crossover sono 2x 0.27mH 18AWG. E' un errore? - Posso usare 0.18mH 20AWG Air Coil Inductor invece di 0.18mH 18AWG Air Coil Inductor? - Posso usare 1.2mH 18AWG Air Coil Inductor invece di 1.2mH 15AWG Air Coil Inductor? - Posso usare 15mm Under Carpet Felt invece di 12mm Under Carpet Felt? - E' indicato nei purchase link 2x 64mm Flared Bass Reflex Port mentre il link EU rimanda a Flared Bass Reflex Port 68 mm Grazie

[@MichaelYoung-xs1vh]

I have been waiting for the Arylic speaker build! Excited to try this build. Amazing work as usual!

[@SoundBlab]

Glad you like it!

[@MichaelYoung-xs1vh]

I completed these in January of 2024. The best way I can describe the sound was when my wife walked into our living room as I was testing and asked "What do they sound like without the subwoofer?" I told her the sub was unplugged. She replied with "wow!" The low end is dynamic, not room shaking but when you play a track that digs deep these have the ability to produce tight deep lows. I believe the title of the video stating "These surprised me!" to be very accurate. The top end is very warm and true. I have found jazz guitar tracks to be very entertaining with these.

[@paullaughton6016]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful build, your videos have been progressively improving along with your builds.

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks!

[@koolmint]

I have interest in TQWT design, so this must be considered my next project. Also I really like the color you painted!

[@SoundBlab]

Cool. The colour is called Addo. The name is referenced to the Addo Elephant Park in South Africa, and the colour very much derived from the colour of an elephant's skin. It's sort of a muddy warm grey with slight green undertone.

[@zsoltmezolaky3385]

Man, this looks great! Nice work!

[@gordiefrench5342]

Very nice looking speaker you built I have done a few and one was the best bass extension ever. Biggest size of course

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks

[@MW-nb4dv]

Those came out looking great! They sound good in the demo too. I just finished building your previous design about a week ago, and have been enjoying them a lot so far!

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks! Great to hear that you are enjoying the speaker! Feel free to send me some pics, I always love to see how a build turned out.

[@AudioTekAdventures-ph9ke]

Thank you for this review and all your great content😃 They looks great, keep up the good work!

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks

[@juststuff5216]

Great video! And thanks for the all important sound demo.

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks!

[@MartyBird_70]

I prefer the sound of the chr fullrange tower with the side woofers. These one do hum a bit on low frequency and the chr are more balanced. I just used better earphones to compare. Just my 50 cts. Thank you for all the prsentations. Keep up the good work !

[@albertogoldoni3542]

Many compliments!

[@SoundBlab]

Many thanks!

[@fabriziovigni4076]

Great project! I will try to do something similar to that. Cheers from Brazil!

[@WillemFick]

Built a pair of these years ago from a design by David Weems. I used cheap 6.5" drivers, yet they sounded absolutely amazing. I always planned to rebuild them, but as opposed to having a visible port I was invisaging firing the horn directly at the floor, and the using a gap provided by spikes/feet as a port of sorts.

[@davebutler3905]

I have been thinking of trying this too. A folded Voigt pipe with open base. The adjustable gap can be used to tune the loading. Good luck with your build!

[@weatheranddarkness]

That's how the Cube (Nenuphar etc.) speakers are designed. It works. It's not the last word, but I think it's more in-room tunable than a fixed port. As in that case using slightly longer feet on the front corners gives you a little bit of lean back, which can help with both relative driver height and having a slight forward throw to the output.

[@p_mouse8676]

Because of the port, this is actually a mass loaded quarter wave (tapered) transmission line. A regular quarter wave transmission line goes from big to a small. Nice build! 👍👍

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks. Yes it is indeed mass loaded.

[@MrTHANBAES]

Instant fan!

[@jaibertaborda2774]

Sounds amazing, nice bass. I’m learning about audio, thanks

[@trevorbartram5473]

I'm troubled by the closeness of the unsupported shelf to the woofer. I believe rear midrange wave should propagate unobstructed and be absorbed by the filling. I've seen this 'closeness' in recent PMC commercial transmission line designs too. In the link you provided, the Arylic woofer appears to be extremely wideband, compared with other similar woofers, what's their secret sauce?

[@richardmarkham8369]

Loving these builds! What's your take on Tech Ingredients Voigt Tube speaker build? Of all your current builds, which would you pick for a large room, playing rock/pop, i.e. no classical?

[@goldenerapfel4087]

Is it possible to install a tweeter at the back, as with your last Arylic box, and if so, at the height of the 6.5-inch driver or the tweeter? And can the crossover from your last box be used for the rear tweeter?

[@dunkelheit843]

Would be fun to see a build with Purify speakers.

[@SoundBlab]

If Purify would be so kind as to send me some of their drivers, I will gladly do a build, however at the current prices it is probably out of most peoples budget, including mine.

[@Tinybench]

Absolutely phenomenal job! Not only building the speakers, but also your video making skills! I was wondering why load the transmission line with the port? The TL looks long enough to not need loading. 🙂🙏

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks. This particular enclosure is a 'mass-loaded' transmission line, and therefore calls for the port. I am working on another design without the port.

[@Tinybench]

@@SoundBlab 🙂🙏

[@rickg8015]

Great work.. I used Soundcare from Seas for feet (no floor scratches..) before, they work wel.. Try void-free baltic birch plywood for TQWT or MLTL’s next..

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks. Yes, the Soundcare feet do look nice. Have not used them before though. Still not that inexpensive though. Baltic Birch still very expensive here in South Africa, and not that freely available.

[@Thode-R]

I have the tangband w8-1808 in tqwp

[@danielmedeiros4342]

Excellent video! What products did you use in painting? Thanks in advance.

[@mark120371]

I am very interested in the ATM-9. I read in another you post that you recommended 3.5khz and above crossover. I plan to use them with a 4th order active crossover. Do you think with a 4th order crossover they can be used from 3-3.2khz with no adverse affect? In your measurements 3k is where the distortion drops to a much lower lower level. So with a 24db 4th order at 3.2k that should work extremely well i would think, Your opinion sir? Also, mounting about 30 degrees off-axis should help tame the rise at the top before eqing (I have 30 bands of eq per channel. It will part of a true 4-way system, 3-way top end ( Tweeter, Midrange and mid-bass) the midrange had extremely low distortion from 150hz - 4Khz I have about 10 watts of Class A power to power the ATM-9. Thanks for your input in advance.

[@SoundBlab]

A steeper crossover can work yes.

[@mark120371]

Thank you for your timely reply. Just one more subjective question. I did read your description of the sound of your tower build. Warm and natural and clear. My question is how would you compare the AMT-9 to other tweeters you have used. How would characterize their sound? I've had the pleasure to audition and install a set of Mundorf ATMU601.1. Which are very clean, dynamic and detailed in their presentation without being harsh at all. It is like having the best of both worlds smoothness of a soft dome and the detail of a hard hard dome. The Mundorf don't have the rise in their response at the top end as the AMT-9 does, which is not a negative for one or the other IMHO, it's about the application and integration at that point. At nearly 1/4 of the price of the Mundorf units per pair, I don't expect the AMT-9 to be at the same level and/or the equal of the Mundorf, however at 3khz and above the ATM-9 are very much in the same class in measurements. Sorry for the long thrown out reply but you are one of the few that has truly had great and in-depth experience with the ATM-9. Once more thanks for your help in advance.

[@rikardekvall3433]

You do make great projects. But whenever you use the braid nail gun and router I do get nervous. You have speaker plans available for all kind of speakers. Only open baffle left? Keep your hobby and great projects.

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks! I have been using those tools for so many years, they have almost become extensions of my hands. Open baffle is definitely on the cards.

[@rikardekvall3433]

@@SoundBlab yes, that we can see. Trust you all the time. But braid nails and router bits ain’t no good combo. Like sawing into a nail…. Even with a Sandvik steel saw, they do get sad. Also a router bit.

[@DAHW7584]

Fabulous 👍

[@VladoT]

Have you been able to measure the effect on the damping material inside to the effective volume of the box? (Reduction of the calculated and real volume after using the damping material inside).

[@SoundBlab]

The measurements with different damping configurations was mainly to determine the effect on the frequency response. The effect was minimal, and I just went with what I thought was the flattest response of the few versions I ran. Other than that my theoretical resonance FQ of the enclosure and the measured resonant FQ was pretty much the same with the amount of damping material that I included in the final version.

[@hudiamichael2791]

Bravo pour votre travail le rendu finale est pas mal du tout temp esthétique que musicale, même si ça manque de bas médium à mon goût .mais nous n avons pas tous la même perception des sons .j ai la chance de soigner mes ouïes avec Focal Maestro utopia ÉVOLUTION driver par Macintosh

[@vladimirkhudyakov1636]

Superb!

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks a lot!

[@vladimirkhudyakov1636]

@@SoundBlab Very high Qms for midbass, should sound very expressive

[@SoundBlab]

Yeah, this driver is actually very well engineered. The fibreglass voice coil former and the S-shaped cone is probably mostly what is assisting these low mechanical losses and resulting in the high Qms.

[@vipuljoshi8474]

why tweeters are to be connected in reverse polarity?

[@SoundBlab]

Because of the distance between the center of the drivers and the particular crossover, we get a phase shift, and connecting the tweeter in reverse solves this.

[@1moderntalking1]

Hi 👋 I really enjoy your videos and your skill. Would you recommend some really fast bass drivers to match a 3” full range driver please. This 3” driver is very fast so I need something to match its speed.

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks. Not sure what size you are going for, but typically in a smaller speaker the cone will move faster due to its lower mass than a larger driver with bigger cone. I have always had good performance out of the Tang Band W5 and W6 subwoofers, and in the right enclosure will go down to 35Hz easily. Also, if you use two bass drivers, you split the output over both, and they have to move less air each for the same output. This also aids 'faster' bass.

[@1moderntalking1]

@@SoundBlab thanks for this insight. Regards Pat

[@ZZPxFTW]

I'm looking to replace the front stage in my car, and have been wanting a pair of AMT's for the depth and detail they are known to offer over traditional dome style tweeters. Initially, the desire was for Mundorf AMTU80's, but at $600+ a pair, that's a hard purchase to justify. The Dayton AMT2-4 has been on my radar, and is identical in size to the, recently discovered by me, Arylic AMT9. Both AMT's worry me due to their price point relative to the Mundorf units. The Arylic seems to play as low as the Dayton, but the Dayton looks like it starts to roll off at the top nearing 20KHz. Your measurements seemed to show a similar roll off to the Dayton on the AMT 9, whereas the manufacturer SPL graph showed less roll off as it neared 20KHz. The biggest worry is distortion and real world response that may be too aggressive for EQ tuning. How do you feel they compare to a more quality dome tweeter like an SB Acoustics SB29?

[@SoundBlab]

Not sure in comparison. I am doing a build now with a SB Acoustics SB29, so will only be bale to comment once done. With the AMT, you need to be careful not to cross over too low. 3.5kHz or above is ideal.

[@ZZPxFTW]

@@SoundBlab The plan is a 3-way with Scanspeak 10f's for mids which should cross well high enough. I look forward to your thoughts! For someone who cant listen and compare these in person, your feedback is invaluable.

[@A13tech]

uuf that is very good, maybe a great pair for home theater with The Dynamites, its gonna be probably my next build from you. I would love to see some center speaker build or some three way speakers with Dayton Audio Epique. There is no build with it and they are very unique to explore.

[@SoundBlab]

Shot thanks! Perhaps I should do a center channel with the Arylic drivers as well. I still have the 5 inch woofers to try and the small AMT-7 tweeter. Thanks for the suggestion. I have not checked out the Epique drivers in detail yet.

[@A13tech]

@@SoundBlab I started with The Dynamites as front to try how it sounds. Then I will build some subwoofer, probably also from your projects. Followed by some tower speakers as front. Center is missing now. I like your plans even thought are more expensive so I see no problem to build a whole cinema based on your design. If its available in a future.

[@SoundBlab]

Awesome. I think its a great idea to do perhaps do a fully set with center channel as well.

[@ShroomFreak]

Very Nice...

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks

[@bobmiller660]

I'm keen on these with the optimum AMT mounting height placement. As I'm diving into the TQWT world, any reason to use a conventional port in lieu of the larger base opening found on many other pipe designs? BTW, love the "dolphin" color. (maybe a name candidate too???)

[@SoundBlab]

The 'SoundBlab Dolphins', I like it! I wanted to try a more typical mass loaded design with the port, since this is what most of the enclosure calculators provide. However, I am very keen to try the option where the Voight pipe is open to the ground, and mass loaded against the floor. Will be interesting to see if there is any major difference or advantage.

[@MykeHawke-r9r]

Ty

[@davidalau]

Hi, I have been searching for a methodology for an intended speaker build for the past several weeks - I love this design. However, my project format is constrained to the approximate dimensions: 400mm (depth) x 450mm (width) x 350mm (height). I am aiming to use tweeters similar to the Arylic tweeters and the Dayton E180HE-44 7" Extended Range Subwoofer. I realize height is a critical part of the methodology of the TQTW but can you think of work-arounds that would get my project in the range of this effect?

[@SoundBlab]

You can always try to fold the tube twice, instead of once. This reduces the overall height of the speaker, but will increase the depth. Unfortunately, there is always a trade-off, but maybe this can still work for your requirements.

[@antonkovalev6259]

Отличная работа. 👍

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks!

[@karmicmessenger]

I don't understand why you made a port. A voigt pipe is essentially a horn design and all you did was turn it into a typical ported enclosure, essentially eliminating the horn after you made it.

[@SoundBlab]

Not quite a bass reflex with the horn behind the woofer, but we cal this a mass loaded horn.

[@1moderntalking1]

With Voigt pipes, u need at least a medium sized room correct?

[@SoundBlab]

It depends. If the bass output of the TQWT is rather low, it might be too much for a small room. But not all of these designs are typically tuned for low bass. However, there is no reason why you shouldn't have low bass in a small room, as long as your room is treated well to accommodate it.

[@1moderntalking1]

@@SoundBlab ok I see. Thanku for this.

[@adaminsanoff]

Do the holes of Makita base match to those WNEW cutting jig?

[@SoundBlab]

You get different versions for the various routers. Makita is one of them, and they claim that the holes will line up.

[@PeterHerold-r9b]

Nice build! What thickness did you use on the material?

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks! 18mm MDF.

[@superspeeder]

Nice build! Just curious, do you short out all the speakers in the background? If not they will act like traps at their resonance frequencies.

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks. So far I ave not noticed that is has as very big influence on the sound of my room. And if it does, it probably acts like bass traps which is only helping rather than taking away from the sound in my room. Hence, having moved them into the corners against the wall.

[@killernils]

What is your favorite speaker you built for music?

[@SoundBlab]

Well, they have all been built for music, but each one is very different in it's own way. Therefore, I can't really pic a favourite. I often switch between speakers, which helps me to identify differences, but also where I think potential improvements can be made in future projects. For high resolution audio, the Kartesian build really shines in terms of delivering clarity and accuracy. The drivers are excellent, and it shows in its performance and delivery of music. It does need a subwoofer though if you want a fuller range of sound. The Slimline Floor Stander V2 is rather special for such small speaker. It can go low enough not to need subwoofer. What I like most about them is the wide and deep soundstage that I can get when set up correctly. The side-firing woofer does need to be positioned just so that it provides the ideal in-room frequency response, but this perhaps does give more flexibility in different rooms. The 2.5 Way Transmission Line with HiVi 4inch drivers and Peerless tweeter performs exceptionally well for a 'budget' speaker, and has what I consider a very 'pleasant' sound that I can listen too for extended periods of time. Real value for money in a relatively acceptable sized and aesthetic form factor. Another speaker that surprised me is the Slimline Stand Mounts. I have used them on stands and on my desk, and in both cases they are very neutral, has great soundstage and imaging. To be honest, they probably performed best as desktop speakers in my office.

[@killernils]

thank you so much for a great answer and keep up the amazing work!! :)@@SoundBlab

[@earlfenwick]

Very interesting and a great video as always. I've been considering building the MLTL-6, but now I will have to agonize over my choice. Ideas anyone? Don't say build both!

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks! I have not heard the MLTL-6 speakers, but know that the selected SB Acoustic drivers are very good for the money, and have used them before. One is more of a stand mount speaker and the other floor standing, but probably takes up the same amount of floor space regardless.

[@Sasikumar-wk3if]

Supper

[@SoundBlab]

Thanks

[@philiptalbert458]

What router is that?

[@SoundBlab]

The big orange router is a Triton. However, I would not recommend Triton routers. They vibrate terribly and I have already gone through one that is now sitting on a shelf with a broken speed controller. Not worth fixing due to cost of replacement parts. The smaller router used with the circle jig is a clone of a Makita Cordless Trim Router. It fits all the Makita accessories and actually has been performing very very well. I got it here: www.banggood.com/custlink/Km3HOZtVFT

[@andrewwebb4635]

I don’t understand this design! It’s a folded Voigt pipe but with a restricted opening. I think it is more like a transmission line, really. This would emphasise a resonant low note and perhaps explains why it sounds bass heavy? I think this design has lost all of the multi-frequency advantages of the Voigt pipe.

[@SoundBlab]

The inclusion of the restricted opening or port in such a design is commonly referred to as 'mass loaded'. Typically, any Voight Pipe or TQWT is mass loaded to some degree. You might see designs where the 'horn' or wide opening of the pipe is opening towards the floor, but this is then 'mass loaded' to the floor. A horn however, is different and will typically project towards the front or into the room and is not mass loaded. As said in the video, a TQWT is really a combination of a transmission line, bass reflex and horn loading. It's complex and a bit difficult to explain, but hopefully this helps. I don't think it sounds bass heavy, rather quite balanced. It does go low, much lower than a typical or average floor stander of this size or stand mount speaker can. To the contrary, I think the design is very successful as a Voight Pipe design, and this is exactly what it is.

[@andrewwebb4635]

Thank you for trying to clarify the design but I still think it's a bastard of two approaches and that it sounds bass heavy in the example. But I'm the first to admit that a KZbin MP3 played through an iPad even with headphones is not a very good way to judge sound quality! I guess the fact that there's no concensus on the best speaker designs even a hundred years later says it all. It's all interesting though. @@SoundBlab

[@kerby2333]

The issue with testing any speakers in a room full of other speakers is that it changes the overall audio perspective, as the other speakers act like passive radiators and help the sound out a lot!

[@SoundBlab]

I can't say that I agree with that statement or feel that it is an issue. For the cones of nearby speakers to move or have any influence you will need a pressurised room, which will then act similar to a closed speaker box. My room is certainly not that, too many openings to other parts of the house, and even open windows. The speaker enclosures, if vented, will more likely act as bass traps, which is why I have them against the wall and in the corners, since this is where they can be of benefit to the room and the overall sound reproduction of the speaker playing. They probably also add some much needed diffusion to the front wall behind the speakers. However, this is no different than a room treated with acoustic materials and aids. But from my own experience, I can't say that I can hear much of a difference with or without them in place where they currently are. It could be an interesting experiment though to find out if it has an actual influence of any kind by taking some measurements and putting some science behind it.

[@kerby2333]

@@SoundBlabI I've tested this myself in my living room, but not with a science method, I was just listening and comparing. The effect/difference is huge.

[@SoundBlab]

I'll definitely do an A/B test with just listening, but certainly and interesting topic to explore.

[@antoninoortizvargas6900]

😢

[@sverozarrosenovkolev1175]

Carpintero fabrica altavoz, errores y acabado regular. Los 30$ que pides por los planos no te los daré ni encontrados en el suelo. Chapuzas.