The ULTIMATE PC sound system (official thread)

Hello,

First thing first, BEAUTIFUL project (and result), huge thumbs up !

Secondly, I've been trying to make a (much less pretty) test on a homemade audio system too.
The question I try to answer with it is, if the smartphone speakers technique (small foam balls to make it sound larger) would also work on big speaker.
Like... HOW deep can small car's speaker sound in a large box, filled with foam balls.

Then came a problem: how to make small foam balls from large foam blocks.
I tried to use a blender with very little success 😀 (static electricity, low efficiency, low speed and overheating blender issues), but not so grat so far.

Once I'll have figured the main question, I do plan to make a similar setup to what DIYPerks did with it... 😀
(thanks for showing me how to handle steps 2-infinite)

Regards,
Nicolas.

Incredible work and detail.

I really enjoyed watching the video and how detailed it was, despite of the few cutaways due to watchability.
Also the test afterwards, comparing it to a set of professional speakers was a nice surprise, though we already know how thorough you are with your projects 😎 

Your forum post really brings this project above and beyond, with some more details you have had to leave out in your video, elaborating on caveats and shortcomings
of different components and letting us partake in your thought-process during the making of this absolutely gorgeous build.

Really, I do have to say -- the professional set does sound a bit better to me; its sound is more full and with a bit more body. Let's be real though, nobody is actually
willing to spend almost five times as much on a set of speakers whose quality is only minimally better than a DIY build. Also, you don't get to say "I've made this myself",
which definitely adds to the coolness-factor of DIY and specifically this build.

Lastly I want to thank you for enabling us to rebuild this ourselves by publishing a full set of building instructions soon!

Posted by: @sigseg

Hello,

First thing first, BEAUTIFUL project (and result), huge thumbs up !

Secondly, I've been trying to make a (much less pretty) test on a homemade audio system too.
The question I try to answer with it is, if the smartphone speakers technique (small foam balls to make it sound larger) would also work on big speaker.
Like... HOW deep can small car's speaker sound in a large box, filled with foam balls.

Then came a problem: how to make small foam balls from large foam blocks.
I tried to use a blender with very little success 😀 (static electricity, low efficiency, low speed and overheating blender issues), but not so grat so far.

Once I'll have figured the main question, I do plan to make a similar setup to what DIYPerks did with it... 😀
(thanks for showing me how to handle steps 2-infinite)

Regards,
Nicolas.

Haha, making foam balls with a blender sounds... interesting! 😀 The concept is fascinating, though. Have you considered trying it with those little packaging 's' shapes? Or maybe the cheese-whatsits like tubes?

Posted by: @lzodd

Incredible work and detail.

I really enjoyed watching the video and how detailed it was, despite of the few cutaways due to watchability.
Also the test afterwards, comparing it to a set of professional speakers was a nice surprise, though we already know how thorough you are with your projects 😎

Your forum post really brings this project above and beyond, with some more details you have had to leave out in your video, elaborating on caveats and shortcomings
of different components and letting us partake in your thought-process during the making of this absolutely gorgeous build.

Really, I do have to say -- the professional set does sound a bit better to me; its sound is more full and with a bit more body. Let's be real though, nobody is actually
willing to spend almost five times as much on a set of speakers whose quality is only minimally better than a DIY build. Also, you don't get to say "I've made this myself",
which definitely adds to the coolness-factor of DIY and specifically this build.

Lastly I want to thank you for enabling us to rebuild this ourselves by publishing a full set of building instructions soon!

Thanks for the kind words! Also, yes, those were my conclusions too regarding sound quality. The $1200 set does sound 'tighter' and there's a fascinating 'presense' in the lower treble region that isn't as tight on the DIY set, but honestly they trade blows which I think considering the cost and form factor is satisfactory to warrant building the DIY set.

Posted by: @diyperks

The $1200 set does sound 'tighter' and there's a fascinating 'presense' in the lower treble region that isn't as tight on the DIY set

I've heard of computer applications that attempt to add presence to speakers. I've used FxSound in the past and it could do some cool things. Maybe not all things you want for everyday listening, but could still be worth a shot.

Great choice what the Khadas DAC board!  
Those are regarded super highly in hi-fi circles (as I'm sure you know 😉 ) and they punch well above their weight class.  

In the sound test, I agree with the conclusions of the above sound test, but listening on some high-end planar magnetic headphones (LCD-X), I could really hear the high quality transients those AMT tweeters could reproduce.  
It was darned impressive!  

I might have to give this build a go...

Fan from day one. Very inspiring channel and the finishing quality is always so impressive. 

Already have a bamboo desk and would love to frame out the back exactly like this. The profile of the splitter sounded sharper than the $1200 set but the bigger speakers seemed "smoother" in range via the unscientific YouTube to ear phones test. I assume in person the range and feel is more natural.

The front bar of the set would lend itself nicely to a control panel and the back could be great for a USB hub and cable management. Ideas are flowing for my setup ... Just need to source the bamboo. 

Time to enlist some staff and expand into 2 to 3 other channels like many other education /how to builders. I suspect most of your subscribers thirst for more of your content as I do. 

@sigseg Just a thought...

To get the little foam balls, find an old bean bag chair.  Those things were filled with little foam balls!

Posted by: @diyperks

Posted by: @sigseg

Hello,

First thing first, BEAUTIFUL project (and result), huge thumbs up !

Secondly, I've been trying to make a (much less pretty) test on a homemade audio system too.
The question I try to answer with it is, if the smartphone speakers technique (small foam balls to make it sound larger) would also work on big speaker.
Like... HOW deep can small car's speaker sound in a large box, filled with foam balls.

Then came a problem: how to make small foam balls from large foam blocks.
I tried to use a blender with very little success 😀 (static electricity, low efficiency, low speed and overheating blender issues), but not so grat so far.

Once I'll have figured the main question, I do plan to make a similar setup to what DIYPerks did with it... 😀
(thanks for showing me how to handle steps 2-infinite)

Regards,
Nicolas.

Haha, making foam balls with a blender sounds... interesting! 😀 The concept is fascinating, though. Have you considered trying it with those little packaging 's' shapes? Or maybe the cheese-whatsits like tubes?

 

 

 

Posted by: @lzodd

Incredible work and detail.

I really enjoyed watching the video and how detailed it was, despite of the few cutaways due to watchability.
Also the test afterwards, comparing it to a set of professional speakers was a nice surprise, though we already know how thorough you are with your projects 😎

Your forum post really brings this project above and beyond, with some more details you have had to leave out in your video, elaborating on caveats and shortcomings
of different components and letting us partake in your thought-process during the making of this absolutely gorgeous build.

Really, I do have to say -- the professional set does sound a bit better to me; its sound is more full and with a bit more body. Let's be real though, nobody is actually
willing to spend almost five times as much on a set of speakers whose quality is only minimally better than a DIY build. Also, you don't get to say "I've made this myself",
which definitely adds to the coolness-factor of DIY and specifically this build.

Lastly I want to thank you for enabling us to rebuild this ourselves by publishing a full set of building instructions soon!

 

Thanks for the kind words! Also, yes, those were my conclusions too regarding sound quality. The $1200 set does sound 'tighter' and there's a fascinating 'presense' in the lower treble region that isn't as tight on the DIY set, but honestly they trade blows which I think considering the cost and form factor is satisfactory to warrant building the DIY set.

Hi,

Yes I did consider using other shapes but it appears that the only 'efficient' shape is balls since they actually can increase travel distance of soundwaves inside the chamber significantly, making it sound larger.

I'm quite surprised the shape actually matter though, since I expected the reflected part of soundwave would be less important than the absorbed one... Until I tried and got proven wrong, hence my wish to actually find a way to destroy this foam in tiny pieces.

Just to see if it can work at large scale.

PS: I did 3D print some speaker cases before and it works surprisingly well even with really thin walls.

Posted by: @thebiasbios

Hi Matt,

 

Good project and very unique design, and absolutely impressive sound quality! However one recommendation is that I think you should use a active crossover or a DSP instead of a passive one, as it would be affected by input impedance which will weirdly affect the crossover frequency. Plus it allows you to push the speakers louder as the input signal may not be enough to push the amplifiers to a loud volume. You could just use some op amps, like ne5532 (most affordable with good sound quality) or lm4562 (absolute best sound quality) in order to construct a active crossover. A DSP (such as the analog devices adau1701) will allow you to do many awesome things, like constructing a crossover that you could tweak the crossover frequency on the computer without changing the electronic components and even add cool things like algorithms to give a effect of a wide Soundstage or use psychoacoustic bass enhancement. But still, good job! You inspired me to make many diy speakers, including some 3d printed desktop speakers!

 

Also, for the sound test what is the name of the song used in the video in the timecode 13:48 - 14:12?

 

I did consider a DSP but by the time I decided it would be a good idea to go with one it was too late to order one to use with the project. Needless to say I'll be exploring it in a future episode! Anyone have any recommended boards or amps with it built in? Would really like to know more details about the topic.

As for the music, I believe that track is Twilight Trip Hop from PremiumBeat

I have a decent set of PC speakers (Razer Nommo) but the bass is a bit lacking I think. So your project with the low profile subwoofer got me thinking of building a compact active subwoofer to have under my desk. Can't wait to learn about the lowpass filter, that is really necessary in order to get the right sound. Hopefully I can get around to building this project in the near future. 
I've been tinkering with hobby electronics so this is right up my alley. I've built two horticulture LED lights using Cree and Bridgelux cobs before, and been eager to find a new project to jump on. 
Thanks for the inspiration, I can only dream of making it as good as yours though.

I was planning on getting round to building a PC desk this year in the same way that Matt built his (but to fit my very weirdly shaped corner of the room) and now I'm tempted to see if I can incorporate a subwoofer into it as well... 😶 

@sigseg I remember as a kid whenever I found a chunk of polystyrene it thrilled me to  scrape it along wall, the result being thousands of tiny like bobbles scattered all over the street like snow. Theres got to be a method there of doing the same without getting arrested for littering 😆 Maybe a cheese grater into a bin bag?

Johnny

Hi, 

I really enjoyed the video and I'm looking forward for more information to build this as a custom project. 

I'm thinking to do only the speaker system (2.1) as I lack one. I will share those once I got the reference from your design. 🤩 🤩 

Thank you for your hard work. 🤗 

I love the bamboo look & have actually been looking around for big pieces, but the prices tend to be absolutely mental. 🙁

So the end-of-line floorboards is a gem of an idea. Unfortunately I can't seem to find anywhere that offers such pieces in my corner of the world.

Does anyone have any tips for where to look?

(I've only seen them sold in packs & so leftovers aren't really up for grabs)

Have you had a look on Facebook Marketplace?

@diyperks 

Woah hi there!

Well yeah, the DSP I am using is the Wondom/sure electronics APM2, which is the base board. However you will also need the ICP1 programmer in order to program the DSP (yes there is a usb-c port on the APM2 but it is only for power, without the programmer, you are not able to do anything useful), and also the interface extension kit, which is really important as it contains headphone amplifiers which amplifies the processed signal, or else you will face very quiet sound (i tried without that board and it significantly reduced the volume, down to a unusable level).

Link to the DSP base board:

https://store.sure-electronics.com/product/AA-AP23122

Link to the ICP1 programmer:

https://store.sure-electronics.com/product/710

Link to the interface extension kit:

https://store.sure-electronics.com/product/709

I wanted to add this in but the editing time expired!

Another option would be to use a MiniDSP, which is recommended by many people, but have one drawback which is that you cannot program it with sigma studio, and you are limited by the minidsp programming software in what you can do, even if they have the same chip. also the plugins cost money!

The wondom/sure electronics board uses sigmastudio which is a programming program developed by analog devices, which is really easy to use as it is a block interface (no programming required) and could be downloaded on analog devices website.

Mate, your projects are ALWAYS stunning and premium looking. To  p e r f e c t i o n.

The sound quality of these speakers is super amazing, and I'm really amazed how much work you put into this. I really want one of these, I'm really considering building one in the future, but right now I don't have the money to spare at all and have no tools whatsoever haha. Really premium and elegant product though. Thanks as always Matt! 🙂

Posted by: @diyperks

Posted by: @thebiasbios

Hi Matt,

 

Good project and very unique design, and absolutely impressive sound quality! However one recommendation is that I think you should use a active crossover or a DSP instead of a passive one, as it would be affected by input impedance which will weirdly affect the crossover frequency. Plus it allows you to push the speakers louder as the input signal may not be enough to push the amplifiers to a loud volume. You could just use some op amps, like ne5532 (most affordable with good sound quality) or lm4562 (absolute best sound quality) in order to construct a active crossover. A DSP (such as the analog devices adau1701) will allow you to do many awesome things, like constructing a crossover that you could tweak the crossover frequency on the computer without changing the electronic components and even add cool things like algorithms to give a effect of a wide Soundstage or use psychoacoustic bass enhancement. But still, good job! You inspired me to make many diy speakers, including some 3d printed desktop speakers!

 

Also, for the sound test what is the name of the song used in the video in the timecode 13:48 - 14:12?

 

I did consider a DSP but by the time I decided it would be a good idea to go with one it was too late to order one to use with the project. Needless to say I'll be exploring it in a future episode! Anyone have any recommended boards or amps with it built in? Would really like to know more details about the topic.

 

As for the music, I believe that track is Twilight Trip Hop from PremiumBeat

 

I haven’t tried this board and it’s out of stock but it looks interesting. 

https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-KABD-4100-4-x-100W-Bluetooth-Amp-Board-with-DSP-325-434

@slicertm have a look online to see if you've got a makerspace near to you. They will probably have the kinds of tools you need and also people that will be happy to help.

You can also do this with second hand parts or salvaged parts to save money, it might not sound exactly the same but it would still sound good provided you manage to find some semi decent donor speakers.

I'm dying to know how did you do the crossover system.

I wanna see this full guide as soon as possible hahahah

Thumbs up 😀 your build is great.

Posted by: @diyperks

The Ultimate PC Sound System

Full Episode on YouTube

Full build guide:

Please stand by! It's mostly ready but it will be a few days yet.    

Really enjoyed this one. I have limited confidence in my own ability to emulate this build but I'd really like to give it a try!

R

I might have bought all of the drivers 😱 

I'm planning on building this into a desk though. I'll definitely incorporate the sub into the desk but still just deciding about the stereo speakers. I think I'd like them hidden but I just need to work out how to do that and keep them firing the sounds at my face rather than the ceiling or floor...

@diyperks Cant wait for the full build guide for the stand especially the part about the sound systems wiring. want to use it in my build.!!

Posted by: @diyperks

The Ultimate PC Sound System

Full Episode on YouTube

Computer speakers are an underserved category when it comes to quality audio devices, possibly down to the small market that they occupy, so the idea behind this project is to make a sound system specifically catered for computer users and gamers. The result is an elegant monitor shelf that houses not only two sets of high-fidelity stereo drivers but also a subwoofer for some really deep bass - an excellent addition for immersive explosions etc (and boy, it works amazingly well).

The drivers used have been carefully selected.   Detail is provided by a set of pretty amazing transformer tweeters, which are the Dayton Audio AMT-8: (affiliate link) Dayton Audio AMT-8 on Amazon With midtones being handled by some Tectonic Elements drivers: (affiliate link) Tectonic Elements 3" Driver on eBay As a pair they work brilliantly, although they do need a crossover so that the correct frequencies get split and sent to the drivers that handle them best. This crossover is made out of low cost resistors and capacitors as it sits BEFORE the amplifier. Essentially this splits the sound signal into midtones and treble, sending each split to its own amplifier channel (full details of this are in the build guide). Because of this a special 4-channel amplifier is required, but it's still pretty cheap: (affiliate link) 4-channel amplifier on eBay The reason why this one has been chosen is because it's an AB amplifier, rather than a class D amplifier. This results in higher fidelity and a VERY low noise floor, which is important as the speaker drivers used are highly sensitive. If one were to use a class D amp (like a Tripath amp), there'd likely be some hiss unless it's a more expensive design.

While the amp is 50w, the crossover under-drives it to protect the drivers but also match it volume wise with the subwoofer. As mentioned in the video this subwoofer is very shallow to fit into the shelf, and can hit notes as low as 41hz. I do think that the enclosure may need some modification as I don't believe it's bringing the best out of the subwoofer, but that will require some experimentation (if you do some experiments yourself please post your findings on the forum).

(affiliate link) Dayton Audio 6" Subwoofer on eBay This gets its signal from the crossover (again, split to only allow deep notes through) and is powered by a single-channel class D amplifier (class D is fine for sub notes). (affiliate link) 100w Mono Class D Amp on eBay The enclosure itself can be made out of any kind of wood you like, though I used end-of-line floorboards from a hardware shop for a neat bamboo look. For full dimensions please see the full build guide. The resulting sound is incredibly impactful, and the drivers really compliment each other to provide a very broad soundstage with identifiable frequencies that aren't muddied - a big advantage of having a separate subwoofer.

Gaming on it is FUN! What I noticed was how broad the sound stage is, and it's easy to identify where sounds are coming from in relation to your on-screen character. Explosions are DEEP and impactful, and delicate sounds like rustling leaves are faithfully reproduced and add a lot of presence to the experience.

Full build guide:

Please stand by! It's mostly ready but it will be a few days yet.    

hi matt 

I have a suggestion for you:)

if you can add a bluetooth drive or an aux cable for phone connection it's will be a perfect DIY building as ever exist.

I really waiting for full guide and thanks for your education we love you. XO

I've been waiting for the full build guide since the release of the original video, and I was curious when it would come out. Does anyone here know?

@sigseg Packing Peanuts?

Full build guide has been completed!>