Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: andrewonawall on May 03, 2004, 04:22:56 am

Title: Speaker advice.
Post by: andrewonawall on May 03, 2004, 04:22:56 am
Does it matter if I use a shielded or unshielded speaker in my upright cab? I am planning to mount in the usual location of right above the monitor. I don't want anything to interfere with the monitor, and I know nothing of speakers.
I planned to just order the wico speakers and the grill they also have.
Title: Re:Speaker advice.
Post by: JustMichael on May 03, 2004, 06:34:09 am
If they are close to the monitor I would recommend using shielded speakers.
Title: Re:Speaker advice.
Post by: Ken Layton on May 03, 2004, 11:31:09 am
It's always a good idea to locate the speakers at least a foot away from the monitor.
Title: Re:Speaker advice.
Post by: andrewonawall on May 03, 2004, 05:40:33 pm
Many thanks guys. I will keep these things in mind when selecting and placing my speakers.
Title: Re:Speaker advice.
Post by: reebboy on May 03, 2004, 08:47:12 pm
If you can keep the speakers far enough away from the monitor to prevent interference I would go with a good pair of unshielded speakers. If you can't keep it far enough away, then you are going to have to use shielded speakers. But be aware of those 4-6$ shielded speakers that you may find, they usually sound like #@#$.  As with most anything, you get what you pay for. :)
Title: Re:Speaker advice.
Post by: andrewonawall on May 04, 2004, 04:32:18 am
But be aware of those 4-6$ shielded speakers that you may find, they usually sound like #@#$.  As with most anything, you get what you pay for. :)
I thought that since I am on a budget, and I'd rather put my money into P360s for now, that I would buy some cheap speakers that I could upgrade later. In the future, I could use some great car audio speakers that would be the same size. But for now, I will settle on some '#@#$' as long as I don't damage the monitor. That is my main concern and the reason for this thread. I plan on thowing down the big bucks for that, and I will want to protect my investment by taking proper care of it.
Title: Re:Speaker advice.
Post by: Tilzs on May 04, 2004, 09:18:58 am
Just get some cheap shielded speakers from bob roberts, that way you don't really have to worry about screwing up the monitor
Title: Re:Speaker advice.
Post by: andrewonawall on May 11, 2004, 09:51:08 pm
Okay, I was just going to get the shielded speaker from therealbobroberts, but after seeing this: http://joelsgadgets.com/SpeakerLighting.html and this: http://www.blaupunktusa.com/BlaupunktUSA/Products/Speakers/Transparent/Coaxial/TSx402.htm I want to use these instead.
The Blaupunkt website says that they have 'Big magnets keep the tunes loud and large with high power handling levels'. Big magnets that I don't know if they are shielded or unshielded could cause a problem, right? So, would these be okay if I keep them a foot away from the monitor, as was suggested?
Title: Re:Speaker advice.
Post by: REBIRTH on May 12, 2004, 11:14:18 am
Those "big magnet" ones don't appear to be shielded.  May want to givethem a call to see.  As for keeping them a foot away if they are unshielded, that may be enough space - but may not - depends on the magnet obviously, and the ones you have listed there have some heavy duty magnets.  

My other concern might that a foot of space between monitor and speaker may be awkward.  If you think about it, the "normal" speaker placement is right above the monitor, which for most games is probably only 6 inches away.  Moving that to a foot may make you lose the look of a classic arcade cabinet (if you were looking to maintain that look anyway, you may be looking for something different).

Those light up speakers are very cool though.  Had I seen them before building my first cab I may have gone for it   ;D
Title: Re:Speaker advice.
Post by: Industen on May 12, 2004, 07:02:41 pm
You can get away with using the Blaupunkt speakers without monitor interference. I would say mine are about 6 inches away from the top of my D9200. Now a 15 inch subwoofer (Tempest) was a different story. You cannot install a very high powered magnet like that and expect the image not to screw up. You'll be ok with the 5 1/4's.
Title: Re:Speaker advice.
Post by: andrewonawall on May 12, 2004, 07:06:49 pm
Many thanks Industen  ;D. Now I just have to figure out if I want the 5 1/4" or the 4" size. Oh yeah, and I have to come up with the funds for this. Very expensive compared to what I was going to get from therealbobroberts.
Title: Re:Speaker advice.
Post by: Industen on May 12, 2004, 07:13:37 pm
It can get very expensive. I wrote a Creative Labs Speaker hack if you want to go the cheaper way...sounds very good

(http://www.joelsgadgets.com//CLInspireSpeakerHack/tinyspeakerhack.jpg)
http://www.joelsgadgets.com//SPEAKERHACK.HTML (http://www.joelsgadgets.com//SPEAKERHACK.HTML)

I chose to run them though my receiver putting 120 watts per channel at 4ohm with a 300 watt BASH amp (4 ohm) for my subwoofer. Built in a 4.0 ^ 3 box tuned to 25hz. Sounds fantastic when playing the jukebox section of the cabinet...oh man you should see my home theater.  ;)
Title: Re:Speaker advice.
Post by: andrewonawall on May 13, 2004, 02:21:14 am
It can get very expensive. I wrote a Creative Labs Speaker hack if you want to go the cheaper way...sounds very good
No, no, no. I have abandoned the idea of budget speakers now. Everything else on my cab will be translucent, so now that I know they can, speakers must be too.

Quote
I chose to run them though my receiver putting 120 watts per channel at 4ohm with a 300 watt BASH amp (4 ohm) for my subwoofer. Built in a 4.0 ^ 3 box tuned to 25hz. Sounds fantastic when playing the jukebox section of the cabinet...oh man you should see my home theater.  ;)
The home theater is a whole different project. I may hook up the cab to the home theater and use it as a jukebox, but I wouldn't be running the cab speakers then.

I found the 5's for $79.95 and the 4's for $69.95 each in a local dealer's shop. I don't know which size I'm going to do with yet, but do those numbers sound right to you?

Update: Never mind, Crutchfield and Sound Domain have them for $55 a pair with shipping.
Title: Re:Speaker advice.
Post by: andrewonawall on May 13, 2004, 02:45:42 am
Turns out, Sony makes translucent speakers too, but they're red  :(.
http://www.xplodsony.com/products/?CATEGORY=Speakers
Title: Re:Speaker advice.
Post by: Industen on May 13, 2004, 06:28:40 am
Quote
No, no, no. I have abandoned the idea of budget speakers now. Everything else on my cab will be translucent, so now that I know they can, speakers must be too.

This isn't for budget speakers. This will allow you to drive withever speakers you wish via the amp on the Creative Labs 2.1 system. It is rated at 4 ohm so it's perfect for car speakers. You get amazing results off of that little unit that's for sure. The added bass and lows of the subwoofer would be enough for anyone.
Title: Re:Speaker advice.
Post by: Industen on May 13, 2004, 07:19:59 pm
In case you are interested the Blaupunkt TSx542 (5 1/4 speakers) are on sale at Crutchfield for 49.99. Really good deal considering I spent 69.99.