Building a High-end 3-Way Classic Vintage Style Speaker - by SoundBlab
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- With the increasing popularity lately of the classic vintage styled large box format loudspeakers from manufacturers such as Wharfedale, KLH, PSB and others, I have set out to design and build my own version. It is a typical 3-way design with a tweeter, 4 inch mid-range and 8 inch woofer. The dimensions are roughly 600mm high, 300mm wide, and just short of 400mm deep. The result is a high-end loudspeaker that has loads of detail and balance across the frequency range. Despite the wide baffle, the sound stage and imaging is still top notch, and when positioned right, they will still disappear into the background. This is a high-end loudspeaker, and building the cabinet will require some intermediate to advanced woodworking skills.
*NOTE: The Punktkilde drivers are ONLY available from Soundimports.eu in Europe, and are in limited supply. Before purchasing the BUILD PLANS, make sure that the drivers are still in stock in the quantity you will require. See the links below.
Get the BUILD PLANS here: soundblab.net/...
Parts:
Speaker wire (14 AWG) - (US) parts-express...., (EU) bit.ly/39erRI4
Fountek NeoCD3.0 Ribbon Tweeter - (US) shorturl.at/glG19, (EU) shorturl.at/qvzJ8
Punktkilde AUGWL0010-JN10 Mid-Woofer (EU Only) - shorturl.at/ABIL0
Punktkilde AUGWL0020-JN03 Woofer (EU Only) - shorturl.at/hpOU2
Pair Binding Posts - (US) parts-express...., (EU) shorturl.at/bhsuZ
Black Sumi Ink - (US) amzn.to/3RrMPZw, (UK) amzn.to/3GwoETH
Makita 18V Cordless Trim Router Clone - (INT) s.click.aliexp...
Router Circle Cit Jig - www.banggood.c..., s.click.aliexp...
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:
SoundBlab Website and Build Plans - www.soundblab.net
Patreon - / soundblab
UA-cam Membership: / @soundblab
FOLLOW THE CHANNEL:
UA-cam - goo.gl/EWMSXV
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Twitter: / soundblabs
OTHER CHANNELS:
Mixtape // Music for everyone and every occasion - bit.ly/3Cg3pUA
CHECK OUT MY AMAZON SHOP for recommended gear, tools, etc.:
www.amazon.com...
Audio Components & Solutions:
Parts Express (US) - parts-express....
Soundimports (EU) - bit.ly/3B0xWEn
Axiomedia (EU) - bit.ly/3TUQUoA
Get Whole house audio via ARYLIC:
www.arylic.com?aff=9
xTool Laser Engraving & Cutting Solutions:
(US) bit.ly/3FKUGur
(EU) bit.ly/3G71unu
(UK) bit.ly/3WdMBW8
Music:
www.epidemicso...
There's nothing that I didn't like about it, from the raw MDF to the audio demo. Great craftsmanship.
Thanks!
¹@@SoundBlab
It sounds a little thin though, i suggest he coats the drivers with a glossy material, it will sound waaay better, I believe it will even reveal emotions
@@saedabumokh9577 Oh, were you in the room when he recorded the speakers? Because if you weren't, you have never heard them. Think about it.
These look great but sounds even better. So clean and effortless. Works of art
Thanks!
The Sumi Ink is a wonderful idea and it looks awesome.
Thanks so much!
Back to the 60s! This config frequently has a special sound. Forstner bits…. Love❤.
I started building speakers in the late 1960's and find your care in getting the small details right one of the best parts of your builds. Things like internal damping and good bracing, things that a lot of builders skimp on. Great Stuff!
Thanks
It's obvious that this was not your first rodeo. Mad woodworking skills. I would adore a pair of these.
Thanks
That was the best speakers plan I have heard, shame that that it is no longer available.
Expat getting homesick listening to the storms in the back ground! Nice work!
Awesome! Thank you!
Looks good and sounds nice. Well done Sir!
Glad you like it!
Where did you get to hear them?
@@andrewwestover7278 Hi Andrew, there are sound examples towards the end of the video.
@@peterwikvist2433 But you are hearing those on your speakers not his, so it is only demonstrating what your speakers sound like not his.
This is excellent! I've been considering Wharfedale Lintons for years, but I'd prefer to take on the challenge and build something myself. Unfortunately, I haven't seen many classic 3 way speaker build videos or plans. I'm really glad you put this together. Thank you!
Thanks
May I recommend Troels Gravesen's website in that case.
but the diy wont be much cheaper so you hope thy sound much better?
@@chotafallen8390
That's not the point, as they said, they want the accomplishment of making something themselves, with their own hands. Getting something better isn't really in the spirit of it
Love the design and craftmanship!
I have seen vids of people building speakers but this is exceptional!
Thanks
Beautiful work. Very interesting.
Thank you!
Those Tweeters are awesome! i love them on my speedsters!
I really love this project and amazing execution 👏👏👏
Thank you so much!
Incredible work once again! I am just finishing up your Arylic build and already looking forward to building these.
Thanks. Ok cool, send some pics when you are done.
Wow, these speakers sound absolutely fantastic. They sound better than most $10k+/pair fancy pansy brand name speakers.
Thanks
Would you consider selling them?@@SoundBlab
Judging this from distorted low quality youtube audio? Well done. You must be a genius
I'm curious how you can know that from a UA-cam Vid? Most $10K commercial speakers sound pretty dang good! I'm not taking anything away from this build, but hearing them in person is critical to knowing what they actually sound like.
Excellent job. They look beautiful and sound very nice. Well done!
Thanks
true craft. Thank you for documenting and explaining so well.
My pleasure!
This exactly what I was looking for.
Thank you.
What a wonderful use of your time sir thank you very much
You are very welcome
Respect from india ,quite ingenious loved it very professional
Thanks
>Very remarkable craftsmanship allround incl driver selection with filtering - stunning veneer work!
Thanks
The gap on the baffle is actually nice touch I would go for in first place. The solid wood profile is also nice, but I am afraid it brings some unwanted diffractions to the sound.
They open die quite directional wave
Excellent workmanship.
Great build. Have watched this video several times and you are the only quality speaker DIY, at present. You’re doing great design and a lot of speakers for various tastes and looks. This speaker sounds great above 200 hz. Bass a bit too boomy in my headphones. Room mode or speaker mode? A fun speaker to listen to. Side note, barefoot in the shop? No nails or wood splinters laying around? Keep up the great work. You and Danny (GR research ) take the lead.
Thanks!
I aspire to be this good at building speakers. WoW! great build.
Thank you! 😊
Such a shame the plans have been discontinued literally a few months after making this video. Any plans for an updated version please? Lovely work as always, cheers very much
I am working on an update with more easily available drivers that will also be better value for money.
Damn they look amazing. Great work
Thanks
Fantastic mate well done. Hard to believe that the mid range only needs such a small enclosure.
Thanks
Have you ever seen the closed back ones? They make that enclosure look huge by comparison. Of course they’re usually only good for about 500hz at the very lowest.
Basically bass needs space. Mids, and treble not so much. ✌️
👌 Looks like my Lintons. Nice quality build. Sounded good on my studiomonitor PC set up.
Cool, thanks!
Look great and sound so full. They dig deep! Awesome work. I wish I could tackle something like this. May have to start with one of your older and simpler builds first though.
Thanks! Yes, a simpler build is always good as a starter project. Perhaps look at the Dynamites, it's a fairly easy and straight forward build with good results.
Outstanding!!! Pretty nice directivity as well. Bravo 👏
Thank you 😀
Amazing speakers! This is probably the 10th video I watched in a row, and I enjoy watching you building these masterpieces! I want to build my own two active bookshelf speakers, and I'm glad I did found your channel, so I can learn something more before I start building them. Do you have a video or article explaining how to measure space needed for certain speakers and how to separate enclosure etc? Also, I would love to understand how to pick up parts for speaker assembly, how they work, what's the best for certain built etc. I'm absolute amateur in speaker build or any sort of audio engineering and I want to learn more before I order parts and speakers for build. I'm a carpenter and should be able to build any sort of enclosure without problems, but I have absolutely no clue what to install in that enclosure for a sound I want from it. Thank you for great videos, I already learned a lot from you, and I'm enjoying watching your videos
Thanks. I don't have particular content that goes into much of the detail that you mention. However, I do aim to bring more of that content into my projects. It took me a good 5 to 10 years to learn the basics of speaker design and become fairly good at it, and a lot has to do with the equipment required to properly be able to do it. However, I am still learning with every project I take on! Being able to measure your speakers accurately and to model a crossover is key to designign and making your own. For most, just starting to build a kit or from a build plan is a good start.
I adore this channel! By the way, that new nailer looks fantastic!
It would be even more amazing if you could create a version with SB Acoustic, making it easier for people worldwide to access.
Thanks! Yeah, I think I might try that with some more 'budget' friendly drivers that are more readily available in the future.
@@SoundBlab The SB Acoustics Satori 9" woofer is supposed to be a beast, nice tweeters too.
@@SoundBlab maybe
SB Acoustics:
Tw. SB29SDAC-C000-4 or SB29RDAC-C000-4 +
Mid. SB12PFCR25-04, 4" + Woofer SB20PFCR30-4 8"
All 6 drivers for $267 or $296 USD.
Just a thought
I'm getting 80's looks from these but they sound far better.
theyre expensive like 4000+ but really minimum if you have smth like livepro and up
well align with the 1-1-1 ratio
Hier kann man sich mal das Ergebnis anhören. Und es hört sich wirklich gut an.
Danke
Отличные полочники. Отличная работа. Thanks.
They very resemble to a Wharfedale Linton Heritage. Good job.
Thanks
Always look forward to your builds!
Thanks!
Amazing work❤
Thanks 😄
Amazing!!! I make my loudspeakers too! Woofer, Subwoofer ant Twetter.
Sound very nice and clear.
Thanks for listening
WOW! They sound great! But if my headphones are accurate, the high frequency are too bright for my taste... the rest is... unbelievable! GREAT WORK, like usual!!! 🙂👏👏👏
Thanks
so as basically everything else, theyll be updated when necessary
your recordings of the speaker really sound ludicrously good, i can hear the box reverb, room reverb and all the details from the speaker!
really astonishing!! i did myself a pair of speakers with spare/local parts (i'll be honest, in my opinion, brazilian drivers sound better in everything, except subs, i've never saw a good BR sub)
keep up the great work!
Thanks
Excuse my ignorance but what do you mean by "Brazilian drivers"?
@@imjustherefortheks drivers made by brazilian brands, usually made with celullose cones and mesh gaskets.
@@GrulbGL well, can you recommend one for me, because, I'm from Brazil, I've been in the audio world for more than 30 years now and I don't know a single brand that makes an worthy driver. At most mediocre ones , which are designed for car audio. Bravox, Audiophonic, Hurricane and the one I consider the most, NAR. On the other hand, I think subwoofers are OK. I will be really glad if you could give me a clue of where to start. Imported drivers are way expensive, especially now with the taxation... I had to put a pause on a pair of bookshelf speakers and a pair of tower speakers because of the cost... It made me very upset... Thanks
Remind me of infinity QBs which are amazing vintage speakers.
Thank you. You're absolutely fabulous 🤩
You’re welcome 😊
Great job sir 👍
Thanks 👍
Wow, they sound great! I have those Fountek tweeters and don't like them much below 5khz. They do great above that.
Thanks
Great woodworking skills. I'd be a little concerned about the decorative beading at the edge of the baffle as a source of sound diffraction and I personally don't build my boxes with baffle obstructions. Whether in practice you can hear is the acid test.
Very well done!
Thank you very much!
Good my friend 👍
Thank you 👍
Awesome build quality.. thank you.
Glad you like it, thanks!
Amazing! I would for sure buy build plans for a revised version of this with in stock drivers if they were available!
Thanks. Hopefully updated version coming soon before end of this year.
Wow! Absolutely fantastic job sir. Would love to know how long this took to complete. Maybe it’s in the description. Sorry, I haven’t read that first. Sounds incredible! Even through UA-cam!
Thanks. This was a project that took many many months in planning and building. Not sure exactly how long, but most of my projects are several months of design, planning and building.
Superb work.
Thanks a lot 😊
wow!!! congrats.
Thanks
Great build! Would love to do a similar build with a horn
Brilliant job
Thanks
very good this is your a very best loudspeaker
Amazing sound
Glad you think so!
Very nice job! Even though it's not what I use for listening, I still have a soft spot for those old school designs like this.
I'm currently collecting parts to build replicas of the Altec Model Nineteen studio monitors but even though I do have a table saw and a CNC, I'm a little worried about getting clean enough miter cuts. The plan is to use MDF with the veneer already on it but any glitch at all in the miter cuts will mess this up. Thing is, I've heard that getting veneer to look good isn't very easy either but you definitely made it look easy. So I'm not sure if I should use raw MDF and veneer it or try to get clean miter cuts on veneered MDF.
It's going to be quite a project, the eBay acquired woofers will need new cones and none of the aftermarket cone rebuild kits are quite correct. One issue is the vented dust cap, I basically have to make them. I have a source for caps with the vent cut and no screen and a different source for the correct screen so I have to put the two together. I found a pair of dividing networks in Japan but probably won't use them. Instead I plan to machine the face plates on the CNC, get them anodized and make the Altec logo skins for them on the laser etcher. The crossover itself is relatively simple assuming I can find the correct L-Pads.
I wish I had your skills, even with the CNC etc I don't think I can make cabinets that look as good as you did with the project in this video. Normally I'm not too worried about cosmetics but for these Model Nineteen replicas I want them to look good. Any tips on whether to use veneered MDF and just be really careful cutting the miters or use raw MDF and put the veneer on after?
I would suggest veneering afterwards. It is very hard to get mitres perfect, and veneer afterwards can hide some of that.
This really looks great, i've made quite a few speakers myself, and im wondering a bit on your crossover, how come you put a coil in series on the tweeter? 😊 i hear you to tame the higher frequencys as a notch filter, but would a l-pad with resistors not do the same thing?
If they sound half as good as they look, i would say very well done. 👍👍
great sound
Thanks
Amazing sound 👏👏👏👏 GREAT WORK SIR
Thanks!
Sounds amazing too!
Thanks!
looks lovely! Just as a headsup - I also had one of those cordless routers that I used to make the Dynamites, however it literally went up in flames. Got the original cordless Makita then, which is just an insane value. I also didn't need any new accessories as the generic ones fit the Makita as well :)
Thanks! And thanks for the headsup, so far so good. It has been holding up for me. Holding thumbs!
Beatiful speakers!
Thanks
مهتم بمحتواك. أحب السماعات جدآ. اعمالك هذه رائعة😊
Another great design, thanks for the effort.
Thank you! Cheers!
Great job 👏
Thanks
Thank you❤
Great work 👍
It was pleasure to watch 😊
Thanks a lot 😊
Really, really well made speakers, from great drivers to quality filtering to well designed enclosure. Classic ! And love the sound, very clear and dynamic !
Glad you like them!
Damn.... Super nice speaker build!!! Want to build myself a pair, but i'm thinking of making them active/powerd 🤔.Would be nice i think.
Thanks
Sounds real good 🎉
Thanks!
GREAT SOUND
👍
Did you consider going with a mirrored pair?
My friend, who had two speaker companies, built them that way. He would put a foam gasket around the edge of the drivers when installing them to make them airtight and help prevent any buzzing of the cabinet. He held twp U.S. patents on speaker design.
Hi, this is a mirrored pair.
Great job..🙂🇬🇧👍
Thanks
Beautiful !
Thank you!
These are beautiful and I can't wait to try and build my own. Do you think adding a rubber buffer between each of the wood panels would dampen some of the resonance within the wood? (would this even be helpful?)
I have access to a 3D printer which can print flexible TPU, and I believe I can design some TPU components which precisely cradle the exterior wooden panels to ensure the panels do not directly "touch" each other.
The speaker looks fantastic, but aren't you worried about potential diffraction issues with that trim around the baffle? Granted, I'm no expert on the subject but from what little i have learnt that could exacerbate the issue.
. Ya It'll show up in testing & maybe hearing but keep in mind there's at least a thousand of those choices in the whole signal chain. Sometimes we just want what we want because we like it and that's cool.
Just ran into your video and must say that it is a pleasure watching you work. Do you need a 53-year-old apprentice by any chance? 😉Thanks.
I really enjoyed this; I'm bummed the speakers do not seem to be available.
Working on an update with new drivers. Stay tuned.
Are the magnets on the midbass and midrange drivers vented? I couldn't quite see. Thank you. Also the crossover designs just about made my eyes pop out of my head! Yikes!
Really beautiful speakers and a nice video! Are the plans still available? I can't find them on your website
Incredible work, congratulations, I would like to know how to assemble the crossover and also where I can buy the components, thank you.
This is not a very old video, why do the plans show as discontinued at your site?
Excellent video and woodworking skills, very nice!
Thanks. The drivers for this build is in very limited availability. I have decided to rather discontinue the plans to avoid issues in getting parts. I will replace this project with a build including drivers that are perhaps better value for money and more easily available, soon.
Damn really amazing sound 🥰
Thanks
Lovely Job!!!
Thank you!
As someone that's also from south Africa have you had any issues with shipping any of the parts?
Great work! Love the look of vintage speakers.
Thanks!
Is painting MDF black this easy?!
One layer in a few seconds with a brush?! This amazes me the most
its pretty easy just use mdf primer first (mdf soaks up a lot of paint so best to prime first)
Nice Stokies
Two series resistors on mids not recommended but have fun
Very nice build
Thanks!
Beautiful
Thanks
Theese are the best sounding speakers
Thanks
Only the tweeter is available, the other speakers are dead links.
Great video and a really nice build! I just stumbled upon it and it could not have come in a better time. I am just up to planning the build of my classic style speakers and they are almost the exact same design and setup. So this was really great to see :)
But it brings to my mind, two questions. Number one, are you from South Africa? And number two (yeah yeah ha ha get your head out of the gutter), have you been inspired by the Troels Gravesen 3 way classic designs?
Oh and by the way, I would love a complete playlist if that is possible? Those were some nice tunes.
Thanks. Inspiration comes from the typical 3-way vintage designs from the past. I will imagine Troels got his inspiration from there as well, and the fact that his followers asked for such designs. These vintage style speakers are quite popular.