So finally here is Kissing the frog V4.0.
In my line of fully printable back-loaded horn speakers, this is (likely) going to be my last design (…just received some really interesting drivers for a DML system, so expect more experimental designs in the future xD ).
Strictly speaking this is not a back-loaded horn (at least not like V2.0). This one comes with a relatively (for a printed design) large main chamber (without corners or flat faces) and with a small horn attached to the back and opening up to the front.
Once again a complete redesign, looks super stylish, super cheap, no soldering, and is fully printable (and the entire body is still a single print which fits an 18×18 cm printer bed).
Here the differences/characteristics (as compared to V2.0/V3.0):
Completely new design.
This time the entire body is a single print.
Went back to using a 3/3.3″ driver (different driver but same size as the FRS8M used in V2.0).
Ideally to be used as satellites in a 2.1 system.
This time there is no room for an internal amplifier or Bluetooth receiver
Amplifier This time there is no room for an internal amplifier board so these are strictly passive speakers. Just connect to your favorite amplifier. I have recently posted an enclosure based on this amplifier: 2x50W TPA3116D2 Bluetooth 5.0 Stereo Amplifier Board. Very happy with this board. It is using the same chip (TPA3116D2) as the amplifier I used in V2.0 but has a better designed board, no noise, it has treble and bass control, and great sound.
And here is what you will need:
Since this is a passive system, basically all you need is a driver. Mounting holes are 84 mm diagonally spaced (i.e. on a circle of 42 mm radius) and the opening for the driver is 78 mm in diameter. I have used some old salvaged 3″ full range drivers. You could e.g. use the Visaton FRS 8 M, which I used in V2.0 (but which did not exactly make everyone happy) or some really fancy looking drivers (which someone recently recommended – but which I did not get to test yet): Aiyima 3″ 4/8 Ohm 15W full range driver (approx. USD 30/pair)
If the diameter of the mounting holes (see diameters in the image above) of your driver is (slightly) different you can simply scale the entire model (all parts) in your favorite slicing app to make it fit.
PRINTING / ASSEMBLY. This should once again be a simple print. No supports or plate adhesion needed. Print in PLA (or ABS, PETG…) at 0.28 mm resolution and (around) 20% infill (I use lines). I once again printed the main body in this Carbon PLA (- not so much because it is stronger, rather because carbon gives this beautiful soft touch to the surface), and the speaker ring in silk bronze (and a few other silk colors). No gluing this time (well almost), the body is comprised of a single part. Mount 4 M3 nuts with a drop of (hot) glue to the inside of the mounting holes inside the enclosure (I have made a recess for these on the inside, so they should be easy to mount – this makes the driver easy to remove), insert the driver (this time from the outside) and attach the speaker ring and speaker with M3(with nut)-M4(without nut) screws. The feet (2 front, one back) are glued into the respective holes.
WIRING. Wiring is really simple. Attach the speaker cable to the driver and lead it out through the hole in the back. Connect to your favorite amplifier.
THEORY. Here a little theory for all those who missed V2.0: What is a back loaded horn speaker? Think of it as a reversed megaphone or gramophone. A (front) horn loudspeaker uses an acoustic horn to increase the overall efficiency of the driving element (i.e. the sound coming out at the front). A back loaded horn speaker does pretty much the same. However, here the horn is mounted at the back of the loudspeaker. So you get the direct output from the front of the driver PLUS the one from the horn at the back. Which frequencies are amplified and how well depends on the air chamber, throat (the narrow part), and on the length, design, and diameter of the horn. Particularly with small (and cheap) drivers this can very much improve the sound quality.
I REALLY HOPE YOU LIKE IT AND IF YOU LIKE IT, PLEASE LIKE IT! Thanks!
Credits:
guppyk
Download 3D models
| File | File size |
|---|---|
Back+Horn+Speaker+V4.0
|
3 MB |