The Audiophile Loudspeaker Anyone Can Build: Anyone Can Build [Paperback]

Gene Healy (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Healy's profusely illustrated how-to counters the usual cloudy instructions in the art of stereo speaker construction with simple prose in large, readable print (a distinct advantage when constantly looking back and forth between instructions and the pieces of an unassembled electronic toy) and the aforementioned illustrations, which portray, step by step, the building of a high-quality speaker from scratch. Although brief, the book has many other wonderful features, too, such as notably large, clear pictures of basic components of the project (e.g., round-headed and flat-headed screws) and legible, concise schematics that reflect a speaker's actual wiring and layout. Do-it-yourself books this good are a rare treat. Mike Tribby

Review

". . . basic and easy-to-follow. An ideal how-to for any hobbyist or music-lover wishing to build a speaker." -- Paul Holsopple, Parts Express International

"Do-it-yourself books this good are a rare treat." -- Mike Tribby, ALA Booklist

"I was pleasantly surprised...there was a smooth transition between bass-midrange-high frequencies that not only graciously accepted various recording styles, but more importantly allowed me to focus on the music rather than the speaker itself...there is also the personal satisfaction of building something that it truly worth owning...an obvious bargain." -- Ralph Cortigiano, Take 5 Audio

"This excellent how-to title covers the basics of constructing a fine stereo loudspeaker and presumes no prior knowledge of sound systems, building or design. Large type and photos invites quick visual and written word understanding, making for a highly recommended musician/builders pick." -- Diane Donovan, Reviewer's Bookwatch

This excellent how-to title covers the basics of constructing a fine stereo loudspeaker and presumes no prior knowledge of sound systems, building, or design. Large type and photos invites quick visual and written word understanding, making for a highly recommended musician/builder's pick. -- Midwest Book Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 163 pages
• Publisher: Boston Post Pub Co; 1st edition (February 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964777703
• ISBN-13: 978-0964777705
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,275,666 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Mostly harmless, March 8, 2010

By 

Dave Angus (Nanaimo, B.C. Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Audiophile Loudspeaker Anyone Can Build: Anyone Can Build (Paperback)

The book claims to help you build good 2-way reflex speakers using 6.5" midwoofers and 8 ohm tweeters. Not having actually built said speakers, I can't say how good they really are. And by now (2010), there's a good chance the specified drivers are no longer available or the specs have changed.

One thing the book fails to point out is that crossovers need to be matched by more than just the nominal crossover point and slope, and that a "Zobel" network across the woofer is often necessary to help them perform correctly. Another flaw is the claim that the port described will work with almost all woofers. It may sort of work, but properly both the box volume and port tuning need to be calculated using the woofer's Thiele-Small parameters. And ideally those should be measured, since there are frequently discrepancies between published specs and what actually arrives in the box.

Very large illustrations. A cynic might think they're there to fill up space, like the very large print, and frequent blank pages.

While the idea of building a good to excellent speaker yourself from a kit is sound, more emphasis should be placed on the synergy of a woofer and tweeter married with a well-designed crossover. Bad crossovers can make the finest components fail to deliver their potential.

What would I suggest as an alternative? If you need a new hobby, and are prepared to put in time learning to use speaker design software and hardware, Vance Dickason's "Loudspeaker Design Cookbook" is the single best book. His other book, "Loudspeaker Recipes", offers practical examples of speaker designs. It may not be a useful source of plans, since after 16 years many of the drivers will be obsolete. David Weems' books are worth reading, and can often be found at public libraries.

If you want to build good speakers, go with a kit from a source like Madisound or Zalytron. You get a proven design, and the correct components which you'd have to source anyway. There's plenty of challenge left in constructing and finishing the cabinets, especially if you're going for a full surround system.