Comment by JKCalhoun | Hacker News Reader

Comment by JKCalhoun | Hacker News Reader

I've wanted to bring back the console electronics. To that end I have built a few things along similar lines for myself.

A couple of thinner "speaker tables" with a small subwoofer + plate amplifier built in and a pair of full-range drivers. Not really a full console but does keep the wires to a minimum [1]. Just add an amp and sound source. (Sub is down-firing and underneath — so not visible.)

I built a taller version with storage for albums underneath (now we're getting closer to a console stereo [2]. (Sub is also down-firing.)

Additionally I built one for the TV that has a mid (full range) driver as well. With the integrated sub it's fully 3.1 with no external wires [3]. (Like previous, sub is also down-firing.)

FWIW, the "cavities" allowed for the drivers within the body of the furniture were designed to match the drivers in terms of volume (usually sized for a bass port as well). So there was a little more thought than to just slap speakers on a box.

[1] https://imgur.com/nqTy6Bi

[2] https://imgur.com/RIVRfea

[3] https://imgur.com/a1tbhB1

Tried to find a build photo — this is the taller stereo version being built. Full-range drivers on each end, dual subs left-center, bass port in center, plate amplifier (for sub only) right-center: https://imgur.com/ZZtP2qp

That is excellent! I followed more of the 'just slap speakers in it' method - I have an old 50s record player that I got as a teenager (in the 90s) the bass on it was stunning, so I played it to death until the values blew.

I then emptied out the insides as with the lid it made a nice box to keep stuff in. A few years later I worked a 2.1 computer speaker amp and drivers in there (sadly I'd used the original speakers for a project), and added a Bluetooth receiver, an ipod touch and an additional aux cable - then mounted the whole thing on hair pin legs.

It is now a cute coffee table, chest and basic speaker system - but no where near as polished as yours!

I have the advantage of having iterated on these. All told I've made perhaps 7 or 8 of them in various configs. I also got very much into baltic birch (and other high-end multi-ply plywood) construction on earlier projects (MAME machines, furniture, etc.) so I already had down the joinery. (And built a number of "normal" speakers before as well.)

So I already some wood-working experience before starting these. Still though, not a thing anyone else couldn't learn to build.

Well wonderful work. It will go on my long list of projects to borrow from - I love multi functional furniture. I really wanted to find a way to hide our bedroom TV either in/behind a chest of drawers, or behind a 2 way mirror - but at the moment it just sits there taunting me.

Do speaker vibrations not affect the turntable?

The lower frequencies can, yeah. Some turntables are better than others though. It does make sense for turntables though to have a separate sub on the floor — the full-range drivers are not a problem for the turntable at least.

Awesome work

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