Alright, I've posted this elsewhere but I think that I might get some more feedback/help if I create a thread.
Some background to this:
I'm not new to electronics, but I'm FAR from an expert. I can't design my own amplifiers and stuff but I can build a kit with a guide. I have a half-decent soldering iron and my main goal would be to build my own amplifier from a kit. I want to build a type of party speaker that I can carry around and put in a place so that I can play music on the move. It won't be battery operated, but instead run on any power supply that I have that will fit, meaning from the USB-power 5.5V up to 12VDC power bricks that I have at home. I have the following bricks:
1. Cellphone chargers, but I'm expecting them to be too low on power to use successfully.
2. 9VDC power bricks, delivering around 1.5A, but I suspect they might lack current. Perhaps join two of them?
3. An 8.5V 5A brick from a PlayStation 2. I don't know where it came from, but I have it. It should be perfect to drive a small amplifier, since it's a proper brick.
4. 12VDC power bricks, delivering around 2A. I think they might work lekker as well, since I'm not aiming large.
Now my aim is something looking similar to this:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c4/68/b8/c468b83df20a04cafa8eb9b2a6436026.jpg
Now I have my own twist on this. I want to make all the connections, in other words:
1. Between the power plug to the amp(s),
2. Between the input socket and the amp(s),
3. As well as between the amp(s) and the speakers
To be of bare, thick copper wire (solid, not twisted pair). The wire will be bent square and follow corners, never touching (obviously) and never crossing, to look almost steampunk-ish. I saw something like that a few years ago and the idea stuck with me ever since, and I think it'll look excellent (correct me if I'm wrong). Since the enclosure would be Perspex, looks are of utmost importance (from the copper wiring to the actual look of the amps and PCB's as well as the drivers).
Talking of it, I'll also need two drivers:
1. One with a long throw (if I can find one) to build into a custom little subwoofer box at the bottom of the speaker box (design to be made once I have an actual driver, then I'll decide on sealed or ported and all that).
2. One normal speaker that can handle the mids/highs.
I want to build a little crossover on the inputs for this, shouldn't be too hard, right? I also have a nice heatsink that I can use for everything (click here to see what I have), and I want the fins of the sink to be on the outside of the enclosure to help with cooling (should also look cool).
Everything will be exposed, so I'm hoping someone can help me with a CHEAP amplifier kit/crossover design or kit that I can build. Power requirements are between 10W and 20W, depending on what I can get, but that's not too much of an issue. I'm hoping for two mono amp kits, looking similar, for around R150 for the two kits. They should preferably have isolation included so that I don't short them on the sink...
Now, if anyone has any ideas or hints or tips I would greatly appreciate this! It's still in the waaaay beginning of the "design and think about it" phase but I want to do this eventually and with as low a budget as possible.
So, shoot. Tell me my ideas are stupid or wrong or daft etc. etc. etc...
Some background to this:
I'm not new to electronics, but I'm FAR from an expert. I can't design my own amplifiers and stuff but I can build a kit with a guide. I have a half-decent soldering iron and my main goal would be to build my own amplifier from a kit. I want to build a type of party speaker that I can carry around and put in a place so that I can play music on the move. It won't be battery operated, but instead run on any power supply that I have that will fit, meaning from the USB-power 5.5V up to 12VDC power bricks that I have at home. I have the following bricks:
1. Cellphone chargers, but I'm expecting them to be too low on power to use successfully.
2. 9VDC power bricks, delivering around 1.5A, but I suspect they might lack current. Perhaps join two of them?
3. An 8.5V 5A brick from a PlayStation 2. I don't know where it came from, but I have it. It should be perfect to drive a small amplifier, since it's a proper brick.
4. 12VDC power bricks, delivering around 2A. I think they might work lekker as well, since I'm not aiming large.
Now my aim is something looking similar to this:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c4/68/b8/c468b83df20a04cafa8eb9b2a6436026.jpg
Now I have my own twist on this. I want to make all the connections, in other words:
1. Between the power plug to the amp(s),
2. Between the input socket and the amp(s),
3. As well as between the amp(s) and the speakers
To be of bare, thick copper wire (solid, not twisted pair). The wire will be bent square and follow corners, never touching (obviously) and never crossing, to look almost steampunk-ish. I saw something like that a few years ago and the idea stuck with me ever since, and I think it'll look excellent (correct me if I'm wrong). Since the enclosure would be Perspex, looks are of utmost importance (from the copper wiring to the actual look of the amps and PCB's as well as the drivers).
Talking of it, I'll also need two drivers:
1. One with a long throw (if I can find one) to build into a custom little subwoofer box at the bottom of the speaker box (design to be made once I have an actual driver, then I'll decide on sealed or ported and all that).
2. One normal speaker that can handle the mids/highs.
I want to build a little crossover on the inputs for this, shouldn't be too hard, right? I also have a nice heatsink that I can use for everything (click here to see what I have), and I want the fins of the sink to be on the outside of the enclosure to help with cooling (should also look cool).
Everything will be exposed, so I'm hoping someone can help me with a CHEAP amplifier kit/crossover design or kit that I can build. Power requirements are between 10W and 20W, depending on what I can get, but that's not too much of an issue. I'm hoping for two mono amp kits, looking similar, for around R150 for the two kits. They should preferably have isolation included so that I don't short them on the sink...
Now, if anyone has any ideas or hints or tips I would greatly appreciate this! It's still in the waaaay beginning of the "design and think about it" phase but I want to do this eventually and with as low a budget as possible.
So, shoot. Tell me my ideas are stupid or wrong or daft etc. etc. etc...
