Best homemade boomboxes

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ScareDe2

ScareDe2

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To talk a bit about the DiamondBoxx: the sound significantly opened up and soften after the first day. Near a week later and 25+ hours of break in, the bass (bass+bass drum) is still tight and punchy. The highs are still "forward", detailed and bright. The sound feels "pushed" with nearly no 3 dimentional soundstage, I hope it will keep breaking in and opening up. The sound needs to get more airy. It's a bit "in your face" to my personal taste. I expect a more relaxed, large and dimentional sound. Who knows maybe after 100+ hours..

If you don't beleive in the "break in" you will be impressed what it does to a brand new Diamondboxx.

But hey... the DB kills any boomboxes easily. It's just that my ears are so used to v-shaped equalizer and deeper sound, that's why I have some problems but it improves with time, not an easy listening especialy with guitar distortion in the higher midrange (no EQ). Very good with leaner music, acoustic and beats.

Very loud. Bass boosted songs consume a lot of volume tho. It's still loud but not nearly as loud as a regular song. Regular songs can't be played full volume indoor, it's near intolerable, but outside, it can work.
 
J

jimmyjimmy19702010

Member (SA)
ScareDe2 said:
To talk a bit about the DiamondBoxx: the sound significantly opened up and soften after the first day. Near a week later and 25+ hours of break in, the bass (bass+bass drum) is still tight and punchy. The highs are still "forward", detailed and bright. The sound feels "pushed" with nearly no 3 dimentional soundstage, I hope it will keep breaking in and opening up. The sound needs to get more airy. It's a bit "in your face" to my personal taste. I expect a more relaxed, large and dimentional sound. Who knows maybe after 100+ hours..

If you don't beleive in the "break in" you will be impressed what it does to a brand new Diamondboxx.

But hey... the DB kills any boomboxes easily. It's just that my ears are so used to v-shaped equalizer and deeper sound, that's why I have some problems but it improves with time, not an easy listening especialy with guitar distortion in the higher midrange (no EQ). Very good with leaner music, acoustic and beats.

Very loud. Bass boosted songs consume a lot of volume tho. It's still loud but not nearly as loud as a regular song. Regular songs can't be played full volume indoor, it's near intolerable, but outside, it can work.
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Thank you for your honest and detailed review of your DB. Everything you say makes logical sense considering the specs of the DB.

Your review is much more useful than comments from other reviewers where they just gush on about how 'awesome it sounds'. :-)
 
ScareDe2

ScareDe2

Member (SA)
lol I found another song my DB can't play. It makes the speakers (I think the tweeters) clip a lot:

Aeternum Sacris - In Our Hearts


Someone please test the Aiwa exos 9 with the bass boosted version of HIDEHO and this one above to see if there is any problem? I would also like to know about the 5.0 :)

and how does the aiwa exos 9 plays guitar distortion in general, is there a good soundstage and nice separation of instruments, an airy distortion that is not too thick and too "forward"?
 
ScareDe2

ScareDe2

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jimmyjimmy19702010 said:
The 'clipping' will be coming from the amp and then fed to the speakers.

Any chance of a vid?
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I would like to, but my camcorder mic is very cheap. I don't have any recording material to make decent videos. You want to hear the DB clipping? I can give you all information to the best of my ability. :-)
 
J

jimmyjimmy19702010

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It's a complicated situation trying to diagnose possible causes of your issues with the DB. The 'Optical Analog Audio Limiters' in the DB are supposed to reduce distortion at all volume levels. Who knows what affect this has on certain bass heavy tracks?

My understanding is that this manipulation allows users to turn the DB to max without overheating the amp and speakers - a situation that could result in component failure.

The DB's use of Helmholtz resonators also complicates things somewhat. The 5.30 inch speakers of the DB are, in reality mid range speakers. If they were installed into a sealed cabinet system, they would sound nice and clear but bass depth would be limited. The bass in the DB comes from the resonators and tuned cabinet that allows a level and depth of bass that is beyond the abilities of mid sized speakers.

When you crank bass heavy tracks, I'm guessing there is some issue in the way the cabinet, resonators, ports, amp and speakers work together causing the 'clipping, farting' noises.

Personally, I vividly remember a pair of high end HiFi speakers my dad had back in the late 70s/early 80s that were 2 way, with 8 inch drivers, silk dome tweeters in a sealed cabinet. I always remember how awesome they sounded with no boominess. Just solid, punchy bass of amazing depth that balanced so well with the crystal clear highs of the tweeters. It's this exact setup that I've 'attempted' to replicate with the V5.0. :-)

I plan on making some videos testing the V5.0s ability to handle super deep bass.

It's horses for courses but I'm happy with how the V5.0 sounds - no complaints. With the Bass and treble controls set to flat (12 o'clock position), it sounds 'bass and treble' strong with slightly subdued mids (like an equaliser smilie face). This is due in part to the natural 'timbre' of the 8 inch drivers that tend to default to a bass heavy sound.
 
ScareDe2

ScareDe2

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I played Comfortable Liar by Chevelle with the best audio source available at home - humbly a CD player that cost less than $100 - and everytime the bass drops it sucks the sound for a moment. I wonder if all 2 way speakers will experience the same problem, so I know those are not my kind of speakers.

I will very likely return the DB.
 
J

jimmyjimmy19702010

Member (SA)
ScareDe2 said:
I played Comfortable Liar by Chevelle with the best audio source available at home - humbly a CD player that cost less than $100 - and everytime the bass drops it sucks the sound for a moment. I wonder if all 2 way speakers will experience the same problem, so I know those are not my kind of speakers.

I will very likely return the DB.
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Sounds like either the software is reducing power to the amp to protect it and the speakers or the power supply for the amp is either undersized or faulty.

It might be worth reporting the issue and maybe getting another example to try.
 
ScareDe2

ScareDe2

Member (SA)
jimmyjimmy19702010 said:
Sounds like either the software is reducing power to the amp to protect it and the speakers or the power supply for the amp is either undersized or faulty.

It might be worth reporting the issue and maybe getting another example to try.
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I sent them messages describing to the best of my ability every problem I did encounter with my DB. Also, when I listen to guitar recordings like joe satriani, steve vai, hendrix, halen, etc.. the sound of the guitar is washed out, the natural fuzz is not there, it's textureless as if the guitar sound has been bleached. Doesn't sound electric and I also noticed same thing with voices when listening to houston or dion or any singers. The voice is not full, as if something was missing.

They told me everyone has different taste. He comfirned the noise when playing boosted songs probably comes from the port. For the others noises I heard he thinks it's the compression or bad audio source, but even with CD I think the sound is bothering me. It sounds good with pop song because the bass hit tight, deep and punchy. Altho I don't like how mids and highs sound it is very clear, I hear everything clearly. It is insanely loud. High quality build and resistant.

It cost me a huge $118 CAD to ship it back. I did not want to exceed the 14 days satisfaction guarantee so I sent it back.
 
J

jimmyjimmy19702010

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trippy1313 said:
So.... you gonna try the E9 then or try to make your own box?
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I'd suggest trying an Exos9 instead of building a box - the Exos9 is such a bargain for the performance on offer.

Just the parts list alone for a quality DIY box will exceed the retail price of the Aiwa!! :-)
 
trippy1313

trippy1313

Member (SA)
jimmyjimmy19702010 said:
I'd suggest trying an Exos9 instead of building a box - the Exos9 is such a bargain for the performance on offer.

Just the parts list alone for a quality DIY box will exceed the retail price of the Aiwa!! :-)
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I believe that 100%!!!
 
gsbadbmr

gsbadbmr

Member (SA)
I am looking forward to hearing an Exos9...but i have a REALLY loud and powerful 70LBS custom made box that sounds incredible...better than any i have ever heard...only 1 like it in the world...that's probably why i like it so much :lol:

***Max (mccodomino) heard this one when he stayed at my place...he knows how good it sounds!

1448idu.jpg
 
goodman

goodman

Member (SA)
Hello, look what I find today in one russian sale site:

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Three active speakers - two stereo + subwoofer, united together in a portable 2.1 audio system.
Two amplifier: 2x50 W and 1x100 watts (max.).
2 analog audio input: minijack and tulips.
2 USB for charging the device from which music is played.
Power supply: DC 12-26 V (battery, power supply, etc...).
Built volt meter.
Moisture resistant.
Dimensions: see 66x33x29
Weight: 23 kg
Body: plywood, beech spars.
Filling: anti-vibration mats, padding polyester.
The outer cover: synthetic rubber

https://www.avito.ru/arhangelsk/audio_i_video/unikalnyy_kastom-bumboks_841334660

....
 
Mystic Traveller

Mystic Traveller

Member (SA)
goodman said:
Hello, look what I find today in one russian sale site:




.....
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Aha, I know that guy, we live in the same city, he loves modding boxes in this way..
Just for fun, play with them for a while, then sell to start another one..
 
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