Speaker enclosures

[jarndice]

I did not know whether to put this query in the Electronics or the General part of the Forum so I hope this is okay here?
I have just received from Ian (TANKBEAR) as part of my sound upgrade for the IBU2 a lovely pair of VISATON SPEAKERS for which I shall be making a pair of enclosures (6cmx6cmx3cm).
I of course know nothing about ACOUSTIC's so my question is do I fill the space in the box around the speaker with some form of sound absorbing materiel and if so what? :
I would like to add that IAN's turn around service is something to behold, Thank you Sir, most impressed. shaun

[jackalope]

No. Nothing to absorb the sound but what you want to do is to add a port to it facing upwards toward a grill or some other area that will allow the sound to exit the tanks hull. For the port I plan to use a small pipe that will go downward into the box and then protrude out of the box toward a radiator grill. I'm going to try different size ports but from just the first look I'm thinking a 1/2 inch pipe/port should work well but I'll let you know, I ordered the same set up you have and it should be here in a day or 2 so if you want to wait I'd be happy to let you know.

Now I'm still undecided as to what I want to build my boxes out of, either the pressed wood that makes up wood paneling or plastic sheeting. Now if I do use plastic I plan to spray the inside with a stuff called PLASTI-DIP this will help insulate the plastic box to help keep the sound inside of it only allowing it to escape through the speaker or through the port.

[jarndice]

Jack my hero thank you for that, I shall await your results with interest,
I am planning to mount one speaker in place of the original one, this being a Tiger 1, it is mounted under the right hand side engine grille and I see no good reason not to mount the other speaker opposite But anyone who knows better please tell me. shaun

[jackalope]

Shaun, try inside the turret (if it'll fit) because that will give the guns and the engine sounds some separation so the gun sounds don't get lost due to the engine sound track. Again this is my plan for my King Tiger, wish I could take the credit for it but I got it from Ian.

Which direction will you be mounting your speaker facing, upwards toward the grills or inward towards where the engine would be? If you go with the later or the 2 choices you'll want to add that port on the side of the box to fire upwards towards the grill.

More then 30 years building custom cars with custom sound systems when it comes to a toy tank I think I got this.

[jarndice]

Thanks Jack, Because I am abrading the Mantlet to more closely resemble an early Tiger 1, (flattening the face both sides of the Main Gun) I therefore have the Turret stripped down, by the way anybody else who is thinking of doing it, be aware that the TAIGEN Metal Mantlet where the ridge containing the twin optics is which needs to be flattened, the Metal is very THIN! I got to go now my lady wants me to drive her to the shops nice and early to avoid any queues!!! shaun

[Tankbear]

Having spent many hours trying to perfect the sound enclosure, my secret is















I don't

Yep I make sure the front plate of the speaker is fixed to something solid (usually under engine grill) and that's it. This is particular important with the Visaton 2" speaker I sell as other wise can sound a bit tiny.

Also placing the sound effect speaker in the turret is a great idea give separation of the sound and sounds like when you fire the gun it comes from the gun rather than behind the tank.

Not certain if I've any pictures of my tiger at hand but will see if I can find any.

Ian.

[Tankbear]

[Tankbear]

[jarndice]

Now that is what I call helpful,
indeed my only regret is I have spent most of the morning making Speaker boxes, DOHHH!!
But thank you Ian it helps that you show the speaker in a Tiger 1 as that is what will be getting it first. shaun

[Tankbear]

Don't get me wrong a speaker box might sound better, but my poor excuse for speaker boxes never really did it justice. Biggest issue is actually getting the sound out of the tank. Some tanks are easy like the Tiger as you can fit a speaker under the engine grills, others like the KV1 no matter where you put it the sound will end up bouncing around the inside and sounding quiet or distorted.

Ian.