Introduction: Ceramic Speakers
I build all sorts of speakers, from simple to technical, but one thing most of them have in common is some sort of woodworking. I realize not everyone has big woodworking tools like a table saw or a miter saw, but a lot of people do have a drill and a soldering iron! My goal for this speaker build was to make a pair of interesting speakers using found or bought objects for the enclosures. I chose these ceramic tea and coffee containers because they are pretty cheap, look pretty cool, and have a nice wood lid to mount the drivers to.
These speakers aren't designed to shake your house down with big bass, but they do sound really great. Stick around to the end of this instructable to hear how they sound.
Step 1: The Ceramic & Stuff
I picked these containers because of their price, size, and they fit in pretty well with my kitchen. If you don't like the look (or taste) of the "coffee" and "tea" on the sides, you can always paint them whatever color you like.
If you are choosing your own containers, make sure the diameter of the lid AND opening to the actual container are greater than the baffle cutout diameter of the driver you choose. I failed to investigate the second part and my speakers just fit. Got lucky on that one!
Materials Needed
Ceramic Containers: https://goo.gl/mkhMC3
Speakers: https://goo.gl/2ZRl06
Binding Posts: http://amzn.to/2fvwhA4
Poly Fill: http://amzn.to/2fvuaMM
Audio Amp: http://amzn.to/2fvu1cc
Scrap Wood
BSC Circuit
2x 0.50mH Air Core Inductors: http://amzn.to/2fhUlS6
2x 8 Ohm Resistor: http://amzn.to/2e2nCDS
2x 3.7 Ohm Resistor: http://amzn.to/2fhWc9A
Tools Needed
Drill: http://amzn.to/2fEwU9x
3" Hole Saw Drill Bit: http://amzn.to/2fbi6ik
Glass & Tile Drill Bit: http://amzn.to/2djSPjh
Soldering Iron: http://amzn.to/2dLPBHA
Glue Gun: http://amzn.to/2dCjf2K
Super Glue or Epoxy: http://amzn.to/2edT7q7
(optional) Center Punch: http://amzn.to/2enP6m5
Step 2: The Speaker
Find and mark the center of your lid with a center punch (I used calipers to find the center, but a ruler works just as well). Using a drill and a 3" hole saw, cut out an opening in your lid for your speaker. Place the speaker inside the hole and using a pen, mark the positioning of the screw holes. Use your center punch where you marked, then drill your screw holes. Make sure your screws are short enough to fit when the lid is placed back on the container. Screw in your speaker.
Step 3: The Binding Posts
Flip your containers over and find a place to put your speaker connection binding posts. Using your glass and tile drill bit and your hand, spin the bit to break through the glaze of the ceramic to give your drill bit a place to seat. You should hear a slight cracking sound as you do this. Now go slow and drill out these holes.
Add your binding posts with a bit of epoxy to seal the hole and hold them in place. Don't screw on the nuts just yet.
Step 4: The BSC Circuit & Wiring
I added a baffle step correction circuit to this build because the enclosure isn't much wider than the actual speaker. You can find out more about BSC circuits HERE.
The 8 Ohm resistor is placed across the speaker terminals and is represented as Rz in the diagram above (disregard Cz, it is not included in this circuit).
The 3.7 Ohm resistor and the 0.50mH inductor are wired in parallel on the positive terminal of the speaker. Represented as Lbsc and Rbsc in the diagram above.
Inductors and resistors are not polarized, so don't worry about which direction they are facing.
Make sure to leave enough speaker wire to allow you to connect to the binding posts at the bottom of the container. If your hand can't fit inside the container, a socket extension is a good way to get down in there.
Hot glue the BSC to the inside wall of the container.
Step 5: Seal It Up
I wanted to make sure the lids were good and tight, so I added some weather striping around the outside lip of the container. I added some poly fill to the inside of the container, then glued the lid on with epoxy.
Step 6: Da Stands
I took a few pieces of scrap walnut I had lying around and made two quick and simple stands. I added felt rounds to where the stands meet the containers and where the containers touch a surface.
You don't need this step, you can just add felt rounds to the bottom of the containers and have them lay flat.
Step 7: The Finish!
All you need to do is wire them to an audio amp, plug in a source, and there you go!
I really think these speakers turned out great. They sound very clean and detailed, great for casual music listening.
This is a great first speaker build project if you don't have many tools.
I have lots of other speaker building videos on my YouTube Channel if you want more!
I also have Speaker Build Kits & Plans on my website. New kits and plans added all the time!
Step 8: The Test
Take a listen for yourself and subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more!
Thanks! This was my first instructable! Any constructive feedback would be greatly appreciated!
-Kirby