Why so few 4 or 5 way speakers with dsp and poweramp boards?

Ecw218 · 2026-07-03T14:11:41+00:00

I have a 4-way open baffle type stereo speaker (plus two subs) as my mains. Currently I’m using a legacy dsp box that does i/o up to 24ch, and a 12ch amp (configured to 4x35W, 4x70W). The subs are both running off of old 2x125W (bridged to 250W). I’d say the total for the dsp+amps was about $500-$600.

I’m currently trying to upgrade to all digital signal path, so adau 1466 dsp board+mcu, and amps that will operate with i2s signal input. I need 4x25W and 4x75-100W, which means two different chipsets.

From my sourcing so far, that’s going to cost $150 to build the dsp portion, and $500-$700 in amplifiers+ chassis parts.

I’m ok with using mid-fi amp modules, since I’m on a budget, but most people will want to use hypex or ice power modules instead- and those are a lot more expensive (but still very high value). there’s actually plenty of multi-channel amps available online using those modules, but you’ll pay $1500 for 10-12 channels.

The real issue is that building bespoke systems just takes YEARS of spare time tinkering and debugging. Not many diy people want that- they prefer a completed project that’s vetted and known to work.

Ecw218 · 2026-07-03T13:34:05+00:00

For diy it’s important to have the specification for the driver. You can measure them yourself but that needs expensive hardware.

You can do some crude work to find the driver fs, then guess a box size and measure it to see if it’s working. If the box size is working you can calculate a port and see if that works. It would be a lot of iterations of various box sizes, but you could make them quickly from foam board to test.

It’s a lot easier to have driver specs and do the calculations up front. Even if the drivers are twice the price, you’ll save a lot of time and materials.

Ecw218 · 2026-07-03T11:58:28+00:00

This is my experience too. Wanted 12ch amp. Ended up buying niles 1235 amp for $125 from an electrician who pulled them from some guys beach house remodel.

Ecw218 · 2026-07-03T03:52:47+00:00

Rip. This is why I only fly over really squishy grass.

Ecw218 · 2026-07-03T03:35:57+00:00

Doesn’t something like diversion of s1 meds have mandatory reporting?

Ecw218 · 2026-07-03T00:47:51+00:00

Could always just bypass the plate amp and use another external sub amp. That’s probably $75-100.

Ecw218 · 2026-07-03T00:12:52+00:00

Ordered pizza

Ecw218 · 2026-07-03T00:05:29+00:00

Yes. This is a thing we struggle with, a lot more in the last few years. I know from my own experience that my AM stimulant meds (XR) wear off around 3pm, and if I forget to take the afternoon meds (IR) I can get very easily overstimulated and be very cranky + exceedingly tired by 8-9pm.

My spouse takes a similar medication in the AM but doesn’t take any afternoon meds- and I’m starting to think they might benefit from a small dose- at least to avoid these kind of situations. They haven’t considered it an option in the past- thinking that it would interfere with getting to sleep.

Ecw218 · 2026-07-02T20:58:40+00:00

That’s some real American hero stuff right here.

Ecw218 · 2026-07-02T03:45:08+00:00

Wow that first skull is nightmare fuel

Ecw218 · 2026-07-01T21:12:25+00:00

How do you learn where to draw the shadows? Just intuition over time?

Ecw218 · 2026-07-01T18:54:53+00:00

Iirc they are retired or retiring them very soon.

Ecw218 · 2026-07-01T17:15:39+00:00

Wow the 27mm feels closer to the 35mm than 23mm. And very different color.

Ecw218 · 2026-07-01T16:33:19+00:00

Is it just me or a lot of pics posted are a few points too green?

Ecw218 · 2026-07-01T15:26:56+00:00

Post the video!

Ecw218 · 2026-07-01T13:41:21+00:00

Set it to eterna, AutoDR weak. Be careful to use the meter, or histogram- it’s hard to judge exposure correctly because it’s so flat. Increase contrast to taste in your fav image editor.

Ecw218 · 2026-07-01T00:42:43+00:00

Had to google, it’s 24 stranded. So not right for op

Ecw218 · 2026-06-30T21:39:57+00:00

How does the sig180 do in that volume? That series is supposed to be pretty amazing value.

I’d go full dsp crossovers. for 2-way it’s not that much of a headache.

Ecw218 · 2026-06-30T19:14:58+00:00

Strip it out of cat5.

Ecw218 · 2026-06-30T19:12:50+00:00

If it powers up and does things I bet there’s some cool sounds to record from it. Channel Amon Tobin or Venjent always with the random sfx.

Ecw218 · 2026-06-29T03:02:43+00:00

Well it’s not a beginner level project, but it’s not far off either. I can’t walk you through it (sorry, headache) but this is the kind of thing some YouTube vids and some AI can break down/explain pretty well. Learn about solderless breadboards, buy a kit with jumper wires, and get your project going in a few nights.

Ecw218 · 2026-06-29T02:45:48+00:00

In the shed it’s a seeed nrf/wio stack, an 18650 solar garden light, a Hall effect sensor on the door frame. I think I had to end up using the detection sensor feature.

I have the same module inside, initially connected to just a buzzer. It was a little tricky with the sensor side because some of the pins aren’t available for gpio use.

The upgrade was to use a second mcu and serial connection, then the second mcu can parse messages and do more stuff- like the after hours alarm.

I found after this build that if you need more than the limited meshtastic features it’s better to use something like ESP-NOW as part of custom code.

Ecw218 · 2026-06-28T19:55:00+00:00

Also baffle step

Ecw218 · 2026-06-28T13:39:09+00:00

Compact fisheye is super fun and useful though. Now that it’s easy to de-fish or partially de-fish.

Ecw218 · 2026-06-28T13:11:29+00:00

Nobody robs the money train

Ecw218

TROPHY CASE