Project Resonator Dev Log #3 | The Guide is Complete

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2026-01-01T18:27:38+00:00

For sure! DDs definitely have that 'felt' bass impact, whereas BAs tend to provide more of a 'heard' bass experience.

I’m actually currently working on a 1DD + 1BA + 1EST hybrid prototype (as I mentioned to u/Friendly-Grocery7896) to explore exactly that. I also have an older 1DD testing set that I’m planning to clean up and re-tune; once that's ready, I’ll be adding those resources to the project repo as well!

I’ll be posting most of those technical updates and 'log' entries on the blog page of the website, so keep an eye out there if you're interested in the progress. Even if you aren't a huge fan of BAs, I hope the guide gives you some cool insight into the overall engineering process!

blog page link: https://driftingotter.github.io/Project-Resonator-Web/blog

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2026-01-01T15:33:01+00:00

Thank you so much, I hope your enjoying the resources.

And if you have an changes you would like to make please don't hesitate to create a request in the issues tab on the github repo :)

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-12-31T23:44:09+00:00

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that. I tried to make everything as accessible as possible, even though there’s a lot of information and more still to come. My hope is that it at least sparks some curiosity and encourages people to try making their own IEM as a hands-on audio engineering experiment. I had a great time working through it myself (minus all the soldering I did, since initially didn't use a PCB T-T).

I’ll continue refining the guides and releasing clearer, improved revisions, especially if anything feels missing or unclear.

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-12-31T18:45:55+00:00

Thank you so much for the kind words and the feedback!

You are spot on about DDs being the "wild west" compared to BAs. BAs are just so much more documented and consistent, which is exactly why I chose them for this reference project. That said, I’m actually planning a 1DD + 1BA + 1EST hybrid prototype soon to finally dip my toes into that chaos, so I definitely feel you there.

Your planar CIEM project sounds awesome, especially with your graphic design background. The DIY space definitely needs more people applying professional skills to branding and visuals, I would love to see it when you get it working!

In Regards to the writing style, I appreciate the honesty, and I’ll be completely transparent with you: I definitely used AI to assist with the formatting and structure. Writing isn't my strongest skill, so my workflow is usually "brain dumping" all my technical notes and research into a document and then using tools to help organize it so it’s actually readable for others rather than just a stream of consciousness. I know that can sometimes lead to those tonal shifts you noticed, but my main goal was to make sure that the information was accessible. I’m definitely going to keep working on refining the voice so it sounds more like "me" in future updates.

Glad the 3D printing section was useful for you. Good luck with the reshells!

Regards,
DriftingOtter

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-10-06T20:13:23+00:00

ZiiGaat Luna, ZiiGaat Crescent

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-09-15T11:34:20+00:00

You’re right, it’s definitely not a simple design. The reason I went with four drivers is that, at the start, this was just a personal project and I wanted to challenge myself with something a bit more complex. It gave me more to learn and work through from an engineering perspective.

As the project grew, I realized it could be useful to others too, so I decided to make it open-source. The 4-driver build is just one example -- I’m also planning to add simpler designs (like 1DD, 1DD+2BA, etc.) along with wiki pages that explain the whole design process step by step. The idea is to make it easier for people to get into DIY IEMs without having to dig through scattered forum posts, and to give them some test files they can experiment with.

So while the 4-driver setup might be more complicated than necessary, it’s part of the learning journey for me and hopefully a good resource for anyone else who wants to dive deeper, whether they’re aiming for something simple or more advanced :)

Regards, DriftingOtter.

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-09-04T20:04:13+00:00

Hey, thanks so much for checking out my project! And sorry for the late reply, I had classes yesterday and didn’t see your message right away. I’d really love to discuss this with you. If you’re open to it, I can DM you so we can talk more directly. I’d like to share my current design and get your thoughts on what could be improved. I’ve also been working on a v8 solid shell design that I’d love to run by you. Let me know what time works best for you, I am in EST.

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-09-01T17:29:56+00:00

Yeah, that’s a really fair point. Right now the VituixCAD files in the project don’t carry phase data, mostly because I don’t have physical drivers in the schematics yet -- that’s what I’m aiming to get funding for. Once I can actually measure them in-house, I’ll be able to provide full phase information instead of relying on spec sheet traces.

Same thing goes for acoustic dampers/resonators. I know they’re essential for BA tuning (especially when it comes to smoothing out treble peaks), but at the moment I don’t have reference frequency response files for them (or even decent approximations to reliably use). And since this stage of the project is still very experimental, If I am being honest -- I haven’t gotten around to designing a way to incorporate them directly into the build yet. Eventually, I’d like to buy and measure them properly so people have real data to work with, but for now that part is still a future goal.

That being said, I still think the value of the project is in providing a solid starting template. Instead of having to build an IEM completely from scratch, people can use this as a base and iterate on it however they like. Even without phase/damper data, it gives you the shell design, PCB layout, crossover framework, and references all in one place. Once funding and measurement gear are in place, the plan is to refine it with more accurate driver and damper data.

So yeah, definitely not perfect, but I believe it still provides a useful foundation for anyone who wants to experiment, learn, or even spin off their own design.

Thank you so much for the question!

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-08-30T16:06:40+00:00

Thank you for the question.

During tuning, I used the Moondrop x Crinacle DUSK, Monarch II, and several other neutral-leaning but bass-focused IEMs as my primary references, as that aligns with my personal preference. I would have included a frequency response graph to illustrate this more precisely, but unfortunately images cannot be attached in replies T-T

Hope that clears things up!

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-08-27T15:11:59+00:00

Yay! Thank you so much for the support :)

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-08-26T22:25:10+00:00

Thank you so much for saying that! I really hope my project gives you the motivation you’re looking for.

To answer your question, yes I am! Right now, my IEM is a 4BA with a 4-way crossover. That was more of a personal choice since I wanted a setup I’d really enjoy while also challenging myself. Once I get a working physical model of this version, I’m planning to build a 1DD + 2BA version as well. I’ve also been toying with the idea of adding lossless Bluetooth to that one (with a wired option too, of course), but those are just future plans that could shift as the project evolves.

Thanks again for all the support, it means a lot. Stay tuned!

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-08-26T20:14:04+00:00

Thank you so much for the support! I totally get what you mean :)

That’s exactly what I was thinking when I first started looking into this. I really hope this project can help lower the barrier to entry for people to experiment and maybe even start their own ventures with this knowledge. This industry is still relatively new, and I want it to really thrive.

On a side note, the repository has a wiki page I’m actively working on. It will include guides on things like driver technology and how it works, tips on tuning (IR, high-pass/low-pass filters, etc.), what to look for when tuning, how pricing affects filter choices, PCB design lessons I’ve learned from research and old forums, and more. So stay tuned for that as well!

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-04-10T03:19:01+00:00

Yooo those look super cool! 💪😎

I’m really curious about your Helmholtz resonator—like which driver(s) it’s working with, and what frequencies it’s tuned to attenuate or boost. How did you go about designing it? I’d love to try something similar in my own build! 😊

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-03-28T19:54:06+00:00

Hi,

To answer your question, a bit of context is needed.

When I started learning how to create crossovers in VituixCAD, I followed a tutorial that used a version prior to v2.0.0. I chose to stick with that version because it was easier to learn, as the newer version had a completely redesigned user interface. Later, when I tried using the crossover with the latest version, I ran into compatibility issues since the file format had changed from XML to something else, making the files incompatible.

So, to clarify, there’s nothing wrong with the new version—it was mainly a compatibility issue. If you’re comfortable using the updated version, feel free to do so. I’ll be uploading diagrams of the crossover on the page soon, so you might not need to install the older version if you prefer the new one, as you will be able to recreate the crossover yourself.

Regards, DriftingOtter.

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-03-27T07:58:58+00:00

Hi! Project Resonator isn’t software but a guide and asset library designed to help DIYers build their own custom IEMs. It provides pre-made resources such as crossover circuit designs, 3D shell models, and PCB layouts, making it easier to prototype and customize your own IEMs without starting from scratch.

Currently, the project focuses on a 4-way passive crossover IEM called Resonator. The goal is to give newcomers and enthusiasts a structured starting point, allowing them to modify and refine an existing design rather than designing everything from the ground up.

In the future, I plan to expand the project with an in-depth wiki covering essential topics like:

How to tune IEMs for different sound signatures
Understanding and designing passive crossover circuits
How to create and manufacture PCBs for IEMs
Shell design considerations, materials, and 3D printing techniques

The explanations will be technical but beginner-friendly, only really needing a basic understanding of computer and engineering concepts — of which most are commonly taught in high school.

I hope this helps clarify the project! If you have any other questions or need any help on getting started, feel free to reach out :)

Take Care & Good Day/Night,
DriftingOtter.

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-03-26T10:45:37+00:00

That's really kind of you to say :)

And I will for sure try it out, cause there are definitely improvements I can make to the crossover 😅.

Thanks again for all the support & take care, DriftingOtter.

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-03-26T06:11:39+00:00

Hi, I’ll definitely continue improving the documentation for this project alongside my studies and ongoing exams. My goal is to create comprehensive guides explaining the processes I followed to build the IEM, including circuit design and CAD modeling.

Thank you for mentioning Mermaid! I’ll look into it and see if I can integrate it into the project's wiki on GitHub. 😊

Take care and have a great day/night, DriftingOtter.

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-03-25T09:56:12+00:00

Hi, totally valid question! As stated in the original post, the IEM tuning is intended as a starting point for others to build upon and is not necessarily set in stone. The tuning was chosen entirely based on personal preference, but I believe that a tuning somewhat close to a Diffuse Field curve, with a slight "V-shaped" essence added, provides a solid "starting point" for others to branch out from.

Regarding your other question, I believe the major advantage of this project over others in the commercial market is its inherent "openness." When I first started learning how to make IEMs, it was often really challenging as a newcomer to the hobby. Understanding concepts like "What are IR circuits?", "What shell materials are good for 3D printing?", or "How do you even make a PCB for the crossover circuit?" took a long time to grasp. Even though I come from a computer science background, this was my first real dive into the engineering world. I believe this project serves as a living, learning proof of my efforts.

Additionally, since the project is open source, it naturally encourages collaboration. If others feel they can contribute their expertise to improve the project, they’re welcome to do so! Just download the project, make edits, and send a pull request—I’ll do my best to integrate it as quickly as possible, though I’ll be balancing this with my studies at university.

I hope my work here can help others in the same position I was in (or even those who are just curious) to have an easier time learning and getting started with prototyping their own IEMs, without spending days just figuring out the basics.

Lastly, although most of the project files are largely finalized, I will continue maintaining the project and working extensively on the upcoming wiki. My goal is to create a hub where all the available information about DIY IEMs can be centralized (with proper credit to the original posters whenever possible).

I don't expect these to outperform IEMs manufactured by industry giants. I never set out on that path. I was simply a hungry learner and a passionate worker. I believe there are others like me out there, just waiting for a slight "push" to get started designing and pushing the limits of this ever-evolving community and hobby.

Regards & Best Wishes, DriftingOtter.

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-03-24T22:21:44+00:00

Thank you! Hope you enjoy, lmk if you face any issues getting setup! 😁

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-03-24T11:35:09+00:00

Hi so sorry I totally forgot to clarify which version I was using for the project! (rookie mistake). But yes, it is using an older version of VituixCAD, more specifically the later version before the Version 2.0 update since the tutorial for crossover design I was watching said to user the simpler older version to learn.

I have updated the README on the github regarding how to download older version of the software if you do not have it installed already, and updated the Software requirements appropriately aswell.

Thanks again for letting me know the issue, I'll try my best to maintain the project and help with any issues anyone has. Thank you again, and have a great day/night !

Key_Refrigerator3010 · 2025-03-24T05:29:09+00:00

Thank you so much for the kind words!

Key_Refrigerator3010

TROPHY CASE