A 1980’s Classic Reimagined - Part IZarbo Audio Projects2023-07-10 | Introducing the Pint-Sized Powerhouse. I’ve always wanted a pair of ‘Point Source’ speakers from the 1980’s but couldn’t afford them. Watch me recreate those classic 80’s 3-way speakers with modern components and then hand off the design to Nick, from Toid’s DIY Audio YouTube Channel who designs the physical crossover and creates DSP files to finish the job. *Special Thanks to Parts Express for supplying almost all of the non-wood components for this build for both Nick and myself. LINKS: * Part II – Toid’s DIY Audio YouTube Channel video link: youtu.be/RP5CbZf6FVg * Speaker Grill Tutorial Link: youtube.com/watch?v=Ecgz2wOY3cw * Tweeter Link: Dayton Audio ND25FA-4 1" Soft Dome Neodymium Tweeter #275-059 parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-ND25FA-4-1-Soft-Dome-Neodymium-Tweeter-275-059?quantity=1 * Midwoofer Link: Dayton Audio DSA115-8 4" Designer Series Aluminum Cone Woofer #295-524 parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-DSA115-8-4-Designer-Series-Aluminum-Cone-Woofer-295-524?quantity=1 * Subwoofer Link: GRS 8SW-4HE 8" High Excursion Subwoofer 4 Ohm #292-816 parts-express.com/GRS-8SW-4HE-8-Paper-Cone-Rubber-Surround-High-Excursion-Subwoofer-4-Ohm-292-816?quantity=1 * Precision Port Link: 2" Flared Speaker Cabinet Port Tube Kit #268-348 parts-express.com/Precision-Port-2-Flared-Port-Tube-Kit-268-348?quantity=1 * 3/8” x 3/8” Neo Magnets from TotalElement: totalelement.com/products/3-8-x-3-8-inch-neodymium-rare-earth-disc-magnets-n52-12-packLooking Back at the Shelton VersatoolZarbo Audio Projects2025-10-04 | In the 1940's Ray Lavietes patented the Shelton Versatool. You probably had one in your toolbox back in the day and if you didn't, you can easily get one... Ebay is littered with them in all their many forms! I used one of these as a kid, and I thought it would be fun to take a brief look at this 'common for the day' tool. This is a new format I'm trying to broaden my Youtube horizons a bit. Please let me know and share this if you found it interesting! Thank you.Measuring and assembling the CrossoversZarbo Audio Projects2025-09-28 | The crossovers are designed, assembled, and all the finishing touches are completed for this final installment of the John Audio Tech/Zarbo Audio Projects speaker build collaboration.
Also, I tried to keep the backround music lower in volume so you can understand the speech better. Let me know if that helped. I'm still learning my new video editing program, so things may take awhile for me to figure out how to best dial things in. Thanks for being patient!JAT/ZAP Speaker Project - Part 4Zarbo Audio Projects2025-09-19 | In this video we tie up some loose ends, glue on the veneer, and apply finish to the JAT/ZAP speaker project. Crossovers are on tap for the 5th and (probably) final video in this series.
Veneer Supplies dot com: veneersupplies.com/categories/Paper-Backed__Veneer/Paper-Backed%3A__4%27__x__8%27/?page=2&sort=featuredStrange Sounds While Veneering... #woodworking #wooddesigner #diyZarbo Audio Projects2025-09-14 | My lovely wife is cleaning upstairs while I veneer in my basement on a rainy day.JAT-ZAP Speaker Build Part 3Zarbo Audio Projects2025-09-13 | In this installment, we're getting the cabinets ready for veneer. I have to apologize for the video... I'm learning a totally new editing program and I still have a long way to go to master all of its features. Thanks for understanding!
I 'think' there will be two left... veneering/finishing, and crossover creating and installation... ...but we'll see.JAT/ZAP Speaker Project Part 2Zarbo Audio Projects2025-08-30 | In this video we create a crossover mounting system, do a little panel resonance work, get the carcass sanded, and glue on the side panels. ...Then my Editing program went Bezerkers... and decided to corrupt the video file so badly that most of it could not be salvaged... so this video is a slightly less good version of what I had originally created.Nuts. I glued the Cabinet to the Table :(Zarbo Audio Projects2025-08-29 | I forget to put down some wax paper and now I have a speaker with an attached table. All's well that ends well, though!Construction Video of the JAT/ZAP Speaker CollaborationZarbo Audio Projects2025-08-25 | John's overview video of these speakers can be found here: youtu.be/4zPatpU-1HY
This is Part I outlining the construction of the John Audio Tech/Zarbo Audio Projects speaker collaboration. There will probably be a few more videos on this project.
Drivers are the Dayton DC200-8, 8 inch, 8 ohm woofer and the Dayton DC28F-8 1-1/8” silk dome tweeter, both are budget-oriented, but solid drivers.
This video outlines how I create the inner structure for the cabinets, ready to have the thin sheets of 1/8” HDF applied to the sides.Curvy Speaker Project FINISHED!Zarbo Audio Projects2025-08-14 | Putting the finishing touches on this speaker build for a friend. Hey, if you like this stuff, why not subscribe and like this video... I'll have a few videos on this project coming soon including veneer application tips and creating speaker grills for small speakers! Thanks for watching my little channel!Real Wood is EXPENSIVE!Zarbo Audio Projects2025-08-10 | Short discussion of why using real wood in speaker construction can be problematic.Fully 3D Printed Speaker at PEs Design CompetitionZarbo Audio Projects2025-08-05 | You never know what you're going to see at the Parts Express "Speaker Design Competition" and Ariel's speaker creation, named 'Venus' is a fully 3D printed speaker cabinet. He agreed to an interview so we could learn more about how he came up with this unique and stunning design! (Sorry for the poor audio quality)Speaker Design Competition 2025 Quick ViewZarbo Audio Projects2025-08-02 | This years 2025 Speaker Design Competition just wrapped up a few hours ago, and I wanted to give you a quick little tour of some of the speakers present. I should have an interview coming soon of one of the participants.Create 3-D Printed Speaker OutriggersZarbo Audio Projects2025-07-30 | Rather than make a set of speaker outriggers out of wood, I decided to try and design a stylish outrigger using Tinkercad -- a free, online CAD program -- and my new Creality K1-C, 3-D printer. I used carbon-fiber PLA and flexible TPU filaments, as well as a section of threaded rod to create these outriggers. I'm new to CAD and 3-D printing in general, but I found TinkerCad fairly easy to navigate and intuitive to use. If I can do it, maybe you can too!Veneering a CURVY Cabinet! #wood #woodworking #maker #woodworker #diyZarbo Audio Projects2025-07-27 | Almost done veneering a very curvy cabinet with Striped Ebony Veneer. I couldn't resist showing off the curves a bit.Trim Curved Side Panels with Custom ToolZarbo Audio Projects2025-07-11 | Showing off my custom-built trimming tool that I use to trim curved side panels on speaker enclosures. This is for an upcoming speaker project arriving at a YouTube feed near you!Their Best Effort to Date: Full ReviewZarbo Audio Projects2025-04-12 | I review the newest preamp board from AliExpress. This unit addresses most of the issues I’ve had with past preamps sold on AliExpress including a method for turning on an amplifier without needing an additional switch. It’s a quality piece of kit, and well worth the $20 or so dollars I paid for it. Go make a sandwich, pop open a soda, and enjoy this in-depth look at China’s newest Preamp King!
Bluetooth Antenna Link: aliexpress.us/item/3256807801327960.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.11.2c951802WHPR3l&gatewayAdapt=glo2usaA Tribute to Jeff BagbyZarbo Audio Projects2025-03-22 | Jeff Bagby passed away about 5 years ago. He became one of the pioneers in DIY speaker building by creating most of the software that most speaker builders use in crossover design. He also design many excellent speakers and subwoofers for the DIY audio community. This video is a tribute to Jeff.Unveiling my Exciting New Sub Project!Zarbo Audio Projects2025-03-09 | Single 8" Ultimax-II subwoofer and two 10" Designer Series Passive Radiators with an upcoming interesting Twist!A Rambling Tour of My WorkshopZarbo Audio Projects2025-03-08 | Get a sandwich, soda, and a bag of chips and take a slow roll with me through my basement workshop. Pretty much everything is on wheels, which makes it easy to clean... not that I do that very often. ***Sneak Peek at an Upcoming Subwoofer Project too!Harbor Freight Tool Box Holds LOTS of Tools!Zarbo Audio Projects2024-11-28 | Yes, this toolbox is not a toy… you can load it up with real tools and get some work done! I was flabbergasted at how many tools actually fit in this mini tool box! Get one while you can!
CORRECTION: at 2:45 I accidentally list Metric Wrenches twice, I actually used both a metric and SAE wrench set, see link below.
Choose the Correct Screw Video: youtu.be/s_xr7Vr88sMEileen Tackles the AviaTrix Crossover!Zarbo Audio Projects2024-07-19 | Watch Eileen construct the crossovers for the ‘AviaTrix’ speaker system kit from Parts Express. In this video, Eileen learns how to layout the crossover bits, cut out a board to mount the components on, hot glue them down, strip wire, add connectors, and solder the whole shebang together! She did many things for the first time in this video, and she made a few mistakes, but she kept going and the end result is beautiful! You can do it too! This is the second in a three-part series on building the Aviatrix Speaker Kit from Parts Express. Links: AviaTrix Speaker Kit from Parts Express: parts-express.com/AviaTrix-RST-Sealed-MTM-Speaker-Kit-Pair-with-Knock-Down-Cabinets-300-7134?quantity=1
Choose the Correct Screw Video: youtu.be/s_xr7Vr88sMEileen Builds the AviaTrix Speaker Kit from PEZarbo Audio Projects2024-07-19 | Watch Eileen, “Mrs. Zarbo Audio Projects” build, prep, and paint the cabinets for the ‘AviaTrix’ speaker system kit from Parts Express.
In this video, Eileen glues up the MDF flat pack, sands the cabinets smooth, drills the holes for the binding posts and driver mounting screws, and primes and paints them. She uses several tools for the first time: a drill, a power sander, and in the next video -- a jig saw. She demonstrates what it would be like for a complete novice to build a speaker kit for the first time. SPOILER ALERT: She did fantastic! And you can too.
Watch this video for some practical tips on how to build the AviaTrix, or any other speaker kit, and have success on your first speaker build!
Choose the Correct Screw Video: youtu.be/s_xr7Vr88sMHow-To Create PRE-CURVED Speaker PanelsZarbo Audio Projects2024-07-03 | I'll show you how I make pre-curved panels to use in speaker-building, or anything else for that matter. A simple jig and some clamps are needed, with the star of the show being 1/8" HDF (High Density Fiberboard) which allows for high strength and rigidity, while also being flexible enough to easily conform to a curve with relative ease.Quick Tunes Music Player - Loud & Battery Powerd!Zarbo Audio Projects2024-06-14 | I only had a week to build this music player for an end-of-the-year celebration at my school. It uses twelve 5" buyout Sony drivers, a 50 watt class D amp, a decent preamplifier, and it's battery powered. Oh... and it gets LOUD!!!
Dayton Audio BR-1 Two way speaker kit $269.98 parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-BR-1-6-1-2-2-Way-Bookshelf-Monitor-Speaker-Kit-300-640?quantity=11k Static Tone AliExpress LED SA -vs- VFD by RequestZarbo Audio Projects2024-02-25 | This was requested by a viewer to do a static 1k sine tone Head-to-Head LED version -vs- VFD version. It really demonstrated the inaccuracies of the AliExpress LED version. Link to main video: studio.youtube.com/video/Y3RprROFUaU/editAliexpress Spectrum Analyzer has one BIG FlawZarbo Audio Projects2024-02-19 | This new-ish LED Spectrum Analyzer is compact, bright, and eye-catching, but it has a (Fatal?) flaw. I show you some of the features, and we discuss the glaring issue with this attractive audio spectrum analyzer. SPOILER: I like it anyway!
UPDATE: Listening to "The Polar Express" with this and two small two-way speakers. I had the volume really cranked up to hear the weak dialog and forgot to turn it down during the 'runaway train' scene and I bottomed this driver out... BANG!!! Loud and scary... I jumped for the remote but there was only one noise. I bottomed out the voice coil on the back-plate. It survived... No bad noises afterwards, it seems fine and no scraping or nasty sounds pushing the cone in. I got away with one there, but just to reiterate that this Epique 7" driver is at least made pretty tough just in case someone does push it a little too far. I continue to be impressed with it.
Amazon speakers: amazon.com/dp/B07D7TV5J3?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_detailsBuilt entirely in only ONE DAY!!!Zarbo Audio Projects2022-10-08 | Watch me build a powered subwoofer from start to finish in only one day. This build uses an unknown driver and is based on accurate T/S specs derived from the Dayton Audio Test System (DATS). I then designed an enclosure in WinISD based on those specs. See the original ‘One Day Build' Video for footage of getting the specs and designing the enclosure. Links: Original “One Day Build” Video including DATS testing and WinISD box modeling: youtube.com/watch?v=AKFiUmeDSKg&t=2s