"Sphericals" project takes DIY speakers to eye-catching new levels

While the idea of DIY speakers may not strike most folks as the type of thing they'd want to show off in their living room, the so-called "Sphericals" project from Parts Express puts as much emphasis on form as on function, and should at least appeal to those with more adventuresome taste. For the latter part of the equation, Parts Express relied on standard off-the-shelf components (which they'll gladly sell you), but for the former, they pulled parts from wherever they could get 'em, including steel tubing, some candle-making molds, and even the odd frying pan. Audiophiles will likely want to steer clear, however, as Parts Express only describes the speakers' sound as "pretty good," but the rest of you up for a challenge can find all the information you need to build your own by hitting up the read link below.

[Via Audio Junkies]

[kodey @ Nov 28th 2007 3:45PM]

Am I hearing them -- or are they watching me?

[Flashpoint @ Nov 29th 2007 8:06AM]

Aquat Teen Hunger Force: Total Recarl

[dhs @ Nov 28th 2007 3:52PM]

Actually, I like these diy speakers better: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11463745#post11463745

[Delvis343 @ Nov 28th 2007 4:00PM]

How many watts is that? I need one of those at my house!

[Shadyman @ Nov 28th 2007 6:35PM]

I think it may be more like 'How many "WHAT is that"s' that you'll be sure to get from folks coming over

[Namssorg @ Nov 28th 2007 4:05PM]

GlaDOS? Is that you? These remind me of GlaDOS from the end of Portal

[John Seamann @ Nov 28th 2007 4:25PM]

You stole my thought! I was going to comment the same thing. It was the first thing that came to me when I saw the picture.

[Shadyman @ Nov 28th 2007 6:34PM]

The cake is a lie.

[Matthew Hilario @ Nov 28th 2007 4:07PM]

probably looks really sweet with those spherical seats from M.I.B.

[Rob @ Nov 28th 2007 4:46PM]

There's a nice looking chair on George Michael's music video for "Fast Love." It has speakers all over the headboard area. I wish I could have it.

[TeoNYC @ Nov 28th 2007 4:48PM]

Um... These are knock-offs of Anthony Gallo speakers (www.roundsound.com). They have been using spheres for years.

[mikey @ Nov 28th 2007 5:01PM]

how do you wire 21 drivers in series or parallel? thats some sophistimicated stuff...

[Znarfaggle @ Nov 28th 2007 5:22PM]

They're actually a set of 5 speakers (L, R, C, LS, RS), so it's actually only 3x5 and 2x3 drivers.

[bobartig @ Nov 28th 2007 5:04PM]

Despite having the best surface area to volume ratio of a 3 dimensional solid, spherical speakers maximize your problems with standing wave interference. Unless, of course, you put lots of crap on the insides.

[Astropods @ Nov 28th 2007 5:26PM]

Funny, my first thought was of the original Nintendo Metroid...you know, the level where you can fall into the lava and just have to wait till you die...anyone, anyone??

[Urza9814 @ Nov 28th 2007 7:28PM]

I've been getting the Parts Express catalogs for months now, ever since I ordered an RCA cable extension from them for about a buck. lol. The speaker building projects are always interesting, though I seem to recall something very similar a few months back.

[herbg @ Nov 28th 2007 7:14PM]

They probably don't sound all that great, but they do look cool. Reminds me of the Proclaim speakers I heard at HE2007. Those sounded really good...of course they where $30k. http://www.proclaimaudioworks.com/

[Sirocco @ Nov 28th 2007 8:28PM]

Speakers should be heard and not seen. -Confucious

[ugh138 @ Nov 29th 2007 12:51PM]

This is also a knock off the "orb" speakers www.orbaudio.com

[Seaweed @ Nov 29th 2007 2:05PM]

They look like a bunch of EYEBALLS on skewers.

[Steve L @ Nov 30th 2007 9:49AM]

It's about time to see Parts Express getting some props for the DIY work that they do. They put together some truly amazing, good sounding speaker systems every quarter in their 'zine. Glad to see these made Engadget!