Empty wine jugs make a fine 6.1 surround system -- who knew?

Ever had the itch to construct a surround sound system of your very own? Do you have an embarrassingly large stockpile of four- to five-liter wine jugs? If you answered yes to both of the aforementioned inquiries (and you're at least halfway sober), Carlo Rossi has just the thing for you. Apparently, it felt the need to dish out DIY instructions for converting a number of its Sangria containers into a 6.1-channel surround system, and as with most projects, we'd also recommend you not take this one on while under the influence -- ironic though that may be. Ready to get started? Put down (or pick up?) the brown bag and hit the links below.

[Via UberReview]
Read - The Sangria Surround Sound System [PDF]
Read - Carlo Rossi's JugSimple

[bartoron @ Feb 11th 2008 9:08PM]

I would prefer a menorah music player.

[Matt @ Feb 11th 2008 11:16PM]

That's exactly what I thought -- looks just like a menorah!

[WebOn @ Feb 11th 2008 9:11PM]

Nice, guess its time to start drinking tons of cheap, tepid cali wine

[Matt @ Feb 11th 2008 9:18PM]

Actually, I bet that sounds like crap. Hell Carlo Rossi's website even says they'll sound like crap.

There is a reason you don't see glass used for speaker enclosures, it's because glass resonates like a bitch.

Not to mention the speakers in that picture look like they were stolen from the $19.99 collection of car audio speakers available at Wally World.

To to truly enjoy such speakers you really would have to be high, drunk, or deaf.

[DWells55 @ Feb 11th 2008 9:53PM]

The drunk part is a given if you've got all those wine jugs.

[Flashpoint @ Feb 11th 2008 9:57PM]

Your right !

And I wish you weren't right because I drink so much that I could collect the bottles and put together a 10.1 system using the keg as a subwoofer.

[Patrick @ Feb 11th 2008 10:21PM]

thanks for summarizing all i needed to know. i don't even have to read the link anymore!

[bobartig @ Feb 11th 2008 11:53PM]

Not only does glass resonate like madness, but the cylindrical design would maximize standing wave interference. Since you're working with glass bottles, you can't add any internal bracing either.

However good these speakers are, you could make a much better speaker with the same drivers and a "not-ridiculous" enclosure material.

[Eric @ Feb 11th 2008 9:21PM]

FTA: Let’s just say these speakers are more “art” than “fidelity.

[Student Driver @ Feb 11th 2008 9:32PM]

As I posted to EngadgetHD:

Should have used a box of Franzia for the sub. That would have made his double-wide the envy of the trailer park. Well, that and having the speakers on cinder blocks...

http://www.franzia.com/

[max andrews @ Feb 11th 2008 9:48PM]

build a set of real speakers:
http://www.partsexpress.com/projectshowcase/projectindex.cfm
http://www.rjbaudio.com/projects.html
http://www.zaphaudio.com/

[Flashpoint @ Feb 11th 2008 10:01PM]

I've already learned that if you want to build a good speaker, you've got to use good quality wood. I've built subwoofers for car trunks and I perfer to use SEALED boxes for 12 inch woofers rather than ported because ported boxes allow you to hear the bass while sealed enhances the FEEL of the bass.
I've built enclosures that would let a single 12 Sony P5 woofer set off every car alarm on the block.

[bobartig @ Feb 11th 2008 11:56PM]

You don't have to use wood. You can use a composite material like concrete, granite, or some resin-based materials. But, basically you want it to be a very complex matrix that is acoustically non-resonant.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Feb 12th 2008 2:46AM]

Everything is fine and dandy with it, until the fat lady hits operatic the high note and you suddenly have a mess to clean up that wasn't there before.

[Tom Oliveri @ Feb 11th 2008 10:38PM]

oh that is class!

[jed44554 @ Feb 11th 2008 11:12PM]

I can make a lovely 6.1 surround sound system out of you're mom's empty wine jugs.

[rv @ Feb 11th 2008 11:23PM]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[What?! @ Feb 11th 2008 11:36PM]

What's the lower model, antifreeze and windshield washer jugs?

[geekazine @ Feb 12th 2008 1:54AM]

This is a cool idea. Would like to hear it.

[Sam Winter @ Feb 12th 2008 5:41AM]

Carlos Rossi.. oh the memories from highschool....

[guy-montag @ Feb 12th 2008 8:14AM]

Nice paid ad there.

[max @ Feb 13th 2008 8:38PM]

maybe they only sound good if you're drunk