Product Description

kit plans for Jeff Bagby’s Mandolin Loudspeaker

Here is what you get:

• CAD Cabinet Drawings
• Crossover Plans
• Suggest sources for components
• Suggested Hardware
• Specifics for build
• Overall build suggestions.for the first timer

Jeff optimized the crossover in both the frequency and phase domains at the same time. The frequency response is exceptionally flat from 45 Hz up. The two drivers track each other in the relative acoustic phase. They track together in the crossover region and over a very wide bandwidth. The crossover point is at 1.8kHz. The response on-axis measures flat. The Mandolin would compare to many of the premium commercial designs available today.

How Does it Sound?

The speaker offers a wonderful sense of scale and weight, and bass extension that seems to defy its size. Not many speakers this size can reach into the 30 Hz band with low distortion. Sitting on a pair of quality stands, a pair of these small speakers will provide near-full range performance for the majority of music lovers on most of the music they play, without the need for a subwoofer.  However, if a subwoofer is used, these will blend gracefully, and allow a fairly low crossover point to the sub, which helps the subwoofer disappear, and provide a greater sense of realism.

Only a small tweak to the crossover was necessary to bring the “2” version up to date and a slight change to the box tuning.  I hadn’t listened to the Mandolin for some time, but it was a pleasure to reacquaint myself with them.  This tweeter was the first offering from SB and I am still surprised at the detail that emits from it.  The updated woofer still has that low-end punch but the mids are now more present and open.

The woofer cabinet is .53 cu ft or about 17L and measures 8.5″ wide, 15″ High, and 11.5″ deep (3/4″ material)

Sensitivity is rated at 86dB  Easy 8 ohm load.

Looking for more Kit Plans?