The WB4 project has kicked off. I have the drivers in hand along with the parts for the baffle step filter. I am working on selecting binding posts.
Neil Blanchard and I have tested his cutting settings for the Tang Band drivers and I now have the flat pack cabinets in hand.
I have two videos on my YouTube channel with the unpacking and dry fitting one of the cabinets
I have decided to build two Transmission Line speakers. The second is the WB-4, which uses a single Wide Band Driver. Neil has a second driver, which performs better but is quite expensive. The Tang Band W4-1879
While at Axpona, I had enough time to discuss the speaker design and goals with Neil. I have started to understand the Mass Loaded Transmission Line speakers better. I do not understand the math, so I will not delve too deep into that. The goal and the result are a smaller speaker with better low-bass response and a very smooth and detailed midrange.
Cutting the cabinets on a CNC machine allows for much greater precision in construction, ensuring that the transmission line is “perfect”. The design uses 4in drivers that have very low moving mass to improve mid-range performance.
The series crossover is adaptable to many levels of performance. With the help of Neil and a local expert on crossovers, I have selected and optimized a set of components that should be a “BEST++” with just a bit more expense. I use Duelund bypass capacitors and a Duelund resistor in the tweeter circuit. Goertz flat copper wound inductors are a bit more expensive, but I am sure they will be worth it. My internal wiring will come from Reality Cables.
All of the internal components will be cryo-treated and demagnetized. I was “ordered” to purchase a specific Sn/Cu solder as it sounds the best. Yes solder! As of writing this, I have not found the right binding posts for the speakers. I am also working on selecting the outriggers for the speakers.
Construction will not start for a while due to work and family projects.
Over the last several years, I have been using stand-mounted speakers in my living room system. I have been frustrated by the stands and all the little goodies between the speaker and the floor. While thrilled with the sound, I have been noodling over changing to a floor-standing speaker if there were only something out there I liked. I was not looking, just a tickle in the back of my brain, until Axpona 2025.
While working at the AXPONA 2025 tradeshow, I took some time to look around, and a little birdie told me to visit this one room with Geshelli Labs electronics and Neil Blanchard Designs speakers.
The Neil Blanchard Designs 4t4 debuted at Axpona 2025, triggered me, shot me out of a cannon, and more.
[www.nbdesigns.work/shop/p/to… ](4t4 Speaker)
These little one-meter-tall floor-standing speakers exist in a realm I know little about: DIY speakers.
What in the world is a DIY speaker? I am traveling down one lightly traveled path with few road signs. With some help from several friends, I am building speakers.
