David B. Bliss Audio: Full Range Reference Project

I like to listen to music while working. While most people are happy running cheap speakers from the audio out of their computer (or iPod), I don't like it. I actually have a pair of Bottlehead Paramour 2a3 mono-blocks and a Foreplay III sitting in my office at work. Pretty silly I know, but it makes me happy.

In addition, I don't really like headphones - my ears get hot and irritated. So, this means I need some speakers that will sound good on my desk with my tube-amps. Also, I don't really need extended bass. Actually, I don't really want it. My office is at work and the bass goes through the walls annoying my co-workers. Mids and highs are the most important for my application. I figure I can always fill in the bass with a sub later if I feel like I need it.

I probably should start with cabinets built by somebody else like these from PartsExpress, but part of what I want to learn is how to build cabinets. However, I'm not ready to leap into designing my own, so I figured would start with somebody else's designs. The following designs are taken from theFull Range Reference Project thread over at diyAudio.com.

An interesting thing about this project... its intended as a reference in order to compare other designs. Reading the thread (which is really long) you will notice that many argue the merits of different designs, drivers, etc trying to make a case for something that will sound better. People tend to mistake the term reference for best (of course there is no best for everyone in audio). This speaker is designed to sound good, be simple to build and fairly inexpensive - exactly what I'm looking for. The added benefit is that as my skill and interest grow I can use these speakers a reference to compare - this new enclosure has better bass than my reference, this new driver's highs are more harsh than my reference - whatever.