I've wanted to bring back the console electronics. To that end I have built a few things along similar lines for myself.

A couple of thinner "speaker tables" with a small subwoofer + plate amplifier built in and a pair of full-range drivers. Not really a full console but does keep the wires to a minimum [1]. Just add an amp and sound source. (Sub is down-firing and underneath — so not visible.)

I built a taller version with storage for albums underneath (now we're getting closer to a console stereo [2]. (Sub is also down-firing.)

Additionally I built one for the TV that has a mid (full range) driver as well. With the integrated sub it's fully 3.1 with no external wires [3]. (Like previous, sub is also down-firing.)

FWIW, the "cavities" allowed for the drivers within the body of the furniture were designed to match the drivers in terms of volume (usually sized for a bass port as well). So there was a little more thought than to just slap speakers on a box.

[1] https://imgur.com/nqTy6Bi

[2] https://imgur.com/RIVRfea

[3] https://imgur.com/a1tbhB1

Tried to find a build photo — this is the taller stereo version being built. Full-range drivers on each end, dual subs left-center, bass port in center, plate amplifier (for sub only) right-center: https://imgur.com/ZZtP2qp

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ljf 5 days ago | parent | next [-]

That is excellent! I followed more of the 'just slap speakers in it' method - I have an old 50s record player that I got as a teenager (in the 90s) the bass on it was stunning, so I played it to death until the values blew.

I then emptied out the insides as with the lid it made a nice box to keep stuff in. A few years later I worked a 2.1 computer speaker amp and drivers in there (sadly I'd used the original speakers for a project), and added a Bluetooth receiver, an ipod touch and an additional aux cable - then mounted the whole thing on hair pin legs.

It is now a cute coffee table, chest and basic speaker system - but no where near as polished as yours!

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JKCalhoun 5 days ago | parent [-]

I have the advantage of having iterated on these. All told I've made perhaps 7 or 8 of them in various configs. I also got very much into baltic birch (and other high-end multi-ply plywood) construction on earlier projects (MAME machines, furniture, etc.) so I already had down the joinery. (And built a number of "normal" speakers before as well.)

So I already some wood-working experience before starting these. Still though, not a thing anyone else couldn't learn to build.

	▲	ljf 4 days ago \| parent [-]
		Well wonderful work. It will go on my long list of projects to borrow from - I love multi functional furniture. I really wanted to find a way to hide our bedroom TV either in/behind a chest of drawers, or behind a 2 way mirror - but at the moment it just sits there taunting me.

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criddell 4 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Do speaker vibrations not affect the turntable?

	▲	JKCalhoun 4 days ago \| parent [-]
		The lower frequencies can, yeah. Some turntables are better than others though. It does make sense for turntables though to have a separate sub on the floor — the full-range drivers are not a problem for the turntable at least.

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desperate 5 days ago | parent | prev [-]

Awesome work