Kit enceintes DIY Visaton VOX 80
[K-VOX 80] Avis/Critiques

Characteristics and sound properties

This the smallest member of the VOX family is an exactly scaled-down version of the larger models. The dimensions of the VOX 253 have been reduced by a factor of around 3. The driver concept, consisting of two mid-range loudspeakers and a side-mounted woofer, corresponds to the other VOX versions. The two 5 cm full-range FRWS 5 R 8 Ohm speakers fit perfectly in the baffle and cover mid-range. The smaller CP 13 4 Ohm tweeter ensures that the higher-frequency, although already well covered by the FRWS 5 R 8 Ohm, is further strengthened. The woofer in this set is an F 8 SC 8 Ohm full-range loudspeaker.

Technical Data:
Rated power 20 W
Maximum power 30 W
Nominal impedance Z 4 Ohm
Frequency response 80 - 22000 Hz
Mean sound pressure level 80 dB (2,83V/1m)
Cut-off frequency 420 / 4500 Hz
Principle of Housing Bassreflex
Net volume 1,8 l + 0,15 l
Outer dimension height 367 mm
Outer dimension width 75 mm
Outer dimension depth 137 mm

In order to be worthy of the honour of being included in the VOX family, the VOX 80 is fitted with a crossover which is just as conscientiously matched to the drivers as those in the larger models.

The results can be both seen and heard. The VOX 80 is an eye-catcher as well as an ear-catcher on any desk as a PC-based hifi, for example.

The VOX 80 has a power handling of 20/30 watts. In practice, in a PC environment, however, this output level is seldom, if ever, required. Set to an output of one watt, one VOX 80 will generate approx. 80 dB in a workplace, both speakers together create 86 dB. This is very loud. A miniature amplifier like the Visaton AMP 2.2 will, therefore, be perfectly sufficient for most applications.

Accessories
Amplifier AMP 2.2 

Similar Products
VOX 200  VOX 253
VOX 253-CENTER  VOX 253 HE
VOX 253 MHT  VOX 253 MTI
VOX 301

Construction

In the lower part of the cabinet, you can see the tunnel, made up of the base and an upper board. At the top of the cabinet, behind the cut-out in the baffle for the mid- to high-range unit, is the enclosure required for the mid-range cone, made up of two wooden boards. Three 8 mm holes has to be drilled into the rear board of the mid-range enclosure for the connection leads. These holes have to be sealed well.

Fitting the F 8 SC into the side is a special feature. The mounting board for the F 8 SC (125 x 87 with a 78 mm cut-out) itself is glued in place from inside behind the square cut-outs in the corresponding side panel. For optical reasons the side panel cut-out must be made extremely accurately. The grille will be fitted into this cut-out after completion of the cabinet.

The crossover unit is placed into the cabinet through the cut-out of the woofer and simply laid into the damping material.

Inner damping

Cut two strips from the damping material around 5 cm wide and 30 cm long and place them longitudinally in the cabinets. An additional 5 cm wide strip is cut to make two strips 10 cm long and these are inserted in the cabinets, after the crossovers have been fitted, above and below the woofer.
 
Tweeter  CP 13 4 Ohm  1 piece
Midrange driver  FRWS 5 R 8 Ohm  2 pieces
Woofer  F 8 SC 8 Ohm  1 piece
Terminal  PT 57 NG  1 piece
Damping material  polyester wool  1/4 bag
Crossover  Crossover VOX 80  
Wood screws  3.5 x 19 mm  8 pieces
Grille  Effect 80  1 piece
Cable  2 x 1.5 mm2  1 m

Cabinet parts list for 1 box
Parts Size (mm) Quantity
Material: 10 mm MDF or plywood
Front 75 x 367 1
Side panels 127 x 367 2
Bottom panel 127 x 55 1
Rear panel 342 x 55 1
Top panel 117 x 55 1
Bass reflex channel 100 x 55 1
Midrange rear panel 155 x 55 1
Midrange bottom panel 30 x 55 1
Mounting board woofer 125 x 87 1

Extract from Klang & Ton

This neat little system really knows how to play. Not merely on the desk, but also as bookends on the shelf, provided you leave some space behind them. Amazingly, this miniature member of the VOX family will produce a rich, powerful overall sound which, understandably will not have a full complement of bass frequencies. The laws of physics put the limits on that with the 8 cm woofers. Despite that, this miniature VOX will offer you very pleasurable music listening. They are far superior to those boxes you normally find standing beside PC monitors. A pair of VOX 80's and the VISATON AMP 2.2 baby amp, which runs on 12 volts, coupled with an MP3 player stashed away in your suitcase and you are all set for hifi quality on your travels or in your mobile home. I took to these little fellows during the test phase and only handed them back with the greatest reluctance.

Image Hifi 6/2005

(...) From the upper tonics onwards, its tiny size makes it responsive and crisp when playing music and shows that it belongs to the world of capable, fresh, serious speakers with an excellent overall sound quality. (...) By the way, you will never find a VOX 80 thumping out heavy duty pub music. Rock`n`roll and non-stop beats are definitely not the world in which it feels at home. (...) But a pair of VOX 80s on a desk, beside a computer screen or on a window sill will cause many a passer-by to think well of their owner. I speak from experience!