Portal Speakers

[d_stilgar]

I'm surprised that nobody else has done this yet. We have seen several computer cases of this theme, but not a set of speakers. I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking. More to come later.

A box with a hole cut for the amp.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/PICT1310.jpg

Some corner pieces. There are 24 in total.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/PICT1311.jpg

A homemade jig. Can be used for circles or straight lines.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/PICT1313.jpg

Three pieces make up each corner section. The box is used as a jig while the pieces are glued. The clamps hold them on until the glue is dry and they are one piece.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/PICT1314.jpg

The corner pieces are then removed from the box. Glue is added to the inner seams, then wood filler is used to perfect small imperfections. They will be sanded too!

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/PICT1315.jpg

I am going to add a few details this week and by this Saturday it should be done. The speakers that will go with it haven’t even been started, and details on them is still secret. All you can do for now is just enjoy what I give you.

Here’s the sub amp and 8″ woofer.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/sub-amp.jpg

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/sub.jpg

I know what you really want. You want to see the sub box with a little more detail. Here’s the box painted up. It’s a little darker than I hoped, but there’s not a lot you can do without getting it custom painted at an autobody shop. Later this week I will add the EL wire and glue on all the corners. Then there is a little wiring, and screwing in the amp and woofer. Then the Subwoofer will be done!

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/cube-top.jpg

[Drum Thumper]

The Companion Subwoofer. Nicely done!

[Zeus]

That totally kicks a$$!!!

Though I think the thread title should have been Companion Cube Subwoofer.

I was expecting a pair of bookshelf or something with the orange and blue portal art

[d_stilgar]

That totally kicks a$$!!!

Though I think the thread title should have been Companion Cube Subwoofer.

I was expecting a pair of bookshelf or something with the orange and blue portal art

I would have done that, but the subwoofer is only part of the total build. The speakers are going to be soooo good. I've told a few people on the site what they will be, but for the most part I'm keeping it on the DL.

[Zeus]

AH HA!! So the plot thickens. I didn't realize this was still a work in progress. I retract my earlier post and eagerly anticipate you further updates.

[Eclecticos]

Very unique and creative box shape and design.
I have that same amp on the back of my subwoofer box
I use for my theater entertainment system.
They have them at parts express.

[d_stilgar]

Very unique and creative box shape and design.
I have that same amp on the back of my subwoofer box
I use for my theater entertainment system.
They have them at parts express.

Yeah, I got the woofer and amp from Partsexpress.com. It's a good place.

I'm repainting today (right after I finish this post actually). I'll post more pics tonight or tomorrow. I'm just plain not satisfied with the paint. It's too dark and I can't stand it. I found a lighter gray at the hardware store and after some studying in Gary's Mod, I've decided that the corner pieces are actually white. They're actually more white than the parts on GlaDos, or the Aperture computer itself. So, I'm going with white paint for the corners. I'll sand down to some gray to make the cube look old. It should turn out better this time, although I frustrated to have to do this over again.

[xRyokenx]

This looks interesting. +subscribe

[d_stilgar]

I was unsatisfied with the results I was getting, so I decided to repaint the cube. It was frustrating, but worth it. I like the new results a lot more and after some dry brushing and a few coats of clear, it will look perfect. I’m still waiting on the pink EL wire to ship, but it should be here before the end of the week and then I can finish the subwoofer. The speakers will come next. I have the drivers, but everything else to make them needs to be purchased.

Let’s take a moment and compare the new paint job and old to a screenshot of our favorite cube.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/repainted-cube.jpg

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/cube-shot.jpg

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/cube-top.jpg

Now, knowing that the new paint job isn’t finished yet, which is closer to the screenshot?

[Luke122]

I'm not sure which is new, and which is old, but I think I prefer the paintjob before the screenshot. Just looks better IMO. :)

[SgtM]

The new paint looks MUCH better. +rep.

[d_stilgar]

Today I waited for the mail to come, but I didn’t get the EL wire I ordered. Maybe tomorrow.

Instead, I worked more on the paint. The screenshot shows that There is some grading between the gray of the cube, and the complete white of the corner pieces. I decided that I would try my hand at dry brushing to add the gray. I first added the gray, and then after it had dried a little more I added another drybrush layer of white. It turned out pretty ok. There’s some natural looking wear on the corner pieces, and grade from gray to white looks pretty good too.

Here’s the cube sanded. The white was way too shiny, and the finish wasn’t completely smooth. Sanding also added some wear to the cube that it needed. None of the pictures here show the detail very well.
http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/gray-added-to-white.jpg

Here you can see the gray added and the super light white coat to cover up the wear that was a little overboard.
http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/sanded.jpg

Finally, here’s a close up of the gray to white. The gray does not show up very well in the pic. Sorry, there’s nothing I can really do to fix that.
http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/a-close-up.jpg

Later I will add a clear coat, but first I will wait for the EL wire to show up and I will get it mounted and epoxied in.

[d_stilgar]

I checked the mail again today and still no EL wire. I'm also going to be camping Monday-Wednesday, so don't expect an update until Thursday at the earliest. I'm pretty frustrated that I'm still waiting on the EL wire, but there is nothing I can do about it. Right now I'm going to the craft store to look for some things I need for the speakers. Hopefully I can find what I'm looking for.

Talk to you next week!

[FuzzyPlushroom]

After sanding it's quite a bit like the Cube - check it out in bright sunlight, that'll tell you for sure just how close. Awesome either way - and +rep for not incinerating the little guy!

Hey, now we know what companion cubes are weighted with...

[d_stilgar]

Argh . . .I'm back from camping and still no EL wire. I'm hoping later this week.

Camping, however, was incredible. I may be becoming an enthusiast.

[DonT-FeaR]

sounds like you already are... el wire you will have to do a review/ tutorial on that one..

[NamesAreUseless]

The heart looks slightly askew, but other than that, it looks awesome.

[d_stilgar]

sounds like you already are... el wire you will have to do a review/ tutorial on that one..
I'll make sure I do a review and tutorial, although the review so far is going to be poor. Today's mail has come and gone and my EL wire has not come yet. I'm getting a little frustrated as I'll be leaving for NY on Wednesday and I won't be back for a week. I'm sure that it will be here when I get back from there (I hope) but it really puts me behind schedule.


The heart looks slightly askew, but other than that, it looks awesome.
The pieces aren't glued in place yet, I just tossed the circle on and took the picture. That is the best of the hearts, however, and a few of them aren't perfect, but I'm not willing to repaint the whole thing again.

[DonT-FeaR]

i hate slow mail... (2 packages on the way)

[d_stilgar]

Alright, well . . .I'm leaving in a few hours to go to New York to visit my fiance for a week. The mail has come and gone today and there is still no EL wire. I'm very frustrated, and at the moment I'm not a huge fan of worldaglow.com. If my package isn't here by the time I get back I'm going to have to give them a ring. The most frustrating this is that I've read several places online that say they ship so fast and that they are great. My order went in on Aug 3, so I would really expect it by now.

. . .Oh well. I'll update when I return.

[The Great Destroyer]

hmm, here's a suggestion for the speakers: get some egg-shaped ones and turn them into turrets! :D

[DonT-FeaR]

lol nice idea

[d_stilgar]

My EL wire wasn't here when I got home yesterday. I emailed the website and asked what the heck was going on. They told me that my card had been decline (I have no clue why), and that they failed to tell me. I canceled the order and redid the whole thing.

In the mean time, I need to order the stuff for the speakers. They will be Glados eyes. It should be pretty good.

[Spidy88]

wow, that is the sweetest speaker i've ever seen! can't wait to see the finished product

[d_stilgar]

I got an email back the morning after I contacted the company. Apparently my card was declined for some reason, and the job of telling me about it slipped through the cracks somewhere. I canceled that order and reordered on Aug 28. The order came today (Aug 30). The owner of the site emailed me several times and was really friendly and nice. I was going to give worldaglow a bad recommendation, but I just can't now. My card was declined and they failed to tell me. It could happen to anyone. The owner of the site said that they are really busy this time of year, as Burning Man is approaching. The customer service was really high and my order (re-order anyway) got here really fast. I'm impressed and would order from Worldaglow again.

Since my order came today, I worked hard on the Companion Cube Subwoofer for most the day. I did a number of things. First, I drybrushed a metallic gray onto the cube to give it a sheet metal sort of look. It worked pretty well and I am very satisfied with the results. It really added some depth to the gray.

I drilled holes and ran the EL wire. This is some pretty fun stuff. The pink is just right. Here is a great blurry picture of the cube in the dark. The wire is run in the grooves and holes are drilled so the wire can from one track to another on the inside on the box.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/pict1377.jpg

A quick mock-up with the corners on. The wire will have epoxy over it, and then the epoxy will be painted pink. The glow will show through when it is dark, just like in the game.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/pict1380.jpg

Here is the EL wire inverter. It will just hang like it is, but it can be removed. It is on the back, next to the sub amp.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/pict1375.jpg

I put epoxy in the grooves to bury the EL wire, and then painted it pink. I then added the mounted the amp and woofer. Here’s a pic of the results.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/pict1385.jpg

Some glue on the corners, and this is getting very close to done.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/pict1387.jpg

A pic of the back. You can see the amp and the inverter. I hate waiting for glue to dry.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/pict1390.jpg

I'm off to glue a few more pieces. Tomorrow morning I will finish and give a sound test. I'm pretty excited.

[Luke122]

Dude I'm excited too, and it's not even mine! I bet that thing is gonna sound soooo smooth. I would recommend some nice acoustic bass and guitar to test it out. :D

[DonT-FeaR]

kool nice lighting effect

[d_stilgar]

Although there will be more to come in the form of speakers, the Companion Cube Subwoofer is finished. I glued the last pieces last night and took some glamor shots this morning. I'll let the pics do the talking. I'll continue the other half of this project in Part 2: GlaDos Speaks with Her Eyes. The sub weighs in at just under 40lbs. It's heavy.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/pict1408.jpg

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/pict1394.jpg

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/pict1392.jpg

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/pict1414.jpg

XPJEkkqOnsw

6HHFVWCEba8

[xRyokenx]

Wow, this is some sort of amazing.

[d_stilgar]

I uploaded the videos to youtube. They are processing now, but will be watchable soon.

[jdbnsn]

beautiful work dude! Do you want me to place this in the gallery, or do you want to wait until the entire set is done?

[d_stilgar]

Thanks! You can place it in the gallery now. The second part is going to take even longer and I'm going to call it Portal Speakers: Part 2.

[jdbnsn]

Done! I would be interested in a parts list for this speaker, where did you get the gear (mainly the amp and sub)?

[d_stilgar]

I got the amp and driver from partsexpress.com. I picked woofer based on the internal dimensions at which it performs best. At about 1 cubic foot, it was the closest to my project.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=297-446
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-802

I would, however, recommend these if you have the money. I'm wishing there was just a little more power in the woofer. Part of that wish could be that the sub is not a ported woofer but a closed woofer, which gives higher precision, but less punch. If you used this driver though, the box would need to be a 16" cube, since the driver needs a 2.51 cubic foot box.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=297-078
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-805

Here's the EL wire I got. The company really is good and concerned about their customers and their orders, despite my delay. http://worldaglow.com/rcProd1.asp?id=590&c1=4&c2=133

Other than that you will need 3/4 inch MDF and 1/4 inch MDF project boards. You will also need the paint. Do you want me to post the exact paint I used?

[Spidy88]

great job! and thanks for the resources. pretty spendy though, my god. thought it'd be a lot cheaper to make your own. ++rep++

[jdbnsn]

Oooohh....Morel! If that is the same Morel I used to own (which was two 8" mid-range woofers), those were by far the finest performing speakers I've ever owned.

[Xtrykr]

wow! thats very nice! i love it! companion cube is your friend!

[d_stilgar]

The embedded videos don't seem to be working, so I'll post some links. Watch them 100 times each, then click the link to digg. Thanks guys!




http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/misc/digg.png (http://digg.com/mods/Companion_Cube_sub_woofer)

XPJEkkqOnsw

6HHFVWCEba8

[Omega]

portal music would have been more appropriate for those videos.

haha.

I love it, man. I almost want to make a cover for my sub that's a storage cube.

[DonT-FeaR]

good good work man nice

[d_stilgar]

Hey! I was on G4 TV. I just found out myself, and I don't like that network, but I still think it is notable. Check it out:

http://www.g4tv.com/attackoftheshow/attackthis/65364/OvertheTop-Toys.html

[jdbnsn]

that is awesome dude, congrats!

[rendermandan]

Thats kick ass!!

[LiTHiUM0XiD3]

they r allowed to just grab someones material online and use it publicly? should they give some sorta reference to who built it? instead of the site actually giving the artist some mention..

[d_stilgar]

Exposure is exposure in my head. Whoever is really interested is going to do a quick google search and find my site. It's cool with me.

[Liquid_Scope_99]

cool glad to see you got some exposure grea tmod btw

[DonT-FeaR]

well done man congrats

[Luke122]

Congrats on the feature!

[markkleb]

WOW,, congrats. Now that ur famous will you still talk to us small fries:banana:

[blaze15301]

sue them for copy right infringment.

[d_stilgar]

A Big Bump.

I thought I had a thread with a part 2 of this build but I cant find it, so I'm just going to post it here. Enjoy the necro thread.

First, I will add one more video of the subwoofer. I had fun with this. I know you are all thinking that I should play “Still Alive.” I promise, it will come when the entire speaker project is over. For now, enjoy shelf shaking sub-brating goodness.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwoSd7uTKwo

The speakers in the end are going to look like GlaDos Eyes. I hoped in the beginning that I could just find some spheres that were the right size and mod them, but I never found anything that looked like it was going to work. I eventually stumbled across this project over at partsexpress.com, which is where I got all the parts for the subwoofer. The project explained how he made the spheres. I calculated that with my 2.75inch speaker drivers that I would want the spheres to be between six and seven inches in diameter. Sadly, I could not for the life of me find a candle mold that size. This of course meant one thing, I get to make my own mold.

I went to Fred Meyer (I hate Wal-Mart) and got a ball. I came home and mixed up some paper mache, which consisted of 1/2 cup flour, 1 cup water, and 4oz of Elmer’s Glue.
http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/mache-and-ball.jpg"

I then ripped up the day’s paper and put about five layers on. This was fun and messy.
http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/mached-ball.jpg

After it dried I made a template for a rim that would go around the circumference of the sphere.
http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/rim-template.jpg

And cut it out and glued it around the middle.
http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/glued-rim.jpg

To add strength as a mold, I then put fiberglass over what I had.
http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/two-halves.jpg

Here are the two halves after the fiberglass and rims are added. They are only clamped together, they are seperate halves. Eventually I will cut a hole in one and it will be the hole through which I slush cast some Tufcal, which is a plaster which is fiber reinforced to reduce chipping. The speakers will eventually be mounted to the plaster spheres.
http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/side-view-of-two-halves.jpg

Next up I have one of the speakers on top of the mold for a size reference. I will compare this to one of GlaDos’ eyes and perhaps you can get an idea of the eventual final product.
http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/kinda-like-this.jpg

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/glados-eye.jpg

[d_stilgar]

My TufCal arrived and I went to slush cast some speakers. Sadly, however, I could not get my homemade mold water tight. I had clamps and vaseline and a shower liner ring cut out to help, but it didn’t work. Plaster spilled everywhere. I was irritated and took a week off to think about things. After that week I knew that if I had neoprine that I could make it waterproof, but I decided that I could go another direction.

I went back to Fred Meyer’s and got two more balls, each one the same size. I then proceeded to fiberglass both balls completely. Each ball would serve as its own mold completely and would then remain part of the final speaker. The ball on the left has not been cut open yet.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/glass-hole.jpg

The ball on the right was cut open with a 2.75inch hole saw. I removed the ball and glued in some PVC pipe. The plaster will be poured right into the opening. I calculated that ~5 cups of plaster will yield me ~0.75inches of plaster in the inside. That is perfect.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/mounted-pipe.jpg

From this point I will be able to pour the plaster right in the opening and turn the sphere without having to seal the hole. The pipe is above the water line, so the plaster will never be able to pour out, even when the ball is upside down. Now I don’t have to worry about making the stupid thing water tight. The plaster will cure as I spin the ball, creating an even coat on the inside. This technique is called slush casting. I made a very fancy diagram showing how the ball can be upside down without spilling the plaster. Don’t laugh . . .haha.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/fancy-diagram.jpg

Here is the TufCal. It’s a good plaster and resists chipping because of fibers in it. It cost about $75 shipped for a 50lb bag. I slowly sifted 2.5 cups of plaster mix into 2 cups of hot water, then stirred. About a minute later I poured the plaster into the mold and began to spin. It worked. No spills, just drips. The results were great. It set up in under 10 minutes. Hot water does the trick for a quick set.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/tufcal50.jpg

Just like normal plaster.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/tufcal.jpg

The next two pics show one ball with the plaster cast and set, and one without. The plaster adds a few pounds. I’ll measure later. You know what they say; if it is heavy, it must be expensive!

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/one-plaster-one-not.jpg

A closeup of the inside. Nice and even!

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/slush-cast.jpg

After completing one shere, I quickly did the other. It went equally well and I am pleased. The artsy part of this, the fun part, will be equally difficult I fear. From here on out I have to make this thing look good. Wish me luck!

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/both-are-done.jpg

[d_stilgar]

After using fiberglass for the first time, and having a less than perfect time of it, I was worried about bondo. However, almost all modders talk about how easy it is to use. I hoped for the best and mixed some up. It went on well enough. It was horribly uneven, but it’s supposed to sand relatively easily, so I didn’t worry. Here’s a pic of one of the speaker enclosures with unsanded bondo, and one after being bondoed and sanded.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/still-lumpy-not-perfect.jpg

After sanding both spheres, I decided that I needed more bondo to fill in the valleys. I hoped that I would get a more perfect sphere the second time around. Here are the sanded balls ready for more bondo.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/time-for-more-bondo.jpg

I sanded the balls again. The results were nothing short of amazing. Making a sphere is hard, and these aren’t prefect yet, but I am now confidant that they are perfectable. With much work these will become two of GlaDos eyes. I’m excited, and I should be. One more month ’til completion? That’s what I’ll aim for, but it could be two.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/post-sanding-almost-perfect.jpg

[d_stilgar]

I uploaded these videos to youtube last week and, like the busy person I am, am only now posting them to the site. I still can’t find the camera I used to take progress pics. I’m sure it is at my parents house somewhere. I’ll find it when I go home again. For now, I just have some videos of the speakers and subwoofer together. I’ll do a video tour of the speakers, sub, and new apartment soon. For now, enjoy the videos.

A triumph.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0P05SJny9g

Outkast. The song is called “Intro” from the album “Speakerboxx”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfVwNLF0FtE

I’m open to requests. Have any?

[d_stilgar]

In 2011 I finally got back to this build after a three year break. I got married at the end of 2008 and lost the camera that had some important progress shots on it (Sculpting the sides). My wife and I moved three times in our first year of marriage. We didn't have any money and I didn't have much space to work on anything.

But in 2011 she said I should finally finish them. We had bought a place and it was summer vacation from University.

The first thing I did was cut some pieces from sheet styrene for the attachment bits on the morality cores. These were sculpted freestyle and needed to mask some imperfections in the spheres, so there was no point making a precise template.

I glued them on the speakers and filled in the gaps with model putty.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_3664_800x6002.jpg

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_3665_800x6002.jpg

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_3668_800x6002.jpg

From here I painted them. Sorry, no big progress images of that, but here's an image of the speakers completed.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/blended-speakers_small.png

And here they are up on my desk at the time of completion (2011). The sub was on the desk just for the photo. It's normally on the floor.

http://modsandends.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/IMG_4765-1024x768.jpg

And here are some videos:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbMKtNLbpFs


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ed3FoXDDr8

[OvRiDe]

Nice job! Glad to see you got a chance to finish them up. They look great!

[TheMainMan]

That was one pretty EPIC saga! Thanks for sharing the final results, I remember following along back in the early parts so it was nice to see the final result.

That makes me think... I think I have a few worklogs myself that I should finish up. Hmmm.