The Mandolin Loudspeaker kit by Jeff Bagby

Most designers will say it is easy to build an incredible speaker if we give them premium components.

Mandolin Speaker Kit Build Photo

It is much more difficult when you must use less costly components. That may not be the case here. The new line of SB Acoustics drivers is true exceptions to the rule. They offer a high level of performance and construction for the price. That is no surprise knowing that the ex-design team from Scan Speak is responsible.

The Crossover

Jeff optimized the crossover in both the frequency and phase domains at the same time. The frequency response is exceptionally flat from 45 Hz up. The two drivers track each other in relative acoustic phase. They track together in the crossover region and over a very wide bandwidth. The crossover point is at 1.8kHz. The response on axis measures flat. The Mandolin would compare to many of the premium commercial designs available today.

How Does it Sound?

The speaker offers a wonderful sense of scale and weight, and bass extension that seems to defy its size. Not many speakers this size can reach into the 30 Hz band with low distortion. Sitting on a pair of quality stands, a pair of these small speakers will provide near-full range performance for the majority of music lovers on most of the music they play, without the need for a subwoofer. However, if a subwoofer is used, these will blend gracefully, and allow a fairly low crossover point to the sub, which helps the subwoofer disappear, and provide a greater sense of realism.

The woofer cabinet is .53 cu ft or about 17L and measures 8.5″ wide, 15″ High and 11.5″ deep (3/4″ material)

Sensitivity is rated at 85dB

What do I Get?

Included in this kit are the full build plans. You can purchase is in two forms, depending on your resources:

The Bare Bones Version:

2 x SB Acoustics, SB29RDC-C000-4 Ring Dome Tweeters
2 x SB Acoustics, SB17NRXC35-8 Woofers
2 x Crossover components featuring Cebo & Audyn capacitors, Lynk resistors, and specified, Air and steel Core Inductors.

Need all the goodies?

The Full Kit Package:

2 x Choice of the Big Post, SD-cup, or TD-Cup Input Terminals
2 x Flared Port Tubes
All mounting hard hardware (screws)
Internal damping material
Color-coded hookup wire
Optional push-on connectors
Gasket sealing tape
MDF boards for mounting the crossover parts.

Upgrade Your Series Capacitors?

Clarity CSA

Mundorf Supreme

Have trouble soldering or reading a crossover diagram? We can assemble them for you at a nominal charge.

Upgrades – Have a favorite input terminal or preferred capacitor brand? Feel free to call or email with your request. We are happy to accommodate you.

Mandolin Write Up

Brand

Bagby

1 review for Mandolin Loudspeaker Kit

Rated 5 out of 5

tuxable (verified owner) – December 18, 2018

These speakers sound amazing! I don’t have a whole lot to compare them to yet, but they definitely dig deeper and sound more open and detailed than the C-note kit I built first (which itself is great). I love them! I have used it both for computer speakers and with my receiver and tv where it is currently blasting music throughout my apartment. It works great for both. I got Meniscus to assemble the crossover for me and they did a beautiful job – much cleaner than what I’ve put together so far.

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Mandolin Loudspeaker Kit