I.

INTRODUCTION
A. Attention getter: The cost of a high-fidelity loudspeaker today can go from $500 to
$1000. This is not the cost of a pair, just one stand-alone speaker. Instead of wasting so
much money, many people are starting to build their own speakers for a fraction of the
price. These are custom-built speakers are tailored specifically to the listener and offer
high performance for a reasonable price.
B: Thesis Statement: I am here to talk about do-it-yourself speakers and its impact on my
culture.
C. Preview: First, Ill talk about the history of Loudspeakers. Second, Ill talk about my
artifact, a loudspeaker. Third, Ill discuss my own experiences with do-it-yourself
speakers.
II. BODY
A: Ill begin with the history of loudspeakers, including the first concepts, its creation, its
uses in todays world.
1. Claim: In 1874, Ernst von Siemens, a German inventor, was
the first to describe the "dynamic" or moving-coil transducer.
a. Siemens made several contributions to the development of electrical
engineering and is therefore known as the founding father of the discipline
in Germany.
b. Although he did not use his device for audible transmission, he did
inspire other inventors, like Alexander G. Bell, with his moving-coil
transducer.
2. Claim: In 1876, Alexander G. Bell patented the telephone, which leads to
Siemens creation of the cone loudspeaker.
a. Siemens version of the loudspeaker was a more advance version of the
transducer in the telephone because it had a cone to move air.
b. This design was then used in phonograph players in the acoustic era.
3. Claim: Today, loudspeakers are used in many places where sound needs to be
re-produced.
a. They are used in places like your house, movie theaters, television,
concerts, sporting events, and automobiles.

b. Because of this, Loudspeakers play an important role in todays

entertainment needs.
Transition: Now that I have covered some of the general history on Loudspeakers, Ill talk about
my artifact, a loudspeaker.
B. Now that Ive shown you my artifact, a loudspeaker, Im going to talk about how it
made, how it works, and different components that it is composed of.
1. Claim: Loudspeakers are actually not difficult to make.
a. All that is really needed is some knowledge in woodworking.
b. This is because there are many kits on the internet that are cheap and
come with most of parts you need. All you need to do is assemble it.
2. Claim: A speaker works by moving air and causing vibrations.
a. There is a little coil of wire that is connected to a paper cone. The wire
is surrounded by a large magnet that moves the cone when an electric
signal is passed through the wire.
b. The cone pushes air molecules, which pushes air molecules next to
them, causing a wave that reaches your ear drum, causing it to vibrate.
3. Claim: Speakers have very little components, making them simple devices.
a. The main components are the drivers, the crossover, and the enclosure.
b. The only component that is complicated is the crossover because it
separates the signal for each driver.
Transition: I have just finished telling you about my artifact, now I'm going to talk
about my personal connection with do-your-self speakers.
C. Im going to talk about why I started to build my own speakers, why I continue to
build speakers, what it has taught me.
1. Claim: The reason I started to build speakers is that I wanted to save some
money.
a. With a limited amount of money, around $400, I was able to create a
nice set of bookshelf speakers.
b. The parts that I used were identical to a paradigm speaker, which cost
around $700 a pair , so I saved a lot of money.
2. Claim: The reason I continue to build speakers is because of the challenge it
brings.
a. Everyone hears sound differently. As a builder, I must be able to make
a speaker that the listener will like.
b. The actual building is fun and it helps take away some stress.
3. Claim: Building my own speakers has taught me patience.
a. Building a speaker need a lot of time and effort, mostly in researching
what parts Im going to use because each parts influences the sound.
b. If I didnt take my time, my work would be sloppy and I wouldnt
happy with the end result.

III Conclusion
A. Review: First, I talked about the history of Loudspeakers. Second, I talked
about my artifact, a loudspeaker. Third, I discussed my own experiences with
do-it-yourself speakers.
B. Restate Thesis: Now you all have heard how do-it-yourself speakers have
impacted my life and how it is an important aspect of my culture.
C. Closing Statements: Building your own speakers may sound like a hard thing
to do. If you put in the time and effort, you will find that is easy, fun, and it
will also save you some money.