Build guide
Single-piece cabinet print prep, assembly, crossover wiring and final checks.
What happens after checkout
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Step 1
Start printing
Files are available immediately while your kit ships.
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Step 2
Follow the guide
Print, solder, assemble and set up the speaker step by step.
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Step 3
Listen to your build
Connect it to a standard AV receiver or amplifier and enjoy a centre channel speaker you built yourself.
Full guides included
Print settings, assembly, wiring and setup
SB Acoustics and Faital drivers
Dual 4-inch woofers, 2-inch midrange and 19 mm tweeter
Email support
Help if you get stuck
Free worldwide shipping
Included with every kit
The project
Build a proper centre channel
A passive 3-way centre channel kit for 3D printer owners who want proper home theatre without woodworking.
- Build type
- Passive 3-way centre channel speaker
- Best for
- Home theatre dialogue, matching Emanate systems and systems with a subwoofer
- Skill level
- Beginner to intermediate
- End result
- A finished centre channel speaker that works with most AV receivers or stereo amplifiers
No woodworking, crossover design or forum guesswork. The design work is done, so you can focus on building.
Fit check
Is this the right kit for you?
Check the printer size, file version, skill level and intended use before you choose.
Skill level
Beginner to intermediate
Requires printing, basic soldering and careful assembly.
Printer size
Non-split: W 150 x D 320 x H 225 mm
Split: W 249 x D 150 x H 225 mm
Minimum build volume for the non-split and split file versions.
Print time
2-4 days for the speaker
Large enclosure parts can take 24+ hours each.
Build time
Around two afternoons
Hands-on assembly after the printed parts are ready.
Printing
Easy
Designed for standard FDM printing in PLA.
Soldering
Beginner-friendly
A simple first soldering project with clear wiring instructions.
Want to see the process first? See the full build guides.
Use case
Where this kit makes sense
A quick check before you choose.
Best for
- Matching centre channel
- Home theatre dialogue
- TV cabinets and media consoles
- Systems with a subwoofer
- Builders who want a guided 3-way project
Probably not for
- Stereo listening on its own
- Full-range bass without a subwoofer
- People who want plug-and-play speakers
- Tool-free builds
Soldering
Required
Basic soldering is required, but no advanced electronics experience is needed. The guide shows the crossover and wiring step by step.
Finishing
Optional
Painting or surface finishing is optional.
Kit contents
What you get and what you bring
The kit includes the speaker parts, files and guides. You bring the printer, filament, basic tools and amplifier.
Included
Included in the kit
The files, parts and hardware supplied with this kit.
Files and guides
STL files, STEP files, single-piece build guide, split build guide, setup guide
Speaker parts
Dual 4-inch woofers, 2-inch midrange, 19 mm tweeter, crossover components, internal wiring
Hardware
Screws, feet, binding posts, damping material
Supply yourself
You'll need
The printer, materials, tools and audio gear you bring to the build.
Printer and filament
Reliable FDM printer, ~2.5 kg PLA
Basic tools
Soldering iron, solder, hot glue gun, clamps, Allen keys, pliers
Audio gear
AV receiver or amplifier, speaker cable
Build path
How the project comes together
Choose the right file version for your printer, then print the parts, build the crossover, install the drivers, glue the cabinet and connect to your amp.
Step 1
Print the parts
Choose the single-piece or split files, then print the parts using the included print notes.
Step 2
Build the crossover
Assemble the passive crossover with the guide.
Step 3
Install the parts
Fit the drivers, binding posts, damping and hardware.
Step 4
Glue and finish
Glue the cabinet, clamp it, and finish the surface if you want.
Step 5
Connect and listen
Connect to your AV receiver or amplifier and follow the setup guide.
Guides
See the full guides before you build
Read the build, spec and setup guides before you start printing.
Build guide Static guide image. Open the PDF for the full document. See the full build guide
Split build guide
Split-cabinet print prep, joining, assembly, crossover wiring and final checks.
Spec sheet
Dimensions, drivers, impedance, response and measurement notes.
Sound
Why the design works
The drivers, cabinet and crossover are designed to work together, then checked with measurements.
1
2
3
4
1
Custom waveguide
Helps the tweeter spread sound smoothly into the room.
2
Dual 4-inch woofers
Give the centre channel more output and body for dialogue and effects.
3
2-inch midrange
Handles the dialogue-critical midrange in the centre of the speaker.
4
Rear-ported cabinet
Tunes the enclosure for useful bass before handing off to a subwoofer.
Measurements
Measured, so you're not guessing
Frequency response, impedance and directivity measurements show how the finished speaker behaves.
Smooth response, amplifier-friendly impedance and controlled off-axis behaviour, measured on the finished centre channel.
- Smooth on-axis response
- Amplifier-friendly impedance
- Controlled off-axis behaviour
Impedance
How easy the speaker is for most AV receivers or stereo amplifiers to drive.
View full measurement
For full measurement details, see the spec sheet. See the full spec sheet.
Specs
Technical specifications
The practical details: print size, materials, drivers, amplifier requirements and included files.
Key specs
- Type
- Passive 3-way centre channel speaker
- Printer size
- Non-split: W 150 x D 320 x H 225 mm Split: W 249 x D 150 x H 225 mm
- Filament
- ~2.5 kg PLA
- Print time
- 2-4 days for the speaker
- Amplifier
- Works with most AV receivers
- Impedance
- 8 ohms nominal
- Low-frequency extension
- 100 Hz (-3 dB), 70 Hz (-10 dB)
Cabinet and print details
- Enclosure
- Rear-ported bass reflex
- Print material
- PLA
- Printer size
- Non-split: W 150 x D 320 x H 225 mm; split: W 249 x D 150 x H 225 mm
- Filament
- ~2.5 kg PLA
- Dimensions
- H 150 x W 320 x D 230 mm
- Finished speaker weight
- 4.3 kg
Drivers and amplifier
- Woofers
- 2 x 4-inch paper cone woofers
- Midrange
- 2-inch midrange
- Tweeter
- 19 mm dome tweeter
- Crossover
- 800 Hz and 4000 Hz passive crossover
- Impedance
- 8 ohms nominal
- Amplifier required
- Standard AV receiver or amplifier, not included
Performance
- Sensitivity
- 86 dB 1W/1m
- Low-frequency extension
- 100 Hz (-3 dB), 70 Hz (-10 dB)
- Max SPL
- 106 dB @ 1 m, single speaker
- Subwoofer
- Recommended
- DSP required
- No
Files and support
- Printable files
- STL + STEP files
- File versions
- Single-piece and split cabinet files included
- Guides
- Single-piece build guide + split build guide + setup guide
- Support
- Build help by email
Compare
Not sure which Emanate kit to choose?
Compare the small bookshelf, centre channel and larger bookshelf options.
| Model | Best for | Size | Bass | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emanate 4 | Desktops, bookshelves, small rooms, surrounds, or pairing with a subwoofer | Compact bookshelf pair | Useful on its own, better with a subwoofer | Beginner |
| Emanate 6 | Larger rooms, fuller sound and main left/right speakers | Larger bookshelf pair | Deeper and fuller than Emanate 4 | Beginner |
| Emanate 4C This one | Matching centre channel | Single compact centre channel | Intended to be used with a subwoofer | Beginner to intermediate |
Support
Help if you get stuck
If something is missing, damaged or unclear, email support is included.
- Missing or damaged kit parts are replaced.
- Build help is available by email.
- Setup questions are welcome.
- Custom design changes are not included.
The setup guide helps with placement after the build, so you are not guessing where to put it.
Questions
Before you start printing
Quick answers before you commit to the build.
Question Which file version should I use?
Use the single-piece cabinet files if your printer fits W 150 x D 320 x H 225 mm. Use the split files if your printer fits W 249 x D 150 x H 225 mm. Both versions are included.
Question Is this a good first speaker build?
Yes, if you are comfortable with 3D printing and want a guided beginner-to-intermediate speaker build.
Question Do I need to know how to solder?
You do need to solder, but prior experience is not required. The crossover and wiring are shown step by step.
Question Do I need a subwoofer?
Yes. Emanate 4C is designed to be used with a subwoofer for home theatre use.
Question Do I need woodworking tools?
No. The cabinet is 3D printed and assembled with common tools.
Question What amplifier should I use?
Use a standard AV receiver or amplifier with speaker-level outputs. The amplifier is not included.
COMPANION PRODUCTS
Build from here
Optional additions if you want to expand your setup later.
Start with what you need now. These are optional additions.
Optional addition
Emanate 4 Speaker Kit
A compact 4-inch bookshelf speaker kit for 3D printer nerds who want to build something that actually sounds good. The Emanate 4 is a...
Optional addition
Emanate 6 Speaker Kit
A compact 4-inch bookshelf speaker kit for 3D printer nerds who want to build something that actually sounds good. The Emanate 4 is a...
Ready when you are
Ready to build the Emanate 4C?
You can build this.
You’ve seen the fit check, the guides, the measurements and what is included. Start printing today and build a proper centre channel speaker.
Files are available immediately. Start printing today. Your kit ships worldwide with support included.