Spherical Speaker Enclosure for Fostex FE83NV2 (Beta)

A fully 3D-printed spherical sealed enclosure for the Fostex FE83NV2 full-range driver. Designed for a clean, natural, vocal-focused sound on a desktop.

The seamless sphere hides all fasteners — a threaded equatorial joint and a clamping grille mean no screws are visible from the outside.

> ⚠️ Beta release. Fully functional, but a few things are still being refined (see Known Issues). Feedback welcome.

Features

• 146 mm sphere — compact and desktop-friendly (stand adds a little height)
• Spherical shape minimizes edge diffraction and internal standing waves
• Sealed design, ~0.9 L effective internal volume
• No visible screws — threaded equatorial joint + clamping grille
• Multi-part, multi-color friendly (body / grille / stand / feet)
• Vocal-forward with a strong sense of presence — tight, controlled low end rather than deep bass

Files / Parts

• `01_Front-Enclosure.stl` — Front enclosure ×1 (clearance is on the generous side, so it assembles even if the print is slightly off)
• `02_Rear-Enclosure.stl` — Rear enclosure ×1
• `03a_Grille_Embedded-Nut.stl` — Grille, embedded-nut version ×1 (choose one grille)
• `03b_Grille_Side-Insert.stl` — Grille, side-insert version ×1 (choose one grille)
• `04_Stand-Base.stl` — Stand base ×1
• `05_Feet.stl` — Feet: three feet joined by a ring, printed as one part ×1
• `SphericalSpeakerEnclosureforFostexFE83NV2.3mf` — Full project (all print settings included)

Two grille options — print only one:

• 03a Embedded-Nut — the nut is embedded inside during printing. In the `.3mf`, this plate has a scripted print pause: the printer stops mid-print, you drop in the 4 nuts, then resume to finish. No supports, cleaner finish. (Recommended)
• 03b Side-Insert — push the nut in from the side after printing. Needs supports, but no pause required.

Sourced parts (not printed) — per unit

• Fostex FE83NV2 driver ×1
• Gold-plated brass speaker binding posts, M4 mounting shaft ×2 (one +, one −) — with #205 male faston tabs, so the wiring needs no soldering. The rear has Ø4.2 mm mounting holes for this type; larger posts need the holes enlarged
• M4 × 12 mm screws ×4 and M4 nuts ×4 (driver mounting)
• Internal wire: AWG20, 20 cm ×2 (AWG18 also works here — all four terminals are #205, which accepts up to AWG18. I use AWG20 so the same wire fits the #110 terminal on the P650K version too)
• Faston (spade) terminals, female — 4 per enclosure: #205 ×4 (driver, and both binding posts)
• Damping: felt (speaker damping sheet) + a little polyester wool
• Double-sided tape to fix the damping material

Print settings

• Walls: 5 perimeters
• Infill: 20% (gyroid)
• Recommended filament: Bambu PLA (Basic / Matte / Silk all verified)
• Tested on: Bambu Lab P1S with the textured PEI plate
• STLs are already oriented for printing; the `.3mf` has everything set up for Bambu Studio

Supports — differs per part:

• `02_Rear-Enclosure` — supports on, with the overhang threshold set to 28°
• `03b_Grille_Side-Insert` — supports on (default threshold is fine)
• All other parts — no supports needed

Print pause (03a grille):

• The `.3mf` for the `03a` grille has a scripted pause. When the printer stops, insert the 4 M4 nuts into the pockets, then resume the print to seal them inside.

Assembly (short version)

1. Check the thread fit — stiff on the first turn, but it beds in after a few in/out cycles; a firm final push seats it

2. Mount the terminals to the rear (seal with a gasket or caulk)

3. Place damping — felt on the lower inner wall, a little wool in the center (keep it clear of the cone)

4. Mount the driver — crimp the faston terminals and connect the wiring (pre-twist it opposite to the closing direction), then clamp the driver between the grille and the front part

5. Join the enclosure — screw front and rear together at the equator; press firmly at the end to seat it

6. Assemble the stand — snap the one-piece feet ring into the stand base

7. Set it up — place the sphere on the stand

👉 Full illustrated build guide — written for the P650K version, but the assembly is essentially the same: note.com/euxnas

Known Issues (Beta)

• The inner thread surface prints a little rough (overhang without support). It's not visible and doesn't affect function.
• The threaded joint is sensitive to filament and print accuracy — even color and lot can matter. If the fit is too tight, run a flow calibration or test-print the thread section first.

About the driver / Related

The Fostex FE83NV2 is a well-regarded 8 cm full-range driver. This is the 8 cm version of my P650K enclosure:

👉 Spherical Speaker Enclosure for Fostex P650K

☕ If this was useful, you can buy me a coffee — thank you!