Mark Audio A12P SuperPensil Buildlog

[RonVinyl]

A bunch more completed so far today, should have one totally done today! Just a couple more back supports to go. A quick run to Lowes to get the pieces to attach the back with.

Going to hardwire them through the port today to do a listen test. (No binding posts etc here yet.)

 

[RonVinyl]

I have one cabinet fully glued up except for the back. Going to attach the back once this glue sets and mount the driver. Should make for a great listen test!

Thanks to Planet10, I will use CAT5 from the driver to the hookup. (I will just be running this out the front port for now during the test phase.

 

[RonVinyl]

Here are some pictures from the build so far...

 

[RonVinyl]

Couple more shots after the last clamps came off. Back is just tapped into place, no screws or anything yet. Fits like a glove. Stable too!

Todo:

1. Trim Edges with Flush Trim Bit
2. Roundover all edges
3. Install Drivers
4. Add PolyFill
5. Test

 

[danvprod]

Listened to these tonight (well the left channel at least!). They are going to be a nice sound speaker! Impressed with this A12P drivers for sure.

 

[RonVinyl]

Listened to these tonight (well the left channel at least!). They are going to be a nice sound speaker! Impressed with this A12P drivers for sure.

They were nice indeed. Thanks to danvprod for all the help!

 

[RonVinyl]

I need to figure out an effective way to keep the polyfill from reaching the port.

 

[mp9]

Simplest solution, stagger two 1.25" ø dowels to form a Cross Brace just above the port but not with equal spacing from the next set of X bace'd dowels further up the cabinet. Although i do question whether three pairs of X braces would be sufficient bracing for a cab of that depth.

 

[RonVinyl]

Simplest solution, stagger two 1.25" ø dowels to form a Cross Brace just above the port but not with equal spacing from the next set of X bace'd dowels further up the cabinet. Although i do question whether three pairs of X braces would be sufficient bracing for a cab of that depth.

Thanks, I will take a peek at my options... I might make the optional braces...

 

[RonVinyl]

That said it might be worth just making the hole-y braces in the original super pensil plans. I have enough wood to do so. Should be a decent improvement.

 

[Scottmoose]

They're worth having IMO; certainly in a box with panels that size.

 

[RonVinyl]

Flush Trim on all edges worked out perfectly. That has to be one of the most useful bits ever. I am now going to finish sanding the driver rabets to ensure a perfect fit then clean the, up, shellac them, and set them up! So excited!

 

[xrk971]

Ron,
The build looks great - nice job! I was going over some old threads and recall you were talking about building the WIBAQ (essentially the same thing but with shelf-port). Did you abandon that due to back order of Betsy driver? Looking forward to first sound.

 

[RonVinyl]

Ron,
The build looks great - nice job! I was going over some old threads and recall you were talking about building the WIBAQ (essentially the same thing but with shelf-port). Did you abandon that due to back order of Betsy driver? Looking forward to first sound.

Yes, I also wanted a pure full range driver without the use of a whizzer. I read in a few places that whizzers could be prone to shout-iness. The back order also didn't help as I was impatient and was itching to get started.

That said, doesn't mean I wont build those in the future as well.

My brother has the Betsy-K's so building that cabinet without the driver might still be a possibility.

That said I am blown away by the build quality of the Mark Audio drivers.

 

[xrk971]

Have you started breaking in those MA drivers? I hear they need like 200 hrs before they sound right. Good to hear that you like the build quality, I may have to get these one of these days when I have a shop that can make stuff out of wood. I don't think a 4 foot tall box this big would work very well in foam core Good point about the whizzer, but I have not heard anybody complain about the whizzer on Betsy's in particular. You are impatient - working at breakneck speeds with your build there Amazing progress.

 

[RonVinyl]

All the bad clamps went back to lowes, not enough clamping pressure with the Bessey's and the Irwin's... Going to woodcraft to get a nice set of the Jorgensens tonight.

Some more build pictures soon.

 

[RonVinyl]

More pictures of the build...

 

[Scottmoose]

Good progress.

 

[RonVinyl]

Update the tools section with the circular saw I ended up getting, and a great blade for plywood.

 

[RonVinyl]

This build has been completed to a listening state. I will be running them like this for a while during the "burn-in phase". So far I am just blown away by the Mark Audio A12p's.

Imaging is just ethereal and absorbing. I have never heard anything like it.

I posted some final build pics. Last things left are some wood filler, sanding, and stain. I will be holding off on this until I have listened long enough.