Sachiko for a n00b?

[soulforged]

Hello,

I have been going through the threads here for quite some time. I really like the sound of single driver speakers and after going through the discussions here, I am pretty sure the Sachiko would suit my taste just fine and thinking of going for one...

but the problem is I'm a complete n00b, haven't done much DIY except for changing light bulbs ...leave along building speakers...or working with wood.

would you advise a rank newbie like me to go for Sachiko as his first build? you can talk me out of it if you think its too much for a raw hand. What should I keep in mind if at all I go ahead? I just have two points in my list as of now -
1. Use 19mm ply
2. Stick to the dimensions in the plan
...thats about it...not much idea on mounting the driver, damping the insides, wiring etc...

I'm in touch with quadtech and mymindinside from this forum who have built Sachiko's in the recent past. They are very encouraging and helpful but additional advise has never hurt anyone Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

PS - I am in India, so buying a kit and shipping home is not a viable option.

[planet10]

With its all 90 degree cuts, Sachiko is designed to be easier to make... there are just lots of pieces. If you are methodical & can get the pieces well cut it isn't that hard (you do need to have a workspace large enuff to accomodate them, they are not small).

Keep us posted with your progress and don't be afraid to ask questions.

dave

[soulforged]

Thanks planet10! its a big boost, coming straight from you...

They would be placed in my living room which is about 14x29x9 (feet) in dimension a foyer of 5x6...I would keep them against the shorter wall (14 ft.). Is that big enough for them? My apartment is still being built, so I have a lot of working space

I had one question on the deflectors...is there a big difference in sound between the stepped and the slanted deflectors? I remember reading something about high and mid frequency attenuation and tightening of bass in the stepped version (can't locate the thread now). I could save on a sheet by going for the alternate design.

Can I use a different material for the steps?

[planet10]

No one has done a direct comparison of the stepped vrs slanted variations. In theory the stepped version could help mitigate the HF, but my feeling is that by that point any HF that it might mitigate have already been wiped out by the many stepper LP filters that preceed it in the horn.

The steps also provide some mass loading of the side panels, but that can be accomplished with kitty litter too. When i convince Chris it is time to build ours they will likely have the steps at the bottom and the slant at the top, with the void behind it removed.

dave

[ljk11]

I live in Trinidad, I built a pair and am happy with them, more so after I put in phase plugs.

Its best you find a woodworker who has a good table saw which is capable of cutting clean square edges and just have him rip the ply sheets lengthwise into the widths for all the internal sections. This way you only need to make 90 cuts yourself to cut the internal pieces(with a circular saw) and makes things very easy.

Make a few 90/square jigs to help you hold the pieces square/vertical whilst they dry.

[Bob, W7ETA]

What plywood did you use?

The plywood distributor here can't buy any American made plywood from their supplier. It might be that I cannot get maple hard wood plywood with 12-15 layers. So far, the best I can find is 5X5 Baltic Birch.

Best from Tucson
Bob

[fastbike1]

Bob,

The Home Depots here in Texas carry 2x4 "handipanels" in Birch that are 11 plys. One is certainly limited to overall height and cut efficiency may suffer, but the panels are more readily available and haulable than 5x5 baltic birch. Much less expensive as well.

Originally Posted by Bob, W7ETA

What plywood did you use?

The plywood distributor here can't buy any American made plywood from their supplier. It might be that I cannot get maple hard wood plywood with 12-15 layers. So far, the best I can find is 5X5 Baltic Birch.

Best from Tucson
Bob

[Bob, W7ETA]

Thanks for the info.

I stopped by HomeDepot and discovered they have a wider selection than Lowes, including 4x8 Maple around 11 ply and 4x8 Birch around 11 ply for the 3/4 inch.

Best
Bob

[mp9]

i'm currently using home depot 4x8 maple ply to build a cabinet for a marble sink top i picked up and can tell you i'm not finding voids. what i'm cutting with my blades is very clean compared to the uncut 4x8's ends.
the birch ply at lowes looks better than at hd but i haven't cut one up so don't know how void free it is. i'd go with the maple, based on what i'm getting with the 3/4" 4x8 maple ply.

[soulforged]

much as I love to have a pair of sachikos in front of me, I am compelled to consider BIB as an alternative...reason - WAF

My room dimension is 12 x 29 x 9 and I have one wall to place all my stuff. That includes the TV, HT front & center, my stereo spkrs and my equipment without 'spoiling' the aesthetics of the place

The advantage of BIB would be they can be placed right at the corner leaving enough space to 'aesthetically' arrange the rest of my stuff...

now, for a few questions -
Is BIB a good design for FE206?
My choice of music is mostly prog rock and jazz, would the BIB be suitable for that?
Has anybody experienced both builds with 206? Did you note any major difference in the sound?
I would be seated 11 feet from the equipment wall. Does this distance work with BIB?
Are there other designs that could work?

cheerz!