Sphere modular system build thread

[joe58]

This will be my long term build thread for my spheres in the form the IKEA Blanda. However it will be a modular system, as over time I will keep adding and adding to it to make it a multiway plus extras style system. The stands have been made in order to hang extra units on over time, giving me something to build with the excuse of making the system better instead of having just loads of random speakers. The first module to go on is the medium bowl and my fe103e’s. These I’ve feel have never ‘reached’ my subwoofer, whose top crossover is 85hz. Therefore here’s a list of what I hope to hang from the ‘pole.’
• Speaker floor spikes etc, cables to sub.
• A large bowl containing a 5 inch woofer to bridge the gap and add some much needed ‘insert audio term here’ to the upper LF’s.
• This of course is going to need a crossover, so a small flat box in the same shape as the base
• Rebuild the stands using aluminium/ steel poles (hollow to run the cables down) and high thickness Perspex for the bases and also the arms that hold the sphere’s.
• Tweeters (already have one to play with) or supertweeter (extended future), who knows, an excuse to build something.
• Possibly the largest metal Blanda bowls for multiple subwoofer set up.(very extended future)

Images below are the first spheres. Decided to add an extra circle of wood to the front as the drives don’t have a round chassis, plus I wanted extra strength. Therefore that left an angle gap between the two surfaces, so I’ve had to fill it in... The port is the best I could do as I wanted some ‘trumpet’, so they had to be smoothed into the wood, as well as the joins between the spacer and bowls.


First cuts by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr

Glueing by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr

Experimenting for the grilles by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr

Cutting out rear port. by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr

Rear port and smoothing. by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr

The stands are relatively simple: two pieces of 18mm ply screwed and glued together. Then a very solid piece of broom handle screwed and glued again. The whole thing is extremely solid and I could barley drill through the pole it was that dense. Great! Then a simple similar shaped arm is then cut out form 18mm ply and screwed on.


Base of stand. by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr

The stand in progress. by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr

The colour of the first bowls is a copper, inspired by one of my favourite yachts I managed to see on holiday: Tiketitoo. No idea about the stands yet and I don’t have long to decide, never mind do them.


DSCN1086 by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr

Over time is a quick mock up Google sketch up model of what hopefully it will start to look like over time, with more 'stuff' being added.


speaker mock up by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr

That'll do for now, thanks for reading

[DYNABLASTERTUNERS]

superb!

[norman bates]

nice boat.

[andb]

Unless you plan to bolt that base to the floor, I can't even begin tell you how unstable that is going to be. A stiff breeze, nevermind a dog or visiting child, will send it falling like the tower of Babel. Either make the stands MUCH wider and out of stone or sand filled boxes with far stronger supports, or run a support wire up to the roof.

I dropped one of those Ikea bowls once, fortunately not with a driver in it, and is shattered almost like glass. I ended up using a normal cabinet from 18mm birch plywood in the end, far more rigid.

[joe58]

Yes probably will be. I will experiment and build some outriggers.

[joe58]

Currently experimenting with the base coats to get a smooth finish as they were slight pits/ bumps around the joins and either end. Will obviously still need sanding down.


Overview of new basecoat by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr


Another overview of the new basecoat by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr

[joe58]

2 hours of sanding resulted in this. Primer tomorrow and the the copper-chrome if it all goes well. The a whole other sphere to do and then the stands.


Finished sanding to get my smooth surface. by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr


Rear after sanding by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr

[joe58]

Some more progress. First of all the primer was applied:


Primer on by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr


Primer on by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr

And then the copper. I realise I have used a colour which needs a very good surface and is hard to paint with, so there are some imperfections(I'm picky, but so you should be else you will never improve). However there will be a matte varnish to be applied, which hopefully will help. Anyone have any suggestions to further help the paint?


Damn finger prints by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr


Yes there's a few imperfections.. by Simply_Ginniff, on Flickr

[barackuda]

Originally Posted by joe58

Anyone have any suggestions to further help the paint?

Yes
more primer and more sanding until mirror shine

[joe58]

Originally Posted by barackuda

Yes
more primer and more sanding until mirror shine

What grade sand paper would remove the scratches?