Super Pensil Build with Pics - Page 2

skeeter99 · 17th April 2011, 05:33 PM

Man Zia these look fantastic! You did a great job with the bracing and cleat too. Keep up the great work, can't wait to hear what you think of them once you get them all up and running. Good idea on the pre-break in also

My 12's come on Wednesday and I'll start breaking them in immediately and hopefully can get my cabinets built up quickly. Can't wait!

Scott

zman01 · 17th April 2011, 08:38 PM

Thanks Scott for the kind words. Very proud (and relieved) to have completed the cabs... was dragging it for quite some time.

I must tell you, the Super Pensil 12 are sizeable cabs - they have presence - attractively finished ones should be good a site

.

I am also working on a pair of Castle Micro Towers, and in all likelihood those will be up and running before the Super Pensils - main reason is that the quad CHR-70s for that project is already broken in. My Alp 12s have 35+ hours on them now, so a looong way to go before they are ready for serious listening.

I am contemplating what finish to give the Super Pensils - veneer is always good... but I am enticed by a nice paint finish also... Ivory looks cool with Pensils, so does red...give me some suggestions on other colors!

Have you put together a list of soft music for the Alp 12 break in? Got your spare amp ready? Trust me 200+ hours is not easy...

-Zia

zman01 · 17th April 2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristleifur

Sculptures!

Hmmm Kristleifur, nice catch... maybe I should mkae a pair in brass and enter one of the art exhibitions... we would require a suitable name for the sculpture though!

planet10 · 17th April 2011, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zman01

... main reason is that the quad CHR-70s for that project is already broken in. ...

not completely

dave

skeeter99 · 17th April 2011, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zman01

Thanks Scott for the kind words. Very proud (and relieved) to have completed the cabs... was dragging it for quite some time.

I must tell you, the Super Pensil 12 are sizeable cabs - they have presence - attractively finished ones should be good a site

.

I am also working on a pair of Castle Micro Towers, and in all likelihood those will be up and running before the Super Pensils - main reason is that the quad CHR-70s for that project is already broken in. My Alp 12s have 35+ hours on them now, so a looong way to go before they are ready for serious listening.

I am contemplating what finish to give the Super Pensils - veneer is always good... but I am enticed by a nice paint finish also... Ivory looks cool with Pensils, so does red...give me some suggestions on other colors!

Have you put together a list of soft music for the Alp 12 break in? Got your spare amp ready? Trust me 200+ hours is not easy...

-Zia

Zia,

Since you've already done the cab's in such beautiful plywood, why not just stain or clear coat what you already have? You can make the endgrains just pop with the right finish, like a nice semi-gloss polyurethane ... I think that would look really nice.

I'm going to build mine from MDF (I know, I know) and paint them a semi-gloss white then build black semi-gloss bases.

I have a spare amp all set up in my garage so I'm just going to put some smooth jazz on and let them sing

200 hours is a long time but if you have them going 24/7 it doesn't take all that long.

Scott

markaudio · 17th April 2011, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeeter99

Zia,
I have a spare amp all set up in my garage so I'm just going to put some smooth jazz on and let them sing

200 hours is a long time but if you have them going 24/7 it doesn't take all that long.
Scott

Hi Scott, Guys,

Dont run drivers constantly! Pleas read..........

Due to their design, Pro-audio drivers can usually handle continuous loads but nearly all home audio drivers aren't make to take such loads.

The mass of a driver's motor system will act as a heat bank (even with a heat-sink) so each run-in session should be kept to around 4 to 5 hours with 1 to 3 hours rest. If you live in a hot climate, take particular care. If the front of the of the motor feels warm to the touch - rest the driver for a longer period.

I recommend applying this approach to ANY driver, especially those with longer X-max.

Patience will bring rewards.

Cheers

Mark.

skeeter99 · 17th April 2011, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markaudio

Hi Scott, Guys,

Dont run drivers constantly! Pleas read..........

Due to their design, Pro-audio drivers can usually handle continuous loads but nearly all home audio drivers aren't make to take such loads.

The mass of a driver's motor system will act as a heat bank (even with a heat-sink) so each run-in session should be kept to around 4 to 5 hours with 1 to 3 hours rest. If you live in a hot climate, take particular care. If the front of the of the motor feels warm to the touch - rest the driver for a longer period.

I recommend applying this approach to ANY driver, especially those with longer X-max.

Patience will bring rewards.

Cheers

Mark.

Ahh will do, thanks Mark! I'll re-read the burn in instructions you have, as I obviously need to be re-reminded

Scott

markaudio · 17th April 2011, 11:13 PM

Hi Scott, Guys,
OK, glad you read the message.

The single largest reason for driver failure is over-driving, especially full-rangers. Most folks associate over-driving with high loads without thinking about the length of time drivers are in operation. Nearly all full-rangers are "light load" emitters. While some (like mine) can take short periods of medium to higher loading (note "short"), they can't handle long period high-load operations.

Generally, the guide for run in times on most full-rangers would be........

1 - Small/medium drivers (up to 4") with SPL's above 86dB (likely they have short coils) - Very low volumes for max 4 hours with 1 hour rests. Make the total run in time around 100 hours.

2 - Small/medium drivers (up to 4") with SPL's below 86dB (likely they have longer coils) - Lower volumes for max 4 hours with 1 hour rests. Make the total run in time around 100 hours.

3 - Drivers above 4" with high SPL's (above 89dB). Be real careful! They'll likely have shorter coils or exotic suspensions, or come with limited X-max. If DIYers over-drive or over-heat their motor systems or over-extend their suspension systems - kiss the drivers "good-night" and throw them in the bin. Always take care not to over-load these drivers at ANYTIME.

4 - Drivers above 4" with lower SPL's (88dB and lower). These driver can usually take more loads for longer periods but don't treat this as "open season" to drive them hard. 4 to 5 run in periods on low volumes for at least 100 hours. The cones should hardly move.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Mark.

zman01 · 18th April 2011, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zman01

main reason is that the quad CHR-70s for that project is already broken in.

-Zia

Quote:

Originally Posted by planet10

not completely

dave

You are right David, by no means break for CHR70.2En is completely done. Got ~40 hours on each till date. I am also assuming they got some time on the bench from you, and thus in a better readiness stage vs my Alp 12s.

albertli · 18th April 2011, 04:40 PM

I already have a pair of pensil but would love to try the super pensil. Can anyone point me to where I could find the design.
Thanks

Albert

18th April 2011, 04:40 PM	#20
albertli diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Vancouver	Box Dimension I already have a pair of pensil but would love to try the super pensil. Can anyone point me to where I could find the design. Thanks Albert

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17th April 2011, 05:33 PM	#11
skeeter99 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Seattle, WA	Man Zia these look fantastic! You did a great job with the bracing and cleat too. Keep up the great work, can't wait to hear what you think of them once you get them all up and running. Good idea on the pre-break in also My 12's come on Wednesday and I'll start breaking them in immediately and hopefully can get my cabinets built up quickly. Can't wait! Scott

17th April 2011, 08:38 PM	#12
zman01 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Dhaka	Thanks Scott for the kind words. Very proud (and relieved) to have completed the cabs... was dragging it for quite some time. I must tell you, the Super Pensil 12 are sizeable cabs - they have presence - attractively finished ones should be good a site . I am also working on a pair of Castle Micro Towers, and in all likelihood those will be up and running before the Super Pensils - main reason is that the quad CHR-70s for that project is already broken in. My Alp 12s have 35+ hours on them now, so a looong way to go before they are ready for serious listening. I am contemplating what finish to give the Super Pensils - veneer is always good... but I am enticed by a nice paint finish also... Ivory looks cool with Pensils, so does red...give me some suggestions on other colors! Have you put together a list of soft music for the Alp 12 break in? Got your spare amp ready? Trust me 200+ hours is not easy... -Zia

17th April 2011, 11:13 PM	#18
markaudio diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2008	Hi Scott, Guys, OK, glad you read the message. The single largest reason for driver failure is over-driving, especially full-rangers. Most folks associate over-driving with high loads without thinking about the length of time drivers are in operation. Nearly all full-rangers are "light load" emitters. While some (like mine) can take short periods of medium to higher loading (note "short"), they can't handle long period high-load operations. Generally, the guide for run in times on most full-rangers would be........ 1 - Small/medium drivers (up to 4") with SPL's above 86dB (likely they have short coils) - Very low volumes for max 4 hours with 1 hour rests. Make the total run in time around 100 hours. 2 - Small/medium drivers (up to 4") with SPL's below 86dB (likely they have longer coils) - Lower volumes for max 4 hours with 1 hour rests. Make the total run in time around 100 hours. 3 - Drivers above 4" with high SPL's (above 89dB). Be real careful! They'll likely have shorter coils or exotic suspensions, or come with limited X-max. If DIYers over-drive or over-heat their motor systems or over-extend their suspension systems - kiss the drivers "good-night" and throw them in the bin. Always take care not to over-load these drivers at ANYTIME. 4 - Drivers above 4" with lower SPL's (88dB and lower). These driver can usually take more loads for longer periods but don't treat this as "open season" to drive them hard. 4 to 5 run in periods on low volumes for at least 100 hours. The cones should hardly move. Hope this helps. Cheers Mark.