Ryan's Pensil 10.2 Build Log

[CabinetMakerRyan]

The lighting was quite low and there is even a plastic bag next to one speaker. I will take tripod shots tomorrow with decent lighting.

 

[buzzforb]

Looks great. Wonderful grain selection. Worked out nicely. A7'S do resolve more, but the 10's are bbetter for everyday listening, IMO.

 

[zman01]

Ryan,

Congrats! Very nice build. Make sure you break in the drivers before cranking up loud, and have fun listening.

 

[CabinetMakerRyan]

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

better camera than before, back to listening

 

[CabinetMakerRyan]

This cabinet features the offset holey brace as well as bracing that goes side to side.

 

[vinylkid58]

Very pretty boxes. I like the grey driver with the reddish Mahogany veneer.
Congrats.

jeff

 

[CabinetMakerRyan]

Thank you I guess 8 years of cabinet making was worth it.

At our shop we have a lot of smaller pieces of meterial that go to waste. I will need to investigate the smaller cabinets for these MA Drivers.[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, san-serif][/FONT]

 

[CabinetMakerRyan]

Still listening a low volumes but it's just amazing how much bass these produce with very little cone movement. Even with the high pass set at 40hz. Perhaps most of the excursion in this design happens outside of the speakers operational range.

 

[CabinetMakerRyan]

The Setup

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

Apparently the WAF of the subwoofer has suddenly dropped. Center channel will be replaced, it will stay with the magnepans in another setup.

I'm thinking a MarKen 7.3 or 10.2 primesize. Calibration is being used so frequency response with the exception of low end extension is a non issue for now.


Current Specs:
Reciever
Denon AVR-591
1200rpm(slow and quiet) 120mm 12v fan cooling modification

Mains
Pensil 10.2 40hz high pass

Center
4x TB 315E Dipole 8 ohm 200hz high pass

Rears
2x TB 871S 4 ohm 120hz high pass

Subwoofer
Peerless 12" XLS with matching passive radiator 20hz high pass
500W Bash plate amp from Parts Express
1200rpm(slow and quiet) 120mm 12v fan cooling modification
-this is the source of the blue light, here comes the e-tape

Source
Nvidea GTX460 HDMI straight to the receiver. Streaming of the DTS and DD works.

Display
47" Philips LCD running 1080p HDMI from the computer. This is the source 99% of the time.

I am impressed with the inexpensive AVR-591. The cooling is inadequate with this unit, fan cooling keeps it cool with very low distortion. It's preamp functions are unbelievable.

 

[Douglas Ingram]

Great job.

One little picky bit, with your building experience you should be easily be able to build a much nicer table to put all of your gear together! That should put the WAF rating at 11...maybe even 12.

 

[skeeter99]

Those Pensil's really look fantastic! I love the beveled edges on the front, it really adds a very nice touch. I don't know if Dave has a version of the center that I just built for the 10.2 yet but maybe a similar version that's not shallow would be a good match? The Shallow Mark-Ken12 Centre I just built is a fantastic match with my SuperPensil12's. Just a thought

Scott

 

[CabinetMakerRyan]

Mar-Ken10.2

According to Dave's website he has the [FONT=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, san-serif]Mar-Ken10.2 plans for sale. I'm waiting on a response from him on that. I am open to other drivers because of the calibration. A prime size like the Mar-Ken10 would be a perfect fit for my table.

I put a pillow behind the dipole center I'm using and re calibrated. Running the high pass at 120hz for better integration.
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[skeeter99]

I'm a firm believer in keeping the same drivers for your front 3 in a HT type environment for better integration and panning. Even with the cabinets being different, by varying the stuffing in my Mark-Ken12 I was able to get a virtually seamless front stage. If I were you I would definitely make a center with another 10.2 with a box that matches the visuals/space requirements you have. Just my 2cents

Scott

 

[CabinetMakerRyan]

Scott,

Thanks for the advice I like the idea of using another 10.2 in the center and even the surrounds for that matter.

 

[skeeter99]

If budget allows the same drivers for the rear as well I would definitely recommend it. There's something magical when listening to a great soundtrack where your panning all around is completely seamless. It's definitely the way to go.

Scott

 

[buzzforb]

I am about to build the double floorstander and the MarKenT for the 10'2. My brother has a pair and I have a pair, so trying the double will be possible. He wants them but i am more interested in the MarKenT or TT.

 

[chuyler1]

Excellent job finishing those cabinets! I can't believe the mahogany transforms like that without any stain!

 

[CabinetMakerRyan]

Mohaganny

It does transform nicely. One of the few that I really like natural. As a very absorbent wood it stains very well by the way. If you do stain it, make sure to use a dye based stain instead of a pigment based stain. The dye stains do not mask the wood and hide contrast. The dyes will not settle on the bottom of the container.

 

[CabinetMakerRyan]

Center Channell

Just got the plans for the Mar-Ken 10.2 from Dave he does really nice work on his plans. I should have enough Baltic birch to do the center channel. Not sure if I've got the veneer. I might need to go rummaging for small pieces in the shop. I'm hoping that with calibration I can push the Mar-kens down to 40hz otherwise I will be happy with 60hz high pass. This time I will need to breaking before I install the driver. It would years to put hundreds of hours on a center channel.

If it works out well I will do a pair for rears with a custom adjustable 2 axis mounting system made out of the same meterial.

Thanks for all the encouragement guys. I would not have tried so hard if I didn't know you were watching.

 

[skeeter99]

Awesome can't wait to see what your center looks like! What's your thinking for wanting to have your center play so low?

Scott