I've been debating what my next build would be for quite a while. I finally decided on a pair of Frugal-Horn 3's with Alpair 7's. I was ready to pull the trigger on the A7's one evening last week, but for some odd reason decided to hold off. The next day a DIYAudio member was selling a pair, along with a pair of CHP-70's (I already have a pair and LOVE them). I bought both pairs for less than the pair of A7's would have cost if I had ordered them the night before.
So, now I have the A7's and I put them on some very low volume music tonight to get them broken-in.
I got the cabinets built today. I used 5/8 inch chipboard, which is what I almost always use for my speaker builds. They are still pretty rough, but as long as I like the sound, I'll veneer them and do my best to make them look good. I'm going with a supra-baffle so I can try different drivers.
The pictures kind of walk through the build. The first two show how I drew out the curve. After I positioned the yardstick properly, I traced it so the line was visible. Then I used a jigsaw to cut it. Once I had it cut, I marked that piece as my template. If I like the FH3's, I might want to build some more for me or for someone else; thus, the template.
Once I had my template, I used it as the pattern to draw/trace my four sides. Then I cut-out each side piece with my jigsaw. I stayed outside the line I had traced using my template. Once I had all four rough-cut, I lined up my template with the lines I had drawn, screwed it to the side piece, and used my router to trim off the rough-cut edges.
From there, I measured, set, and glued the inside baffles to one side, making sure they were setting 90 degrees to the side. If I do another pair, I might try routering a "dado" slot, like the CNC flat packs. However, my way seemed to work well.
Next I put some of the lining on, and then attached the other side with screws and no glue yet. I want to be able to play with the amount of stuffing, so until I'm done with that, I'll wait to finish gluing everything.
The hole for the speaker is larger than the speaker needs; it's a 5" circle. I then rounded the inside of the hole in the front baffle.
My next step will be the supra-baffle.
Hopefully that was clear enough to follow. I took pics along the way. Maybe they'll clarify my steps.
This wasn't as complex as I had feared. It wasn't as simple as my other builds, but it wasn't bad. A table saw (or circular saw and straight edge guide), a jigsaw, a router, and a drill are the power tools I used. Once I figured out how to draw the curve to the measurements provided, it was pretty easy.
I'm all ears if there are any suggestions.
Mike
So, now I have the A7's and I put them on some very low volume music tonight to get them broken-in.
I got the cabinets built today. I used 5/8 inch chipboard, which is what I almost always use for my speaker builds. They are still pretty rough, but as long as I like the sound, I'll veneer them and do my best to make them look good. I'm going with a supra-baffle so I can try different drivers.
The pictures kind of walk through the build. The first two show how I drew out the curve. After I positioned the yardstick properly, I traced it so the line was visible. Then I used a jigsaw to cut it. Once I had it cut, I marked that piece as my template. If I like the FH3's, I might want to build some more for me or for someone else; thus, the template.
Once I had my template, I used it as the pattern to draw/trace my four sides. Then I cut-out each side piece with my jigsaw. I stayed outside the line I had traced using my template. Once I had all four rough-cut, I lined up my template with the lines I had drawn, screwed it to the side piece, and used my router to trim off the rough-cut edges.
From there, I measured, set, and glued the inside baffles to one side, making sure they were setting 90 degrees to the side. If I do another pair, I might try routering a "dado" slot, like the CNC flat packs. However, my way seemed to work well.
Next I put some of the lining on, and then attached the other side with screws and no glue yet. I want to be able to play with the amount of stuffing, so until I'm done with that, I'll wait to finish gluing everything.
The hole for the speaker is larger than the speaker needs; it's a 5" circle. I then rounded the inside of the hole in the front baffle.
My next step will be the supra-baffle.
Hopefully that was clear enough to follow. I took pics along the way. Maybe they'll clarify my steps.
This wasn't as complex as I had feared. It wasn't as simple as my other builds, but it wasn't bad. A table saw (or circular saw and straight edge guide), a jigsaw, a router, and a drill are the power tools I used. Once I figured out how to draw the curve to the measurements provided, it was pretty easy.
I'm all ears if there are any suggestions.
Mike
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Thanks Dave. Can you explain that for me? Not sure what you mean by "(potential) gain."
Mike
Almost. The FH3 has more (potential) amplitude lift on the bottom. I say potential as you can control quantity with damping.
Scott is the one with a definitive answer, but he is off in the wild on a retreat.
dave
If you're up here again, let me know. Maybe my listening area will be back to normal.
I haven't had a good sit-down session with them yet. My listening area/environment has changed for the foreseeable future. However, I will make some time and arrangement soon to give them a good listen. Meanwhile, I'll just let them keep playing. I started them playing last Sunday night (over a week ago) and they haven't stopped since. For the first 4 days they were playing at very low volume. Since them, I have bumped up the volume closer to a normal listening level and added a little bass. So, at least they're going through a good break-in period.
Mike
I have these set up for listening now. I did the stuffing per the info on the FH website. So far..... I must say I am not disappointed in the least. I have a few weeks of low level volume on them. I'm giving them a little more juice for the time-being. I'm playing the "Art of Noise" station on Pandora.
VERY NICE! (That's an understatement.)
Clean, clear, crisp, appropriate bass, nice highs, everything in between is great too.
No harshness. Very easy on the ears.
I was listening to a Steely Dan station on Pandora earlier; a lot of '70s and '80s music. Again, VERY NICE!
I have them about 6 feet from me, about 6 feet apart, toed in slightly. Imaging is great. The wind instrument on Enigma's Principles of Lust/Sadness/Find Love is right in front of me; not at either speaker- in between them. The lusty whispering woman is moving around in front of me.
These are well worth the time and effort to build.
I'm running them off a Sony STR-5800 SD receiver. I'll try my Jolida next.
Great speakers.
Yep, I REALLY do like them.
Mike
VERY NICE! (That's an understatement.)
Clean, clear, crisp, appropriate bass, nice highs, everything in between is great too.
No harshness. Very easy on the ears.
I was listening to a Steely Dan station on Pandora earlier; a lot of '70s and '80s music. Again, VERY NICE!
I have them about 6 feet from me, about 6 feet apart, toed in slightly. Imaging is great. The wind instrument on Enigma's Principles of Lust/Sadness/Find Love is right in front of me; not at either speaker- in between them. The lusty whispering woman is moving around in front of me.
These are well worth the time and effort to build.
I'm running them off a Sony STR-5800 SD receiver. I'll try my Jolida next.
Great speakers.
Yep, I REALLY do like them.
Mike
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