Just completed an Anthology build that I would like to share. Got started into the diy scene with a pair of overnight sensations and was floored with the sound quality vs. price. Next build was a pair of Decware DNAs. This really got me hooked. Imagine a pair of 5 1/2" speakers teaching you how bass should sound? The clarity was astounding. These still are unsurpassed for certain kinds of music, but there is something missing in the single driver speaker, that multiple source ambience that Bose exploited in the 901s. Sound from everywhere. There is no way that a single driver can replicate that. That and the totally annoying fact that an inch or two of placement can take the speaker from fantastic to a total acoustical mess was hard to live with when you share a listening space with others. So, as much as I loved the sound of the DNAs, I was still not satisfied. So, the search went on. I seriously looked into the Solstice and Er18 speakers, but I had heard (or felt) the sub-sonics that the DNAs were capable of and did not want to miss out on that.
I'd love to hear your feedback on the Anthology's sound quality. It's a speaker I never hesitate to recommend to just about everyone that enjoys a wide variety of music. As usual, Curt hit a home run designing the crossover.
Enjoy the music!
Jim
WOW! Jim, humbled to share a post with you! What do I think of your speakers? I've only got to listen to them both together for an afternoon, 'm on vacation now🙂. I was a bit concerned when i brought the first one in and paired it with one of the DNAs. The DNAs are a bit more sensitive and dominated the stage. A less than ideal coupling. When I finished the second one, brought it in and cued up Steely Dans Jack of Speed, a grin slowly stretched from one ear to the other. Clean, dynamic, rich, powerful sound spread through the room. My wife, who tolerated this build surprisingly well even complimented how enveloping the sound was...and with no break in! Can't wait to see how they sound after a few hundred hours. I'm pretty sure this is what I've been looking for, clarity, reach, and a beautiful ambience also. I'm already planning sessions with my like minded friends. While I have your ear, JIM, have you experimented with the foam in the mid tubes? I walked around behind one and the sound was dull, muffled, lifeless. Pulling the foam was like adding more speakers to the build, seemed to broaden the soundstage, but I could now hear the tubes. Seems there should be a compromise.
The build
I decided to use Baltic birch for this build, mostly because I hate working with MDF, but also think it sounds better. Three 5x5 sheets were more than enough. I ripped everything a little wide, then came back and made size when I could control the boards better. A Jasper Jig made quick work of all the holes. I routed them almost through, then used a drill bit in a Dremel to finish cutting them out by hand. Worked very well, the drill followed the hole without gouging and I did not have to screw the centers down to another board.
I decided to use Baltic birch for this build, mostly because I hate working with MDF, but also think it sounds better. Three 5x5 sheets were more than enough. I ripped everything a little wide, then came back and made size when I could control the boards better. A Jasper Jig made quick work of all the holes. I routed them almost through, then used a drill bit in a Dremel to finish cutting them out by hand. Worked very well, the drill followed the hole without gouging and I did not have to screw the centers down to another board.
Attachments
I'm glad you're enjoying your Anthology's. What do I think of them? I'm a bit biased. All the speakers Curt and I have collaborated on are like our kids. We love them all but each one has skills that they excel in.
The Anthology's have the same bass drivers as the Statements (original & series II) and Bordeaux so bass and dynamic capability are equal. They all differ in the mids and tweeter selections. The differences in the mids are primarily in detail reproduction. Tweeters differ in presentation.
Assuming you have your Anthology's placed about 18" away from the rear and outer side walls with no large objects placed between the speakers that will block the reflected rear wave, they should sound like mine. The one inch flat foam in the mid tunnels can be altered to compensate for differences in rooms. They work best in my room with the driver end at the rear of the magnet with a 45 degree bevel and flush with the rear of the cabinet in the back. The rear wave is balanced (in Curt's design room) to blend with the front wave to add ambiance that is lost in closed back speakers. Altering the amount of foam is an easy way to "tune" them to your room and ears. Front end equipment also is a factor. The better the source signal, the better they sound.
The anthology's are the most versatile of our designs and sound really good on almost everything you play through them. They are in one of my systems and get frequent use. Bordeaux are in my main system.
Enjoy the music!
Jim
Build, continued
This was one of the more complicated builds I've done so far. It pays to really think it through before starting and have the whole plan worked out before you start. I had bought the complete kit from Meniscus and it was a joy having all of the parts needed. The guys at Meniscus were great once I found the email address on their site. Got no response using the web form, so it may not be working. Some of my parts were back ordered but everything came before it was needed. I splurged for the upgraded Clarity caps but built the crossovers myself. Had plenty of time to build them while glue was drying.
This was one of the more complicated builds I've done so far. It pays to really think it through before starting and have the whole plan worked out before you start. I had bought the complete kit from Meniscus and it was a joy having all of the parts needed. The guys at Meniscus were great once I found the email address on their site. Got no response using the web form, so it may not be working. Some of my parts were back ordered but everything came before it was needed. I splurged for the upgraded Clarity caps but built the crossovers myself. Had plenty of time to build them while glue was drying.
Attachments
Finishing
The original plan was to buy a sheet of paperback walnut and wrap both speakers in it and be done. However, when I got my veneer, one end was beautifully figured and the other, not so much. Now, you can't have two speakers that don't match so I considered buying another sheet of veneer. In the end, this is what I came up with, I'm pretty happy with it. I used the nicely figured walnut to make panels for the sides, bordered by a burl walnut strip, then a straight walnut "frame". The whole process was done using Titebond glue with the iron on method.
The original plan was to buy a sheet of paperback walnut and wrap both speakers in it and be done. However, when I got my veneer, one end was beautifully figured and the other, not so much. Now, you can't have two speakers that don't match so I considered buying another sheet of veneer. In the end, this is what I came up with, I'm pretty happy with it. I used the nicely figured walnut to make panels for the sides, bordered by a burl walnut strip, then a straight walnut "frame". The whole process was done using Titebond glue with the iron on method.
Done
Here are a few shots of them in my living room. I used a tung oil finish and still need to let them cure for a few weeks, then a final scuff down and wax. A big thanks to Jim and Curt for a great design.
Here are a few shots of them in my living room. I used a tung oil finish and still need to let them cure for a few weeks, then a final scuff down and wax. A big thanks to Jim and Curt for a great design.
Attachments
Very nice! Beautiful cabinetry!
I quick thought about placement. I think what you are hearing with changes in mid tunnel foam are directly related to the entertainment center. Ideally, the TV is wall mounted with an entertainment center that is lower between the speakers, but I'm guessing that isn't negotiable with the significant other. 😉 So, one of these days when she's out shopping, pull the Anthology's out so the rear of the speaker is about 2' in front of the TV portion of the entertainment and see how they sound on some of your best recordings. That should give you a baseline of what they're capable of.
Again, beautiful work! Enjoy!
Jim
Jim, had a couple of weeks now with the Anthologies and thought I would leave my impressions. I ended up with them placed about 2 feet out from the entertainment center and 18” from the back wall. They are imaging nicely there and not having any incoherency issues with the back wave. I experimented a bit with the foam in the mid tunnels and now have Sonic Barrier foam from PE in them an inch from the back of the speakers and trimmed to a 45 angle. The Sonic barrier has a bit of a “skin” to it and does not attenuate the midrange as much as the very open foam that I originally used. What is coming out the back now is very clear and to my ear adds a nice depth to the sound.
I had a friend over tonight and we started out listening to the DNAs. He expressed his appreciation of the clarity and coherence of the single driver speakers along with his amazement of the amount of bass they were able to produce. However, when I switched to the Anthologies, his jaw dropped and the comments started, “hearing every instrument as it was played”, “I can even hear the size of the room they are playing in”, “so clear”, “that one gave me chills”, “I never knew that sound was a stick on the rim” and on and on. I tell you, I was concerned I would bore him with my obsession, but I handed the system over to him and he showed no sign of getting tired of listening after several hours went by. I even noticed that the volume got turned up. A big success I would say.
So, my impression of the the Antholgies? They are not an “exciting” speaker, nor are they a “smooth” speaker, or a “warm” speaker, they are simply the most capable, accurate, uncolored speakers I have ever heard. From the first I had a feeling that something was missing from these speakers, however I could not name it. I finally realized that it was because these speakers were not adding their own signature to the music but were playing as it was meant to be heard. A big thumbs up, Jim and Curt!
I had a friend over tonight and we started out listening to the DNAs. He expressed his appreciation of the clarity and coherence of the single driver speakers along with his amazement of the amount of bass they were able to produce. However, when I switched to the Anthologies, his jaw dropped and the comments started, “hearing every instrument as it was played”, “I can even hear the size of the room they are playing in”, “so clear”, “that one gave me chills”, “I never knew that sound was a stick on the rim” and on and on. I tell you, I was concerned I would bore him with my obsession, but I handed the system over to him and he showed no sign of getting tired of listening after several hours went by. I even noticed that the volume got turned up. A big success I would say.
So, my impression of the the Antholgies? They are not an “exciting” speaker, nor are they a “smooth” speaker, or a “warm” speaker, they are simply the most capable, accurate, uncolored speakers I have ever heard. From the first I had a feeling that something was missing from these speakers, however I could not name it. I finally realized that it was because these speakers were not adding their own signature to the music but were playing as it was meant to be heard. A big thumbs up, Jim and Curt!
Thank you for the exceptional feedback. Your description of the Anthology's defines the end goal Curt and I have had for all of our collaborated projects. We try to take the speaker out of the music as much as possible and make the performance the most important part of the listening experience.
We're very pleased that you're enjoying the Anthology's!
Enjoy the music!
Jim
Very nice build! Thanks for leaving a review, I have been torn between a few of Jim and Curts designs, and enjoy reading about other people's experiences!
Do you know how much your speakers ended up weighing?
Also, was this Cabinet grade Baltic Birch, or just standard plywood? The reason I ask is because usually the cabinet grade is heavier. I need to build as light as possible 🙂.
Thanks,
Tim
Do you know how much your speakers ended up weighing?
Also, was this Cabinet grade Baltic Birch, or just standard plywood? The reason I ask is because usually the cabinet grade is heavier. I need to build as light as possible 🙂.
Thanks,
Tim
Tim, I didn’t know how much the Anthologies weighed other than “a lot”, so I brought out the bathroom scales and got 94 lbs. each. MDF would end up at about 110-115 lbs. These were built from 13 ply, void free Baltic Birch apparently from Europe because of the 1.5x1.5 meter size. You may save 5 lbs by using Big Box Store Birch but I would hesitate on a speaker of this caliber. I’ve built several quick and cheap speakers out of it and find that it is not near as stiff nor as straight as the real deal. It will be 7 ply, 5 plies of junk wood and two paper thin plies of birch. The paper thin plies also seem to separate easily and that is what you will be gluing to. Any curvature in your plywood will make a difficult build impossible. That and when you run a screw in for a speaker and find a big void it’s a bit disappointing. With all the time and effort and money that went into these, I would hate to compromise for a 5 lb. saving. Money wise, you would need two 4x8 sheets from the BBS at about $53/sheet vs three 5x5 Baltic for $55/sheet. About 5% of the entire speaker cost extra.
Wow, those are some heavy speakers! They're still approximately 30lbs lighter than the Statements though 🙂 . I appreciate you taking the time to weight them.
So that pic came through? First I tried to post from Flickr and all I saw was a dead link so I deleted the post.
I opened the link from my email notification. It took me to Flickr. What year is your S2000? I just rolled over 30K miles last week!
It's a 2005, pretty much unmolested (stock). About 40k miles. I'll try to figure out how to get some more pics up that even non members can see.
Veneering done, time to sand and finish. There were small gaps at the joints of the inlay. I used some 220 sandpaper wetted with tung oil finish to create a slurry of sand dust and tung oil that I worked into the gaps, then wiped off the excess. After that dried, just finished as usual with tung oil
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