FWIW, my own preferences:
1) Need I say it? Baltic birch (a bit tricky for designs over 60" tall)
2) Most of the cabinets I'm building include sufficient bracing for 15mm BB to work fine, and many of the smaller drivers have shallow enough mounting depths to make front baffles thicker than 18-19mm almost more trouble than they're worth.
3) Generally, simple butts, but occasionally rabbeted joints, and liberal use of air powered brad nailer. If the enclosure never makes it past failed proof of concept, fine; but if worthy of permanent placement in rotation of personal collection or destined for resale, it's only a few more hours for some bondo & sanding / veneering/ finishing.
4) After seriously damaging hardwood, plush and tufted loop carpeting, I've stopped using any type of spikes altogether. Instead, I use the little PSA felt pad furniture gliders; directly on hardwood/vinyl/laminate flooring, and with the addition of a small slab of 30mm thick granite/quartz-stone from countertop offcuts. I recently bought a little diamond wet saw that can easily cut up to 1 1/2" concrete pavers.
5) For my own use, CAT5 (single strand per terminal for most FR / single driver systems). After a few very expensive (for me) spins on the carousel, I simply can't get excited about jumping on the which wire is "better?" ride. I mean honestly, the sales tax on a complete multi-component loom of some of this stuff is more than my entire current audio and video system are worth.
6) Thanks to Bob Reimer for discovering for us the Ultratouch 1/2" (recycled denim fabric) felting with bonded backer. An absolute dream to work with -great for internal panel/wall damping; when necessary, BAF / Acoustistuff for internal fill.
1) Need I say it? Baltic birch (a bit tricky for designs over 60" tall)
2) Most of the cabinets I'm building include sufficient bracing for 15mm BB to work fine, and many of the smaller drivers have shallow enough mounting depths to make front baffles thicker than 18-19mm almost more trouble than they're worth.
3) Generally, simple butts, but occasionally rabbeted joints, and liberal use of air powered brad nailer. If the enclosure never makes it past failed proof of concept, fine; but if worthy of permanent placement in rotation of personal collection or destined for resale, it's only a few more hours for some bondo & sanding / veneering/ finishing.
4) After seriously damaging hardwood, plush and tufted loop carpeting, I've stopped using any type of spikes altogether. Instead, I use the little PSA felt pad furniture gliders; directly on hardwood/vinyl/laminate flooring, and with the addition of a small slab of 30mm thick granite/quartz-stone from countertop offcuts. I recently bought a little diamond wet saw that can easily cut up to 1 1/2" concrete pavers.
5) For my own use, CAT5 (single strand per terminal for most FR / single driver systems). After a few very expensive (for me) spins on the carousel, I simply can't get excited about jumping on the which wire is "better?" ride. I mean honestly, the sales tax on a complete multi-component loom of some of this stuff is more than my entire current audio and video system are worth.
6) Thanks to Bob Reimer for discovering for us the Ultratouch 1/2" (recycled denim fabric) felting with bonded backer. An absolute dream to work with -great for internal panel/wall damping; when necessary, BAF / Acoustistuff for internal fill.
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Plywood
Thanks for all the feedback.
Regarding Baltic Birch - I can only get it locally in 60" x 60" sizes, which would be too short for the height of the cabinet. Is there another recommended species of plywood that comes in more conventional sizes?
Thanks for all the feedback.
Regarding Baltic Birch - I can only get it locally in 60" x 60" sizes, which would be too short for the height of the cabinet. Is there another recommended species of plywood that comes in more conventional sizes?
yeah, that's the rub with the BB, the comparable quality material in more conventional sheet size of 4x8ft generally goes by the trade name "Euro-ply", "ApplePly" or even "marine grade"
by all means if budget permits, feel free to play with laminated bamboo sheet goods, but whatever you do, avoid the Chinese import multiply veneer core plywoods for speaker boxes
(this is not from idle conjecture)
Chris - using spikes...
BeTi (editor of a DIY HiFi mag) ran a thorough test on what to use - he got the best results by sitting on the box.
Now then...two wives of 100 pounds each, as long as it is for a good cause?
😀
Pit
BeTi (editor of a DIY HiFi mag) ran a thorough test on what to use - he got the best results by sitting on the box.
Now then...two wives of 100 pounds each, as long as it is for a good cause?
😀
Pit
What would happen to the sound if I reduced the box height to 60" to work with Baltic Birch? (And therefore reduced the line length.)
just a pita to work with, particularly when grain matching the more highly figured Plyboo Neopolitan pattern (photo, Dave?)
(cabinets shown are for Bud Purvine's Alpair 7s the more "common" Caramelized finish)
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please, no 🙂
even particle board aka K3/ chipboard (not flake-board or OSB) would sound better ('xcuse me while I grab my kevlar vest) If we're still talking about the BIB, one of the reasons for its popularity with DIYers is the simplicity of build derived from the single fold. While I'm sure it would be possible to reduce the overall height to 60" and retain the overall line length, the complexity would increase, and the terminus might need to reconfigured to load to floor for the required boundary reinforcement. There is at least one design for an Inverted BIB, but AFAIK it was intended for smaller drivers and still had only a single internal fold.
I see that there are quite a few Canadians here - are there any online canadian stores that sell Fostex drivers?
Related question: If buying from Madisound in the US - I see that the Fostex 207 speakers are on sale (presumably because these are now an old model) should I consider these or just stick with the new FE206en?
Related question: If buying from Madisound in the US - I see that the Fostex 207 speakers are on sale (presumably because these are now an old model) should I consider these or just stick with the new FE206en?
I sell Fostex -- but all tweaked. Solen sells Fostex, but usually Madisound is less expensive. I get my drivers from them.
As to FE206En vrs FE207, depends on what enclosure you want to build. FE206En really wants a horn. A BIB stradles the divide and will work with either. 206 has better HF extension giving it an edge.
dave
dave
As to FE206En vrs FE207, depends on what enclosure you want to build. FE206En really wants a horn. A BIB stradles the divide and will work with either. 206 has better HF extension giving it an edge.
dave
dave
with most recent currency fluctuations ( CDN @ par US this morning, and predicted to remain there for "a while"), the price advantage may swing even more towards Madisound - provided you can ensure they don't ship via UPS
now you're talking 😛 (further discussions should probably be off forum)
"tweaked drivers" - (not restricted to Fostex) planet_10 hifi
remember my jest about "no contentious issues" on your list?
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Some of the more colourful graphic examples here:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/planet-10-hifi/166518-its-not-easy-being-green-apologies-kermit.html
dave
platplaas,
Where in the great white north are you? That will help us suggest where to get cabinet materials and drivers.
bearberry
Where in the great white north are you? That will help us suggest where to get cabinet materials and drivers.
bearberry
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