Inspired by exposure to the original EPI microTowers (by Winslow Burhoe) in our youth, Chris & I, with Scott Lindgren's help, have come up with a tribute to this landmark vintage product,
We have come up with a small bipolar ML-TL for either the Marl Audio CHR-70, CSS EL70, or Planet10-HiFi E70eN (with an appropriate port) that with the exception of being 1" taller is the same size as the original.
Since we were squeezing drivers into a format instead of making the boxes fit the drivers, we have held off release until actual builds were heard. We now have both a traditional microTower with CHR70eN & a castle variation with EL70eN. We like them both.
We are quite pleased with these. Bass is exceptional (a bit of port damping required if you get them too close to a boundary), WAF is high, build is easy.
The design quickly generated a bunch of variations, including a chubby/omnipole version and a halfTower that can be a floorstander or a wall-mount.
Plans are just being detailed and i will post a link within the next week.
dave
Attached is a comp of most of the variations.
Edit: 02-jun-15 microTower maps & documentation
We have come up with a small bipolar ML-TL for either the Marl Audio CHR-70, CSS EL70, or Planet10-HiFi E70eN (with an appropriate port) that with the exception of being 1" taller is the same size as the original.

Since we were squeezing drivers into a format instead of making the boxes fit the drivers, we have held off release until actual builds were heard. We now have both a traditional microTower with CHR70eN & a castle variation with EL70eN. We like them both.
We are quite pleased with these. Bass is exceptional (a bit of port damping required if you get them too close to a boundary), WAF is high, build is easy.
The design quickly generated a bunch of variations, including a chubby/omnipole version and a halfTower that can be a floorstander or a wall-mount.
Plans are just being detailed and i will post a link within the next week.
dave
Attached is a comp of most of the variations.
Edit: 02-jun-15 microTower maps & documentation
Attachments
Hi Planet 10. Thanks for doing this great work on cabs for the CHR-70! I've been waiting for this.
Would you by any chance have a variant that will work properly with a single driver per box?
Thanks much.
Would you by any chance have a variant that will work properly with a single driver per box?
Thanks much.
audiosteve said:Hi Planet 10. Thanks for doing this great work on cabs for the CHR-70! I've been waiting for this.
Would you by any chance have a variant that will work properly with a single driver per box?
Thanks much.
Yes, that's included in the documentation soon to be released.
I can tell you that having heard 2 versions of the the mT's (CHR70 and EL70), there's definitely some magic going on with the bipole/"castle" configuration.
or maybe it's just memories of selling hundreds of pairs of the original funky white EPI towers in the 70's, and countless hours of Doobies and the Brothers "Listen to the Music" (oh yes, this was the 70's, and inhaling was involved) , CCR "Suzie Q", and ELP "Lucky Man"
Bet they worked well on Doobie Brothers material then Chris... 😀 I always did like the Harlech / Howard S3 semi-omni configuration.
audiosteve said:Would you by any chance have a variant that will work properly with a single driver per box?
yes, saw it in half and you get a halfTower.
I haven't done a visualization of this one yet, but have an early version of the wallMount variation on the halfTower. Note that the brace in this visualization is too short, our actual build revealed some front panel vibration just below the driver so the brace was lengthened, Also the orientation of the application has the bulk of the box above the ear & the port firing at the ceiling. Bevels were also added to match a full set of small wall mount surrounds and a centre.
dave
Attachments
chrisb said:or maybe it's just memories of selling hundreds of pairs of the original funky white EPI towers in the 70's, and countless hours of Doobies and the Brothers "Listen to the Music" (oh yes, this was the 70's, and inhaling was involved) , CCR "Suzie Q", and ELP "Lucky Man"
There should be some Doobie Brothers spinin' at the upcoming "fest".😀
You should finish a pair of the new towers in white, just for nostalgia sake.

Jeff
vinylkid58 said:
There should be some Doobie Brothers spinin' at the upcoming "fest".😀
You should finish a pair of the new towers in white, just for nostalgia sake.
Jeff
sorry there won't be time for the paint job, but you can feel free to blast a pair together.
but for the nostalgia aspect, since there's a good chance of at least one fully functional vinyl rig, everyone feel free to bring their favorite early 70's analog treasures, I'd particularly like to revisit Donna Summer, "oooo, luvtaluvyababby", or how about some Foghat, "Slow Ride"
Oh gawd no, not Foghat - just go straight to the source and listen to Spinal Tap instead 😀
Those Castles look great - any special room / position requirements?
gus
Those Castles look great - any special room / position requirements?
gus
chrisb said:but for the nostalgia aspect, since there's a good chance of at least one fully functional vinyl rig, everyone feel free to bring their favorite early 70's analog treasures, I'd particularly like to revisit Donna Summer, "oooo, luvtaluvyababby", or how about some Foghat, "Slow Ride"
I have a nice copy of Sweet's "Desolation Boulevard". Remember "Ballroom Blitz"? 😀
Jeff
I'm looking forward to building some of these really soon since the CHR-70 is pretty much my favorite driver right now. Looks like a really simple build. I look forward to getting started on it.
That can't be played in the UK anymore without a large number of Gene Hunt-isms rapidly following in it's wake. 😀
Doobie Brothers. I always liked Takin' it to the Streets myself... the CD's better than the vinyl though.
Doobie Brothers. I always liked Takin' it to the Streets myself... the CD's better than the vinyl though.
Scottmoose said:That can't be played in the UK anymore without a large number of Gene Hunt-isms rapidly following in it's wake. 😀
Ruth and i are getting into Ashes to Ashes. Really enjoyed the US remake of Life on Mars (fantastic ending -- i'm guessing the UK version ended somewhat differently -- we only caught 1 episode (not the 1st) and there was too much context missing)
dave
Ashes to Ashes = great TV. Love it. I've got this urge to buy snakeskin boots and an early Quattro.
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OK - I gotta ask the dumb question - what does a driver on the top do for you instead of one on the front and one on the back ?
Gorgeous veneer work there by the way !
Gorgeous veneer work there by the way !
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