Thanks for the additional info. I was searching online for some examples of what you're describing with the felt and only found one at this link and shown in the image below. That's fairly easy to implement on a small bookshelf speaker like that, but will be much harder on my large grilles.
I'm sure I could figure something out. Foam would probably more practical for my application, but there may also be a fairly large gap between the baffles and the grilles that would be harder to fill. I think the minimum gap I could achieve would be 3/4", but I was also thnking about placing the baffles on an angle to create some toe-in. I got this idea from the vintage speakers shown below, but this which would create a much larger gap. Now that I think about it, I would imagine this might also increase the possibility of vibrating grilles, but I'm not sure. So I'll have to keep that in mind.
I'm sure I could figure something out. Foam would probably more practical for my application, but there may also be a fairly large gap between the baffles and the grilles that would be harder to fill. I think the minimum gap I could achieve would be 3/4", but I was also thnking about placing the baffles on an angle to create some toe-in. I got this idea from the vintage speakers shown below, but this which would create a much larger gap. Now that I think about it, I would imagine this might also increase the possibility of vibrating grilles, but I'm not sure. So I'll have to keep that in mind.
So... I've been slowly picking away at this project and I'm pretty happy with it so far. I tried installing the baffles on an angle to create some toe-in, but I found I lost a lot of bass for some reason. So I scrapped that idea, and went back to the original setup with the baffles parallel to the back wall and it sounds better.
Over the last few months I've also restored a Scott LK-72-B integrated amp and it sounds great with the Altecs.
I feel pretty confident that I will be happy with the audio qualities, so I'm moving forward with the cosmetic details like the frames that will hold the grill cloth.
A couple posts back I shared a prototype frame with an arched top and today I made a simpler rectangular one. I'm going to live with them for awhile, but I'm curious if anyone here has a preference?
My feeling now is the arched top adds a little extra style, but it will also be a bit more difficult to construct. So I'm weighing those factors as well.
The frames will be painted the same colour as the cabinets and I will be using Guilford of Maine acoustic cloth as seen below.
I will also be looking at some of the ideas mentioned previously to dampen the frames, but I haven't noticed any problems so far, even with the prototype frame sitting loosely in the cabinet opening.
Cheers,
Andy
Over the last few months I've also restored a Scott LK-72-B integrated amp and it sounds great with the Altecs.
I feel pretty confident that I will be happy with the audio qualities, so I'm moving forward with the cosmetic details like the frames that will hold the grill cloth.
A couple posts back I shared a prototype frame with an arched top and today I made a simpler rectangular one. I'm going to live with them for awhile, but I'm curious if anyone here has a preference?
My feeling now is the arched top adds a little extra style, but it will also be a bit more difficult to construct. So I'm weighing those factors as well.
The frames will be painted the same colour as the cabinets and I will be using Guilford of Maine acoustic cloth as seen below.
I will also be looking at some of the ideas mentioned previously to dampen the frames, but I haven't noticed any problems so far, even with the prototype frame sitting loosely in the cabinet opening.
Cheers,
Andy
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No experience with rock wool beyond ripping it out of old speakers, but when stuffing a cab, Altec used Owens-Corning 6" thick? pink FB insulation for attics and thick walls and its 700 series when just adding a bit of wall damping.
Before the bean counters took over, they used pegboard as the grill cloth back plate to create a grill 'sandwich' and as you say, foam could be used to fill the gap.
Those look really good.
I have a similar livingroom built in and have been waiting to do something like this.
I have a similar livingroom built in and have been waiting to do something like this.
Excellent work!
I remember a very old book written by someone at Altec showing cabinet drawings and photos of actual installations. I particularly remember a photo of Altecs built into a brick wall on either side of a big fireplace. talk about non-resonate cabinets!
Keep us posted as you progess.
Best, Fred
I remember a very old book written by someone at Altec showing cabinet drawings and photos of actual installations. I particularly remember a photo of Altecs built into a brick wall on either side of a big fireplace. talk about non-resonate cabinets!
Keep us posted as you progess.
Best, Fred
I posted pics from that book awhile back. https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...-built-in-cabinets.405859/page-3#post-7809128
That inspired me to pursue this idea.
That inspired me to pursue this idea.
Yeah, the man that literally 'wrote the book' on W.E./Lansing/Altec cinema horn designs chose IB for HIFI, so while I've thoroughly enjoined many different horn systems, got to admit that the false wall IBs I did for others using co/tri-ax speakers did provide a more 'HIFI' performance, especially for up to late '50s AM/FM/vinyl mono apps and to this day still prefer well done mono over early stereo even with stereo speakers I grew up with.
Thanks. If I was really ambitious I might try something like the cabinet below with the tambour doors that conceal the speakers. I think that could look very nice on a built in cabinet.
https://furnishmevintage.com/mid-century-modern-console-stereo-garrard-turntable-mahogany-wood/
Thanks for the suggestion about the pegboard. I've been thinking of various ways to attached the Guilford of Maine acoustic fabric over such a large area and I'm worried about stretching it evenly to avoid sags, wrinkles, etc. Attaching it to some pegboard first might help avoid some of those problems. So I'll be giving that some more thought when I get to that stage.
After talking to a friend about the rectangular vs arched frames, I decided to go with rectangular. They tie-in better with the lines in the built-ins and, as my friend said, it's a more timeless look. I initially thought I would make a test frame out of mdf and then make the final frames out of oak, but they're going to be painted anyway, so I'm going to stick with the mdf and see how it looks when painted. It's more stable and less likely to warp or have problems from temperature and humidity changes too.
Cool! Would be nice see more pictures of the room to see where the amp, turntable, etc were located and how they were displayed.
The article lists the electronics that are in a closet off to left, so apparently somewhere to the rear of the curtained window.
It's been slow going, but I finally finished the speaker grills last night using Guilford of Maine fabric in eggshell. I'm really happy with how it turned out and it sounds great too. Now I can get back to work on the floors and the rest of the room.
Need a 'green with envy' smilie 
