Sinister Hawthorne Trios - Open Baffle Speakers

SolidSqual
SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
edited January 2012 in 2 Channel Audio
Hey Guys,

Check out this thread over at Hawthorne Audio. I commissioned Darrel Hawthorne to make a pair of his Sterling Silver Trios. He's documenting the build here: http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3527&sid=7dc7279d4557e478f63c1be02cc3b1fc

It's going to be very interesting as the project unfolds. In the end, the speakers made by Darrel will accompany my own hand built Hawthorne surround sound system.

Here's a previous thread where Darrel documented a build: http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3338

Regards,

Mike
Post edited by SolidSqual on
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Comments

  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited May 2010
    Can't wait to watch it unfold!
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited May 2010
    Those look awesome.
    Jake
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited May 2010
    Sounds like you worked out a pretty sweet deal, which includes a review.... Can't wait to read your impressions of those Bohemoths!
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  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited May 2010
    I've never heard the Trios, but have heard the Duets and was very impressed with the quality bass from such a small baffle.

    During a local audio meet, I commented my impressions to a guy sitting at a computer. He said thanks and started talking specs, how he wish they sounded better at the time, and design parameters. After a little confusion I found out I was meeting Darrel and then his lovely wife.
    Make it Funky! :)
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited May 2010
    What happened to the ones you started?
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100244
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited May 2010
    unc2701 wrote: »
    What happened to the ones you started?
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100244

    I'm still working on them. This additional project happened during the course of many conversations with Darrel. Darrel is an artist. He used to work for a film company developing the "skin" used to make robots appear as realistic animals in movies. After seeing what Darrel is capable of, I couldn't resist buying one of his pieces of art.
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited May 2010
    Wow. Yeah, sounds like he can handle sinister. Can't wait to see what he puts together.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited August 2010
    Here is where my build with Darrel is at right now:
    P7140017%7E0.jpg

    I'm also working on making my own tube amp to power the top section of the speakers. More pics to come soon on the amp.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited August 2010
    uffda. Too cool.
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited August 2010
    Awesomeness! I wish I had the talent and patients to do that.
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited August 2010
    The design looks pretty good as far as open baffles go. You'll end up selling them but good luck, enjoy.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited August 2010
    dorokusai wrote: »
    The design looks pretty good as far as open baffles go. You'll end up selling them but good luck, enjoy.

    Hey,

    Have a little faith. People change. I still have my Original Lsi7s.:D You are probably one of the first people that got me into this hobby. Everything I've done is your fault.

    Mike
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited August 2010
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    Hey,

    Have a little faith. People change. I still have my Original Lsi7s.:D You are probably one of the first people that got me into this hobby. Everything I've done is your fault.

    Mike

    We share a couple things in what we try in this hobby, I'm no stranger but I handle my journey in a more private manner. I've found my last speaker but I still keep on ditching them and gear because its fun and I want to hear as much as possible. I'll lockdown when I'm older and anyone under <50 who says "I think this might be it fellas....", or similar diatribe is just a shine towards the next 12 month exercise. I'm sorta excited to see your foray into unknown and love that you choose stuff against the grain and flow of popular opinion and most trends. This is a unique loudspeaker but at some point you'll have to find at least one statement piece for your rig....everyone needs ONE, and this could be it. You're doing a fine job.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited November 2010
    Oh Yeah!
    PA050064.jpg

    Oh, and the plate amps handling the low end of these speakers with the crossover mounted alongside. They look pretty, but depending on performance I might biamp these speaker with my Wyred4Sound amps and use a Prism Orpheus as my digital crossover. The plate amps will then be moved to their new duty for powering a pair of dual open baffle subwoofers. More to come.

    P9050023.jpg

    P9050024.jpg
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited November 2010
    Just the XO:
    P9030021.jpg
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited November 2010
    Man....they look quite spectacular...

    I dont think they even need to be listened to, just stared at in awe....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited October 2011
    They're done and being delivered next weekend!

    http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3527&p=59091#p59091

    P9020054.jpg


    P9020055.jpg


    P9020058.jpg


    P9020056.jpg


    P9020057.jpg
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2011
    Impressive!
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited October 2011
    Notice the compression driver is fully open in the back. These babies are 100% dipole. I'm pumped.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited October 2011
    Doesn't commissioned just mean you paid for them or made a deposit? C'mon...just say that unless it makes it more exotic sounding.

    I've read about those before and they look very promising for an open baffle. The construction is clearly top notch.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited October 2011
    Man, they are definitely unique for sure. Looking forward to final placement pics.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited October 2011
    Funny . . . I thought I was just speaking English??? When used as a transitive verb, "commission" literally means to place an order. So technically, I said exactly what you wanted to hear, just more efficiently.

    I'm pretty excited about these speakers. To your credit Mark, you verbally slapped me in the face about two years ago, encouraging me to find some signature pieces with lasting appeal. Since then, my audio pursuit has changed for the better. I think these speakers are part of that pursuit.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,243
    edited October 2011
    Very Impressive!!! he could hold his own at the RMAF.

    Congrats !!!
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited October 2011
    Very pretty set of speakers. I'm sure they come at a very hefty price. I'd love to hear what they sound like.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited October 2011
    Here's a professional photo:

    October15-2.jpg
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited October 2011
    Beautiful man!
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited October 2011
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    I'm pretty excited about these speakers. To your credit Mark, you verbally slapped me in the face about two years ago, encouraging me to find some signature pieces with lasting appeal. Since then, my audio pursuit has changed for the better. I think these speakers are part of that pursuit.

    Exactly what everyone should do.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited October 2011
    very nice. I really like the stain color that you went with. Enjoy!
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  • cubdog
    cubdog Posts: 835
    edited October 2011
    Those are beautiful! How big is the room you have them in?

    cubdog
    Shuguang Classic S8MK
    Emotiva XDA-2
    Bel Canto M300 mono blocks
    Bel Canto DAC 1.5
    Squeezebox Touch
    Sony SS-M7
    A/D/S L710
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  • rebuy
    rebuy Posts: 695
    edited October 2011
    They are Very nice but I'm confused with the driver complement. It looks like there is only one speaker and two passives.
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