To Paint or not to Paint a Speaker

falconcry72
falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
edited August 2013 in The Clubhouse
Is it advisable to paint a speaker Piano Black? If so, what's the best method?

I'm going to try out some Ushers in my HT system. CP6311's as fronts and an X-616. I already ordered the 6311's: Piano Black with Pioneer sides. I'm having a hard time finding a matching 616. I found one in Canada for 900 bucks, but I can get a Piano White/Pioneer in the states for 450. I'm thinking I might want to buy the white one and paint it black.

Should I take it to an automotive shop? Roughly how much would that run?

Should I do it myself? What's the best method? I guess I'd remove all wood panels/drivers/etc. lightly sand it with a fine grain soft block, clean it, and spray it with automotive grade spray paint from a hardware store. I'm pretty good with spray paint... lots of thin coats. Would I use a high gloss paint, or would I use a non-gloss paint and then apply a gloss clear coat on top?

And then the real question... if I end up doing this myself...

WHERE DO I GET THE BLACK PAINT???

And no this was not a buildup to a joke. I do need advice. :smile:
2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2013
    pics:

    attachment.php?attachmentid=80906&d=1359935763

    DSC03860.JPG
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited August 2013
    Jesse--F1NUT is your man. PM him. He's helped me with a couple of "wood finishing" questions.
    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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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2013
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Jesse--F1NUT is your man. PM him. He's helped me with a couple of "wood finishing" questions.

    ... there's something about the phrase "wood finishing" in quotations that just seems... wrong. so you and Jesse are pretty close, huh? :twisted:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited August 2013
    Keep the white center, Oreo front soundstage :cheesygrin:. Beautiful speakers btw!
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2013
    B Run wrote: »
    ..Beautiful speakers btw!

    Thanks man!


    Ok I just pulled the trigger on the white one. I'm not certain that these Ushers will dethrone the LSiM's for my HT speakers, so for now I'm going to leave it stock until I've had time to test the systems. If the LsiM's stay, I'll have an easier time selling the 616 stock. If the Ushers stay, I'll paint the 616 black.

    I still need advice on how to paint this thing though, in the event that the Ushers stay. Thanks.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited August 2013
    Body shop, I would guess 3-400 on painting it(tops), assuming you bring it in dissassembled.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2013
    codyc1ark wrote: »
    Body shop, I would guess 3-400 on painting it(tops), assuming you bring it in dissassembled.

    Body shop would have to be under 200, or I'm doing it myself.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,525
    edited August 2013
    Looks like auto paint to me, take it to a body shop. You should try to find out exactly what brand/color code Usher used for the black ones first because there's a thousand shades of black.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited August 2013
    F1nut wrote: »
    Looks like auto paint to me, take it to a body shop. You should try to find out exactly what brand/color code Usher used for the black ones first because there's a thousand shades of black.

    Good advice. If they can't get you the color code most larger shops should have a paint camera and do some spray outs for you.
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  • cincycat13
    cincycat13 Posts: 882
    edited August 2013
    You could always try to PM nikolas812. I see him here from time to time still. I think he did some 1C end caps as well.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?71657-Ebony-Lsi9-s/page2&highlight=lsi9
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2013
    F1nut wrote: »
    Looks like auto paint to me, take it to a body shop. You should try to find out exactly what brand/color code Usher used for the black ones first because there's a thousand shades of black.

    I will try to find out exactness of their blacks. Good advice. There is one local shop who might do it cheap.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2013
    DSkip wrote: »
    Have you already thrown the 6311's in the system? I'd be shocked if you prefer the lsim over them.

    No I have not! The 6311's are supposed to be delivered tomorrow.

    I'm not expecting this to be a quick fight... I think this is gonna go 12 rounds at the least..
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • Thorton
    Thorton Posts: 1,324
    edited August 2013
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    I will try to find out exactness of their blacks. Good advice. There is one local shop who might do it cheap.

    Try to get the color code as F1 suggests. Based on the picture and the reflected image on the towers, I would guess basecoat + clear coat. I would have to see them in person to tell the exact gloss level. On blacks, you can get a very good match in monocoat or base/clear. They probably flat sand the clear after curing to get the "smooth as glass finish". If you were closer, I'd finish them for you (paint included) for a 6 pack. Good luck.
    _____________________________________________________________________________________________
    Ethernet Filter: GigaFOILv4 with Keces P3 LPS
    Source: Roon via ethernet to DAC interface
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    IC & Speaker Cables: Acoustic Zen, Wireworld, Signal Cable
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,399
    edited August 2013
    I would look for a piano restoration shop. If they can't do it, they will turn you on to a place that can. My Carver Amazings will be going to one as soon as I get the funds to start that project.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,525
    edited August 2013
    John, the black Amazings are auto paint.

    What is called black lacquer on a piano is actually a polyester finish.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,399
    edited August 2013
    I know Jesse. I just prefer the quality of the poly finish over that of auto paint. The look is much richer and more durable.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,525
    edited August 2013
    Auto paint would be the better choice. Polyester is not that durable and is an absolute PITA to repair.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2013
    Thorton wrote: »
    Try to get the color code as F1 suggests. Based on the picture and the reflected image on the towers, I would guess basecoat + clear coat. I would have to see them in person to tell the exact gloss level. On blacks, you can get a very good match in monocoat or base/clear. They probably flat sand the clear after curing to get the "smooth as glass finish". If you were closer, I'd finish them for you (paint included) for a 6 pack. Good luck.

    Damn man, wish I could take you up on that!
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2013
    DSkip wrote: »
    Have you already thrown the 6311's in the system? I'd be shocked if you prefer the lsim over them.

    One big deciding factor will be the sound of the 616. The center channel is critical for HT, and the LSiM centers are really awesome. If the 616 sounds better than the 706 I would be thrilled because that would mean it's the best center channel speaker I've ever heard.

    Another consideration if I keep the Ushers is what to do for surrounds. I'm not going to use the 718's because I want bipole wall mounts. I will only use my current 702's with the LSiM's because they aren't really bipoles. I'm thinking about the Klipsch RS-52ii's.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2013
    F1nut wrote: »
    Auto paint would be the better choice. Polyester is not that durable and is an absolute PITA to repair.

    Jesse, how does the auto-paint-in-a-can from a hardware store do? Is it any good?
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,525
    edited August 2013
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    Jesse, how does the auto-paint-in-a-can from a hardware store do? Is it any good?

    Let me put it this way, I would never try to finish a piece of furniture with a spray can.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • jon s
    jon s Posts: 905
    edited August 2013
    I have done it... It is NOT easy and very time consuming....
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2013
    In the house!

    IMG_1607.JPG

    First thing's first: a good workout/evaluation in the 2-channel rig to see what they're really made of. When the center channel gets here next week I'll throw'em the the HT rig.

    I like them. Great fit and finish for the cost. Also excellent off-axis soundstage and overall off-axis presentation... which would be very beneficial in the HT rig.

    One thing is for sure, my 3.7's have nothing to worry about in the 2-channel rig. :wink: Do the LSiM's have anything to worry about in the HT rig? Maybe. Not sure yet. The center channel will be a big consideration there.

    When the LSiM-705's and Usher center channel show up next week I'll go head to head in the 2-channel rig first, then HT. Should be fun!
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2013
    jon s wrote: »
    I have done it... It is NOT easy and very time consuming....

    Yea that's the impression I'm getting. I'll try to get a body shop to do it if I can.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited August 2013
    Just rent a spray cup and do it yourself and save your cash
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited August 2013
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    In the house!

    IMG_1607.JPG

    First thing's first: a good workout/evaluation in the 2-channel rig to see what they're really made of. When the center channel gets here next week I'll throw'em the the HT rig.

    I like them. Great fit and finish for the cost. Also excellent off-axis soundstage and overall off-axis presentation... which would be very beneficial in the HT rig.

    One thing is for sure, my 3.7's have nothing to worry about in the 2-channel rig. :wink: Do the LSiM's have anything to worry about in the HT rig? Maybe. Not sure yet. The center channel will be a big consideration there.

    When the LSiM-705's and Usher center channel show up next week I'll go head to head in the 2-channel rig first, then HT. Should be fun!

    How do they sound versus your 703's in your 2 channel rig?
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2013
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    How do they sound versus your 703's in your 2 channel rig?

    Hard to say at this point. I haven't had the 703s in that rig for a while. The real shootout will be 6311s vs 705s for the front position in the HT. The 703s will always have a home somewhere in my house.

    From literally 30 min of listening I think I'm liking the LSiMs better for straight up 2 channel music, but I'll probably give it a month to shake out. And the center channel will be key.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2013
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    How do they sound versus your 703's in your 2 channel rig?

    Hard to say at this point. I haven't had the 703s in that rig for a while. The real shootout will be 6311s vs 705s for the front position in the HT. The 703s will always have a home somewhere in my house.

    From literally 30 min of listening I think I'm liking the LSiMs better for straight up 2 channel music, but I'll probably give it a month to shake out. And the center channel will be key.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2013
    I don't know. The ushers sound good. I could see why someone would prefer either. There is not an immediate standout in terms of overall quality of sound, but they certainly sound different.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,394
    edited August 2013
    Ah, you have Usher's back in the house. Still remember how your MD2's sound? I have compared the Usher 6311s to the 705's for home theater.

    The 6311s at Skip's place, with no center. The 705s, I have four of them for front and surround duty, while the 706c lived at the center. My HT is 15 x 25.

    The LSIM's were all powered by a B&K reference 200.5 connected to an Eilte SC37.

    Guess which sounded better? I confirmed this several times. Went to Skip's, came back home, system on, turned it off. I did not listen to my setup for several weeks.

    The movie was Rise of the Dark Knight.

    Halen
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