My most recent DIY speaker builds.

zarrdoss

From left to right Solstice from Parts Express, Zaph Audio SR-71 from Madisound, and XLS Encore from GR Research.
The Solstice was a knock down cabinet kit, I had to assemble the Cross-overs and used ClarityCap for the highs and Mills resistors instead of the supplied Dayton. Finished with red oak Veneer and Briwax teak furniture wax. The front baffles are done in a piano black.
I built the cabinets for the SR-71's, actually the ones the XLS Encore are in first and then had a bunch of MDF left over and wanted to build something different. So I built the multi faceted front baffle cabinets and did a piano black finish on them.
I had the XLS encore in another project which I gutted and then just put them in the old SR-71 cabinets.
These kits are a real value for anyone with experience woodworking, they are a great way of getting excellent speakers that would cost way more than the initial build cost.

[Deleted User]

Nice!

Conradicles

Good job man! Very rewarding projects.

zarrdoss

Thanks, yes they are. Everyone that has listened to them has been thoroughly impressed. They use all Seas drivers, the Solstice use all Morel and the XLS use Peerless. here are some more pics.

skrol

Sweet!

F1nut

Nice work!

What did you use for the gloss black?

Mike Reeter

Very nice work indeed zarrdoss, would love to get my ears on all of them.

zarrdoss

F1nut wrote: »

Nice work!

What did you use for the gloss black?

Thanks, Its a real pain, I used Zinsser shellac primer to cover the raw MDF then sand spot putty more primer more sanding then Rust-Oleum black lacquer and clear. Then wet sand with 1000 grit then 2000 grit. Then used tuttle wax heavy rubbing compound and a buffer in a drill then medium compound then polish and then a final hand polish. A real pain but worth it in the end. The XLS are the same process but just to black paint.

zarrdoss

Mike Reeter wrote: »

Very nice work indeed zarrdoss, would love to get my ears on all of them.

Thanks, They all have thoroughly impressed the hell out of me. Especially the Solstice, some of the best speakers I have heard period. They dig deep too, I have not needed a sub with them. The SR-71's are no slouch either, get really low for a bookshelf into the mid 30's. The XLS Encore are just a wonder that a kit that costs less than 200 bucks with assembled cross overs can sound so good.
I have probably bought my last brand name speakers, well my last anything for a while, This DIY hobby is very addicting.

Jim Shearer

Nice to see someone else here into building! Very addictive.

I've had more fun (and learned SO much more) designing & building (and spent less $$) than I ever could have buying commercial speakers.

Cheers, Jim

MrBuhl

Beautiful work, I am always tempted to try building some, I haven't since college, and you can imagine the results from those days. Sounded pretty good considering, but looked like hell!

Toolfan66

Very nice Kevin... love it..

Conradicles

Room treatments! Something a lot of folks here could use. Nice!

zarrdoss

Thanks for the likes and comments. I accidentally deleted this, its the first picture first post.
Yes room treatments, I was never a believer until I tried them, now cant imagine going back. It would be like going back to using my receiver to power my speakers instead of a separate amp.

Dawgfish

Very, very nice! Great work!

pavlograd

I built a pair of Soltices too, and friends are all impressed. But, I've got to stuff that port hole in the rear, because I think they are a big 'one notey' on the bass. I veneered with waterfall bubinga and they look gorgeos - although I'm still rubbing on Tung oil.

zarrdoss

Pics? I haven't noticed anything but smooth accurate bass from mine. They do dig surprisingly deep though. Do you have them too close to the rear wall? I have mine pulled out about 18" from the rear wall. I had them closer but bass was too much. I don't feel the need for a sub with these.