L800 Finish
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xsmi
Posts: 1,786
Although I love the speaker, I am not too crazy about the walnut veneer. They just seem too plain to me. Whats the best way to get a different/custom look?
2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
Comments
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It would be the same as with any other speaker. One option is to strip the original veneer off and start over and the other is to refinish what's on there now. The veneer surface is large and wraps around the speaker so that would complicate the first option.
I bought the black version rather than walnut because it'll fit in with any room I may move them to over time. -
I bought the black version rather than walnut because it'll fit in with any room I may move them to over time.
My issue with the black ones was the gloss black front.2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout. -
I felt the same way originally and preferred the matte finish thinking it wouldn't show fingerprints and dust as much. Turns out it's not a problem. I do keep the grilles on the front and top since I have the Atmos modules installed.
I do think they'd look good with a light maple veneer on them in place of the black or walnut veneer, but I've been thinking that for decades with Polks. -
Whats the best way to get a different/custom look?
Go with a sexy looking speaker from the start!
Seriously, you are working with a 5 year warranty before you really want to do anything serious. There's always vinyl wrap, Plasti or Hyper dip paint, etc. that can be done anytime and easily removed. Maybe not the backwards step you want to take?
Then, the most serious would be as Emlyn stated, a full strip and re-veneer..... or take it a step further....
Have all new cabinets built using very close dimensions but maybe with a curve the top, curved sides, taper the back, etc. with the finish of your choice for a completely different look.
How far are you willing to go and at what cost? One can measure the internal cabinet dimensions and get the port length, and look at bracing. The height of the drivers to the floor is important. A cabinet can be 3D modeled, then cut via CNC. I've seen DIY speakers using cabinet designs for some of the big names.
The sky is the limit! Imagine all veneered (Front baffle as well) cabinets like these:
2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2 -
I actually like the finish of the first set of speakers you showed. I also liked the finish on the LSiM’s.2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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Those are Aerial Acoustics 7T speakers. I have a pair in my HT/spare stereo system.
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
I like the overall look of the L-800, I just don’t like the choice of veneer.2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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So the set I had, one speaker had a fairly plain walnut veneer and the other had a fairly exotic looking veneer... Both looked pretty sweet. I thought the walnut was tasteful- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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So the set I had, one speaker had a fairly plain walnut veneer and the other had a fairly exotic looking veneer... Both looked pretty sweet. I thought the walnut was tasteful
It is. I just like that high-gloss wood look.2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout. -
that should be easy to do to yours. a little lacquer thinner or such and hi gloss poly, buff
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I actually like the finish of the first set of speakers you showed. I also liked the finish on the LSiM’s.
If you can find the right cabinet builder / audio enthusiasts you could for sure have some LSiM type spray painted finished cabinets or high gloss veneer built.
The key here is the width of the baffle should be exact, then a curved top and possible tapered sides can be done. The total cabinet / compartment volumes and port lengths would have to match.
Also, try to use a similar bracing scheme as the original, and maybe add in some wall dampening on the midrange enclosure section, and polyfill similar to the original.
How bad do you want it? It can be done, its just MDF and paint!
Look around for local cabinet makers, check the DIY speaker forums for crafty DIY'ed in your area. Just for kicks and giggles, send Jim at Salk Sound https://www.salksound.com/ an email with your idea and see what he says. The kicker here is that they would have to tear down the original cabinet and take measurements of the internals and driver cutouts.2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2 -
For sure, they are on my dream list and the cabinets are just beautiful! Something like this can be made with the right builder however the cost might be a turn off. Capable DIY'ers can cut labor costs.
2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2 -
I don't know what the clear coat is on the L800, but suspect it is a water based lacquer. Maybe Polk can tell you for sure as it is important to know what you're starting with.
Anyway, to obtain a high gloss glass like sheen on those you'd have to fill the pores with paste wood filler, which is a very different product than wood filler. After that apply top coats of the appropriate clear coat material. After that has cured the real work starts. Lots of wet sanding up to 2000 grit. Finishing off with rubbing and polishing compounds.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 -
I don't know what the clear coat is on the L800, but suspect it is a water based lacquer. Maybe Polk can tell you for sure as it is important to know what you're starting with.
Anyway, to obtain a high gloss glass like sheen on those you'd have to fill the pores with paste wood filler, which is a very different product than wood filler. After that apply top coats of the appropriate clear coat material. After that has cured the real work starts. Lots of wet sanding up to 2000 grit. Finishing off with rubbing and polishing compounds.
I was really hoping you’d share your expertise on this topic.2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout. -
For sure, they are on my dream list and the cabinets are just beautiful! Something like this can be made with the right builder however the cost might be a turn off. Capable DIY'ers can cut labor costs.
While the cabinets are nice, they are terrible in a HT environment. The problem is they are too shiny, and reflective. I have dark towels draped over mine to stop the light reflection.
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
I don't want to change the cabinet. Just the look of the veneer.2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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I don't want to change the cabinet. Just the look of the veneer.
Well, I guess you have to decide if you want to alter them while still in warranty. From there, a good wood working, cabinet guy should be able to strip and re-veneer .2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2 -
He doesn't want to change the veneer. He wants to change the finish/sheen.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 -
It is. I just like that high-gloss wood look.I don't want to change the cabinet. Just the look of the veneer.He doesn't want to change the veneer. He wants to change the finish/sheen.
Oh Ok, I thought the OP was not happy with the veneer in general. If making them glossy like glass, as in the Aerial Acoustics, F1 already covered much of what it will take. Knowing what finish is on them already and a lot of spaying clear, sanding, and polishing. If you've never done it, leave it to a pro or find some other projects to practice and learn the skill.
I've never finished $6k speakers, but even basic wood projects take a ton of effort to get them to look great.
2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2
