Ebony Lsi9's

24

Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited September 2008
    Nik - Great work and please keep posting pictures.

    In regards to the finish from Polk...it could be better based on the source. The piano gloss on my Quad rig is deep and just plain awesome.
    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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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2008
    nikolas812 wrote: »
    Nope.... I can't justify it. I would just assume buy better speakers. And that is exactly what I plan to do. Been planning to do actually.
    But crossover mods WILL make them BETTER speakers. ;)
    "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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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited September 2008
    Face wrote: »
    But crossover mods WILL make them BETTER speakers. ;)


    I understand that it might make them better.....

    But I am ready to venture away from Polk. Polk makes a great speaker for the price. But I think you can only go so far with them. I will always own a pair of Polk's. But I don't think they will ever be in the Dedicated 2 channel rig. Maybe a Bedroom rig or a HT rig. But not my 2 channel rig.





    Nick
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited September 2008
    mmadden28 wrote: »
    Its eerie.

    So how do the side panels come off (and no I'm not even thinking of trying it) ?


    I wouldn't recommend anybody trying it. It is way to easy for someone to mess up the cabinets beyond repair. It was obvious Polk never intended for the side panels to come off.

    It took multiple flat head screw drivers a putty knife some razorblades and some plastic spreaders I use for spreading body filler on wrecked cars. And a hammer.

    You have to use a putty knife to get the panels to ever so slightly separate form the cabinets. Then wedge the plastic spreader between the cabinets and the panels. Then slow go around the panels with a flat head screw driver and a hammer. Slowly working the panels loose. It was very hard work and I don't ever want to do it again!


    Cheers


    Nick
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited September 2008
    dorokusai wrote: »
    Nik - Great work and please keep posting pictures.

    In regards to the finish from Polk...it could be better based on the source. The piano gloss on my Quad rig is deep and just plain awesome.




    Thanks!


    And will do... As soon as I make more progress...




    Nick
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited September 2008
    My powers back on ****!


    Progress will begin soon. I was tempted to go out and start on them right now.

    But...... I've been drinking a little. So I don't want to take any chances.

    I'll resume progress tomorrow. Pics to follow.




    later




    Nick
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited September 2008
    Alcohol and speaker building/refinishing go hand in hand. Get out there and plug in the power tools.
    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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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited September 2008
    I have applied 3 coats of base coat black. And five coats of clear. They look horrible right now because there so much much clear on them. When you put that much clear on something it just builds and builds and creates an orange peal affect. And the more you put on the worse it gets. But when wet sanded and buffed it gives you that mirror finish and deep gloss. With the amount of clear I put on them I might have to wait a couple of days to for the clear to cure before I can wet sand and buff. Its gonna be worth it!!

    The pictures kind of suck. My camera doesn't like fluorescent lighting for some reason. Once I get them back together I will take some shots outside in hopes of getting some pictures that relay the quality of the paint job better.

    I took a couple picture of the Paint Booth I was using in case anybody cares or would just be interested in seeing it.... I have the ability to spray at any temperature I want and I can bake the paint afterward at 180 degrees to cure the paint in 1 hour. I didn't use this feature because it cost so much in gas to use the bake mode. When only use the baking mode if we have a car that has to go out ASAP.


    Cheers


    Nick

    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0172.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0172.jpg[/URL]
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited September 2008
    Sweet. I wish I had access to a both:(
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2008
    Looks great!

    (let me know when you want to sell them)
    "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 September 2008
    Nik, I know I was against it before, but now it seems wrong to make those things look so good, and do nothing to make them sound better.
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited September 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    Nik, I know I was against it before, but now it seems wrong to make those things look so good, and do nothing to make them sound better.


    I'm not doing it.....

    The only way I will do it is if I end up keeping them for a bedroom rig...




    Nick
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited September 2008
    I love the LSi9's and have no misgivings of making them look awesome without sonic changes.

    cant wait to see them with the maple panels. that is going to be SOOOOO badass!
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited September 2008
    I can't wait....

    I agree. I think they are going to look totally badass with maple panels.

    I wish the cabinet guy would show up with my damn panels.:(





    Nick
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited September 2008
    I got the top of one of the speakers done at lunch today. I'll try to get them completly done this evening.

    This is not a mirror. Its the top of my speaker.:cool::D:cool:


    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0194.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0194.jpg[/URL]
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited September 2008
    :eek::cool:
    Sweeeet!!
    You'll need to handle those with kid(?) gloves.
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited September 2008
    Trust me. They will be babied.;)




    Nick
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  • miner
    miner Posts: 1,305
    edited September 2008
    nikolas812 wrote: »
    Well.... I've had some technical difficulties. Not having any power being the main one. I happen to be 1 of 500,000 people without electricity right now. We are fortunate enough to have a generator or I wouldn't be typing this right now. Hurricane Ike knocked down around 5000 power lines and left a half a million people in the dark..... In Indiana and Kentucky!:eek: I don't know exactly how may miles away Indiana is from the ocean but I am sure its quite a bit. And we still got 70+ mph winds. I had never seen anything like it. We spent most of the day cleaning up the yard and cutting up trees.

    They said it could be 10-14 days before our electric could be turned back on.:(

    Meanwhile the Lis9's sit in the garage patiently waiting.

    I managed to get them both blocked and ready to be sprayed before the power went out Sunday.

    So as soon as the power is back on I'll get back to them. I took a couple of pics but they don't look much different than they did before. So I see no need in posting them.

    Once I make some more progress I'll post more pics.




    Cheers



    Nick

    I was 40 miles from the eye of Ike when he cam ashore. I endured 8 hrs of 75+ mph winds with gusts to 100 mph. Luckily I was w/o power for only 21 hrs.
    [
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited September 2008
    Nick! That's awesome!
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited September 2008
    The next time you see them they will have Maple side panles on them.


    Cheers


    Nick



    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0192.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0192.jpg[/URL]
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    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0200.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0200.jpg[/URL]
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited September 2008
    I think they looked better before.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • miner
    miner Posts: 1,305
    edited September 2008
    Looking better than new
    [
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited September 2008
    ben62670 wrote: »
    I think they looked better before.



    You gotta be kidding...:confused:


    You do know I'm geting maple side panles made for them. Right? Identical to the black panels only in Maple.


    Nick
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,498
    edited September 2008
    Nice work Nick! And I know the effort it takes to accomplish that.

    I'd love to have a finish like that on my speakers.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited September 2008
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    Nice work Nick! And I know the effort it takes to accomplish that.

    I'd love to have a finish like that on my speakers.



    I'm glad its over......



    Nick
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2008
    Looks great!
    "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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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited September 2008
    nikolas812 wrote: »
    You gotta be kidding...:confused:


    You do know I'm geting maple side panles made for them. Right? Identical to the black panels only in Maple.


    Nick
    Sorry Bro.
    I was just busting your stones:D I know how much work that took!
    Looks great;)
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited September 2008
    ben62670 wrote: »
    Sorry Bro.
    LMAO I was just busting your stones:D I know how much work that took!
    Looks great;)
    Ben



    Jeez. I was freaking out. I couldn't figure out why you said that. You didn't leave a smiley. So I didn't know you if were messing with me or not.



    It actually took a lot more work than I anticipated. I was beginning to question myself wondering maybe I shouldn't have done it. But now that its over I'm glad I did.

    Now I just wish I had my Panels and life would be perfect....


    Cheers


    Nick
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited September 2008
    It looks great. I tried to do what you did with no booth, and lacquer spray bombs. Disaster. I have done successful work, but it's a PIA.
    BTW I can't wait to see the finished product:)
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited September 2008
    I think they look phenomenal. I wonder if the paint will have any sonic impact?
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