custom RTA 11

zippty2001
zippty2001 Posts: 232
edited January 2010 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
hello i just got some rta 11tls.. that have not been treated well. the speakers are good but the cabinet is bad. i was thinking about building a new cabinet. wanted to see if any one has any ideas on how to make it better than stock. and want to know what woods make good boxes. i have a buddy who is a woodworker that can help me with the box but he don't know any thing about audio. thanks for all the help if you need any more info let me know.
Post edited by zippty2001 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited September 2009
    I would not build new cabinets if I were you... they were designed specifically to mate with the drivers. If you ensured the cu.ft. was exactly the same, it might not be a big deal... but definitely not worth the work IMO.

    You're better off stripping the current cabinets and refinishing. I have a pair of naked RTA11 cabinets in my basement that I'd GIVE away. Purchase some veneer and do a little research, and you can have them looking better than new in no time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,387
    edited September 2009
    Where are you located? I saw some RTA11T cabinets for sale on CL in Baltimore. They look decent.

    http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ele/1386000564.html
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2009
    Keep the front baffle the same width and height, also make sure the internal volume is the same.

    For improvements, more bracing could be added. Also some foam or fiberglass behind the mids only.

    Materials, use 3/4" MDF or 18mm void free Baltic Birch. Do not use regular birch or regular plywood.
    "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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited September 2009
    skrol wrote: »
    Where are you located? I saw some RTA11T cabinets for sale on CL in Baltimore. They look decent.

    http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ele/1386000564.html

    He's in Indiana.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mjcmt
    mjcmt Posts: 44
    edited January 2010
    Definitely, build new cabinets keeping the same internal volume ast this matches the drivers vMax. You can build a better cabinet using 3/4" - 1" mdf and make it modern w/o the front and rear lip. Use internal bracing that Polk did not do( take volume into account when adding internal bracing). Rewire the drivers to x-over using better wire. Use floor spikes instead of the base Polk used. You will have a better sounding speaker and the pride of a DIY project.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter