I Built the Tritrix, DIY vs. Polk
I had been admiring Curt Campbell's MTM, transmission-line design for some time and when I decided I "needed" something more for the shop, that that was the perfect opportunity to build them.
Perhaps the hardest part in this exersize was latching onto a pair to build. The Parts Express kit is so wildly popular, it seems that whenever P.E. get enough stuff together to put them on sale, they sell out in a couple days.
Since these were to be "shop" speakers, I wasn't going to finish them or otherwise spend more than the $214.95 that it took to get them to my door. The same went for tools, I would make do with what I had.
Since I only had 2 short and 2 long clamps, I used them to hold the work(2 or 3 glued pieces)in position while I stapled them together with an air-powered brad gun. This eliminated waiting for the glue to dry, drilling guide holes and installing the supplied dry-wall screws and made short work of the cabinets. They were done in an evening.
Installing the drivers and making and mounting the X-overs occupied the next evening with time left over.
After some needed "break-in"(A misnomer, no?), it was time for a listen. Noticibly less efficent than the Monitor 50's they were replacing, the modest Onkyo reciever could get them up to 2-car garage-filling sound, abeit, at the expense of 3/4's gain. Something the Monitor 50's could not do without beginning to protest. The robust Dayton drivers make this a speaker that will take a licking, without fear of damaging a anything.
Although the Tritrix uses 5 1/4' Woofers, I suspect that the three woofer Monitor 60/TSi400 would be a more worthly contender.
But would I go with the tritrix for "in-house" system? Probably not.
I'm no woodworker and finishing cabinets is not something that I particularly enjoy, so for the same cost(Newegg promo prices), I would go with either the Monitor 60 or TSi400(the only thing needed to be done with them I.M.O., adding some acoustic absorbson material). At moderate levels, I don't think the TriTrixs have anything on the Polks. Given that the Tritrixs are the acknowledged value leader in DIY speakers, it really makes one wonder how Polk can produce the Monitor/TSi line and remain solvent.
But for the patio, block-party, bring on the Tritrixs.
Perhaps the hardest part in this exersize was latching onto a pair to build. The Parts Express kit is so wildly popular, it seems that whenever P.E. get enough stuff together to put them on sale, they sell out in a couple days.
Since these were to be "shop" speakers, I wasn't going to finish them or otherwise spend more than the $214.95 that it took to get them to my door. The same went for tools, I would make do with what I had.
Since I only had 2 short and 2 long clamps, I used them to hold the work(2 or 3 glued pieces)in position while I stapled them together with an air-powered brad gun. This eliminated waiting for the glue to dry, drilling guide holes and installing the supplied dry-wall screws and made short work of the cabinets. They were done in an evening.
Installing the drivers and making and mounting the X-overs occupied the next evening with time left over.
After some needed "break-in"(A misnomer, no?), it was time for a listen. Noticibly less efficent than the Monitor 50's they were replacing, the modest Onkyo reciever could get them up to 2-car garage-filling sound, abeit, at the expense of 3/4's gain. Something the Monitor 50's could not do without beginning to protest. The robust Dayton drivers make this a speaker that will take a licking, without fear of damaging a anything.
Although the Tritrix uses 5 1/4' Woofers, I suspect that the three woofer Monitor 60/TSi400 would be a more worthly contender.
But would I go with the tritrix for "in-house" system? Probably not.
I'm no woodworker and finishing cabinets is not something that I particularly enjoy, so for the same cost(Newegg promo prices), I would go with either the Monitor 60 or TSi400(the only thing needed to be done with them I.M.O., adding some acoustic absorbson material). At moderate levels, I don't think the TriTrixs have anything on the Polks. Given that the Tritrixs are the acknowledged value leader in DIY speakers, it really makes one wonder how Polk can produce the Monitor/TSi line and remain solvent.
But for the patio, block-party, bring on the Tritrixs.