Check out my new DIY speakers

davidfmartin
davidfmartin Posts: 106
edited August 2009 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Just finished these speaks.
http://www.1414audio.com/Recession_Buster_Speakers.html

They sound fantastic powered from my 3875 gainclone as well as my 10wpc Super T-Amp. In one of the pics you will see my Polk Monitor 5's sitting to the side.

DIY is fun!
My journey: http://www.1414audio.com/
Post edited by davidfmartin on
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Comments

  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited July 2009
    Sweet-Congrats good looking speakers.
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited July 2009
    Very nice.
    "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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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited July 2009
    interesting.....
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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited July 2009
    Very nice. What wood and finish method did you use for the cabinets?
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • davidfmartin
    davidfmartin Posts: 106
    edited July 2009
    strider wrote: »
    Very nice. What wood and finish method did you use for the cabinets?

    3/4 MDF for cabinets.

    10mil paper backed Birch veneer applied with DAP contact cement. Sanded with 150, then 220 to remove paper and glue left by the flush trim bit I used on my router.

    One coat Minwax Prestain.

    One coat Minwax Red Oak 21.

    Two coats Minwax Polyurethane.

    The poly was the hardest part to get perfect (and it's not). I applied the first coat with a rag then lightly sanded using 220, removing dust with tackcloth. I applied the second coat with a brush. I then took a paper bag wrapped around a wood block and rubbed everything again. This seems to take out any micro small dust particles ans bubbles.
    My journey: http://www.1414audio.com/
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,981
    edited July 2009
    Looks Great, Towers Next??

    Congrats,

    Larry.
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  • davidfmartin
    davidfmartin Posts: 106
    edited July 2009
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    Looks Great, Towers Next??

    Congrats,

    Larry.

    Actually I going to make a sub to go with these next. I almost have enough birch veneer left over to make a 15" box. Most likely I will use a 10" driver and cheap plate amp from parts-express. This is what gave me the idea: http://diyaudioprojects.com/Speakers/MAW-10/MAW-10.htm the driver is no longer available so I need to spend the time finding something similar.

    Anyway I'm **** around with RoomEQWizard now so this will keep me busy for awhile.
    My journey: http://www.1414audio.com/
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  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited July 2009
    Nice build!

    Regards,
    Mike
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Consonance cd120T
    Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Usher CP 6311

    Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
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  • John30_30
    John30_30 Posts: 1,024
    edited July 2009
    That birch looks great. I'm guessing those crossovers/plates are from a kit also?
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited July 2009
    davidfmartin wrote: »
    Actually I going to make a sub to go with these next. I almost have enough birch veneer left over to make a 15" box. Most likely I will use a 10" driver and cheap plate amp from parts-express. This is what gave me the idea: http://diyaudioprojects.com/Speakers/MAW-10/MAW-10.htm the driver is no longer available so I need to spend the time finding something similar.

    Anyway I'm **** around with RoomEQWizard now so this will keep me busy for awhile.

    Those look great David ! REW does have a learning curve but once you have it figured out it is a handy tool to have.

    Look forward to your DIY sub.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • davidfmartin
    davidfmartin Posts: 106
    edited July 2009
    John30_30 wrote: »
    That birch looks great. I'm guessing those crossovers/plates are from a kit also?

    Yes the drivers and xovers were the first version of this:

    http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=8525

    Still going for 59.00!

    I am trying to teach myself electronics so I have been a real solder head lately and in this project I wanted to experience the woodworking side of the house and didn't want to solder anything :o

    If you want to see some of my other builds go to http://www.1414audio.com/ and click "Project Builds".
    My journey: http://www.1414audio.com/
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  • themuskr
    themuskr Posts: 149
    edited July 2009
    wow! great work
    2 Mirage OMD-5's (burled Maple)
    1 Mirage OMD-C1
    4 Mirage nanosat MX
    Mirage MM-6
    Def Tech Prosub 100
    Pioneer Elite vsx-40
    BJC cable
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  • dee1949
    dee1949 Posts: 1,425
    edited July 2009
    ...great JOB ! Nice finish work. Did you build the stands too?
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  • davidfmartin
    davidfmartin Posts: 106
    edited July 2009
    dee1949 wrote: »
    ...great JOB ! Nice finish work. Did you build the stands too?

    No, I had those already.
    My journey: http://www.1414audio.com/
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  • madmike
    madmike Posts: 81
    edited July 2009
    One thing that I find that makes a good finish but takes a long time is double boiled lin seed oil, same thing that they use on gun stocks. Being a veneer it might not take as long as a gunstock. once you have 4 or 5 coats of lin seed on then you rub it down with burlap. Rub hard enough to create a little heat. You get a really nice finish that is dust free. Then when you clean you speakers take a soft ,lint free clothe with a touch of lin seed oil and give them a quick rub.

    ***make sure that you use doouble boiled***
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited July 2009
    Very nice work David.That Vifa kit was a killer deal.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • bikerboy
    bikerboy Posts: 1,228
    edited July 2009
    Great job on the speakers. I just ordered a set for myself. This will be the first speaker build for me. I think I will try to veneer the cabinets.
    Main system: Lyngdorf TDAI-2170 w Polk LSiM 703/ Pioneer 42" plasma w Flex Streamer, Sangaen HDT-1tuner
    Vinyl: Nothingham Spacedeck->Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm->Soundsmith DL 103R w Contact line stylus->SUT->
    Bottlehead Eros
    Digital: I7 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY
    CD: DIY Shigaclone
    Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192->Goldwave->i7 PC server
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited July 2009
    I broke down and ordered one the RB2 kits.I don't need any more speakers but at that price why not.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited July 2009
    Wow....I just looked at the price. That is a phenomenal price. I don't know how they are making money at those prices.
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Consonance cd120T
    Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Usher CP 6311

    Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
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  • messiah
    messiah Posts: 1,790
    edited July 2009
    Nice job!!
    "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
    Benjamin Franklin, February 17th, 1775.

    "The day that I have to give up my constitutional rights AND let some dude rub my junk...well, let's just say that it's gonna be a real bad day for the dude trying to rub my junk!!"
    messiah, November 23rd, 2010
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  • davidfmartin
    davidfmartin Posts: 106
    edited July 2009
    madmike wrote: »
    One thing that I find that makes a good finish but takes a long time is double boiled lin seed oil, same thing that they use on gun stocks. Being a veneer it might not take as long as a gunstock. once you have 4 or 5 coats of lin seed on then you rub it down with burlap. Rub hard enough to create a little heat. You get a really nice finish that is dust free. Then when you clean you speakers take a soft ,lint free clothe with a touch of lin seed oil and give them a quick rub.

    ***make sure that you use doouble boiled***

    The reason I wanted to avoid an oil finish is what I perceived as maintenance. I live in a very dry climate (Lakewood, CO.) and didn't want any up keep. My assumption was that an oil finish would require a rub down from time to time and I don't even dust :)
    My journey: http://www.1414audio.com/
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  • christo4
    christo4 Posts: 29
    edited July 2009
    David,
    Thank you for letting me audition these beauties! (I had the privilege of hearing them a couple of weeks ago when I bought a pair of RTi4s from David--Thanks again for those, I love 'em). Anyway, very nice job on these. They look and sound fantastic! Also, good to find you on the forum after having met you in real life.
    Best wishes,
    Chris
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  • davidfmartin
    davidfmartin Posts: 106
    edited August 2009
    christo4 wrote: »
    David,
    Thank you for letting me audition these beauties! (I had the privilege of hearing them a couple of weeks ago when I bought a pair of RTi4s from David--Thanks again for those, I love 'em). Anyway, very nice job on these. They look and sound fantastic! Also, good to find you on the forum after having met you in real life.
    Best wishes,
    Chris

    Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the RTi's. Even though I'm in to DIY, I will always have a pair or two of Polks around the house :D
    My journey: http://www.1414audio.com/
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