Tritrix Build, my first speaker project

[debk]

I am building the components of a 2ch sound system. I have already built a Bottlehead tube preamp and phono stage. With woodworking not being my forte, I have never built speaker before. So when I saw the Tritrix kit I thought I would give it a try. So far the build has gone well and has been a lot of fun to put together.

The partially finished cabinets

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss102/rktdoc/tritrix/P1000054.jpg

The cabinets with crossover and wiring installed

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss102/rktdoc/tritrix/P1000056.jpg

Debra

[debk]

I made some modification to the crossover. I upgraded the capacitors to Sonicaps on the low end and Dynamicaps on the high freq end. I also added a bypass capacitor on the high frequency side. The resistor was upgraded to a Mills 12W resistor


http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss102/rktdoc/tritrix/P1000052.jpg

Debra

[jerryanderson]

Put one of these kits together myself awhile back! Enjoyable build, have fun with yours! Like the upgrade to the x-overs. What kind of finish????:)

[debk]

I am going to use purpleheart wood veneer and a tung oil finish. Never did anything like this so it will be interesting to see how they look when finished


Debra

[joeybutts]

Looking good. Interested in seeing the finish!

[DK1973]

Looks like your off to a great start, I am very happy with mine.

[debk]

The cabinets are all together and recessed grill magnets are in place

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss102/rktdoc/tritrix/P1000058.jpg


with the grill on

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss102/rktdoc/tritrix/P1000059.jpg

Thanks everyone for your kind words.

Next is the hard part, the veneer

Debra

[fastbike1]

Just a note on the purpleheart. Many people are sensitive to the dust (skin irritation, sometimes worse). If you don't know how you react, go with a dust mask and long sleeves. Purple heart will age to a deep brown w/ long term exposure to UV light.

Otherwise, excellent. The Tritrix kit is definitely one of the best bang-for-buck deals going. Will be interested in how you like the phono stage.


I am going to use purpleheart wood veneer and a tung oil finish. Never did anything like this so it will be interesting to see how they look when finished


Debra

[debk]

Thanks for the advice on working with purpleheart wood. I will certainly take precautions.

I love my Seduction phono stage. It sounds very good especially teamed up with the Foreplay III preamp. The tubes give a warm rich sound with a highly detailed immersive soundstage.
If you are interested see the build threads on the Emotiva forum

Foreplay III preamp
http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=diy&action=display&thread=11495

Seduction Phono stage
http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=diy&action=display&thread=10660

Debra

[fastbike1]

Thanks for the build links. I understand the Purpleheart choice now. GIven the preamp, I suggest you forget the tungoil finish and go for a satin finish clear gel/wipeon final finish. Easy to apply. Make sure you get one with some UV protectant. Lowes or Home Depot shouold give you adequate choices.

[debk]

Initially I was going to finish the speaker with the purple dye like the preamp. However since the speaker are going to be up near my projection screen ( my HT and 2ch systems will be in the same room) I thought that the purple might be distracting. Also if I ever want to sell the speakers the purpleheart veneer would be much better for resale.

Debra

[debk]

Thanks for the build links. I understand the Purpleheart choice now. GIven the preamp, I suggest you forget the tungoil finish and go for a satin finish clear gel/wipeon final finish. Easy to apply. Make sure you get one with some UV protectant. Lowes or Home Depot shouold give you adequate choices.

Are you talking about something like this?


http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=24520

Debra

[fastbike1]

Yes. Something like that. While I haven't used that specific product, I've used the "General Finishes Gel Topcoat" that is also linked. I have had good luck with the General Finishes products.

I also greatly prefer wipe on Gels for ease of use and general lower oder.

[debk]

So I would use this over the raw veneer? Nothing else first?

Deb

[fastbike1]

Yes. Tinting purpleheart doesn't make any sense, so you are down to wanting to highlight the grain and preserve the finish.

You will take the same steps as if you were going to stain first, except of course, the stain. Sand your finish to get it smooth. Be cautious because veneer is fairly thin and you don't want to sand through, especially with the cost of purpleheart veneer. The veneer is probably reasonably smooth so that you could probably start w/ 220 grit paper. I don't remember purpleheart being very susceptible to grain raising but you might want to do a quick wipe with a damp cloth after your first sand, just in case.

Given that you are going with Satin finish, I would probably do one more sanding pass w/ 320 or so, or maybe even 000 or 0000 synthethic steel wool and call it good. I usually don't sand between coats of gel finish. If I do, it's definitely w/ 0000 synthetic steel wool. You fingertips are very sensitive, so if the surface feels VERY smooth before the Gel, you're ready for the finsih coats.

Overall it's the same process as if you just wanted to bring out the grain on a natural maple, oak, or walnut finish.

[debk]

Thanks I appreciate the advice

Deb

[johnastockman]

Are you talking about something like this?


http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=24520

Debra


Rockler has good products. The gel wipe-on finish is much easier to control and apply. I've used the Minwax variety, the gel stain and gel satin finish. I used a maple stain and satin poly top-coat on these speakers with PSA maple veneer:

http://custom.smugmug.com/Electronics/Speakers/Maple-veneer-with-satin-poly/262713698_NMEaC-M.jpg

http://custom.smugmug.com/Electronics/Speakers/Speakers-487/18796781_vAqkP-M.jpg


I didn't sand between each coat of poly and ended up with 6 coats. You wipe it on and buff it off, no runs. I built those speakers around '03, '04 and the finish is very durable. Nice job on the grill, the magnetic guides are the way to go. Those little magnets are pretty strong. Let us know how the veneer work is going. Follow fastbike1's tips and you'll have an excellent end result. Lou has a nice tutorial on veneering:

http://www.lonesaguaro.com/speakers/VeneerTutorial.pdf



John A.

[debk]

Those look great!!

[debk]

Put on the veneer, the edges did not turn out great, but ok for my first time doing anything like this. Next is the finish and the listening to them


http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss102/rktdoc/tritrix/P1000060-1.jpg

[goertzm]

Very nice looking.

I am just in the process of building my tritrix cabinets and will be veneering them as well. Any words of advice for getting the edges looking good if you were to do it again?

How did you manage the speaker cutouts?

I spoke with a guy at Woodcraft and he suggested lots of patience and sharp razor blades...

[debk]

A lot of patience and be very careful. I cut my hand trimming the veneer and had to get 10 stitches. I was very lucky that I missed any tendons.

Deb

[fastbike1]

Lowes and Home Depot carry an edge trimmer for veneer. Works pretty well. Inexpensive.


Very nice looking.

I am just in the process of building my tritrix cabinets and will be veneering them as well. Any words of advice for getting the edges looking good if you were to do it again?

How did you manage the speaker cutouts?

I spoke with a guy at Woodcraft and he suggested lots of patience and sharp razor blades...

[goertzm]

A lot of patience and be very careful. I cut my hand trimming the veneer and had to get 10 stitches. I was very lucky that I missed any tendons.

Deb

Ouch... I am sorry to hear that. I will definitely be very careful then.

[debk]

Lowes and Home Depot carry an edge trimmer for veneer. Works pretty well. Inexpensive.

Should have thought of that. Oh well live and learn. I will heal and be fine to do another speaker project in the future

Deb

[fastbike1]

Sooner or later we all bleed for our art :)

My personal experience is that you don't decide you need the edge trimmer until after the stitches. I'm just sayin' :D

[debk]

Well they are finished. I am in awe of how they sound. Almost as good as my $1500 a pair HT front speakers. The bass is surprisingly good, and the highs sound great not to bright. This is amazing I will never buy a pre-made speaker again.

Not the best pictures

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss102/rktdoc/tritrix/P1000061.jpg

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss102/rktdoc/tritrix/P1000062-1.jpg

Debra

[ahegyes]

Congratulations, not bad for a first project.

[johnastockman]

Well they are finished. I am in awe of how they sound. Almost as good as my $1500 a pair HT front speakers. The bass is surprisingly good, and the highs sound great not to bright. This is amazing I will never buy a pre-made speaker again.

Not the best pictures

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss102/rktdoc/tritrix/P1000061.jpg

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss102/rktdoc/tritrix/P1000062-1.jpg

Debra


Yeah, excellent effort for your first project! Thanks for the compliments on my speakers (not actually mine, as Lou C. did the terrific work with the XO and driver compliment). The fact that you'll never buy a retail speaker again is echoed at my house once folks hear the difference a well-designed XO and a very solid cabinet can have on the overall SQ. I've known it since I built my first pair of speakers, the Speakerlab S2. Compared to the popular speakers of the day, the S2 squashed Advents, JBL, Infinity, Polk and many others, especially during informal listening nights we hosted at the audio store I worked at. Glad to hear this won't be your last project. Nice work.

John A.

[hectorloshuk]

Hi John,

I have only used 15" Augies so cant really be of help in deciding which Augie to use. My next build will incorporate 10" Augies though so if I manage to beat you to the punch Ill let you know.

InfernoSTi wrote: I will be trying to dig through the 800 speaker builders threads but thought Id ask up front.