Classix II in BR-1 cabinets

[silverD]

I've been on a bit of a build binge recently and after seeing Diskiodo's Classix II in BR-1 cabinets, I was bitten by the bug once again. I was able to build them in a few hours thanks to the BR-1 cabinets which may not be eye candy, but really are a good value. Fortunately, the BR-1's arrived in perfect condition unlike what the packaging would have suggested with a tear in the side of the box. Parts Express should really add more padding in the center of the box to prevent damage to the grills from side impact. What you see in the pictures below is all of the packaging for the cabinets minus the plastic bag each was in. I used some leftover foam I had from electronics packaging and added some polyfill. I'm really liking the cap head wood screws I have been using from Parts Express. The hex head allows for better force application with less chance of slippage versus phillips head in my opinion. Thanks to Paul C. for another great sounding design. The Classix II can sure play low!
-Nate
On to the pictures:

[jhollander]

Re: Classix II in BR-1 cabinets

Nice work. Can you share any more details about the finish of the BR-1 cabinets? I'm thinking about doing a new design and using those cabinets.

[silverD]

Re: Classix II in BR-1 cabinets

Nice work. Can you share any more details about the finish of the BR-1 cabinets? I'm thinking about doing a new design and using those cabinets.

Thanks John, what type of info are you looking for?

[Paul Carmody]

Re: Classix II in BR-1 cabinets

You guys are so smart! I only wish I had thought of this from the get-go. The BR-1 cabinets are perfect because they come with grilles. I'll be the first to admit that hiding the frame of the DC160 behind a grille is the best way to go.

[jhollander]

Re: Classix II in BR-1 cabinets

Your comment was that the cabinets were not eye candy, which makes be think that the finish looks plastic. In the pics they look pretty good. I'm trying to get a feel if the cabinets would match the quality of the RS drivers.

[silverD]

Re: Classix II in BR-1 cabinets

Your comment was that the cabinets were not eye candy, which makes be think that the finish looks plastic. In the pics they look pretty good. I'm trying to get a feel if the cabinets would match the quality of the RS drivers.

I see what you are getting at. The seams looked good where the vinyl met, but I'm not a huge fan of the black ash look. Too much like JBL, Polk, and other big box brands. I'm able to look past this based on the fact I didn't have to finish them myself. If you like black wood, they look completely fine. I can try and get some better pics with the grills on soon. Anything in particular you'd like to see?
-Nate

[jhollander]

Re: Classix II in BR-1 cabinets

Thanks, your pics are good enough for me to try them.

I had bought some HiWave speakers hoping the cabinets were decent enough to repurpose but was thoroughly disappointed

[Jeff F.]

Re: Classix II in BR-1 cabinets

I'm getting close to finishing up a set of Classix II's myself, but not with these cabinets. I do think they look nice though, and so fast to put together, I'll keep them in mind for a quick future build. I like the look of the cap head screws you used, could you tell me what size you used?

[silverD]

Re: Classix II in BR-1 cabinets

John, what HiWave speakers are you referring to?
Jeff, I used these. They worked great for the tweeters (marked and drilled new holes in the cabinet) and the heads were just large enough that they didn't pass through the woofer frame holes, but I found that the pre-drilled holes in the cabinet (which were designed for the DC160) are not centered in each of the 4 woofer frame mounting holes. They all were aligned a bit towards the center of the speaker. This ended up working fine as the screw heads settled just between the woofer gasket and raised frame edge.
-Nate

[jhollander]

Re: Classix II in BR-1 cabinets

This was the project, http://techtalk.parts-express.com/sh...w-Wave-buyouts
They are NLA

[kenrhodes]

Re: Classix II in BR-1 cabinets

I love the reuse of the cabinet. The classix are a very enjoyable speaker as well.
If you wanted to close the gap around the tweeter you could put a O-ring around the tweeter masking it look like a beading detail.

[Jeff F.]

Re: Classix II in BR-1 cabinets

John, what HiWave speakers are you referring to?
Jeff, I used these. They worked great for the tweeters (marked and drilled new holes in the cabinet) and the heads were just large enough that they didn't pass through the woofer frame holes, but I found that the pre-drilled holes in the cabinet (which were designed for the DC160) are not centered in each of the 4 woofer frame mounting holes. They all were aligned a bit towards the center of the speaker. This ended up working fine as the screw heads settled just between the woofer gasket and raised frame edge.
-Nate

Thanks Nate. I was going to use some #8 pan heads but they won't seat properly, they catch on the outside lip of the woofers frame. I have some #6 pan heads as well, I'll probably end up using them. I looked into the cap head design at P.E. and It looks like the size of the bolt heads are either too small or too big to fit just right in the DC160 frame. I wish they made a M4.5 size screw, I think that would be a perfect fit.

[silverD]

Re: Classix II in BR-1 cabinets

John, those look to be of lesser quality than the BR-1 cabinets.
Ken, thanks for the gap filler idea.
Jeff, here are a couple more pics of the fasteners:


-Nate

[kenrhodes]

Re: Classix II in BR-1 cabinets

If you want to use a o-ring but cant find one at the local hardware store let me know and I can get some from work and send them to you. I have the tweeters here so I could find the correct size.

[silverD]

Re: Classix II in BR-1 cabinets

If you want to use a o-ring but cant find one at the local hardware store let me know and I can get some from work and send them to you. I have the tweeters here so I could find the correct size.

Thanks Ken,
I'm not experienced with o-ring sizing, but are you referring to something like this?
-Nate