A newer project *PIC*

[troy]

I had some parts about, and was yearning to build a new project, though I had no reason to, so I did anyway. I had two Hi-Vi Tn28 tweeters, two Vifa TC08SD49-08 mid-bass drivers, and two 12 dB per octave high pass filters that cross-over at 3000 Hz. I also ended up installing some L-pads on the tweeters to diminish some of the initial harshness.

I made the decision to build the cabinets by hand, without using power tools. I will never do that again.

The cabinets are made with 3/4" MDF and 1/2" pine plywood layered together, with no veneer. I went with a "distressed" look, rounding off the edges by hand, and sanding away the pine finish in certain places on the plywood. The front and rear extruded baffles are not distressed and finished in a red mahogany stain, while the rest of the cabinet is stained in a red oak, both from Minwax.
They weigh about 11 pounds each, and get useful bass extension to around 85 Hz. They are mild-mannered sounding, with a great midrange, excellent soundstage, good imaging, and just okay everything else.

It was a fun experiment -- and in a small room, with a decent sub, they perform well enough. The photos are of the left speaker, which you have to see in person to appreciate at all, if you even will, but maybe you won't.

<A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/frontdetail.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/frontdetail.jpg</A>

<A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/inputterminal.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/inputterminal.jpg</A>

<A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/leftfront.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/leftfront.jpg</A>

<A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/leftside.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/leftside.jpg</A>

<A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/rightside.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/rightside.jpg</A>

<A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/detailoffinish.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/detailoffinish.jpg</A>

[mikebw]

That's a cool look. I know what you mean about building by hand, it can really take a while, but I do enjoy that sometimes. A labor of love.

> I had some parts about, and was yearning to
> build a new project, though I had no reason
> to, so I did anyway. I had two Hi-Vi Tn28
> tweeters, two Vifa TC08SD49-08 mid-bass
> drivers, and two 12 dB per octave high pass
> filters that cross-over at 3000 Hz. I also
> ended up installing some L-pads on the
> tweeters to diminish some of the initial
> harshness.

> I made the decision to build the cabinets by
> hand, without using power tools. I will
> never do that again.

> The cabinets are made with 3/4" MDF and
> 1/2" pine plywood layered together,
> with no veneer. I went with a
> "distressed" look, rounding off
> the edges by hand, and sanding away the pine
> finish in certain places on the plywood. The
> front and rear extruded baffles are not
> distressed and finished in a red mahogany
> stain, while the rest of the cabinet is
> stained in a red oak, both from Minwax.
> They weigh about 11 pounds each, and get
> useful bass extension to around 85 Hz. They
> are mild-mannered sounding, with a great
> midrange, excellent soundstage, good
> imaging, and just okay everything else.

> It was a fun experiment -- and in a small
> room, with a decent sub, they perform well
> enough. The photos are of the left speaker,
> which you have to see in person to
> appreciate at all, if you even will, but
> maybe you won't.

>
> <A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/frontdetail.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/frontdetail.jpg</A>
>
> <A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/inputterminal.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/inputterminal.jpg</A>
>
> <A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/leftfront.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/leftfront.jpg</A>
>
> <A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/leftside.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/leftside.jpg</A>
>
> <A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/rightside.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/rightside.jpg</A>
>
> <A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/detailoffinish.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/detailoffinish.jpg</A>

[gc1]

Those are really neat... I especially like designs "out of the ordinary"! I have several plans myself, one with a side located tweeter. After seeing yours, now I have the urge to put these ahead of other projects.
Do you have 'em toed in... if so, with the tweeters inside?
Again, great job!

GC

> I had some parts about, and was yearning to
> build a new project, though I had no reason
> to, so I did anyway. I had two Hi-Vi Tn28
> tweeters, two Vifa TC08SD49-08 mid-bass
> drivers, and two 12 dB per octave high pass
> filters that cross-over at 3000 Hz. I also
> ended up installing some L-pads on the
> tweeters to diminish some of the initial
> harshness.

> I made the decision to build the cabinets by
> hand, without using power tools. I will
> never do that again.

> The cabinets are made with 3/4" MDF and
> 1/2" pine plywood layered together,
> with no veneer. I went with a
> "distressed" look, rounding off
> the edges by hand, and sanding away the pine
> finish in certain places on the plywood. The
> front and rear extruded baffles are not
> distressed and finished in a red mahogany
> stain, while the rest of the cabinet is
> stained in a red oak, both from Minwax.
> They weigh about 11 pounds each, and get
> useful bass extension to around 85 Hz. They
> are mild-mannered sounding, with a great
> midrange, excellent soundstage, good
> imaging, and just okay everything else.

> It was a fun experiment -- and in a small
> room, with a decent sub, they perform well
> enough. The photos are of the left speaker,
> which you have to see in person to
> appreciate at all, if you even will, but
> maybe you won't.

>
> <A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/frontdetail.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/frontdetail.jpg</A>
>
> <A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/inputterminal.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/inputterminal.jpg</A>
>
> <A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/leftfront.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/leftfront.jpg</A>
>
> <A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/leftside.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/leftside.jpg</A>
>
> <A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/rightside.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/rightside.jpg</A>
>
> <A HREF="http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/detailoffinish.jpg">http://tesnevada.com/rosespeakers/detailoffinish.jpg</A>

[jtaylor]

Those speakers are a true testament to the skills of the past. I would imagine that there are very few on this board that could cut a straight line with the old handsaw if that was all they had available. If it wasn't for some tips from some old time Carpenters, I would have never mastered the handsaw.

The handmade work along with the distressed finish makes for a unique look. It's too bad more people dont try to go for this rustic antique style finish. With the tweeter mounted to the side, your speaker almost has the appearance of an old telephone, with the tweeter resembling the old ear piece. I'm glad to hear that you enjoy the sound from them. I imagine the comment people make is also very pleasing to hear. Thanks for the originality.

J. Taylor

[troy]

> Those are really neat... I especially like
> designs "out of the ordinary"! I
> have several plans myself, one with a side
> located tweeter. After seeing yours, now I
> have the urge to put these ahead of other
> projects.
> Do you have 'em toed in... if so, with the
> tweeters inside?
> Again, great job!

> GC

Thank you for the nice comments! I do listen to them toed in pretty far, with the tweeters inside, just as you guessed. I tried placing them in many different ways, but that configuration sounded best.

[troy]

> Those speakers are a true testament to the
> skills of the past. I would imagine that
> there are very few on this board that could
> cut a straight line with the old handsaw if
> that was all they had available. If it
> wasn't for some tips from some old time
> Carpenters, I would have never mastered the
> handsaw.

> The handmade work along with the distressed
> finish makes for a unique look. It's too bad
> more people dont try to go for this rustic
> antique style finish. With the tweeter
> mounted to the side, your speaker almost has
> the appearance of an old telephone, with the
> tweeter resembling the old ear piece. I'm
> glad to hear that you enjoy the sound from
> them. I imagine the comment people make is
> also very pleasing to hear. Thanks for the
> originality.

> J. Taylor

I really appreciate your comments, I know this design wouldn't be everyone cup'o'tea. My hand saw skills are not very good, but, my wood-filler, and sanding skills are. I love the old telephone comment!

[troy]

> That's a cool look. I know what you mean
> about building by hand, it can really take a
> while, but I do enjoy that sometimes. A
> labor of love.
I wished I loved their sound a little bit more, but it was fun working on them.