Introducing..... Ziran

[maynardg]

My DIY Iowa 2009 speaks are finally finished. More hours spent on these than any previous speaker - lots of listening and voicing. But time well spent. The best I've built by far.



MLTL Vifa M26WR-09-08, Tang Band W5-1685, and Vifa DQ25 tweeters.

The goal was to best the Tzu-Jan speaks from last year's contest. I think I have in almost every respect.



XO is 2nd order at ~260, and 4th order at ~2700. The Tang Band was well-behaved on the bottom, but a PITA on the top - I think 4th order is required to best deal with the breakup further up. No baffle step due to the relatively high sensitivity of the M26. Lots of padding on the DQ25 though. Overall sensitivity is ~86db.

I'm looking forward to sharing them with everyone at DIY Iowa.

[PunkSweeper]

NICE, I find it rather heartwarming to see a proper woofer-midrange-tweeter three-way, that design seems to have fallen out of favor, despite being the most logical 3-way setup.

[tpremo55]

Very nice Maynard! (as usual)

I can't wait to hear them!

[nordhaven]

Great finish! I love those big round overs.

[brianpowers27]

Maynard,
I am also excited to see a three way. I love three ways for the unmatched detail that three properly voiced components in a system bring.

Have you had a chance to measure them in room? I am wondering how the low end alignment comprares with the simulation. I would expect to see a slight droop between 250-350hz due to lack of bsc and the distance from woofer to floor.

[jerryanderson]

Very nice build indeed! Looking at the speaker feet, are those the ones PE sold awhile back? Would be nice to find more of those, they add a nice touch!

[maynardg]

Maynard,
I am also excited to see a three way. I love three ways for the unmatched detail that three properly voiced components in a system bring.

Have you had a chance to measure them in room? I am wondering how the low end alignment comprares with the simulation. I would expect to see a slight droop between 250-350hz due to lack of bsc and the distance from woofer to floor.

No, I've been doing this for 10 years without the benefit of in room measurements. I start with decent measurements from reliable sources, modify the files according to measurement conditions to the extent I understand them - then model. I used to use LspCAD, but now use Jeff Bagby's software. Once I get the basic model, I build then listen, listen, listen, modeling each change to see what the +/- effect "ought" to be..... I actually try to ignore the model and not let it drive. I tweak to my room that way.

The Tzu-Jan from last year measured very flat 400 up (the limit of reliable measurement in the room) at DIY Iowa, so I'm not way off.

Very nice build indeed! Looking at the speaker feet, are those the ones PE sold awhile back? Would be nice to find more of those, they add a nice touch!

Yes, those are the PE buyouts. I fully expect them to break under these 80# mosters. They are cheap plastic. I thought about filling in the cavities within the feet with epoxy to stiffen them up.

There would be a market for some nice looking quality pod or outrigger-type feet - are you listening PE?

[johnnyrichards]

There would be a market for some nice looking quality pod or outrigger-type feet - are you listening PE?

+1 I have always liked how they look, wish it was easier to find them for DIY.

[Attlid]

Very nice. I love the wide baffle with the large roundovers. How didi you do those? Is it bendable MDF in the corners?

[dlneubec]

Looks like another home run Maynard!

[maynardg]

Very nice. I love the wide baffle with the large roundovers. How didi you do those? Is it bendable MDF in the corners?

It is the L moulding product here: http://www.geometricforms.net/mdf.html

That is not where I bought it, but I'll be darned if I can find the source now.

[deLuxhifi]

VERY NICE! I was following your build as you were posting earlier progress stages during the build.

BTW, Solen in Montreal has 16 of the Vifa M26WR0908 on sale for $98 CAD each.

[maynardg]

That is a great price. Current full price is $130+, Fortunately, I got mine on eBay for ~$50 a pair.

[andykriech]

Hi Maynard, those look great!

What veneer and finish did you use? Really love the finish work.

Andy.

[maynardg]

The veneer is figured anigre. Sand lightly with 220. Dye with Transtint cordovan dye, mixed per directions in denatured alcohol. Wipe on three coats letting dry completely between. Wipe down lightly with a cloth dampened with denatured alcohol to smooth any lap marks. Apply one coat of General Finishes Seal-a-Cell per directions. Four think coats of General Finishes Arm-r-Seal wiping varnish per instructions, sanding with 400 grit between each coat. If you sand the first coat down to the dye, just touch up with more dye.

[martyh]

Maynard,

Those are beauts! And if you say they out-perform the Tzu-Jan, then it has to be a winner! But will it fall into the same 'Budget' class at Iowa? Because if it does, then I'm not coming!!!

FWIW, mine are just about done as well - pics by tomorrow. (Can you hear the whispers from the cornfields...if you build it....)

Well done!

[maynardg]

Midrange class, same as the Tzu-Jan last year.

I'm an Iowan. I miss the cornfields. Spent many years as a production manager for Northrup King, now Syngenta. Yes, you can hear the corn whisper late at night.

[Paul K.]

They sure do look might pretty and I'm anxious to hear them at Iowa.
Paul

[isaeagle4031]

Nice build!! Wish I could get to Iowa to hear these. What is the dimensions on the cabinet?

[jerryanderson]

No, I've been doing this for 10 years without the benefit of in room measurements. I start with decent measurements from reliable sources, modify the files according to measurement conditions to the extent I understand them - then model. I used to use LspCAD, but now use Jeff Bagby's software. Once I get the basic model, I build then listen, listen, listen, modeling each change to see what the +/- effect "ought" to be..... I actually try to ignore the model and not let it drive. I tweak to my room that way.

The Tzu-Jan from last year measured very flat 400 up (the limit of reliable measurement in the room) at DIY Iowa, so I'm not way off.



Yes, those are the PE buyouts. I fully expect them to break under these 80# mosters. They are cheap plastic. I thought about filling in the cavities within the feet with epoxy to stiffen them up.

There would be a market for some nice looking quality pod or outrigger-type feet - are you listening PE?

I have a set on my center speaker cabinet. They look really nice with the beechwood laminate. I filed/sanded off the little notch's on the mounting surface for a flush fit, seem fairly stuirdy now. PE how bout a curtain call on these little jewels.