It is FINISHED! (almost) and THANKS TO ALL!

[D, Rose]

Hey guys!
I started this project after a friend convinced me that we (him and I) could build my H/T speakers and get way more bang for my buck. He had these computer programs and experience, and I had the tools and cash. So after taking me to a couple highend H/T stores to show me just how pricey this stuff can be, he ordered components from PE. Unfortunately for me, my friend then got a job out of state! So here I am with NO IDEA of how to do ANYTHING, with a wife tapping her foot at my $600 pile of PE boxes in the basement. Not good. I then discovered Tech Talk. After wringing my hands in desperation and crying my eyes out for help, the guys here pointed me to Pete Schumacher, who was very familiar with the drivers my buddy Joe had ordered. Pete had xo plans all ready, with a baffle connection for his particular build. So, with Petes help, and John Stockman, and others, I managed to pull off a completion. So if anyone is in a similar situation, this forum WILL help you get your job completed!!!
Thanks again guys for all the great advice!!! http://s517.photobucket.com/albums/u...ever%20ending/

[maynardg]

Yes! The good folks here ROCK.

[Pete Schumacher ®]

Dale, you are certainly welcome, and your building skills are unreal.

Please stick around and offer advice to those needing cabinetry help . . . LIKE ME!!!!

Awesome job.

[the kid]

geesshhh...I can barely build a square box. Well, usually square...

[jeffa]

The people here are great. I've learned a lot since I found this place but it is a bit of a double edged sword.
Just when I start feeling good I see enclosures like yours and I realize I have a lot more to learn.

[tomzarbo]

Your speakers look very nice and also very stylish. I like the curved sides look and the curved top adds a "kick it up a notch" flavor to it. Also, nice job on the veneer. Did you use glue and an iron to apply that?

How do they sound to you?

TomZ

[captainobvious99]

Very impressive work.

How are you enjoying the sound of your finished work? Nothing better than getting agreat result and knowing you built it with your own two hands.

Also- Thats a cute jr. builder you have there

[D, Rose]

I noticed many "high end" speakers had curved sides, and after asking this forum about any benefit from such, decided to try.After drawing them out, I noticed curving the sides to meet at a point in the back reduced the "sides", giving me a three sided box. Since joints are the weakest point in a box,( I think) I thought that would be good. And they just looked more interesting to me. I built a sound-proof practice room for my rock band, and used some advice from a designer that helped me with that project. He suggested that facing walls in a room only need one surface diffused, as opposed to both. So I curved the top, to reduced reflection between top and bottom. The veneers are from Rockler, and have a very strong adhesive on one side. It was very easy to use, and if you can cut out construction paper dinosaurs with your 3 year old, you could use it.
My wife was against such big speakers in the house, but I have to say, all the curves reduce the perceived mass of the speakers. They flow much better than two large rectangles.
It was fun working out how to build them, and I'll change a couple things for the next set, but I'm very satisfied with my results. The help from this site was always helpful!

[DougP]

That Pete character is an ok guy. His only flaw is that he is almost as opinionated as I am.

Very nice built. Has your wife stopped tapping her foot yet.
Doug

[D, Rose]

These sound good to me. I have never had "good" speakers, and years of playing metal in rock bands and working in a power plant for 20 years have taken their toll on my ears. My neighbor has some expensive KEF speakers, and he says they sound better than his! When he asked me how much the components cost, he physically choked!!!

[D, Rose]

My wife actually "likes" them!!!

[captainobvious99]

These sound good to me. I have never had "good" speakers, and years of playing metal in rock bands and working in a power plant for 20 years have taken their toll on my ears. My neighbor has some expensive KEF speakers, and he says they sound better than his! When he asked me how much the components cost, he physically choked!!!

You gotta love that ! Heh

[Pete Schumacher ®]

These sound good to me. I have never had "good" speakers, and years of playing metal in rock bands and working in a power plant for 20 years have taken their toll on my ears. My neighbor has some expensive KEF speakers, and he says they sound better than his! When he asked me how much the components cost, he physically choked!!!

I have to ask if you've done a "test" on the cabinets for any vibration. Those curved sides and laminated layers, I would think, would help reduce dramatically any panel resonances.

Have you had them cranked up and put your hands to the sides to feel for movement? I'm curious how dead those beasts actually are.

[D, Rose]

next time I crank it, I'll feel for Vibes. I never thought to do that! Thanks, Pete!!!

[D, Rose]

whens the next DIY in Ohio?

[Andy_G]

Nice build..

I particularly like the way you have done the tops of the cabinets.. no vases there

[Pete Schumacher ®]

whens the next DIY in Ohio?

Dayton's event is usually in the summer. InDIYana is usually April.

[davepellegrene]

whens the next DIY in Ohio?

What part of Ohio are you in?

[mgrabow]

Nice job. and no one second guessed your design.... you should feel honored. Do the photos on that web site get any bigger? I was trying to get a close look but when I click on a photo it seams to open another small one.

Very nice job...

[D, Rose]

I think you can opt for full screen pics, the option should be in the lower right corner of any page. Thanks for the compliments, guys!