Yet Another TriTrix Build from a First Timer

[longballlumber]

Hello All,

Yep you got it, my first post showing my TriTrix build. I have hanging around for a few weeks reading then searching, reading then searching… My wife and I have been tossing around the idea of buying a set of speakers. I was close to buying a set of Monitor Audio BR5’s (or BR6’s) when I stumbled onto the TriTrix kit. I figured for the cost it would be a nice way to try out speaker building.

I do realize that I won’t be showing most of you anything you haven’t already seen or done. However, I am posting these pictures for those of you that would have some suggestions or comments that would help as I proceed in my build.

I have been working on these for a few days now so most of what you’re going to see has been done for awhile now. Here are some cabinet build.

Best regards,
Mike

[longballlumber]

One thing I did do is "screw" in the hurricane nuts using some washers and some spare SHCS I had laying around. The reason I did this is to allow the teeth of the hurricane nut rotate and "bite" the material rather than just hammering them in as they show in the video.

[longballlumber]

You can see from my pictures above, the enclosure ready to wire soon. I just need to add the transition board tomorrow, glue’n screw and it will be ready to start wiring everything up. Today was the day that I started working on the XO components. I took some advice from other threads and used peg board for the base. I like the idea of gluing and tie rapping the components for additional security. Soldering the components was easy for me, as I a lot of experience from my other hobbies.

[longballlumber]

I have one of the crossovers nearly 95% complete. From what I can tell I have everything wired correctly regarding the schematic. PLEASE, let me know if you see an error. I will be finishing up the XO with connectors at each of the + and – connections just in case I ever need to remove the XO of maintenance.
More over the next few days…

Thanks for looking,
Mike

[Chris Roemer]

I have one of the crossovers nearly 95% complete. From what I can tell I have everything wired correctly regarding the schematic. PLEASE, let me know if you see an error. I will be finishing up the XO with connectors at each of the + and – connections just in case I ever need to remove the XO of maintenance.
More over the next few days…

Thanks for looking,
Mike

Like most DIYers, those will most likely be the last speakers you'll ever have to build.

Welcome, and Happy New Year.

[mgrabow]

Nice job on the xover... I like when people actually take the time to make them look good and not just twist them together in a heap of parts...

[ckmoore]

Agreed.

Making the crossover look good is akin to gearheads making the engine look good on muscle cars. It doesn't make it go faster... but knowing how good it looks under the hood, sure makes it seem that way...

[arlis_1957@yahoo.com]

very nice. i think you and the wife made a good decision building these. what have the two of you decided for the finish? its cool if shes involved too.

[longballlumber]

Thanks for all of the positive comments guys. You have no idea how long I thought about the XO parts before I started gluing and soldering...

The second one went together quickly this morning. I have also completed both of them 100% with the disconnects and all... The disconnects were probably overkill on the terminal side, but it won’t hurt.

As you can see I did add a little solder on the connectors for that extra security. I used .250 Females on the binding post side and I used .250 Males on the speaker output side. I used the .250 connectors so they would be different than the .187 connections on the speakers. I will be labeling the speaker side soon so I know which wire goes to which speaker.

[longballlumber]

Here is a place where I would like your input PLEASE. As you can see in my pictures, I have placed the XO within the enclosure where I think it would work best. I should still be able to get to it incase maintenance is necessary on the XO.

Do you think this position is OK? Hopefully it won’t adversely affect the sound since it’s located in the TL opening. I plan to run my wiring to the speakers up the inside surface of the TL panel. Suggestions and comments are welcome.

[longballlumber]

very nice. i think you and the wife made a good decision building these. what have the two of you decided for the finish? its cool if shes involved too.

As for the finish, I haven't made a decision yet. It sounds like painting these MDF enclosures can be a pain either way. I have read several threads all with different techniques.

I was thinking a Black Satin Paint finish or a Black vinyl finish. I still have some time to decide. I won't be able to start sanding to finish until I can get it out side.

Later,
Mike

[BigPervy]

Hey I too just recently brought the TriTrix kit and I'm in the process of building mines. I haven't gotten to the crossovers yet but looking at how you did yours makes me want to copy your style.

As for your xo placement, I'm not sure if placing it there will affect performance or not. However I had decided with mines that I was going to build removable bases that will hold the xo's for my TriTrix.

[Steve]

Mike-

That's where I put my crossovers and haven't noticed any bad effects.Like you,I thought it would be a good spot in case repairs were needed.

I'm sure you and your wife will enjoy many hours of listening to these great speakers!

Steve

[longballlumber]

Thanks again guys I appreciate your input. Here is where I am at as of this morning. Once the wife wakes up, I am going to clamp the sides on and give them a test run. If all goes well, I will glue'n screw!!!! I am so pumped right now. I have HIGH expectations for these!!!!

Enjoy!

Later,
Mike

[longballlumber]

How does the stuffing look? I will have a listen to them with the side clamped on and make adjustments as necessary.

[urshurak776]

You have totally inspired me. I am very new here and just loved the looks of the TriTrix. I was a bit daunted as I had never done these before. My wife said "try it!". So I just bought them. I just bought a soldering station also (never done that either...). If it would not be to much, Can I ask some questions?

1. The original build in the project showcase said they used foam lining above and behind the drivers. Does the kit come with it? I see the poly fill, but not the foam. I saw another thread where somebody used foam on the walls and ceilings. behind the drivers.

2. Does the kit come with speaker grills?

3. I have no idea how I am going to finish them. Veneer would be best, but that can get expensive...

Your build looks absolutely incredible. I can't wait to hear how they turned out. Thanks for indulging this "newbie..."

[Mark65]

I'm pretty sure that both of you guys are going to find it extremely difficult to find the urge to take them apart again to do the finishing. They're that good.

Nice work, those are well put together! I would think that you might get some whistling over the xo components, being located in the terminus like that, but it should be easy enough to move them if that happens.

Looking good!


Mark

[SteveB123]

How does the stuffing look? I will have a listen to them with the side clamped on and make adjustments as necessary.

Did you use half a bag in each?
Did you glue it to the back wall, or is it just sitting there?

[longballlumber]

Did you use half a bag in each?

That sounds about right.

Did you glue it to the back wall, or is it just sitting there?

For the first listen, I had it “lying” in there. I didn’t glue anything.

For the next audition I then pulled all of the pollyfill out and had a listen. I had more bass, but it wasn’t as tight.

Another thing I am going to try is some acoustical foam on the top and along the angled back panel directly behind the woofers. I am hoping that will be a good middle ground.

Thanks
Mike

[lostboy77]

Make sure you give the woofers A LOT of time to break in. On the pair I built I way over stuffed at first, using about 3/4 of a bag per, then kept pulling it out until I had just a very little bit draping over each of the braces.

At the time it sounded perfect . . . now that they have been playing for about a month, I keep on opening them up and adding a little bit here and there and they still seem to be "growing" on me.

Even the tweeter seem to be getting smoother with time. (that or my ears are getting more and more used to how speakers are supposed to sound).

That sounds about right.



For the first listen, I had it “lying” in there. I didn’t glue anything.

For the next audition I then pulled all of the pollyfill out and had a listen. I had more bass, but it wasn’t as tight.

Another thing I am going to try is some acoustical foam on the top and along the angled back panel directly behind the woofers. I am hoping that will be a good middle ground.

Thanks
Mike