Statements - I Finally Started

[greywarden]

Just try to not crush these ones, lol.

[bungelow_ed]

Just try to not crush these ones, lol.

Never gonna do that agin! My current bag is to small..... keeps me from doing dumb things!

[johnastockman]

That is some beautiful walnut. I'm definitely going to have to look into Rockler's PSA Walnut.

Hi Ed, thanks for being such a gracious host on the 12th...and for the help going up & down the stairs! I know you already have the veneer, but I've used the PSA stuff from Rockler and it works very well. A clean, clean, clean surface is important. I used a tack cloth first and then some cheese cloth dampened with 99% iso alcohol to wipe down the boxes before I applied the PSA veneer. The manufacturer (not Rockler) recommends a veneer smoothing blade/knife as opposed to a J-roller for the "pressure" part of the PSA adhesive. I was impressed with the strength of the adhesive, even at the corners and edges. The Azurites were the first project I used the PSA on. That was about 10 years ago and there has been no release of the adhesive. Still firmly attached at the corners and along the edges. I used the Maple variety with the wipe-on stain and wipe-on satin poly. For my physical situation, the PSA veneer is a great product and I've experienced the same terrific results on other speaker cabinets. Really looking forward to getting things together for a Statement Monitor build of my own. Hearing Al DiMeola and the dueling spanish guitars on yours confirmed that I was making the right choice. Thanks again!


John A.

[bungelow_ed]

Hey John,

It was absolutely my pleasure spending some time talking audio and exchanging ideas. We need to do it again sometime. I looked into rooms at work and there are some 30' square w/ 10' ceilings which can be reserved.

Sounds like PSA worked real well for you, I've only used paper backed veneer once. My results were middling to OK. Guess it just goes to show, YMMV.

When you are ready, we should go through my veneer stockpile. Probably something there that would be a nice fit for you Statement Monitors.

On another note, Thanks for reminding me of the Al DiMeola record. I want to find a copy for myself. Good stuff!

[johnastockman]

Hey John,

It was absolutely my pleasure spending some time talking audio and exchanging ideas. We need to do it again sometime. I looked into rooms at work and there are some 30' square w/ 10' ceilings which can be reserved.

Sounds like PSA worked real well for you, I've only used paper backed veneer once. My results were middling to OK. Guess it just goes to show, YMMV.

When you are ready, we should go through my veneer stockpile. Probably something there that would be a nice fit for you Statement Monitors.

On another note, Thanks for reminding me of the Al DiMeola record. I want to find a copy for myself. Good stuff!

Thanks, Ed. I was looking at my old Speakerlab S2 enclosures, pondering a re-purpose into the Monitors. I have been going to use Wayne J.'s Lyra 3-way in them, but another of those projects that stay on the back burner for a while. With my sub in the mix, I cross at 80Hz to the plate amp using the Emotiva USP-1's built-in XO, so the UPA-2 handles everything above that to the front L & R. The S2 cabinets are wider than the Monitors recommended width, the only issue I see. Otherwise they are built strong, with bracing, 45 degree mitered corners and a rabbit for the front baffle so it'll sit flush. Just a thought at this point, as I'm mainly trying to think of ways to minimize my physical input. Oh, the DiMeola album is "Elegant Gypsy". The CD is well recorded, but if you could find a half-speed mastered pressing of it, it would sound fantastic on your big turntable. I forgot another recording I wanted to bring, Michael Hedges - Aerial Boundaries. If you like masterful acoustic guitar, it's his best release. Another of those half-speed cut albums I used to have that would knock the wee out of people when they heard it. The CD is well done, also.


John A.

[bungelow_ed]

John, I am glad to help with the physical aspect of a Statement Monitor build, if you are interested in going that route. The advantage is that you will have a by the book pair of Statements when finished. This also gives me an excuse to keep building speakers. One or two more builds and I'm going to be out of space.

Michael Hedges, I got to see him at an outdoor concert around about 1991-1992 and was truly impressed. What a shame for someone so young and talented to pass before reaching his full potential.

[johnastockman]

John, I am glad to help with the physical aspect of a Statement Monitor build, if you are interested in going that route. The advantage is that you will have a by the book pair of Statements when finished. This also gives me an excuse to keep building speakers. One or two more builds and I'm going to be out of space.

Michael Hedges, I got to see him at an outdoor concert around about 1991-1992 and was truly impressed. What a shame for someone so young and talented to pass before reaching his full potential.

Thanks, Ed. I'm a by-the-book kinda guy, so that's how I'd build. The full-size Statements you're building will take up quite a bit of room! I wouldn't want to interrupt your current project, so whenever it might work for you, we can discuss the details. I'd be over-the-top to have this level of help and such excellent craftsmanship. I've realized that the Speakerlab S2 cabinets are just too wide, so the original plan of the Lyra's going in there will be their re-purpose. I think you have my number, so you can call me at your convenience.

I would have loved to see Michael Hedges live. A sad day when his struggle with cancer took him. The way they recorded "Aerial Boundaries" and the venue where it was recorded is unique, but I can't recall at the moment. It's one of my most favorite albums.


John A.

[bungelow_ed]

John, I'm ready to start your monitors whenever you are. Under the worst-case scenario it would be a couple of weeks before I could start. Whenever you are ready give me a holler.

So, I have been plugging away at the largest speakers I've built yet and am pretty happy with the results. Attached are some pictures with 1 coat of Tung oil and 2 coats of Poly. I'm thinking 1-2 more coats this week, attach the baffles and 2-3 more coats of poly to seal the deal.

One baffle remains to be veneered and I think I'll use hot press glue for that one. One other refinement, I am going to cover the rear baffles holes with black speaker cloth stretched over round frames.

First listen looks to be about 2 weeks from now.

[clydethecat]

I would have loved to see Michael Hedges live. A sad day when his struggle with cancer took him.

Hedges' death was from driving a car off a 120' cliff, not cancer.

[jinjuku]

Hedges' death was from driving a car off a 120' cliff, not cancer.

Ok, I hated laughing. But it was funny. We used his "I Carry Your Heart With Me" as our bride/groom dance song.

[greywarden]

Oh they look horrible, I'll be by later to pick them up and "throw them away" for you

[bungelow_ed]

Oh they look horrible, I'll be by later to pick them up and "throw them away" for you

That's so kind of you.....but I couldn't let you drive all the way here on my account. How about we meet in Sitka and get a little fishing in?

[johnastockman]

Hedges' death was from driving a car off a 120' cliff, not cancer.

Well, I am corrected. Either way, loss of an amazing talent. I've never seen anyone play like that.


John A.

[johnastockman]

John, I'm ready to start your monitors whenever you are. Under the worst-case scenario it would be a couple of weeks before I could start. Whenever you are ready give me a holler.

So, I have been plugging away at the largest speakers I've built yet and am pretty happy with the results. Attached are some pictures with 1 coat of Tung oil and 2 coats of Poly. I'm thinking 1-2 more coats this week, attach the baffles and 2-3 more coats of poly to seal the deal.

One baffle remains to be veneered and I think I'll use hot press glue for that one. One other refinement, I am going to cover the rear baffles holes with black speaker cloth stretched over round frames.

First listen looks to be about 2 weeks from now.

Ed, that veneer looks terrific. What are those little "points" under the speakers? I have some 4"D drain pipe for the stands and I'm going with your method of the threaded rod through the column from bottom to top. What's the stand height that you came up with? They looked to be just the right height when I was sitting in your chair. I think I have enough cans left of that stone-finish paint to paint the stands. Two weeks out is good for me, so let me know if you need anything. I'll start getting the drivers and XO parts. Again, thanks for your generosity and skills. This means a lot to me to have your help. Give me a call and we can discuss the $$ aspect.


John A.

[bungelow_ed]

The points are painters pyramids, they lift the cabinets so I can finish all the way to the base while keeping the cabinet out of the dust.

Stands height is 22" or 24", I think. I'll have to check when I get home.

If you can get the flat pack we are good. My cabinet saw dust collection is not due for another 30 days and I am trying to keep from adding more dust to the shop. If you use Norbert I can pick it up and start assembly any time. As for finish, if it's veneered I have a selection of material that might work. If you want something I don't have you'll have to source it. Let's talk before you buy anything though.

I've also got plenty of 1" open cell foam for the mid-range tunnel and 2" egg crate for the rest of the box.

I'll give you a call this week to discuss the details.

[johnastockman]

The points are painters pyramids, they lift the cabinets so I can finish all the way to the base while keeping the cabinet out of the dust.

Stands height is 22" or 24", I think. I'll have to check when I get home.

If you can get the flat pack we are good. My cabinet saw dust collection is not due for another 30 days and I am trying to keep from adding more dust to the shop. If you use Norbert I can pick it up and start assembly any time. As for finish, if it's veneered I have a selection of material that might work. If you want something I don't have you'll have to source it. Let's talk before you buy anything though.

I've also got plenty of 1" open cell foam for the mid-range tunnel and 2" egg crate for the rest of the box.

I'll give you a call this week to discuss the details.

Excellent! I don't mind having Norbert do the cutting. I'll be around all week, so you can call whenever is convenient for you...oh, after 9AM is good for me. A simple veneer will be fine. I'm partial to the lighter-color varieties, but if you have any suggestions, I'm open to any advice. Thank you, Ed.


John A.

[greywarden]

That's so kind of you.....but I couldn't let you drive all the way here on my account. How about we meet in Sitka and get a little fishing in?

I'll be in Seattle on the 29th On my way home, finally.

[mattsk8]

Those are gorgeous Ed!! I can't wait till you get those built and hear what you think!! To me, they do everything VERY WELL

[bungelow_ed]

After spending a couple hours uninterrupted listening to my monitors I am excited to finish and listen to the full size Statements.

Binding posts and hot press glue is due to arrive today. Cabinets are lined with egg crate foam.....just baffles, wiring and finish work left to complete.

[bungelow_ed]

Well I am approaching completion and thought I'd share a couple of pictures... Only things left to do are paint the rear baffle opening black, add, oh, 3-4 more coats of poly, move them up a flight of stairs and install drivers.

In addition to being the largest speakers I've built they have been the most physically punishing. One weekend a drill press vise fell of the press table onto my foot, two weeks later my other foot stopped a falling cabinet. Needless to say I'm watching out for my gun boats these days. They don't look or feel so good swollen in black and blue with hints of green.....

Anyway, next pictures will be installed in my music room.