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A while I posted for suggestions on how to rebuild some custom speakers that were given to me. I took some, if not all, comments to heart. Realizing I didn't know what I didn't know, my first order was to commission a crossover design based off a ScanSpeak woofer I selected (ScanSpeak 32W/8878T01 13"). Working with the gent who actually knew how to work the software for crossover design, I decided on a ScanSpeak mid (15M/4624G) and a Transducer Labs tweeter (N26CS). The cabinets were my main catalyst for reworking these, they are really well-built and look great coupled with my vintage Westinghouse console I repurposed as my equipment house. The front baffle on the speakers was two pieces. I decided to add a 1/2" baffle on top of the existing baffle in order to 1) stiffen the baffle and 2) mirror the cut-outs. Based on the specs of the woofer, I also added a 3" port (9" long) to each speaker. I isolated the midrange speakers with a piece of 6" PVC pipe, filled with fiberglass insulation. The crossover design was (from my perspective) fairly complex as this was the first crossover I have built. But I put it together and was pleased to find out a signal could pass thru each path. I realize I could have accomplished the build on a much smaller board, but logically following the signal path helped me understand what I was doing. It ain't pretty but it works. I then painted the new mdf baffle black, the texture of the mdf gave it a crinkle effect which really looks great. So far (given I'm still in the honeymoon phase), I like what I hear. The 13" woofer goes pretty deep and the combination of drivers isn't fatiguing at all. And it sounds great at low volumes, which is how I mostly listen due to an uncooperating War Department. At louder volumes, you can really feel the woofer pound. I had wired some Lpads in to the previous configuration, but I bypassed them on this setup, hoping I won't need them. And I think I won't. Overall really happy and happy I found this place. It gave me a lot to think about as I planned the refurb.
Speakers as I received them. Dig the cool purple velvet grill cloth. These were made in the late 70's / early 80's the best I can tell. Someone in NJ built them and did a really nice job on the cabinets.
My first crossover build. Ridiculously ugly and inefficient use of real estate, but I laid it out so I wouldn't have to worry about the inductors being too close to each other.
Finished product. I really like the look, especially compared to the first picture!
Lined up with my repurposed Westinghouse TV console
On the Westinghouse, I stripped out all the components and built some inserts to house my amp, preamp, phono amp and headphone amp. I then built a compartment under the lids to house turntable stuff (carts, cleaning, etc.) and used a plunger switch to ignite led strips when opened. Where the speakers used to be is storage. I cut out the front panels out of pegboard, covered them with black grill cloth. The middle panels slide to the side, the outside panels are held on via magnets. Only thing left to do is wire in a master power switch. Love the way it looks and the speakers complement it nicely.
Speakers as I received them. Dig the cool purple velvet grill cloth. These were made in the late 70's / early 80's the best I can tell. Someone in NJ built them and did a really nice job on the cabinets.
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