My 5.1 Build

[cantgetitright]

Hello all,
I thought I would keep track of my first ever home theater speaker build. I don't take a lot of pictures normally so if they seem amateurish oh well.

Ive built some car audio speaker boxes when I was younger but never anything this in depth.

I was going to design my own speakers but minds much smarter than me suggested since this is my first build to stick to opp's. So rather than embarress myself I took there advice. So here it is.

[cantgetitright]

Sub

Here is pictures of my almost completed sub. All I have left is the driver and trimming it out in aluminum. I decided to go with the aluminum because I wanted to protect the edges and itll look great. I am sanding it with 800grit, then 1200 grit, and finally 2000 grit. It gives it that brushed look and takes the shine off. It really looks good and I cant wait to see it when its finished. Sorry I didn't take more pics during the construction but I just decided to keep a log.

[cantgetitright]

Sub

More pics

[cantgetitright]

Center

I decided to go with the statements center channel (cuz Im building Statements for my mains.) I started yesterday morning with the cutting and by last night I was gluing the last of it together. It turned out pretty good. Once I get my circle jig ill cut my holes and recesses and itll be ready for Red Oak veneer.

I am going to be starting my xo builds real soon. Im a little apprehensive but I think if I read enough Ill be fine. I watched a couple of videos and it seems very doable for a newbie. More to come.

[bendaniels]

Re: My 5.1 Build

That aluminum trim is very relevant to me. I am thinking of doing a similar thing with the mains I am building. I haven't decided on the metal yet, but aluminum may be it.

I see you are mitering the angles to meet at the corners. Can you explain what you plan to do to join the pieces at the corners? Just but.t them up and screw in, or will you be doing something to attach the pieces together?

[cantgetitright]

Re: My 5.1 Build

Thanks for the reply Ben. At the moment I am just 45'ing the corners and butting them all up flush. If you cut the angles slowly with a hack saw they come out good. This I figured out with trial and error. I used a few different cutting tools to cut the angles but in the end the hack saw prevailed.
I thought about welding them together when I am done and grinding them up nice. But welding aluminum is tough enough let alone trying to weld an edge like that. So at the moment I am butting them up.

I am using #8 x 1\2" screws to mount the aluminum to the boxes. If you space them out evenly and use sheet metal screws (Sheet metal screws have a flat undersaide to their head rather than a taper that most wood screws have) it turns out good. I used #8 screws from wally world. I bought a bag of a 100 for $2. I put them about every 4". A little 1200 grit sandpaper and they look brushed just like the aluminum.
If your planning on using aluminum to trim your boxes with I bought mine at lowes for $4 for 3 or 4 feet. I cant remember. I got the sandpaper from Autozone. 800, 1200, and 2000 grit. I think it was like ten bucks. So for a little time and elbow grease the brushed aluminum look cant be beat. When I am finished Ill post the pics. But id go with it if I were you. It really does look good. And besides if someone ****** you off you can stab them with the sharp corners of your box. And they are sharp!!!!:D

[bendaniels]

Re: My 5.1 Build

Thanks for the reply.

I have a friend who is a talented metalworker - I might see if he can manage the welding. I will also likely be painting, as bare silver won't work well with the other colors in my build.

That is some quick work you are making of the center channel. I can't imagine making that much progress in two days.

[cantgetitright]

Re: My 5.1 Build

LOL. Yeah it went together rather smoothly. I still have to veneer ,finish, and trim it so I have a ways to go. I started laying out the statements this morning. A bit more complicated than the center channel but I look forward to the challenge. Painting the aluminum would look good. Have you thought about powdercoating it? Not very expensive and I bet it would look great. I went with the brushed metal look to accent the natural finish I did of the red oak. I think when I do all the speakers with it itll turn out good. What do you think?

[bendaniels]

Re: My 5.1 Build

You know, I hadn't thought of powder coating. I had considered a colored anodizing, but PC might be a good options. I'll have to look into that locally.

[Soundslike]

Re: My 5.1 Build

It's looking good -- I'm really interested to see the finished result. The aluminum trim is going to make for a unique look, trunk-like appearance, if I understand what you're doing correctly. It looks like you're using aluminum angle -- is that correct? I've thought about inlaying metal for trim...

Keep us posted...

Great name, by the way...

[duanebro]

Re: My 5.1 Build

I'm impressed. I think I'll try plywood with mitered corners on my next build - It seems that I never finish mdf!

Duane

[cantgetitright]

Re: My 5.1 Build

Thanks soundslike.
My pops hooked me up with a table saw and 5 sheets of 5'x9'x3\4" Particle Board. So I haven't had to purchase a lot of materials yet. Ill have the cabinets built long before I have the money for the rest of it. So is the life of a family man I suppose. Holy cow does a table saw make this go a lot quicker. I was using a circular saw and was it ever tough to cut a straight line with that.
I have the statements 2\3 of the way cut out. I realized yesterday I have a finish nailer that shoots 2" Brads so no more screwing for me!!! LOL

A quick question. Does anyone have any suggestions for the surrounds? I was going to go with the mini statements but I believe they would be a bit ostentatious! But seriously does anyone have suggestions?

[cantgetitright]

Re: My 5.1 Build

Statements are all cut and I started gluing the fronts together. I had to hold off on ordering my parts cuz bills have to be paid.:( Guess Ill have to wait to hear how the sub is going to sound!

[johnastockman]

Re: My 5.1 Build

Thanks soundslike.
My pops hooked me up with a table saw and 5 sheets of 5'x9'x3\4" Particle Board. So I haven't had to purchase a lot of materials yet. Ill have the cabinets built long before I have the money for the rest of it. So is the life of a family man I suppose. Holy cow does a table saw make this go a lot quicker. I was using a circular saw and was it ever tough to cut a straight line with that.
I have the statements 2\3 of the way cut out. I realized yesterday I have a finish nailer that shoots 2" Brads so no more screwing for me!!! LOL

A quick question. Does anyone have any suggestions for the surrounds? I was going to go with the mini statements but I believe they would be a bit ostentatious! But seriously does anyone have suggestions?

I'm not an expert about integration of 5.1/7.1 speakers, but some Mini Statements for surrounds would be amazing...and keep the somewhat-important issue of matching your full 5.1 set-up with all-the-same-drivers. Probably not as critical as the front soundstage being all matched, but if you want to save (maybe get a new sub amp :D), Paul has some very nice budget-friendly 2-way designs:

http://sites.google.com/site/undefinition/diy

The Classix or Overnight Sensations would be a fine choice. Curt has the new AviaTrix designs that are a step up from the TriTrix. Wolf has a proliferation of excellent designs too. Looking great so far...you're going to be literally knocked out with the SQ from the Statements. I will build a pair of Statements in the next year or two. Good news for those that continously ask if I want to sell my current pair of Azurites. Oh yeah, Lou has some excellent designs:

https://www.lonesaguaro.com

Any small 2-way or MTM would work well for your rear channels and save a bit of coin.

John A.

[cantgetitright]

Re: My 5.1 Build

I started assembling the statements today.Im new to this woodworking thing so theres definately a learning curve going on. Ive had to go back and fix a couple of things. And I still have a couple of things to figure out. But all in all its going good. Its 11 and Ive been at it since 6 this morning. But it is a labor of love so I dont mind. Heres some pics of todays work. Not a whole lot done but good for having to go backwards a few times.