Dayton RS180 L/C/R Build

[lamski]

Re: Dayton RS180 L/C/R Build

I'm definitely waiting to hear your impressions on that center channel and how well it matches with the towers...

[coniacvsop]

Re: Dayton RS180 L/C/R Build

I'm definitely waiting to hear your impressions on that center channel and how well it matches with the towers...

Me too I'm not sure how completely seamless the the front stage will be, but I'm thinking for my ears, I probably won't be able to tell the difference. My small living room probably causes more problems than anything else. My original plan was to pair up some of the RS version Microbes for the rear surrounds to replace the HTIB speaks I have right now, but my couch is flush up against the rear wall and the sound is so localized that it bothers me some what. I'm toying with the idea of throwing another tweeter in the mix and building the bipole version of Paul C's Overnight Sensations. I know there are quite a few people who mismatch their surrounds and seem to like them. It seems like there is a lot of varying opinions on the Bi/Di Pole setup vs monopole, but until I can get some more room behind me, I think I might need to switch it up since they're literally inches behind my head. I'll probably continue the build in July. I see you're down in San Jose, so if you want to make a trip up to the City to get a listen once they're finished, I'd be more than happy to audition them for you.

[lamski]

Re: Dayton RS180 L/C/R Build

Me too I'm not sure how completely seamless the the front stage will be, but I'm thinking for my ears, I probably won't be able to tell the difference. My small living room probably causes more problems than anything else. My original plan was to pair up some of the RS version Microbes for the rear surrounds to replace the HTIB speaks I have right now, but my couch is flush up against the rear wall and the sound is so localized that it bothers me some what. I'm toying with the idea of throwing another tweeter in the mix and building the bipole version of Paul C's Overnight Sensations. I know there are quite a few people who mismatch their surrounds and seem to like them. It seems like there is a lot of varying opinions on the Bi/Di Pole setup vs monopole, but until I can get some more room behind me, I think I might need to switch it up since they're literally inches behind my head. I'll probably continue the build in July. I see you're down in San Jose, so if you want to make a trip up to the City to get a listen once they're finished, I'd be more than happy to audition them for you.

Sounds good... I would love to come take a listen. I also built a pair of the RS microbes I could bring to demo if you were thinking about those.

I also have a small place and I ended up using a wall mounted ceiling facing surrounds. It's a unique design but is very effective for tight spaces for surrounds but not for multi channel music (dvd audio or SACD) if you use that format. The crossover was designed to give a very "surround" type of sound when the speaker is right above the listening position.

This is what I use now:

http://gr-research.com/av-1rs.aspx

[coniacvsop]

Sounds good... I would love to come take a listen. I also built a pair of the RS microbes I could bring to demo if you were thinking about those.

I also have a small place and I ended up using a wall mounted ceiling facing surrounds. It's a unique design but is very effective for tight spaces for surrounds but not for multi channel music (dvd audio or SACD) if you use that format. The crossover was designed to give a very "surround" type of sound when the speaker is right above the listening position.

This is what I use now:

http://gr-research.com/av-1rs.aspx

I've seen that speaker floating around the forums, looks promising. I really only listen to stereo music so I think one of these diffuse surrounds might be what I'm looking for. I would really like to hear the microbes as well. I should have this build done sometime this summer, so we should set something up after that. I'll be around the forum.

[lamski]

Re: Dayton RS180 L/C/R Build

any updates?

[coniacvsop]

Re: Dayton RS180 L/C/R Build

Ok, so I'm back from the dead. Two moves later, I'm settled in the Portland, OR area. It has been awhile since I have taken a look at these bad boys. I was able to finish up all the crossovers for the CC and give them a test run outside the cabinet. As far as I can tell, everything is playing what they should, which is good news.




The tweeter sounded a bit hot, but I won't really know till I get it in the cabinet. Zaph had provisions to pad that down with bigger resistors, so that is always an option.



I did some more patch work and sanding on the cabs and felt like it was a good point to test them out before I continued on. My girlfriend's yoga mat makes a pretty good kneeling pad.






I just ran a bunch of Radio Shack test leads and some speaker wire with alligator clips for test purposes. No lining inside the cabs yet and they were definitely not sealed tight with just the clamps used to keep the rear baffles on.




First Impression.....These things are bada**. They are extremely clear and articulate. I'm glad I decided to go with the tower design, as I was mostly listening to them in Direct mode on my receiver, taking out the sub. Plenty of bass to play full range on their own, but they also sound great with the sub crossed at 60hz. I didn't run the audyssey program either, so that should dial them in considerably when the time comes. Part of me is sad to take them apart so I can finish them. My plan is to paint the baffles with textured black paint and then veneer the inner portion with etimoe that I have had kicking around for a couple years just for this project. I am looking to finish the veneer with Minwax's Tung Oil "Finish." I realize this is not true Tung Oil, but I also don't want to wait days or weeks in between coats. I'm definitely putting down some Zinsser Sanding Sealer on the painted surfaces so the MDF doesn't just drink up that paint. I'll see how it works out.

[jakelots]

Re: Dayton RS180 L/C/R Build

love the build!! I've always wanted to build a system using the rs180's. What finish are you thinking of doing?

[lamski]

Re: Dayton RS180 L/C/R Build

Good to see this project is still alive. I'm following closely and still want to hear your input on that center channel and how well they match up to the towers.

[coniacvsop]

Re: Dayton RS180 L/C/R Build

Good to see this project is still alive. I'm following closely and still want to hear your input on that center channel and how well they match up to the towers.

I didn't forget about you Lamski. Unfortunately I'm not in the Bay anymore so the audition may have to wait. I'll keep you updated on the build though.

[coniacvsop]

Re: Dayton RS180 L/C/R Build

love the build!! I've always wanted to build a system using the rs180's. What finish are you thinking of doing?

I'm doing a two tone approach that many have completed in this community. I chamfered both the front and rear baffles and plan on painting each in rustoleam textured black to kind of give them a double ended look. I learned my lesson from my first tri trix build, that you have to seal up the mdf first or you will just be spray painting forever. I am going to attempt my first veneer project on the side panels with an etimoe paper backed sheet I have. I'm not sure if I will have enough for all three. I'm trying to figure out one of these cut sheet programs so I can get and idea.

[jakelots]

Re: Dayton RS180 L/C/R Build

I'm doing a two tone approach that many have completed in this community. I chamfered both the front and rear baffles and plan on painting each in rustoleam textured black to kind of give them a double ended look. I learned my lesson from my first tri trix build, that you have to seal up the mdf first or you will just be spray painting forever. I am going to attempt my first veneer project on the side panels with an etimoe paper backed sheet I have. I'm not sure if I will have enough for all three. I'm trying to figure out one of these cut sheet programs so I can get and idea.

very true!! that mdf really sucks in the primer and paint. Plaster works beautifully to counter that. what kindof approach are you going to use to get the veneer on? very tedious process! I use m3 adhesive and that worked very well, no bumps/bulges.

[jakelots]

Re: Dayton RS180 L/C/R Build

can't wait to see the finished product! those speakers will sound amazing

[coniacvsop]

Re: Dayton RS180 L/C/R Build

very true!! that mdf really sucks in the primer and paint. Plaster works beautifully to counter that. what kindof approach are you going to use to get the veneer on? very tedious process! I use m3 adhesive and that worked very well, no bumps/bulges.

I'm using Heat Lock, iron on type glue. The veneer is a paper back. I have just started cutting the pieces. My plan is to use a flush trim bit on my router to trim it back. I have never done it before, it should be interesting. I may need to flatten out the pieces a little more as they are a bit wavy

[jakelots]

Re: Dayton RS180 L/C/R Build

I'm using Heat Lock, iron on type glue. The veneer is a paper back. I have just started cutting the pieces. My plan is to use a flush trim bit on my router to trim it back. I have never done it before, it should be interesting. I may need to flatten out the pieces a little more as they are a bit wavy

that should work great!! the router is probably your best bet, i used a utility knife to cut all the veneer off lol hope the best for you!

[coniacvsop]

Re: Dayton RS180 L/C/R Build

So three moves, a divorce, and countless hours cussing at my stupid mistakes, I have finally finished these things! It was all worth it! All I have to say is WOW. One thing about this hobby is you never know if it's all going to work out at the end. It looks like Jeff B's design is now going by the name "Denhams" at DIY Sound Group. These things are spectacular. I am glad I built them in the tower design so they could dig down a little deeper. I find myself listening to 2 ch music exclusively in Direct Mode off of my receiver. They provide a perfect amount of bass for all different types of music. It's way cleaner than tying in my Titanic sub. I will just use that for HT now. Imaging is great, guitars sound live. Acoustic sets are fantastic, but electronic and reggae sound amazing as well. The vocals are like butta! As far as the Zaph 3.5 Center. Amazing. Dialogue is crystal clear. I have a recliner that is about 30 degrees off axis that I struggled to hear in with my old Polk CS1. Zaph's design sounds just a clear at this position. It even sounds great at 45+ degrees off axis. This was my main reason for building the 3 way and it seems to have payed off. Part of me wishes I had built the vented version to get a little more low end, but I think I'll live. This thing was SUPER bright when I first ran it with my old Audyssey settings. I re-ran the program and it padded that thing right down and it sounds great. There were several people asking previously about how it blended in with the the two towers and I think it does a wonderful job. I have demoed it with quite a few movies and I can't hear any type of discrepancy with panning audio across the front stage. The opening scene of Master and Commander is pretty much my reference for HT sound and it is incredible. For testing Dialogue I usually use Pulp Fiction as it has given me trouble in the past. Sounds great now. These things are begging for more power though. In case anyone wants to know, I'm powering everything with a Marantz SR6006 and it does a good job. It's not rated for 4 Ohms, but it doesn't have a problem. It looks like the last generation Crown Drivecores are on sale so two XLS 2000's are on their way. I'm going to keep one channel in reserve for when I upgrade my sub. I'll post an update once I get them all wired up.

Now for the pics....




Gotta open another post to upload the rest.