Imperial Russian Stout Build Thread

[mzisserson]

Re: Imperial Russian Stout Build Thread

Pure S-E-X.... Love the look and if it is like any other of Jay's Audio-Fu, I am sure you will enjoy them for a VERY long time.

[Brewski]

Re: Imperial Russian Stout Build Thread

Drooooool!!!! I must resist the urge and avoid going out to build those right now.... They are really stunning I'm blown away by how nice they look. The only thing saving me from starting them as a project is 1. I still really like the Ruinations and 2. I've just started the Bourbon Stouts :D.

Hopefully they give you years of enjoyment thanks for giving them a try

Take it easy
Jay

[fastbike1]

Re: Imperial Russian Stout Build Thread

They are heading to the media room to replace the current mains tonight (perhaps first thing tomorrow morning). I've got a couple of hours listening so far and haven't found any genre they can't do well.

At the risk of being over-subtle, these speakers really are a home run. Tight bass, clear mids, orderly highs. Kick drums thump, acoustic bass sound like you're in front of the stage. Vocals (Alison Krauss, Norah Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lyle Lovett) are clear and display each singer's style perfectly. I've heard Lyle live six times and the speakers nail his sound.
I have some solo cello pieces that really put the cello in the room. I could not be happier about the sound quality. So far, I've only run them through a Squeezebox and a DTA-100A. With better (more) power I expect them to be a further revelation.


As an eco minded individual, the old mains will be heading to my eldest son and daughter-in-law, as will the center and sub.

My nefarious plan of course includes new subs, center, etc for my media room (aka the Fortress of Solitude).

Pure S-E-X.... Love the look and if it is like any other of Jay's Audio-Fu, I am sure you will enjoy them for a VERY long time.

[scottq]

Re: Imperial Russian Stout Build Thread

They look fantastic!! I'm envious of having a new project ready to move to the media room...

I have a pair my wife has asked me to make for the downstairs, and another that I'm hoping to enter in Iron Speaker contest... Diablo 3 has managed to take up my free time this last month though

[Steve Henry]

Re: Finally

Gentle Readers, the Imperial Russian Stouts are making music.

Didn't seem like it would ever happen. Like several others, painting the cab led to several problems and required stripping then veneering the cabs. I am pleased with the final finish, and I learned a ton about some of the construction choices I made.

To recap, a three way Fountek/DX25 design w/ XO by Brewski.
Baffles are Black Walnut, Veneer is Figured German Beech. Waterlox the only finish.

They sound . . . . loud (and great). Inaugural CD: VanHalen, since they seem like rockers. Jay's XO does a great job of separating the duty to the drivers.
Like Jay, I now believe the Fountek FW168 and FW146's to be underappreciated.

I can't thank Jay (Brewski) enough for his design, patience, and encouragement. Best news: All of these drivers are available.

Without further adieu, The Imperials in my highly sophisticated anechoic test chamber.

Stunning! Where did you find the that beautiful piece of Walnut & Figured Beech veneer?

[BeeTL]

Re: Imperial Russian Stout Build Thread

Those are gorgeous!

[fastbike1]

Re: Finally

Thanks. I was really happy about how the beech matched the walnut sapwood. Again Waterlox was the only finish. Didn't tint the walnut at all.

The Black Walnut came from my local Woodcraft. 9" wide by about 90" long, ~$52.

The Beech came from Rosebud Veneer on Ebay. I've bought severel things from him because his prices are typically the lowest I've seen and he often has wide lots so I don't have to splice. Usually raw veneer though. In this case the Beech was 16.5 wide x 108. I think my delivered price was about 75c/ ft sq. It was a bit wavy so I softened and flattened.

I've gotten "eye" Beech (kind of like Birdseye), European Ash, and Anigre for similar prices all with 8" or greater widths.

Stunning! Where did you find the that beautiful piece of Walnut & Figured Beech veneer?

[Wolf]

Re: Imperial Russian Stout Build Thread

Those look fantastic!

Very nice looking veneer, and they have a 'showpiece' quality about them.

Well done!
Wolf

[6thplanet]

Re: Imperial Russian Stout Build Thread

Bravo man! Nice choice in wood and finish. The Fountek units are cool and priced well for what the are. Good job!!

[fastbike1]

Re: Imperial Russian Stout Build Thread

I appreciate all the kind words.

I do want to emphasize that the Founteks really are nice drivers, and Jay has done a great job with the XO.

Paul has used the Fountek Neo in the Speedsters and Jay has used the FW168s in several designs. Meniscus Audio is/are great people.

I really hope that some of the other designers will give them a go.

[r-carpenter]

Re: Imperial Russian Stout Build Thread

Certainly a great looking build!
Knowing Founteks capability and J's design skills, this must be a hell of a dynamic, sweet sounding speaker. Hopefully FWs aren't going up in the price any time soon.

[KiwiListener]

Re: Finally

Gentle Readers, the Imperial Russian Stouts are making music.

Didn't seem like it would ever happen. Like several others, painting the cab led to several problems and required stripping then veneering the cabs. I am pleased with the final finish, and I learned a ton about some of the construction choices I made.

To recap, a three way Fountek/DX25 design w/ XO by Brewski.
Baffles are Black Walnut, Veneer is Figured German Beech. Waterlox the only finish.

They sound . . . . loud (and great). Inaugural CD: VanHalen, since they seem like rockers. Jay's XO does a great job of separating the duty to the drivers.
Like Jay, I now believe the Fountek FW168 and FW146's to be underappreciated.

I can't thank Jay (Brewski) enough for his design, patience, and encouragement. Best news: All of these drivers are available.

Without further adieu, The Imperials in my highly sophisticated anechoic test chamber.

Superb !! I am a huge fan of figured wood and that walnut is absolutely amazing. It's very rare here in N.Z. Occasionally you come across the odd piece. If they sound as good as they look then you will be getting the best of both worlds, eyecandy and superb sound .
I've just finished the 2-way project, build thread here
http://techtalk.parts-express.com/sh...d.php?t=232183

And looking at these has allready got me thinking about the 3 ways I have in mind. Well done & enjoy

[fastbike1]

Re: Imperial Russian Stout Build Thread

I haven't pushed them yet, but they have taken residence in the home theater setup. Parasound 5250 for power so I can show them the stick. I have fairly wide taste in music and so far haven't been disappointed with their performance. Don't expect to be disappointed either. At this point I don't think I'll be doing any tweaking of the XO.

Certainly a great looking build!
Knowing Founteks capability and J's design skills, this must be a hell of a dynamic, sweet sounding speaker. Hopefully FWs aren't going up in the price any time soon.

[scottq]

Re: Imperial Russian Stout Build Thread

I haven't pushed them yet, but they have taken residence in the home theater setup. Parasound 5250 for power so I can show them the stick.

Any thoughts on the 5250? Have you compared it to other Parasounds? Just curious how the "new classic" stuff is compared to the old HCA series. 5250 would really help fill my theater needs - have an HCA-855 that can't really keep up with the dual 1500A's bridged on the mains...

[fastbike1]

Re: Imperial Russian Stout Build Thread

Haven't compared it to any of the older (or newer) Parasounds. My impression is that the 5250 is more robust. Certainly is by the specs and the tests that I've read have said the specs are accurate/conservative.
Bought it in 07 because I was tired of asking myself if I should upgrade my amp. I don't ask that question anymore. Have no intention of changing. I believe the specs. It will do more than your circuit. 45 amps reserve/chanel 5 channels driven. It never gets hot and I don't think I've ever come close to really pushing it. I have listened to avg 90dB levels for a (short) while on symphonic stuff and get nothing but effortless music.

It's paired w/ a New Classic 7100 which I'm also happy with, but have been thinking of replacing w/ a Halo P7. Could get a bit better bass management I think.

Any thoughts on the 5250? Have you compared it to other Parasounds? Just curious how the "new classic" stuff is compared to the old HCA series. 5250 would really help fill my theater needs - have an HCA-855 that can't really keep up with the dual 1500A's bridged on the mains...