Building the "Kairos" design by Jeff B.

[woodsart]

Firstly, I would like to thank so many of you guys who contributed to the decision making process of researching speakers and building the Kairos! The input here and speaker building help is priceless.


While researching for many months, and bugging everyone on the forum.... I found that trying to find a pair of speakers for the office was going to be difficult even though I had a decent budget of 1K. I either wanted a pair with a sub, or two with sufficient bass, a another pair of TL's, definitely something that was designed here on TT by the best DIY gurus on the net. The information provided by you was very helpful and guided me through the process beautifully. However, if I had my way, I would build about 10 more, (but my wife would surely leave), that way I would just about have unique signature sounds from all of you. Except for a few Dan N., love your stuff, but man way over my head. Jim H. You were very helpful and I want to build the Finalist. Wolf, you have some great stuff. JR, Roman, TC, and a couple others who contributed much input. So, it wasn't difficult finding a great pair of speakers, but decision was which ones.......

Some of you suggested to learn how to design and as I read and read, I found that designing was not my thing, I just don't get it. Must easier for me to copy another's renderings.

Just talking speakers for 2 channel listening in general.....all the reading and listening to many speakers, I found that the upper register sound was significantly important to me as well as good bass...(as most feel). I have the Triton TL pair of speakers now and I love the LD25X tweeter, so I knew it would have to be something to top or eqaul this. And, I also like Jeff's designs, so I decided to stay in my comfort zone. The continuums were right up there, but, think I would go with 2 subs....thus a lot of boxes. The Mandolin was a suggestion and would make a great pair, but with much reading and looking at the measurements and comments SB Acoustics' proven designs, I thought I could not go wrong with the Kairos/Satori drivers. I read a comment that when a "designer" says they are keepers, I figure, I need to take note. The Marantz PM8003 would be quite sufficient to drive them as well and well it does.

The drivers for the Kairos are.......

SB Acoustic Satori Woofer.....MW16R
SB Acoustic Satori Tweeter..... TW29R

My pics.....

Stay tuned for the build.....with changes from the original cab design and an unusual finish......

[woodsart]

Re: Building the "Kairos" design by Jeff B.

Receiving the box from Mark at Meniscus found everything in order, well packed and checked off and many, many pages of plans. At that point, I said "OH BOY", am I in trouble, with the Tritons there were two plans, one mitered and one b**t jointed. With the Kairos all mitered, I was really awestruck with such detailed plans and scared silly, because there was no way I could do that without a table saw, so I bought one. All in all I got the pieces cut (not mitered), and some twice......a few pieces took three cuts to get it right. The baffle and the sides are all 1" using 3/4 and 1/4 MDF, norez lined. I recommend the little table/legged table saw at 129.00 from Home Depot, just can't beat it.




Also, I really liked what Joachim Gerhard was doing in his design thread when he posted a set of boxes from SB Acoustics, the shape intrigued me. So I decided after more research to angle the front and top "sides" down to midway of the woofer. This compliments the shape and furthers the stream line modern looking baffle. And of course the Modern/antique painted wood finish. Thanks, Dan K., for some interesting, inspiring sketches toward this project.

Now on to some pics of my process......2 coats of white primer and hopefully one more sand! This primer is the best, but it was a mistake with this finish. I remember before I did not use primer, just sealed the edges of the MDF with part glue and water....works great. When I built the Triton TMs and TLs later, I did not use a primer and the finish was better.

Here is the equipment in the office area of about 150 square feet with the Marantz and HRT MSII+........

[woodsart]

Re: Building the "Kairos" design by Jeff B.

In the beginning.....



Using the drill/rasp bit was a bit tricky, but this decision was made after the cab assembly, probably would have been easier on the table saw.

[woodsart]

Re: Building the "Kairos" design by Jeff B.

A coat for fun with Martha's Stewarts metallic paint (from Homedepot) speciality finish to create an under coat of faux wood grain, however, the thin coat was not contest for the sandpaper as it the primer exposed itself.

Then on with the Satin Colonial Red from Rustoleum paint......

The flat black top coat.....

Now the sanding, but not with regular sand paper. I found out the hard way one needs to wet sand this paint. Beware this paint is really tougher than I thought when sanding through multiple finishes. Sorry these got a little out of order.......

[woodsart]

Re: Building the "Kairos" design by Jeff B.

Then on to wax with Finnes Paste Wax.

Viola.....The finish product........with stainless screws on the woofer.

[woodsart]

Re: Building the "Kairos" design by Jeff B.

A few more close up.....

[woodsart]

Re: Building the "Kairos" design by Jeff B.

How do they sound?

The tweeter is exactly what I expected, very clean and smooth and the woofer's bass is very charismatic, with an engaging aura and super clear. Seems so far these provide me with enough in the short time I have listened. The overall sound would be described as......well, they are just monitors but they have a towering presentation, but not without at a" price" but definitely with a "windfall" of listening enjoyment. They not only meet, but exceed my expectations as sometimes more money doesn't mean better sound.

As I mentioned before the Kairos are driven by The older version, Marantz PM8003 with the HRT Music Streamer II+ with some specialty cables with 12 gage monoprice and banna plugs. My music source via Comcast is mostly Spotify Premium or at least for now till I get use to them. The room is "The Office" approximately 150 sq. ft.

There is not much I can add to what has already been said about the Satori drivers and the Kairos speaker design by Jeff Bagby for Meniscus Audio. Could not be more happy with the overall sound, but, hey at this price point, they should be great, right? Not always, but, these are simply some of the best monitors I have heard.

Very satisfied with the completed finish representing aged wood, with wood grain accents and silky smooth wax finish. This look is not for everyone, but for our home, it just works.

I might add that the "sky is the limit" these interesting finishes for one's speakers, if you are skeptical of veneering or just want to try something different, I can offer some help, if needed. If your decor and your wife likes Shabby Chic wood, then this is a wide open door with great WAF!

Here you will find information on the Kairos as well as Jeff's comments and measurements............http://meniscusaudio.com/images/The%...ff%20Bagby.PDF.

Hope you guys enjoy this "beginners interpretation" of his build.

Thanks,

Robert

[DanHine]

Re: Building the "Kairos" design by Jeff B.

Nicely done! I was not aware of a rasp drill bit. I know you say the table saw may have been easier but for those of us who are not very good with complex miters on a table saw, this seems like another (and perhaps safer) way to go. At least, until I find someone around here who knows what their doing and can teach me.

Pretty cool finish too!

[Jeff B.]

Re: Building the "Kairos" design by Jeff B.

I'm glad you like them, Robert. I hope they bless you with many years of enjoyment.

Thanks for the write-up, and I like your personalized touches to the cabinet design.

Jeff

[lorenmjones]

Re: Building the "Kairos" design by Jeff B.

Nicely done! I was not aware of a rasp drill bit. I know you say the table saw may have been easier but for those of us who are not very good with complex miters on a table saw, this seems like another (and perhaps safer) way to go. At least, until I find someone around here who knows what their doing and can teach me.

Pretty cool finish too!

If you have a decent miter guage/fence then those chamfers on an angle are pretty easily done.

1. Set blade angle to 45 deg.
2. Set miter fence angle to the desired angle (5 to 6 deg might be a common ballpark. It obviously just depends on the design.
3. Hold the cabinet against the miter fence positioned so that the cut is lined up to remove the proper amount. A stop block attached to the miter fence may come in handy here.
4. Carefully slide the cabinet across the blade to complete the cut.

It isn't too hard at all. You just have to be meticulous about the setup and measure correctly or you will wreck your cabinet. Always be careful of kickback...

Also that is super nice work on the distressed finish. I love that as would my wife.

[woodsart]

Re: Building the "Kairos" design by Jeff B.

Thanks, Dan and yes the rasp is the safest way to go for me anyway. 4.00, you can't beat it and it works rapidly with MDF. I also used this for the Tritons creating rubbed edges as though it was bumped over the years!

Thanks Jeff, appreciate it and I know I will enjoy them for a long time.

Loren....Thank you, it is really very easy to do, and hard, very hard to make mistakes, unless you prime it in white.....:eek:

[woodsart]

Re: Building the "Kairos" design by Jeff B.

Sorry, someone made a double post.........not ME.....

[djkest]

Re: Building the "Kairos" design by Jeff B.

Hey Woodsart,
Congrats on finishing up your project! The only thing better and more exciting than starting a big project is actually completing it. This is very cool and I like the antique finish you have come up with. They look fantastic and they are definately "you" with your own unique style and twist.

Glad I was able to help with some moral support earlier in your decision making process.

[woodsart]

Re: Building the "Kairos" design by Jeff B.

Hey Woodsart,
Congrats on finishing up your project! The only thing better and more exciting than starting a big project is actually completing it. This is very cool and I like the antique finish you have come up with. They look fantastic and they are definately "you" with your own unique style and twist.

Glad I was able to help with some moral support earlier in your decision making process.

Thanks, DJK, it was an experience and a lot of learning.

Speaking of......learned I need a table saw (:

[lorenmjones]

Re: Building the "Kairos" design by Jeff B.

...it is really very easy to do, and hard, very hard to make mistakes, unless you prime it in white.....:eek:

That's funny. Lesson's learned every day....

Congratulations on the nice job. Enjoy